Take a moment tonight, June 27th, to look up at the sky and behold the beauty of the Strawberry Full Moon. However, don’t be disappointed if the moon doesn’t look like a ripe strawberry. The sweet and fruity name for June’s full moon comes from the North American Algonquin tribe who collected strawberries this time of year. But there’s actually a lot more to the Strawberry Full Moon than its name dictates.
For instance, according to Bob Bonadurer, director of the Milwaukee Public Museum’s planetarium, via USAToday.com, the Strawberry Full Moon also happens to be the most colorful full moon of the year. This is because this month’s moon travels a “low, shallow path” across the sky, causing the light from the moon to penetrate through more of Earth’s atmosphere. This will give tonight’s Full Moon a yellow/orange tint — a color more along the lines of unripe strawberries.
Furthermore, “Strawberry” isn’t the colloquial name for June’s full moon across the world. Depending on where you are, tonight’s moon could be called the Mead Moon, Full Rose Moon, or the Honey Moon (and no, we’re not talking about a trip to Aruba).
This means that there are many different ways to celebrate this Full Moon’s arrival.
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So don’t feel like you have to toast to the moon with strawberry wine and shortcake — although, if that’s what you have on the docket tonight, please invite us over. Buy yourself a gorgeous bouquet of roses or prepare your favorite tea with honey. Or, if you’re into cooking, check out this honey cake recipe that looks like summer in a baking pan.
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Since our ancient ancestors walked the earth, the full moon has been blamed for bad moods, sleepwalking, violence, and lunacy. In fact, according to AccuWeather.com, the word “lunacy” is derived from “luna,” the Latin word for “moon.” Some say the human-moon connection is all myth. But as AccuWeather.com states, numerous studies show that there could be a human link to the full moon. (For all you skeptics out there, LiveScience.com refuted most of the above claims with other studies. It’s truly a toss up!)
For example, full moons have been proven to disrupt sleep cycles, so make sure to hit the hay early tonight, to ensure to you get a full eight hours or so. And whether it’s because of the countless stories passed down throughout the years or actual science, people can get cranky in the days before and after a full moon. Be prepared and buy yourself (or your friend) some chocolate to make it all better — trust us on this one.
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The appearance of this month’s Strawberry Full Moon also coincides with Saturn being the closest to Earth tonight as it will be all year. The planet will be visible to the naked eye, USAToday.com reports, but a telescope will be needed to see its rings.
There are so many reasons to look up tonight and celebrate what the universe has to offer. And if you have any more of that strawberry wine, serve us up a glass, will you?