June's Strawberry Moon, the sixth full moon of 2024, is right around the corner, so 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 our moods, emotions and feelings. While that might sound intimidating, the Strawberry Moon is often a very positive time, with this year's falling in the cardinal earth sign of Capricorn, epitomising success, recognition and legacy, while kicking off Cancer season.
June 2024's Strawberry Moon is special in that it's the first of two Capricorn moons this year, with its Capricorn energy making it an ideal time to focus on succeeding in your career and work towards making your aspirations a reality.
What's more, because this year's Strawberry Moon falls the day after summer solstice, we'll see a “Moon Illusion” (as dubbed by American astronomer Bob Berman), in which the moon will appear larger than usual.
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, with this 2024's moon instead taking on a more golden colour.
Read on to learn where the name is derived from, as well as its spiritual meaning, when you can expect to see it in the UK, what it means for you and everything else worth knowing ahead of June 2024's Strawberry Moon.
What is the Strawberry Moon?
While you might (understandably) expect the name Strawberry Moon to stem 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 comes from 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 BBC, the sixth full moon of the year will be visible from the day after the summer solstice on Friday June 21, though will be most clear in the sky on Saturday June 22 at 11:05pm BST.
Edinburgh is set to be the best place to moon gaze due to good visibility distances and minimal cloud cover, with Newcastle offering similarly strong conditions.
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 19 with the Sturgeon Moon.
It is, however, the first of two full moons in Capricorn. “This month’s full moon lands in hard-working, success-focused Capricorn – it's actually the first of two full moons in Capricorn (the next is on July 21) which means one area of your chart is getting a double dose of magical action this summer,” says Emma Howarth, GLAMOUR's astrologer and author of The Astrology Almanac. “If you’re ready to focus in on what you want most and find a way to go get it, this is the full moon to start making it happen.”
What's special about the 2024 Strawberry Moon?
Because it falls the day after the summer solstice, June 2024's Strawberry Moon will be the lowest full moon of the year, making it appear much bigger than usual, according to NASA.
What's more, according to Space.com, the full moon will pass in front of the star Antares (the brightest star in Scorpius) on 20 June, though sadly UK stargazers won't be able to spot this, with it only being visible from just south of or below Antares.
How does the Strawberry Moon affect us?
Antonella, professional astrologer at Psychic World explains how the Strawberry Moon might manifest in your behaviour, saying “As Cancer and Capricorn represent the mother and father of the zodiacs, expect to revisit and reparent ourselves, using this event to provide a sense of strength and energy. This will lead to possibilities for growth, new connections, and self-healing.”
She adds, “The Cancer sign personifies a maternal, nurturing love, whilst Capricorn is the quintessential father figure who loves responsibility. Therefore, big lessons will be taught and the signs of Aries, Cancer, Libra, and Capricorn will feel its effects the most."
“The mix of the two crucial astrological events of the Strawberry Moon and summer solstice will also bring an opportunity to manifest, cleanse past troubles, and encourage self-affirmation."
Emma adds: “Every sign will experience this full moon differently depending on the astrological house that’s being illuminated for them. Discover what themes might be coming up for your sign (always also read for your rising sign if you know it) and what you need to let go of as the Strawberry Moon shines bright in this adapted extract from The Astrology Almanac:”
Discover the focus for your star sign this full Capricorn Strawberry Moon…
Aries
Focusing on your career, landing a dream job, finding serious success, spending time at work, winning an award, letting go of self-doubt, discovering your talents, finding an audience for your work, levelling up, celebrating a bright idea, becoming even more of a big deal.
Let go of: Self doubt for good.
Taurus
Seeking inspiration, making a travel plan, leaving your old life behind, starting over, learning something new, feeling full of potential and possibility, coming up with big ideas, exploring your spiritual side, writing, reading or publishing.
Let go of: Anything that makes life feel constrained.
Gemini
Falling in lust, finding your focus in life, getting stuck in to a new project, undergoing a big personal transformation, accepting financial support from someone, indulging yourself more, creating new ways to make life feel bigger, brighter and better.
Let go of: Past grudges. You’re better than that.
Cancer
Finding The One, taking a relationship to the next level, getting serious, making it official, teaming up in business, making friends, spending one-on-one time with someone, finding a mentor/agent/trainer/partner in crime who can help you level up your life.
Let go of: Old patterns and ways of doing things.
Leo
Nailing the work/life balance, getting organised, putting your health and wellbeing first, finding new ways to deal with old problems, making a decision about how you want to live from now on, changing your daily routine, becoming more focussed on a goal, working smarter.
Let go of: Doubt that you can stick to a plan (you can!).
Virgo
Becoming the star that you are, getting lots of attention, stepping into the spotlight, showing the world what you’re made of, getting creative, flirting outrageously, going on dates, having a good time, planning a party, spending time with children, connecting to your inner child, fame!
Let go of: The day job (if you’re ready to be free).
Libra
Feeling at home somewhere, nailing a renovation project, choosing a new way to live, moving house, changing your domestic set-up, spending more time with people who care, making time for family members, feeling settled, firming up your foundations, creating a beautiful base upon which to build a dream.
Let go of: Outdated ideas about how life should pan out. Do it your way!
Scorpio
Telling the truth, sharing your voice, saying how you really feel, being honest about what you want out of life, asking for help, putting yourself out there, writing, speaking, going for it with a big idea, connecting with siblings, exploring your local area.
Let go of: Your fear of being seen.
Sagittarius
Reaping rewards for a job well done, coming up with an idea that can make you money, knowing your true worth, investing in yourself, speculating to accumulate, finding freedom, building a legacy, prioritising what matters to you even if others don’t get it.
Let go of: Fear and doubt.
Capricorn
Becoming the real you, switching up your style, putting yourself first, releasing doubt, becoming the person you want to be, investing in something that can change your life, working towards a personal goal, changing your attitude to a dream, believing anything is possible.
Let go of: Caring about what other people think.
Aquarius
Taking time out, finding inner peace, seeking closure, turning an ending into a new beginning, starting over, getting spiritual, putting your mental health first, deciding to make a change, making time for relaxation, leaving the past where it belongs.
Let go of: Your ex’s number for good.
Pisces
Networking your way to success, finding your people, creating a sense of community and connection, feeling lucky, manifesting a miracle, connecting with others in the same field as you, knowing what you want, supporting a cause, feeling free, finding purpose.
Let go of: Any doubt that you deserve your success. You do.
The Astrology Almanac 2024 by Emma Howarth is published by Leaping Hare Press (7 September 2023) and out now.
The astronomical summer is finally here.
