June’s Strawberry Moon is this weekend – here’s what it means for you

June’s Strawberry Moon is just around the corner, so if you’re still reeling from May’s Flower Moon, now is as good a time as any to get ready!

Marking the last full moon of spring or first of summer, the Strawberry Moon represents a time of flux and change, with many believing the forces of the moon’s cycle to influence the moods, emotions and feelings of individuals. While that might sound intimidating, the Strawberry Moon is often a very positive time, with this year’s being in the fire sign of Sagittarius, epitomising optimistic possibility.

So why is it called a Strawberry Moon? Despite what you might expect, June’s full moon has not earned this name because it’s a Blood Moon or of any reddish hue.

Read on to learn where the name is derived from, as well as its spiritual meaning, when you can expect it in the UK, what it means for you and everything else worth knowing ahead of June 2023’s Strawberry Moon.

What is the Strawberry Moon?

While you might (understandably) expect the name Strawberry Moon to be derived from the pinkish glow it can give off, full moon names are typically inspired by the seasons, weather patterns or animals that thrive during particular periods.

According to NASA, its name is derived from certain Native American tribes such as Algonquin, Ojibwe, Lakota and Dakota, who referred to it as the Strawberry Moon because it signified a time for gathering ripening strawberries and other fruits.

Alternative names for the Strawberry Moon include the Honey Moon, the Celtic name of Rose Moon and Anglo-Saxan name of Mead Moon, stemming from the fact that this was the time for mowing the meads (meadows).

Each moon has its own unique given name, from the Wolf Moon in January to the Blue Moon in August. If you’re interested in learning more about where these names stem from, head to our full moon calendar below for a thorough overview.

When is the Strawberry Moon in the UK?

According to the Royal Observatory, Greenwich, the full moon will reach peak illumination at 04:41am on June 4 in the UK, though will be most clear in the sky overnight in the hours before sunrise on June 3.

Is it a supermoon?

A supermoon happens when the Moon is at its closest point in its orbit to Earth at the same time as the full moon, causing it to appear especially bright and large. However, June’s full moon is not a supermoon, with the next supermoon full moon due to be on August 1 with the Sturgeon Moon.

How does the Strawberry Moon affect us?

Astrologist Molly Pennington PhD explains how the Strawberry Moon might manifest in your behaviour, saying “This Strawberry Moon is in the fire sign of Sagittarius, so it represents a time of optimistic possibility. It signals the beginning of summer season so there’s a quality of having a clean slate before you to plan and experience time in the sun to come. There could be an urge to travel or plan travel and a tendency to feel extravagant about it.”