What Is the Strawberry Moon?

Quick Answer

The Strawberry Moon is the full moon that occurs in June. In 2026, it falls on Monday, June 29, 2026, with the moon in Capricorn. The name originates from Algonquin tradition, which marked the short wild strawberry harvest season in North America and named the full moon of the month for it.

Date: Monday, June 29, 2026 · Zodiac: Capricorn · Also called: Rose Moon, Hot Moon, Mead Moon, Honey Moon · Next full moon: Buck Moon (July 29, 2026)

What Is the Strawberry Moon?

The Strawberry Moon is the full moon of June in the traditional North American full moon calendar. It follows the Flower Moon in May and precedes the Buck Moon in July, and it falls close to the summer solstice.

Like every full moon, it occurs when the Moon sits opposite the Sun in the sky and its entire Earth-facing side is lit. The name is a seasonal marker rather than a description of the Moon's appearance.

Why Is It Called the Strawberry Moon?

The name comes from Algonquin tradition, in which June's full moon marked the beginning of the strawberry harvest. Wild strawberries ripen in a short window in late spring and early summer, and the timing made the full moon a seasonal signal for gathering them. The name was later recorded in the Old Farmer's Almanac.

The Moon does not turn strawberry-colored. The Strawberry Moon looks the same as any other full moon, with a warmer tint only when it is low on the horizon.

When Is the Strawberry Moon in 2026?

The 2026 Strawberry Moon falls on Monday, June 29, 2026, with the Moon in the zodiac sign of Capricorn. It arrives four weeks after the Blue Moon on May 31 and eight days after the summer solstice on June 21.

• Previous full moon: Blue Moon — Sunday, May 31, 2026
• Strawberry Moon: Monday, June 29, 2026 (Moon in Capricorn)
• Next full moon: Buck Moon — Wednesday, July 29, 2026

What Are the Other Names for the Strawberry Moon?

June's full moon is known by several names across cultures and almanacs, many tied to summer's start.

• Rose Moon — a European name for the roses in bloom in June
• Hot Moon — for the arrival of summer heat
• Mead Moon — for the fermenting of mead, made from honey, in early summer
• Honey Moon — associated with the honey harvest and with the tradition of June weddings, and often linked to the origin of the word honeymoon

How Does the Strawberry Moon Relate to the Summer Solstice?

The June full moon falls near the summer solstice, the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. A full moon lies opposite the Sun, so its path mirrors the Sun's seasonal path: when the Sun rides high in summer, the full moon runs low.

The Strawberry Moon therefore rises low in the southeast, travels a short arc across the southern sky, and sets low in the southwest. Moonlight passing through more atmosphere near the horizon loses blue wavelengths through scattering, so the Moon often looks amber or gold at rising and setting. The same effect reddens sunsets.

What Is the Spiritual and Astrological Meaning of the Strawberry Moon?

The Strawberry Moon is commonly associated with abundance, ripeness, and the first harvest of the year. It is a traditional symbol of sweetness and gratitude at the start of summer.

Astrologically, the 2026 Strawberry Moon occurs in Capricorn, an Earth sign ruled by Saturn and associated with discipline, structure, responsibility, and long-term goals. A full moon in Capricorn is traditionally linked with achievement and the practical results of sustained effort. Because the Sun is in Cancer at the same time, the Capricorn–Cancer axis emphasizes the balance between career and home.