The Buck Moon is the traditional name given to the full moon that occurs in July. This naming convention has historical origins, primarily rooted in the seasonal tracking methods used by various Native American tribes in North America. The name serves as a calendar marker, reflecting a specific natural event that takes place during midsummer. The Buck Moon is simply a description of the lunar phase occurring at a particular time of year, not an astronomical classification.
Why It Is Called the Buck Moon
The term “Buck Moon” traces its origin to the Algonquin tribes of the northeastern United States. These tribes developed a system of naming the monthly full moons based on seasonal changes, animal behavior, or agricultural cycles important to their survival. The July full moon was specifically named for the male white-tailed deer, or “bucks,” because of the state of their antlers during this time.
In the early summer months, male deer begin to rapidly grow a new set of antlers after shedding the old ones the previous winter. The newly developing antlers are covered in a soft, fuzzy layer of blood vessels and skin known as velvet. This velvet-covered growth is at its most noticeable and impressive stage during July, making it a clear and consistent seasonal marker.
The visible growth of the antlers signaled an important point in the annual cycle, giving the full moon its distinct name. This natural phenomenon provided a reliable way for the Algonquin people to track the passage of time and the changing seasons.
Other Cultural Names for the July Full Moon
While the Buck Moon is the most widely recognized name, other groups used different names for the July full moon based on their regional experiences. A common alternative is the Thunder Moon, which reflects the frequency of summer thunderstorms and intense electrical activity. This name was also used by some Native American groups who observed the dramatic weather patterns of the season.
The Hay Moon is a name often attributed to European agricultural traditions, marking the time when farmers cut and stored hay from their fields. This midsummer harvest was a significant event, tying the moon’s cycle directly to human labor. Different tribes in North America also developed specific names, such as the Salmon Moon, used by the Tlingit people to denote the time when salmon returned to the waterways.
Other names include the Raspberry Moon or Berry Moon, reflecting the peak season for gathering ripe summer fruits. These diverse names demonstrate how different societies used the same celestial event to reference the seasonal changes most relevant to their ways of life. Within Celtic traditions, the full moon was known as the Herb Moon or Wyrt Moon, referencing the time for gathering medicinal plants.
Viewing the Buck Moon and Astronomical Facts
Astronomically, the Buck Moon is simply the full phase of the Moon that falls within July. It does not possess any unique orbital or physical properties that make it appear different from any other full moon. The timing of the full moon shifts slightly each year because the lunar cycle, known as the synodic month, averages about 29.5 days.
The best time to observe the Buck Moon is at moonrise, which occurs around the time the sun is setting, or at moonset near dawn. When the Moon is low on the horizon, it often appears larger to the naked eye due to an optical phenomenon called the “Moon illusion”. The Moon’s light must pass through more of Earth’s atmosphere when it is near the horizon, causing shorter-wavelength blue light to scatter.
This scattering effect leaves the longer-wavelength red and orange light, which is why the Buck Moon often takes on a warm, orange hue as it rises. Because the full moon occurs opposite the sun and the sun is high near the summer solstice, the July full moon typically follows a lower path across the sky for Northern Hemisphere viewers. This low arc keeps it closer to the horizon, enhancing the visual effect of the Moon illusion.