The full moon is a big deal for many people, especially when it looks different or is particularly large, like during a ‘supermoon’. This month’s full moon, happening on May 12 at 6:56 PM, is no exception, though it won’t be anything out of the ordinary beyond being full. It’s known as the ‘flower moon’. The name comes from the Algonquin people, according to Christina Ruddy from the Algonquin Cultural Centre in Pikwakanagan, Ontario, Canada. Others, like Jonathan Carver in his 1798 book ‘Travels Through the Interior Parts of North America’, also used this name, possibly influenced by the Dakota people. Henry David Thoreau might have also played a role in popularizing it.
What Makes the Flower Moon Special
The full moon is in Scorpio, which simply means it’s in the same direction as the stars that make up the Scorpio constellation. Some people think the moon’s position affects our mood, depending on our zodiac sign. The flower moon name is tied to spring’s blooming flowers. Many cultures have their own names for full moons, often related to nature. For the Dakota and Lakota people, May’s full moon is also called the ‘planting moon’, marking the time to start sowing seeds for the next season.
- The Ojibwe people call it the ‘leaf budding moon’ or ‘frog moon’.
- Other names include the ‘egg-laying moon’ or ‘pony shedding moon’, referencing events that happen when it gets warmer.
These names show how different cultures connect the full moon to the changing seasons and natural events.