Why Is It Called the Buck Moon?
The Full Moon names used by The Old Farmer’s Almanac come from a number of places, including Native American, colonial American, and European sources. Traditionally, each Full Moon name was applied to the entire lunar month in which it occurred, not solely to the Full Moon.
The Buck Moon
The Full Moon in July is called the Buck Moon because the antlers of male deer (bucks) are in full-growth mode at this time. Bucks shed and regrow their antlers each year, producing a larger and more impressive set as the years go by.
Buck Moon Meaning
During the month of July, male deer (bucks) have new antlers pushing out of their foreheads with coatings of velvety fur.
Deer lose their antlers yearly, and each part of the antler grows from time to time. In the midsummer, it reaches its full size with pointed tips and is considered to be a significant part of the annual cycle.
Therefore, the Native American Algonquin people from the east of the Mississippi River (a region where deer were widespread) coined the term 'Buck Moon.
Other names
- Many Native American tribes call it the Full Thunder Moon and Halfway Summer Moon due to the frequent thunderstorms and summer fall during this time.
- July full moon is also named after animals. For example, it is called the Feather Molting Moon (Cree) because animals molt (shed their feathers, hair, etc. for regrowth) during this time.
- It is also called Salmon Moon, as salmon return to the waterways in the Pacific Northwest and are ready to be harvested during this time.
- Other July moon names by different tribes include the Berry Moon, Raspberry Moon, Moon When the Chokecherries are Ripe (Dakota), Month of the Ripe Corn Moon, and Full Hay Moon.
- Celtic groups refer to it as the Herb Moon, Wyrt Moon ('wyrt' means herbs), Claiming Moon, and Mead Moon. July is the ideal time to gather herbs, which are then dried to make spices and remedies.
- Buddhists call it Guru Full Moon.
If there is a total lunar eclipse, the full moon can turn bright orange, red, or even dark gray, depending on how the Earth's shadow passes through the moon.
Future July Full Moons
| Year | Day Of The Week | Date and Time |
|---|---|---|
| 2027 | Sunday | July 18 at 11:45 AM EDT |
| 2028 | Thursday | July 6 at 2:11 PM EDT |
| 2029 | Wednesday | July 25 at 9:36 AM EDT |
| 2030 | Monday | July 15 at 10:12 PM EDT |
July's full moon period is the best time for fishing, harvesting, making hay, and setting eggs. Buck Moon spiritually means embracing and manifesting new versions of yourself.
This is also the Guru Full Moon for Buddhists, Hindus, and Jains. They celebrate Guru Purnima on this day, which is dedicated to all the Gurus or spiritual teachers.
Read Sturgeon Moon next.
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