A Strawberry Moon is the traditional name for the full moon that occurs in June, named by Native American tribes to signal the season for harvesting wild strawberries in North America, though it can also appear reddish due to atmospheric effects as it hangs low in the sky. This full moon marks the beginning of summer and is often the lowest-hanging full moon of the year, which can make it look larger or more orange/red as its light passes through more of Earth's atmosphere.
Its name comes from indigenous Americans , marking the beginning of the strawberry harvest - and has nothing to do with its reddish tint. The strawberry moon has a reddish tint because of its position so close to the horizon - which is also what gives the rising and setting sun its colour.
Is the strawberry moon the same thing as a blood moon?
The strawberry moon is distinct from the blood moon, however, notes Fox61's Krys Shahin. Blood moons—like the one that graced our skies in March—occur during total lunar eclipses, when the sun, the Earth and the moon line up in a way that makes the Earth block most of the sun's light from reaching the moon.
Traditionally tied to the peak of strawberry season, this full moon is more than a pretty face—it's a cosmic moment known for triggering clarity, emotional shifts, and personal growth.
In very rare circumstances, the Moon can appear blue, but in this case the colour would be caused by viewing the Moon through a haze of dust particles in our atmosphere, perhaps from a recent volcanic eruption. From space, however, the Moon will look just as grey as it always has!
White Dots on Strawberries are Not Seeds - Strawberry Dissection
Why is the 2025 strawberry moon special?
As for the 2025 Strawberry Moon, it was the lowest-hanging full moon of the year as seen from the Northern Hemisphere. According to EarthSky, this Strawberry Moon was the lowest full moon since 2006, due to the major lunar standstill.
Every 18.6 years, our Moon reaches the extremes of its orbit around the Earth. We observe this as the Moon rises and sets at its most northerly and southerly positions on the horizon.
A year with 13 full moons happens every 2 to 3 years because 12 lunar cycles are about 11 days shorter than a solar year, causing an extra full moon (a "Blue Moon") to occur, often appearing as the second full moon in a single month or the third in a season with four, as is the case in 2026 with extra full moons in May.
Why is it called a strawberry moon if it's not pink?
The term Strawberry Moon originates from North American Indigenous traditions, marking the time of year when strawberries ripen and are ready for harvest. These lunar names were practical seasonal markers long before they became media-friendly hashtags.
The last full Moon was on 3 January 2026. The next full Moon is on 1 February 2026 at 10.09pm in the UK. February's full Moon is popularly known as the 'Snow Moon'.
What does the August 9 full moon mean spiritually?
As the moon reaches its peak on August 9, the skies deliver more than just a lunar spectacle; this is a cosmic turning point. The full moon in Aquarius brings with it the energy of revolution, truth, and personal liberation, urging each zodiac sign to break free from outdated systems, beliefs, and limitations.
So, could we eventually have a future where the Earth no longer has a Moon? Even at its high current rate of retreat, the Moon is unlikely to ever leave the Earth entirely. The Sun's own calamitous demise will probably intervene long before that happens in around 5-10 billion years.
Consider that through the prophet Isaiah, God says: “It shall come to pass that from one New Moon to another, and from one Sabbath to another, all flesh shall come to worship before Me” (66:23). Here Isaiah connects the New Moon with future worship.
Tonight Dec 4 the last supermoon of 2025, the Cold Moon, will climb higher in the sky than any other full moon this year thanks to a rare 18.6 year Major Lunar Standstill cycle. It will not hit this height again until 2042. Look east right after sunset for the biggest show!
On September 7, 2025, a total lunar eclipse of the full Corn Moon will sweep across Antarctica, Australia, Asia, the western Pacific Ocean, the Indian Ocean, Europe, the eastern Atlantic Ocean and Africa. Total lunar eclipses can turn a deep shade of red and are often called a Blood Moon.
The total lunar eclipse will occur on March 14-15,2025. It will last approximately 65 minutes during which the Moon will start from its usual bright white to a deep red or brown shade.
