The Stawberry Moon: June's Lunar Magick
History of The Strawberry Moon
Before we used the sun to keep track of time, known as the solar year, communities used the lunar cycles to track the year. Twelve full moons make up the calendar year, with an occasional thirteenth, also known as the Blue Moon. Today, the common names for the full moons of North America are a combination of Native, Anglo-Saxon, and Germanic contributions from colonial America.
The Strawberry Moon gets her name from the time of year during which there was a short but fragrant period of ripened, wild fruit. The Strawberry Moon is also known as The Hot Moon, The Berries Ripen Moon and the Green Corn Moon to the Natives of North America. The English called it The Flower Moon or The Planting Moon. Celtic names include The Horse Moon, The Dyan Moon, or the Rose Moon. The Anglo-Saxons called June's moon The Mead Moon because it was time to mow the meads or the meadows.
The Strawberry Moon and Summer Solstice
The Strawberry Moon is the full moon closest to Summer Solstice, usually occurring on 20-22 June in the Northern Hemisphere or on 20-22 December in the Southern Hemisphere.
Solstice comes from the Latin word "sol," which means sun. The summer solstice is the longest day of the year with the shortest night. Ancient people observed this as a time the sun stopped tracking northward and headed southward as summer turned to autumn.
Neolithic humans used this day to know when to plant crops. In ancient Egypt, the summer solstice marked the rise of the Nile River and predicted annual flooding.
Traditions surrounding Summer Solstice vary from culture to culture. In Northern Europe, Summer Solstice is often referred to as Midsummer. Wiccans and other Neopagan groups call it Litha, while some Christian churches recognize the day as the birth of John the Baptist.
Some midsummer traditions are bonfires to boost the sun's energy and guarantee a good harvest. In ancient China, the people marked this time to celebrate yin or feminine energy. Some pagans would wear garlands of flowers to ward off evil spirits such as St. John's Wart.
Magical Associations to The Strawberry Moon
The Strawberry Moon is associated with love, luck, and prosperity. This moon is perfect for manifestation magick.
June was named after the Roman Goddess Juno, the goddess of marriage after all. In some parts of Europe, June's moon is called the Honey Moon because of the large amounts of weddings. So this is a great time to work on manifesting-love, especially romantic or marital love.
Shadow Work for The Strawberry Moon
Shadow work, meditation to bring what is subconscious into the light, can reveal new information surrounding our goals and desires. Shadow work can release thoughts are blocked energy that hinders you from manifesting. Shadow work can also reveal new perspectives and ideas to help boost your momentum forward.
Here are a few shadow work prompts for June's Strawberry Moon.
What is coming to fruition in my life, and how can I celebrate it?
What is my biggest fear surrounding love?
How do I physically react or respond to that fear?
How do I emotionally react or respond to that fear?
How do I mentally react or respond to that fear?
How does my reaction block me from giving and receiving love and abundance?
What are my thoughts or self-talk surrounding that fear?
How can I better show up for myself to face the fear?
What is an affirmation for when I feel that fear in my body?
How can I release the emotion building from that fear when it happens?
How can I physically respond when I feel that fear?
Strawberry Moon Magick
Instructions: Chant this spell over the flame of a pink, green, or white candle during the full moon ritual as desired. Use to attract love and healing for the ability to receive love.
Burn the pain;
Cleanse the sorrow,
For I create
A new tomorrow.
Glue what's been shattered
Sew what's been torn
For my heartbreak
I no longer mourn.
Release the hurt;
Repair what's been broken,
For I desire to
Keep my heart open.