Welcome to June 2023, stargazers and lunar watchers, it's finally summer. While Cancer season is coming up, the season of Gemini is still upon us, which means warm weather - and your favorite shorts, sandals, and (of course) sunscreens. Even better, we're ringing in the summer with another beautiful full moon. More specifically, a "Strawberry Moon" in the Fire sign symbolized by everyone's favorite archer, Sagittarius.
Maybe you're going on a fabulous vacation to a far-off land or perhaps you're celebrating in true Sagittarian style with a big summer blowout. No matter how you choose to embrace the seasonal shift, we're here to help guide you on your adventure. But what, exactly, does a Sagittarius full moon bring? And why do some people refer to June's full moon as a "Strawberry Moon," anyway?
The first full moon of the summer arrives on Saturday, June 3, 2023. If you're the type of person who loves to observe the moon when it is at its absolute fullest and brightest, you'll need to stay up late. Set a reminder for yourself to look toward the sky around 11:42 p.m. EST, when it reaches peak illumination.
As noted by astrology app Astro Gold, the full moon will be positioned at 13° and 18 seconds of Sagittarius. Not sure what that means, exactly? Fear not - we've got a full rundown below on everything to expect from the June 2023 full moon, astrologically speaking.
The name "Strawberry Moon" originated from several Native American tribes including the Algonquin, Lakota, and Ojibwe. As outlined by the trusty Farmer's Almanac, this moniker came about because June was typically when strawberry plants bloomed. Short, simple, and literally sweet! And a far cry from, say, the "Blood Wolf Super Moon" of lunar cycles past.
Because Sagittarius expands horizons, I found another term I hadn't yet heard. According to the South African Centre for Astronomical Research, some South Africans refer to it as a Sisters Moon because it coincides with the Pleiades' rise in the Southern Hemisphere. (For the Northern Hemisphere, it is a winter constellation.)
Full moons are times of culmination, release, endings, realizations, and heightened celestial energy. While astrologers often say that new moons are practical times, often designated for planning and setting intentions, you can manifest on a full moon. However, try to think of it as cosmic preparation and celestial energy work (a.k.a. magic), rather than a plan you are going to make happen, let alone determining your life's purpose. If you're looking for a simple but powerful full moon ritual, I highly recommend WeMoon's intention setting and actualization guide.
Full moons can be intense, they can be painful (I speak from experience), but they can also be utterly magical. The full moon's sign and the planet that rules that sign, as well as their positions, tell us what we can expect. A full moon in Sagittarius can give us new discoveries about the world, can bring us in touch with a new personal truth, and can simply be a lot of fun. (More on that in a moment.) The full moon's ruler, Jupiter, being in Taurus adds a sensual quality and a groundedness. I included a wonderful guide for full moon rituals because I think the combo of earth and fire is great for manifesting, as you're open minded about what it will bring.
Sagittarius is the third fire sign of the zodiac and is mutable, which means it wants change, flexibility, and to move on to the next thing. For reference, the order of the fire signs goes like this: First comes Aries, which is cardinal and is about initiation; Leo, the second, is fixed and is about power and full expression; and last comes Sagittarius, which takes the hot, exciting, unpredictable energy of a burning fire and runs with it.
Sagittarius wants to explore new ideas and is happiest when given the opportunity to drink in as much of the world's knowledge as possible. "Sadges" pursuit of learning is not random - it is a sign that seeks to dig out and discover the deepest truths of the universe. Since full moons are times of release and insight, and Sagittarius is known for strong beliefs, a Sag full moon is therefore an opportune time to say goodbye to long-held beliefs that no longer serve you.
All that said, let's be real: A Sag full moon on a Saturday night? There are few better times to party. Get outside this weekend so you can revel, dance, sing, and enjoy life. How you feel is more important than how you look, but if you're feeling antsy to try something fresh, you can even update your hair with a fun new style for the summer.
Some bonus astrology: This full moon is happening a day after Venus in Cancer makes an exact trine (120° angle) with Neptune in Pisces and the moon in Scorpio - a "grand trine," which places three planets together. This is magic personified. Gorgeous Venus governs love, attraction, art, beauty, and money, while mysterious Neptune rules illusion, the unknowable, higher spiritual connection, the mysterious, the misty fog.
Being a Sagittarius full moon, the moon is ruled by Jupiter. Rulerships are an age-old system first codified by ancient Greek astrologer Ptolemy, who drew on the work of countless unnamed (yet incalculably impactful) astrologers, such as the ancient Mesopotamians, who first charted the path of "wandering stars" in the sky.
Now, the planet Jupiter rules both Sagittarius and Pisces, and is said to operate most effectively within those signs. However, at the moment, Jupiter is not in Sagittarius, it is in Taurus, where it will be there until next year, on May 26, 2024, when it transits into Gemini. While Sag may want to stay up until the wee hours of the morning reading a great tome, Taurus's practical sensibility has a job to get to in the morning. Plus, with Saturn in Pisces, this is a great time for learning boundaries. Jupiter in Taurus urges us to remember that we need to respect our bodies and that there is such a thing as overdoing it with anything - and whatever that means for you is up to interpretation, of course.