by The Flower Moon was invisible last night (May 23), marking the fifth lunar cycle of 2024.
The full moon in May is named after the many flowers that bloom during this season.
It is also known as the ‘Milk Moon’ in some parts of Europe.
The Flower Moon, also known as the ‘Mother Moon’ or the ‘Planting Cup Moon’, has many spiritual and superstitious meanings and is seen as a period of closure, flowering and new beginnings for many people.
When the moon is fully illuminated and in front of the sun in its orbit around the Earth, it gives you a full moon.
Although we refer to it as a full moon, that is not technically true. The moon is only full when the Earth, sun, and moon are perfectly aligned – causing a lunar eclipse.
When is the next full moon?
You’ll be able to see the next full moon on Saturday, June 21, known as the Strawberry Moon.
This full moon will occur during the peak strawberry harvest.
What is a full moon?
A full moon occurs when the Earth is located directly between the sun and the moon. The side of the Moon facing the Earth is fully illuminated by sunlight.
This alignment creates the moon as a perfectly round disk in the sky, with its entire surface visible from Earth.
Full moons occur approximately once every 29.5 days as the moon orbits the Earth. They are often associated with different cultural beliefs, myths and traditions. They can also affect phenomena such as tides and animal behaviour.
How many full moons are there per year and what is a cold moon?
There are usually 12 to 13 full moons per year, about one per month on average. This variation is due to the lunar cycle being slightly shorter than the 12 month calendar cycle we use.
The “Cold Moon” is a full moon that occurs in December, especially in the Northern Hemisphere, where December is one of the coldest months of the year.
The name “Cold Moon” comes from the seasonal association with winter and the falling temperatures during this time. Different cultures have their own names for the full moons based on local climate, seasonal changes, and cultural traditions.
Full moon dates in 2024
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25 January
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February 24
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March 25
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April 24
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23 May
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June 22
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July 21
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August 19
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September 18
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17 October
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15 November
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15 December
What are the names of the full moons?
Full moon nicknames mostly come from Native American culture. Many tribes assign 12 or 13 full moons to the year. Colonial Americans later adopted these names, before they entered popular culture.
January
January’s full moon is known as the Wolf Moon. It is named after the howling of wolves, starving after the lack of food available in the middle of winter. January’s full moon has other nicknames, including Old Moon and Ice Moon.
February
The full moon in February is called the Snow Moon, after the snowy weather in North America. February’s full moon is also known as the Storm Moon and the Hunger Moon.
March
The full moon of March is known as the Worm Moon. Native Americans named this after the worm tracks that appeared in the ground after it thawed at the end of winter. It is also known as the Chaste Moon, the Death Moon, and the Slab Moon.
April
April’s full moon is called the Pink Moon – named after an early blooming wildflower. Other cultures call the April moon the Egg Moon and the Fish Moon.
May
The May full moon is known to many cultures as the Flower Moon, after the flowers bloom in spring. It is also called the Hare Moon and the Milk Moon, among other names.
June
June’s full moon is known as the Strawberry Moon, named after strawberries are harvested during this month. In Europe, it is called the Rose Moon, while other cultures call it the Hot Moon.
July
The full moon in July is known as the Yellow Moon, which got its name when male deer began to regrow their antlers. It is also known as the Thunder Moon and Hay Moon.
August
The fishing tribes of North America call the full moon in August known as the Sturgeon Moon because the species of fish appear during this month. It is also known as the Green Corn Moon and the Red Moon.
September
The September full moon is called the Corn Moon, as this is the time of year when crops are gathered after the summer. It is also called the Autumn Moon because it is often the full moon closest to the autumnal equinox.
October
The full moon in October is called the Hunter’s Moon because October is the best moon for hunting deer and foxes that cannot hide among crops. It is also known as the Traveling Moon and the Dying Grass Moon.
November
November’s full moon is called the Beaver Moon. Some believe it is named after the time of year Native Americans set up beaver traps, while others believe it is from the year beavers build their winter dams.
December
The full moon in December is called the Cold Moon because of the cold weather that winter brings. It is also known as the Long Night Moon.
