The full moon has inspired folklore and mythology for millennia, and has long been linked to strange and unusual behaviour.
Its appearance often makes headlines, with myth-lovers and astronomers alike keeping an eye on the waxing and waning of the moon. But did you know that each full moon has its own name?
In this lunar guide, we take a closer look at each full moon, revealing which month they usually occur in and the origins of the names.
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Full moon guide
Wolf Moon
The first full moon of the year conjures up visions of snowy wastes and wolves howling about the pain of their empty bellies. Possibly named by the Celts (who also called it the Quiet or Stay Home Moon), it’s known by some Native Americans as the Severe Moon.
When is the Wolf Moon?
The full Wolf Moon will appear on 13 January 2025.
Snow Moon
It may not be the case so much in Britain nowadays, but many parts of the Northern Hemisphere still enjoy or endure a covering of snow in February, which gave this month’s moon its name. It’s also known as the Storm Moon and, chillingly, the Hunger Moon.
When is the Snow Moon?
The full Snow Moon will appear on 12 February 2025.
Worm Moon
Named by Native Americans after the worms’ habit of rising towards the surface of soil as it thaws – a sure sign of spring. If the full moon occurs after 21 March, it’s used to fix the date of Easter which is why it’s sometimes known as the Paschal Moon.
When is the Worm Moon?
The full Worm Moon will appear on 14 March 2025.
Pink Moon
This moon takes its name from the pink wildflowers – notably pink phlox – that appear in spring in North America. In the same vernal mood, Celts knew it as the New Shoots or Budding Moon, while Anglo-Saxons opted for Egg Moon (which may account for Easter eggs).
When is the Pink Moon?
The full Pink Moon will appear on 13 April 2025.
Is the Pink Moon actually pink?
Despite its name, the Pink Moon is no pinker than any other full name – instead being named after pink phlox flowers. It's actually more likely to appear orange or red, as it usually sits closer to the horizon.
Flower Moon
Come May, spring flowers are abundant in the northern hemisphere, so it’s no surprise to find this month’s name reflecting that. However, it has a variety of names, including the Hare Moon, Milk Moon, Mothers’ Moon and Corn Planting Moon, among others.
When is the Flower Moon?
The full Flower Moon will appear on 12 May 2025.
Strawberry Moon
Wild strawberries foraged by Native Americans begin to ripen in June, a culinary event important enough for moon-naming. Some Europeans know this as the Rose Moon, the Mead Moon, or the Honey moon.
It's also the full moon that appears closest to the summer solstice.
When is the Strawberry Moon?
The full Strawberry Moon will appear on 11 June 2025.
Buck Moon
Another name devised by Native Americans, the ‘buck’ here refers to the male deer whose antlers start to regrow in July. The summer also brings storms, so in some places it’s known as the Thunder Moon. By contrast, Anglo-Saxons knew it as the Hay Moon, because that’s when they harvested the crop.
When is the Buck Moon?
The full Buck Moon will appear on 10 July 2025.
Sturgeon Moon
While it's not a fish that is eaten much in Britain today, the sturgeon used to form a significant part of the Native American diet each August, when they were plentiful in the Great Lakes. The effect of the summer haze means this moon is also sometimes called the Red Moon.
When is the Sturgeon Moon?
The full Sturgeon Moon will appear on 9 August 2025.
Harvest Moon
Celebrated by the Canadian singer Neil Young, the Harvest Moon is the best known of all the full moons. Rising around the time of the autumn equinox, it has been the friend of farmers for millennia; its light extending the hours they can gather crops in from the fields.
When is the Harvest Moon?
The full Harvest Moon will appear on 7 September 2025.
Hunter's Moon
The glow from this moon gave hunters the chance to carry out their stalking at night, to the chagrin of deer and other prey. Confusingly, every three years, this full moon is closer to the autumn equinox than the September moon, and so becomes the Harvest Moon.
When is the Hunter's Moon?
The full Hunter's Moon will appear on 7 October 2025 (a supermoon).
Beaver Moon
Also known as the Frost or Mourning Moon (signifying a time of letting things go), there’s some debate over how the Beaver Moon got its name. It’s either because beavers are at their busiest buildings dams and lodges in time for winter, or because in November traps were set for them.
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When is the Beaver Moon?
The full Beaver Moon will appear on 5 November 2025 (a supermoon).
Cold Moon
December may not always be the coldest month of winter but it can certainly feel like it after a mild autumn. This full moon is also known as the Long Nights or Oak Moon. To the Celts though, it was the Wolf Moon (which nowadays rises in January).
When is the Cold Moon?
The full Cold Moon will appear on 4 December 2025 (a supermoon).
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