NASHVILLE, TENN. (RFD NEWS) — If you have clear skies tonight, take a few minutes to look up. June’s full moon—known as the Strawberry Moon—will illuminate the evening sky, marking the first full moon of summer and offering one of the season’s most picturesque celestial displays. It reaches peak illumination at 7:57 p.m. EDT on Monday, June 29.
Despite its sweet-sounding name, the Strawberry Moon won’t actually appear pink. The name comes from Indigenous North American tribes, including the Algonquin people, who used it to mark the short strawberry harvest season each June. Other traditional names include the Honey Moon, Mead Moon, and Green Corn Moon.
Astronomically, this full moon is especially notable because it will appear unusually low in the sky for viewers across the Northern Hemisphere. As it rises near the horizon after sunset, the familiar “moon illusion” can make it appear larger than it really is, while Earth’s atmosphere may give it a warm golden or orange glow.
For the best view, head outside shortly after moonrise and find an open area away from bright city lights. Whether you’re wrapping up a day in the field or simply enjoying a summer evening on the porch, tonight’s Strawberry Moon offers a beautiful reminder of the changing seasons.
This year’s Strawberry Moon also occurs in the zodiac sign of Capricorn. While astrology is a matter of personal belief rather than science, many associate a Capricorn full moon with themes of perseverance, long-term goals, and taking stock of hard work already accomplished. At the same time, Mercury is retrograde in Cancer, a period often associated in astrology with reflection, slowed communication, and revisiting emotional or family matters.
