Crystal Care

Best seen: moonrise on Saturday, January 25

The first full moon of 2024, the “Wolf Moon”—also known as the “Quiet Moon” and the “Moon After Yule”— is one of the highest-hanging of the year. The Wolf moon gets its name from the howling wolves that were often heard in Native American and early colonial times during January. It signifies the time when wolves were heard most frequently, hungry in the cold winter.

Best seen: moonrise on Saturday, February 24

The second full moon of 2024, the “Snow Moon”—also known as the “Hungry Moon” and the “Storm Moon”—will be the farthest from Earth in 2024 (apogee). Therefore, it will be the smallest—the opposite of a “supermoon.” The snow moon is named after the typically heavy snowfall that occurs in February throughout the Northern hemisphere. In some cultures, it's referred to as the Hunger Moon due to the scarcity of food during winter.

Best seen: moonrise on Sunday, March 24

The “Worm Moon”—also known as the “Crow Moon” and the “Lenten Moon”—will move through the Earth’s outer shadow in space. A slight penumbral lunar eclipse will result for the night side of Earth, including North and South America, Europe, East Asia, Australia and New Zealand. This moon gets its name from the earthworms that begin to emerge in the thawing soil, signalling the arrival of spring in the Northern hemisphere. It's also known as the Crow Moon in some Native American traditions.

Best seen: moonrise on Tuesday, April 23

The “Pink Moon”—also known as the “Egg Moon” and the “Awakening Moon”—will mark the first day of the Jewish festival of Passover (Pesach). This full moon signals the 15th day of the Hebrew month of Nisan, the first of the Hebrew year. Contrary to its name, the Pink Moon is not actually pink. It's named after the pink flowers, particularly the wild ground phlox, that bloom in April. It's also known as the Sprouting Grass Moon.

Best seen: moonrise on Wednesday, May 22

The “Flower Moon”—also known as the “Milk Moon” and the “Hare Moon”—will appear close to the red supergiant star Antares in the constellation Scorpius.The flower moon is named after the abundance of flowers that bloom in the northern hemisphere during this month. It's also known as the Corn Planting Moon among some Native American tribes.

Best seen: moonrise on Friday, June 21

The sixth full moon of 2024 and the first of winter in the southern hemisphere, the “Strawberry Moon”—also known as the “Hot Moon” and the “Planting Moon”—will occur the day after June’s solstice. It will be the latest to rise and the lowest-hanging full moon of the year in the northern hemisphere. The strawberry moon is named after the strawberry harvesting season, indicating the onset of summer. In some regions, it's referred to as the Rose Moon. 

Best seen: moonrise on Saturday, July 20 and Sunday, July 21

The “Buck Moon”—also known as the “Thunder Moon” and the “Hay Moon”— will be another particularly low and late-rising full moon. This moon is named after the new antlers that emerge on buck deer during this period. It's also known as the Thunder Moon due to the frequent thunderstorms in July.

Best seen: moonrise on Sunday, August 18 and Monday, August 19

The third full moon of winter in the southern hemisphere, the “Sturgeon Moon”—also known as the “Lynx Moon” and the “Lightning Moon”—will be what astronomers call a seasonal blue moon. That’s because it will be the third of four full moons in one astronomical season, which occurs only rarely. It will also be the first of four “supermoon” full moons in 2024, albeit the smallest. The night after it turns full, the moon will shine close to Saturn. As a bonus, from North America the full moon will rise close to sunset on two successive evenings—so you get two chances to see this very special sight. The name of this moon comes from the sturgeon fish abundant in the Great Lakes and other North American lakes during August.

Best seen: moonrise on Tuesday, September 17 and Wednesday, September 18

An exceptional full moon to get outside and witness at moonrise and then again the next night as there will be two evenings to view it. The “Harvest Moon" will be the closest to the equinox and will move through the Earth’s outer shadow in space. On Wednesday, September 18 a partial lunar eclipse will result for the night side of Earth, including North and South America, Europe, Africa and the Middle East. It will also be the second—and second-biggest—“supermoon” full moon of the year. This is the full moon closest to the autumn equinox, and it traditionally provided extra light for farmers to harvest their crops.

Best seen: moonrise on Thursday, October 17 and Friday, October 18

If you have to pick a one full moon to see this year at moonrise, make it this one. The “Hunter’s Moon”—also known as the “Falling Leaves Moon” and the “Blood Moon”—will be the third and largest, closest “supermoon” full moon of the year. The Hunter's Moon gets its name as it is a time when game is fattened and hunted, providing a good supply of meat for the winter in the northern hemisphere. 

Best seen: moonrise on Saturday, November 16

The penultimate full moon of 2024, the “Beaver Moon”—also known as the “Frost Moon” and the “Mourning Moon” is a supermoon and 2024’s last. Although a supermoon, it will be the third-smallest of 2024’s four “supermoons.” The Beaver moon's name originates as it is the time when beavers build their winter dams.

Best seen: moonrise on Sunday, December 15 and Monday, December 16

The twelfth and final full moon of 2024 — also known as the “Long Nights Moon” and the “Moon Before Yule”—will be the highest-hanging of the year. That’s because the moon mirrors the sun’s path across the sky. Since the sun is at it's lowest in the sky this month, as seen from the northern hemisphere, the full moon, opposite the sun must be the highest. It will also be in the night sky for longer than any other full moon of the year. The Cold Moon get's its name from the cold and wintry weather that typically characterises December in the northern hemisphere. 

The names given to full moons are often rooted in cultural, historical, or natural significance, and they vary across different traditions and regions. The names not only serve as a way to track the changing seasons and natural cycles but also provide a cultural and historical context to the passing of time. Different cultures and indigenous peoples have their own unique names for the full moons, contributing to a rich tapestry of lunar lore around the world.