The Strawberry Moon is a recognizable term for the full moon event that occurs in June. This annual celestial event is one of many named moons tracked by different cultures for centuries to mark the passage of time. This naming tradition provides a calendar based on natural seasonal occurrences rather than a purely Gregorian date system.
The June Full Moon’s Astronomical Identity
A full moon occurs when the Moon is positioned opposite the Earth from the Sun in celestial longitude. During this alignment, the side of the Moon facing Earth is entirely illuminated by sunlight, appearing as a complete circle.
The June full moon is notable for its low path in the sky for Northern Hemisphere observers. This occurs because the full moon is always opposite the Sun, and the Sun reaches its highest point during the summer solstice in June.
When the Sun is at its highest point, the opposing full moon must take a shallow, low arc across the horizon. This low trajectory causes the June full moon to be one of the lowest full moons of the entire year. This means its light travels through a greater amount of Earth’s atmosphere, influencing its visual appearance.
Origins of the Strawberry Moon Name
The name “Strawberry Moon” is purely cultural and does not relate to the Moon’s physical appearance or color. The tradition originated primarily with Algonquin tribes, including the Ojibwe, Dakota, and Lakota peoples, in the northeastern United States. These groups used the moon’s phases to track the seasons for hunting, planting, and gathering.
The name specifically referred to the brief period in early summer when wild strawberries ripened and were ready for harvest. The practice of using nature-based names for the full moon was widespread across different regions and cultures.
Other Native American groups called it the Berries Ripen Moon, Green Corn Moon, or Birth Moon. European cultures frequently called it the Rose Moon because roses bloom in June. It was also known as the Mead Moon or Honey Moon in Anglo-Saxon and Celtic traditions, referencing the time for making honey wine.
Why the Moon Sometimes Looks Golden
The June full moon is not named after a reddish or pinkish color, as its name is tied entirely to the ripening fruit. Any golden, amber, or reddish color observed is a temporary visual effect caused by atmospheric conditions. This phenomenon, known as atmospheric scattering, occurs when the Moon is viewed close to the horizon.
When the Moon is low in the sky, its light travels through a significantly greater thickness of the Earth’s atmosphere. During this long journey, the atmosphere’s molecules scatter the shorter wavelengths of light, such as blue and violet.
The longer, warmer wavelengths—red, orange, and yellow—are less scattered and dominate the light visible to the human eye. Because the June full moon follows an exceptionally low path, this scattering effect is frequently enhanced, giving it a striking golden appearance.