One for the record books: Summer Solstice coincides with a “Strawberry” Full Moon for the first time since 1967. This won’t happen again until the year 2062. “Strawberry” just means picking season. The Full Moon in Sagittarius will create an urge within us to overthrow oppressive situations that have held us back; whether they of our own making or the result of outside hindrances
As the sun sinks beneath the horizon on the longest day of the year on the evening of Monday June 20, it will be worth looking up.
For the first time since 1967 the summer solstice coincides with a rare ‘strawberry’ moon and, clouds willing, the 17 hours of sunlight will give way to a bright moonlit sky.
Despite the name, the moon will not appear pink or red, although it may glow a warm amber. The romantic label was coined by the Algonquin tribes of North America who believed June’s full moon signalled the beginning of the strawberry picking season.
Other names for the phenomenon in the Northern Hemisphere include Rose Moon, the Hot Moon, and the Honey Moon, while in the Southern Hemisphere it is known as the Long Night Moon.
“Having a full moon land smack on the solstice is a truly rare event,” said astronomer Bob Mernan of Farmer’s Almanac.
“By landing exactly on the solstice, this Full Moon doesn’t just rise as the Sun sets but is opposite the Sun in all other ways too.
“The Sun gets super high so this Moon must be super-low. This forces its light through thicker air, which also tends to be humid this time of year, and the combination typically makes it amber coloured. This is the true Honey Moon.”
Around 25,000 people are expected to gather at Stonehenge in Wiltshire to celebrate the solstice, which comes from the Latin solstitium meaning “sun stands still”
The day is considered to be sacred by many pagans around the world who celebrate the solstice among their yearly holidays and sometimes call he festival Litha, a term dating back to the Venerable Bede for the months of June and July.
English Heritage, which is charging people to park at Stonehenge for the first time this year, has asked revellers to respect the ancient monument.
“Stonehenge is an ancient prehistoric site which has been a place of worship and celebration at the time of the Summer Solstice for thousands of years,” said a spokesman.
“This important place is seen as many as a sacred site. Please respect it and please respect each other.”
The solstice occurs when the tilt of Earth’s semi-axis, in either northern or southern hemispheres, is most inclined toward the sun.
The Sun will rise at 4.45am and set at 1.34pm. After tonight the days begin to shorten in the northern hemisphere
Although the meeting of the strawberry moon and solstice has no more significance than an interesting astronomical alignment, it has been causing excitement amid astrologers.
“There is a lot of stuff that is lining up to make this moon quite potent,” said astrologer Timothy Halloran.
“There is an explosion of energy that will go on with this full moon.”
The last strawberry moon occurring on the solstice occurred on June 22 1967. If you miss Monday’s you’ll have to wait another 46 years before you can see the full moon on the summer solstice with the rare event not happening again until June 21, 2062.
Aries: Themes including foreigners, long distance travel, higher education, publishing, the law, teaching endeavors, your spirituality or beliefs, grand-children and in-laws all have the potential to come into play. Plans for a long distance trip could be finalized or a situation comes about with a sibling, cousin, aunt, uncle or neighbor. You might gain new insight into something involving your communication style.
Taurus: Joint resource or things you own with someone else is the focal point for you. New information could reveal itself in regards to money. Investments, transformation, endings and inheritance are also themes playing a big part of this full moon. Additionally, intimacy and sex are other themes that could become a focal point.
Gemini: Gaining some new awareness or closure in the area of close and personal relationships or business partners is highly probable. Business agreements or important contracts could be finalized or come to completion. Issues with close relationships may surface and truth—particularly pertaining to the past—could be revealed in how everyone really feels.
Cancer: New insight into themes such as work, daily routines/productivity, pets, co-workers and health could be revealed during the peak of this full moon. You might decide to be a little riskier than usual and push out of your comfort zone in order to make some personal changes for the better. Revelations regarding a work or home project could come out or you come to the point where you complete it.
Leo: Creativity, speculation, children and romance are all central themes for you at the peak of this full moon. New information regarding one of these themes could surface. A long standing issue with your child or something involving children could finally come to a close and resolve itself. Romantic affairs also play a part in this full moon influence. Remember that when it comes to matters of the heart in particular, it’s important to not make any firm decisions till after June 11th.
Virgo: Home and family are the areas where this full moon makes you take a pause and see what’s around. What you want in your career and what is needed at home could come into focus. A prominent parent or real estate matter could also call your attention.
Libra: Siblings, relatives, neighbors, study, travel, technology and communications are the areas getting some exposure with this full moon. You could also gain new awareness into your ability to connect with others. Car or transportation issues could also surface or you end up taking a short trip of some sort. Education or a learning endeavor might also play part in what you’re looking to gain more info about.
Scorpio: Money, possessions and things that you value are highlighted with this full moon. Your awareness becomes very high in something involving money, finances or a close and personal possession. People that you possess or hold dear in your heart are also part of this realm. Important decisions regarding money could come to a peaking point.
Sagittarius: This full moon shines on you, your stamp on the world and perhaps your appearance. You might tap into your subconscious and make some new and important discoveries about yourself. It’s also possible that you gain new awareness on a particular relationship and how it affects you. This could be a turning point in a newly formed relationship.
Capricorn: The area of service to others and mysteries gets lit up with this full moon influence. You may get some sudden subconscious breakthroughs about yourself and your past in particular. This full moon could serve as a cleansing and dust the cobwebs out of your psyche.
Aquarius: Friends, acquaintances and groups you belong to comes get your attention with this full moon energy. Maybe an old friend resurfaces or some kind of truth about a friend or group you belong to comes out. On deeper subconscious plane, your hopes and dreams or a mystery involving something you’ve been wanting for a while also has the potential reveal itself.
Pisces: Your career and place in the public eye comes into focus with this full moon. New awareness or insights could be revealed to you involving your career. A new revelation involving your reputation could also come into full focus. It’s also possible that new information about a prominent parent or authority figure comes out. A shift in your life direction is possible.