Summer is a time of celebration, of bright summer moons and nature holiday celebrations.
Following the rhythm of the season brings us to the warmth and bright sunshine of summer. We are half way through the year. It is hard to believe but after the solstice on June 21st the days grow shorter as we move toward winter. Our gardens are growing and we begin to preserve food for the winter. Here are some dates of the summer moon and nature holidays.
June 1 through November 1 – Hurricane season
June 2 – Full Strawberry Moon (strawberry harvest)
June 16 – July 1 – Best Fishing Days Between new and full moon; fish feed more and at sunrise and sunset
June 21st – Summer Solstice
June 18 – 28 – Bird migration almost ceases
June 24 – Midsummer Day (the mid-point of the growing season, halfway between planting and harvesting)
July 1 – Full Buck Moon (Male deer start to grow antlers for the rutting season)
July 3 – August 11 Dog Days Begin ( Usually the hottest days of the year)
July 15 – July 31 – Best Fishing Days Between new and full moon; fish feed more and at sunrise and sunset
July 30 – Delta Aquarid Meteor Shower – Predawn, starting in southern sky
July 31 – Full Thunder Moon (Frequent thunderstorms here on the east coast of North America)
August – Birds begin to prepare for winter or migration. Backyard birds are quiet. (in Pennsylvania)
August 1 – Lammas (the beginning of the harvest)
August 11 – August 13 – Perseid Meteor Showers – Predawn, starting in northeast sky
August 14 – New Moon
August 14 – August 29 – Best Fishing Days Between new and full moon; fish feed more and at sunrise and sunset
Late August – Hawk migration begins. Songbird migration begins.
August 20 – Ragweed in bloom. (approximate date)
August 25 – Hummingbirds migrating south
August 29 – Full Green Corn Moon (corn ripens to the green or fresh eating, corn-on-the-cob stage)
September – October – nuts ripen – acorns, sunflowers, hickory nuts, walnuts; grapes, squash, etc.
September 13 – New Moon
September 13 – September 27 – Best Fishing Days Between new and full moon; fish feed more and at sunrise and sunset
September 23 – Autumnal Equinox
September 27 – Full Harvest Moon (Field crops such as corn, beans, squash pumpkins are ready to gather)
September 27-28 – Total eclipse of the Moon – will be visible from North America and viewed best in the eastern half of North America.
Remember:
- The new moon always rises near sunrise.
- The full moon always rises near sunset.
Algonquin Indian Moon Names (with video)