On June 4, 2023, the Full Strawberry Moon will grace the sky. Why is it called so, and how is it different from the other Full Moons? Let’s figure it out.
When is the Full Moon in June 2023?
The Moon will reach its full phase on June 4, at 03:42 GMT (June 3, at 23:42 EDT). The fully-illuminated lunar disk will be shining in the constellation Scorpius, near its brightest star Antares (mag 1.1).
To easily identify Antares and other bright dots near the Moon, use the Sky Tonight app. Simply point your device at our natural satellite, and the app will show you the names of any objects close to it. Watch our tutorial to learn how to identify stars and planets next to the Moon, as well as observe Moon-planet conjunctions and occultations.
What is a Strawberry Moon?
“Strawberry Moon” is one of the traditional names for the June Full Moon used by Native Americans. The name is based not on the Moon’s features but on the peculiarities of the month: for Native American tribes, June was the strawberry harvesting season.
June Full Moon alternative names
Although the Native American name “Strawberry Moon” became the most popular, in Europe, the June Full Moon was called the Rose Moon — maybe because roses bloom this month or because the June Full Moon sometimes looks pink (we’ve described this phenomenon below).
Another European name was the Mead Moon or the Honey Moon, as June was also the season of harvesting honey. Perhaps the tradition of calling the first month of marriage “honeymoon” originated from this name since June was believed to be the best month for a wedding.
In Sri Lanka, the national festival called Poson Poya aligns with the June Full Moon. On this day, the people of Sri Lanka commemorate the introduction of Buddhism to the island. It is the second important Buddhist holiday after Vesak (Buddha Day).
A Hindu festival Vat Purnima is also celebrated during the Full Moon in June. On this day, married women keep a fast, tie threads around a banyan tree, and pray for the well-being of their husbands.
There are also various names made up by other cultures:
- Chinese: Lotus Moon;
- Celtic: Moon of Horses;
- Wiccan: Dyad Moon;
- Cherokee: Green Corn Moon;
- Southern Hemisphere: Oak Moon, Cold Moon, Long Night’s Moon.
Some NASA employees have their own name for the June Full Moon. They call it the “LRO Moon” in honor of the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter launched in June 2009.
Is the Strawberry Moon pink?
Though the name evokes associations with pink and red strawberries, it has nothing to do with the June Full Moon’s color. It will most likely be golden-orange or white — the same color as any other Full Moon. However, it may appear reddish — for the same reason the Sun looks red while rising and setting.
The June Full Moon occurs shortly before the summer solstice in the Northern Hemisphere, which is on June 21. If observed from the northern latitudes, the Moon hangs low above the horizon. It appears pink or red in this position because its light gets scattered through the atmosphere. Find out what other colors the Moon can be [with our fun quiz](https://starwalk.space/quiz/colors-of-the-moon)!
When is the next Full Moon?
The next Full Moon, called the Super Buck Moon, will be on July 3, 2023. Not to miss it, use our infographic listing the dates, times, and names of the Full Moons in 2023. Also, stay tuned for notifications in the Sky Tonight app, and follow us on social media to stay updated on astronomical events!
When is the next Strawberry Moon?
The Strawberry Moon is the Full Moon that occurs in June, so the next one will take place next year, on June 22, 2024. It will be the first Full Moon after the summer solstice, which will occur on June 20, 2024.
Bottom line
In 2023, the Full Strawberry Moon will take place on June 4, at 03:42 GMT (June 3, 23:42 EDT). It got its name from the Native American tribes who associated it with the strawberry harvesting season. To find out the dates and names of all the Full Moons occurring this year, you can refer to our Full Moon calendar for 2023. We wish you clear skies and successful observations!
