On May 23, 2024, Thursday, the Flower Moon will take place at 09:53 AM ET. The full moon of May is known as the Flower Moon.

An image of the glorious flower moon

The name, however, does not have anything to do with how the moon appears. It depends on the geographical conditions and the location from where you are viewing the moon.

The May Full Moon marks the onset of summer when the flowers are in full bloom and grow in abundance across North America.  

Alternative Names For Flower Moon

The month of May also signifies the end of hard frost. Thus, farmers find it perfect for farming seeds and growing new crops. 

Hence, the Flower Moon is also known as the Full Corn Planting Moon.

The first day of May also known as Beltane in medieval Europe was the day when cows were shifted to the rich summer pastures.

This helped the cows get the required nutrition and provide enough to nurture their newborn calves.

Hence, another name for the flower moon is the Full Milk Moon. 

It is also known as the  Budding Moon Leaf Budding Moon to honor the blooming of buds and leaves that really starts growing in full bloom during the month of May.

Since it is also the time when farmers start planting seeds for the upcoming farming season, the Dakotas also call it the Planting Moon. 

The onset of Spring is also marked by various activities of different animals that fetched the Flower Moon a few other nicknames like  Egg Laying Moon, Frog Moon,  and  Moon of the Shedding Ponies which is an Oglala term.

The common factor about all three of these names is that it marks the arrival of warm summer days.

Interesting Facts About Flower Moon

  • It apparently symbolizes passion, life, and reincarnation.
  • It supposedly encourages you to embrace your darker side.
  • The Flower Moon can make you vulnerable.
  • It is celebrated around Beltane, which is a traditional Gaelic holiday.

The next full moon is Strawberry Moon in June