Watch for the Full Strawberry Supermoon!
The full Strawberry Moon rises on Saturday, June 3, 2023. Will it be pink? What is the true origin of the name “Strawberry Moon,” and what are some other June Moon names? Learn more!
When to See the Full Moon in June 2023
On the evening of Saturday, June 3—just after sunset—look towards the southeast to watch the full Moon rise gently above the horizon. There, it will appear large and golden-hued.
June’s full Moon will reach peak illumination at 11:43 P.M. Eastern Time. See the Full Moon Calculator for your local time.
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Why Is It Called the Strawberry Moon?
The full Moon names used by The Old Farmer’s Almanac come from a number of places, including Native American, Colonial American, and European sources. Historically, names for the full or new Moons were used to track the seasons. Today, we think of Moon names as “nicknames” for the Moon.
June’s full Moon—typically the last full Moon of spring or the first of summer—has traditionally been called the Strawberry Moon. While strawberries certainly are a reddish-pink color and are roundish in shape, the origin of the name “Strawberry Moon” has nothing to do with the Moon’s hue or appearance, despite the evocative imagery (shown in the artist rendering below). A Moon usually appears reddish when it’s close to the horizon because the light rays must pass through the densest layers of atmosphere.
This “Strawberry Moon” name has been used by Native American Algonquian tribes that live in the northeastern United States as well as the Ojibwe, Dakota, and Lakota peoples to mark the ripening of “June-bearing” strawberries that are ready to be gathered. The Haida term Berries Ripen Moon reflects this as well. As flowers bloom and early fruit ripens, June is a time of great abundance for many.
Alternative June Moon Names
Many cultures over time have used different names for the 12 full moons experienced each year. Usually, they’re not based on a color, but on a common activity that takes place that time of year.
Blooming Moon (Anishinaabe) is indicative of the flowering season, while Green Corn Moon (Cherokee) and Hoer Moon (Western Abenaki) suggest that it’s time to tend to young crops.
Other names highlight that this is a time of new life: The Tlingit have used the term Birth Moon, referring to the time when certain animals are born in their region (the Pacific Northwest). Egg Laying Moon and Hatching Moon are Cree terms that also hint at a time of many animal babies.
Alternative European names for this Moon include the Honey Moon and the Mead Moon. June was traditionally the month of marriage, and is even named after the Roman goddess of marriage, Juno. Following marriage comes the “honeymoon,” which may be tied to this alternative Moon name!
→ See all 12 months of full Moon names and meanings.
Moon Phases for June 2023
See our Moon Phase Calendar to customize dates and times to your location.
 | Full Moon: June 3, 11:43 P.M. EDT |
 | Last Quarter: June 10, 3:32 P.M. EDT |
 | New Moon: June 18, 12:39 A.M. EDT |
 | First Quarter: June 26, 3:51 A.M. EDT |
→ Also, find the Moon rise and set times here.
June Moon Folklore
- A growing Moon and a flowing tide are lucky times to marry.
- Days following both the New and Full Moons are most likely to be rainy or stormy.
- Crabbing, shrimping, and clamming are best when the Moon is full.
Full Strawberry Moon Video
Learn more about how the full Strawberry Moon name originated, along with some fascinating Moon facts, in our short video here:
Best Days in June 2023
Below are the best days for activities, based on the Moon’s sign and phase in June.
| Activity | Best Days |
| Go Camping | 3, 4, 30 |
| Setting Eggs | 7, 8, 26 |
| Fishing | 1–3, 18–30 |
→ See all activities on our Best Days calendar.
Share your thoughts about this month’s Moon below!
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My Aunt is the only person I've ever known who can tell that a full moon is on the way because 4 people on the same block are now engaged in 2 separate arguments. She comes in and asks "Is there a full moon? My reply "Only 2 days away and it's an important one, too!" Never known anyone else who could call it that close!!
My husband and I love the alerts on weather and astronomy from both Old Farmers Almanac and SpaceWeather.com. But it never fails: whenever there is something really interesting to see, it rains here on the north shore of Long island! Interesting conjuction? Very cloudy. One of the rare auroras we get to see now and then? Mizzling. Meteor shower? Drizzle. Full Strawberry Moon? Rain....
I wrote a "moon song" for the Inspiration in my life, my Mom, a few years ago, and every month I do a short video of the moon as I sing the short song. Last November I had my Mom right beside me while I sang her moon song and videotaped her. She was laughing with my sister in law Dianne and we had a lot of fun with it. This June 2017 Stawberry Full Moon found me singing the song once again on Thursday night since it was a clear night and I didn't want to risk not being able to view it for my video on Friday night. Living 1228 kms from where my Mom lives, I sang, "There's a full moon out tonight, and it's shining oh so bright. High up in the sky, in an almost starless night. There's a full moon out tonight, oh so round and full of light; And I say, Keep safe, stay well, I Love you Mom, Good night" Sadly, my beloved Mom passed away suddenly and tragically, so unexpectedly on Friday evening June 9, 2017. The moon, where I live those 1228 kms away, was hazy in its full form. I reached deep into my being to sing her my Moon Song again on this sorrowful night. "There's a full moon out tonight but it's not shedding it's full light. It's misty hazey partial light, is shedding tears for a loved one lost tonight. Beyond the moon and stars is where you will now shed you light so bright. Keep safe, to the ends of the Earth and back, I Love you Mom; Goodnight "
A loving, wonderful tribute to both you and your mother. Thank you for posting it.
Such a beautiful story & song.
Much love & light to you & yours.
What a sweet and wonderful story, Debbie. Thank you much for sharing this prescious memory of yours. God speed.
Christine
Thank you for sharing. My mom and I loved the full moon.
Lost
That moon kept me up half the night.
IM staving home,all the crazies come out on full moon
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