Strawberry Moon 2024: A Fascinating Wonder To See In June

Summer brings warmth and sunshine and an awe-inspiring phenomenon of the night sky — the Strawberry Moon. In this article we will delve into the fascinating world of this occurrence, exploring its origins, meaning, and cultural significance, leaving you with a newfound appreciation for this celestial wonder. Get ready to be mesmerized by the magic of the Strawberry Full Moon in 2024!

What Is A Strawberry Moon?

This is what they call a full Moon in June. Before calendars, our ancestors kept track of the seasons by following the lunar circles. When a plenilune appeared in the sky, they gave it a special name based on their current surroundings, seasonal changes, agricultural cycles, and other important events.

According to the American publication The Old Farmer’s Almanac, the name “Strawberry Moon” comes from the Algonquin tribe of North American Indians, who considered June plenilune a signal to collect ripe fruits and berries, particularly strawberries.

What Other Names Does June Plenilune Have?

As European colonisation expanded and cultures mixed, full moon names adapted and spread around the world. Here are a few other names of the June’s Strawberry Moon that we know today:

Lotus Moon

This is how the phenomenon was nicknamed in China because of its coincidence with the lotus flowering season. The lotus is an important symbol in Chinese culture and Buddhism, as it represents purity, beauty, and rebirth since the flower grows in dirty water and yet remains untouched by it.

Mead Or Honey Moon 

In European culture, June is traditionally associated with the beginning of summer, honey harvesting, and wedding season. According to legend, newlyweds used to drink mead on the first moon of their wedding. Perhaps, this is why the first month after the wedding is called ‘honey,’ and June is considered one of the most successful months for getting married.

Moon LRO 

This is what NASA employees sometimes call June plenilune. The name is given in honour of the automatic interplanetary station Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter, launched on June 19, 2009.

Rose Moon 

In European cultures, June plenilune is also called Pink Moon — all thanks to the rapid flowering of roses during this period. Although roses begin to bloom in late May and continue until early fall, they are often considered to be at their best in first summer month, which is also why the rose is called the June flower.

Other seasonal names for June Plenilune that we have found mentioned in various sources are the Flower, Hot, Hoe, and Planting Moon.

Is Strawberry Moon Pink?

Even though June plenilune is named after roses and strawberries, it has no analogy with their colour. In most cases, our satellite will appear golden-orange or white, as in other months of the year. But sometimes, it can take on a reddish tint.

Why Is The Strawberry Full Moon Pink? 

There are two main reasons for that:  

• Supermoon, when plenilune coincides with perigee, that is, the moment of closest approach to Earth. At such a time, the lunar disk appears to be 14% larger in diameter and 30% brighter than when the celestial body is at its apogee — the farthest point from Earth.
• when plenilune is low above the horizon.

At such moments, we can observe the real strawberry colour of the moon. This phenomenon is also known as ‘lunar illusion.’ Just like the Sun, which appears scarlet at dawn and sunset, lunar illusion occurs because the Earth’s atmosphere scatters sunlight reflected from the lunar surface more strongly, absorbing colours with shorter wavelengths, such as violet or blue, and making the red spectrum dominant. You can see this effect in the picture below.

Blood Moon VS Strawberry Moon: What Do They Have In Common?

Since these two events require plenilune to occur, sometimes they can coincide, but this happens extremely rarely once every few years. A prerequisite for the onset of a Blood Moon is a complete or partial lunar eclipse, when our satellite, Sun, and Earth line up and the Earth’s shadow covers the satellite from the sun’s rays, making it appear copper or ominously purple. Unlike Strawberry plenilune, which traditionally occurs in June, a lunar eclipse occurs 2–3 times a year and can happen at any season. So, Strawberry and Blood Plenilune coincided on June 5, 2020. And their next meeting is expected on June 26, 2029.

What Does A Strawberry Moon Symbolize In Astrology?

In astrology, the Strawberry Full Moon represents abundance, fertility, and the flourishing of life. It is a time of honouring the connection between nature and people, reminding us of life and natural cycles,  is the right moment to manifest our intentions and celebrate growth and changes in life. In addition, the phenomenon is associated with the summer solstice — the longest day of the year. This is a time of brightness, vitality, and increased energy when the power of Strawberry plenilune should be used to resolve old conflicts and make plans for the immediate future.

Strawberry Moon Rituals 

Since the phenomenon is rooted in the deep past, it is associated with many traditions and even magical rituals. Here are a few you can try:

Vat Purnima

This Hindu ritual holiday coincides with Strawberry Moon time and is mainly celebrated by married women in India and Nepal. (Purnima in Sanskrit means full Moon). The festival has its roots in the legend of Savitri and Satyavan from the epic Mahabharata. According to it, Savitri’s devotion and determination saved her husband Satyavan from the clutches of death itself, which was personified by God.

This is the time when women fast, tie threads around the sacred banyan tree and pray for the well-being and longevity of their husbands. If you wish your family well, try this ritual regardless of your religion.

Ritual For Releasing Negative Thoughts

June Plenilune is a great time to free yourself from old problems. Write a letter to yourself listing everything you want to let go of, for example, difficult thoughts or problems that are weighing you down. Then fold your letter into an envelope, add a bay leaf to your message, wrap everything in a small package, and tie it with a thread. Burn the package and when the ashes are cooled, consider your letter delivered. Finish the spell by pouring the ashes into a stream, river, or ocean. If you live in a place where water is scarce, mix the ash with regular water, and use it to water the plants.

Dream Jar Ritual

Think about what you would like to attract into your life to replace what you just let go. Write down your dreams and goals and then put them into a jar. Close the jar tightly and leave it overnight under the strawberry plenilune light to “charge” your dreams with its magical energy. In the morning, put the jar in a safe place where it will wait for your wishes to come true.

Meditative Bath 

Spend time in the bath enjoying the warm summer moonlight to cleanse and recharge yourself. For the ritual you will need:

1. Epsom salts
2. Rose Quartz Crystal
3. Lavender Essential Oil (or another calming blend)
4. A candle
5. Your favorite smudge 
6. Optional soft music

Turn on the music and light a candle. Fill your bathtub with warm water, Epsom salts, and your favourite essential oil. Place a crystal nearby. Close your eyes, focus on your breathing and repeat the mantra at least three times “I cleanse myself of what is no longer serving me”. Try it and feel refreshed and rejuvenated in no time!

Moonlight Walk 

Choose a quiet, peaceful place in nature where no one will disturb you from meditating and remaining alone with your thoughts. Use this moment to immerse yourself in nature and think about your goals and desires.

People believe that these rituals can help you connect with the strawberry plenilune energy and use it to manifest your desires and goals. But remember that such practices are not to be taken seriously but only as a way to relax and set yourself up for some positive thinking.

What Day Is The Full Moon In June?

Now that you know everything about Strawberry Plenilune, it’s time to find out when the full moon in June 2024 is. The celestial body will reach its full phase on June 22 at 01:08 GMT, two days after the June solstice, symbolizing the beginning of astronomical summer in the Northern Hemisphere and astronomical winter in the Southern Hemisphere.

The fully illuminated lunar disk will be visible in the constellation Sagittarius, next to the bright star Nunki. In astronomy, the moment of plenilune is calculated with very high precision and lasts only a few minutes. However, for a simple observer, the phenomenon usually lasts 1-2 days since the lunar disk will visually appear round, that is, completely illuminated by the Sun.

Best Time To See The Strawberry Plenilune

The best time to observe is when our satellite is rising or setting. At this time, the celestial body is closer to the horizon, which creates the illusion of a larger size and can add colour due to atmospheric effects. To learn the exact sunrise and sunset times in your location, download the Sky Tonight mobile app and use the “Lunar” tab. If you want to see strawberry plenilune in all its glory, choose a place with a good view of the horizon and without light pollution.

We wish you good luck and may the magic of the June full moon set you up in a positive mood in 2024 to make your life brighter and better!

References And Additional Information:

• Full Moon June 2024 https://www.farmersalmanac.com/june-full-moon
• June – The Strawberry Moon https://www.fullmoonphase.com/strawberry-moon.htm
• The Next Full Moon is the Strawberry Moon, Mead or Honey Moon – and a Full Moon Weekend https://solarsystem.nasa.gov/news/2364/the-next-full-moon-is-the-strawberry-moon-mead-or-honey-moon-and-a-full-moon-weekend/
• FULL MOON IN CAPRICORN : TIME TO CLEANSE https://themoondeck.com/blogs/blogs/strawberry-moon
• A Ritual for June’s Strawberry Moon https://www.littlewitchbooks.com/moonandvine/strawberrymoon
• Vat Purnima: Timings, Vrat Katha, Rituals, and Significance https://www.prokerala.com/festivals/vat-purnima-vrat.html