A Strawberry Moon? But where’s the strawberry? Oh great. Now, I’m craving some cold strawberry pie. Maybe I shouldn’t even have brought this up.
So, why DID I bring up a strawberry moon?
Because the strawberry moon is the full moon in June. And that rhymes rather nicely.
According to the Almanac, Algonquin tribes, that inhabited northeastern America, used the June full moon to mark the time for gathering ripened June-bearing strawberries. So did the Ojibwe, Dakota, and Lakota tribes.
This year’s full moon in June appears in the evening skies this coming Friday, June 21. And that’s the day after summer solstice. But don’t get too excited, kids. It won’t look like a strawberry. But it might have a nice golden color. Because it’ll happen when the sun at its highest point of the year. And, at the same time, this year’s strawberry moon will be “the lowest we’ve seen in years” according to the Old Farmer’s Almanac.
And since it’ll be so low, it will look “bigger than ever.” They call it the “Moon Illusion.” I’ll call it Moondini in honor of Houdini, the master of illusion.
FYI:
This first full moon of summer will become full at 9:08 p.m. on Friday June 21. Not sure how they can be that precise, but it’s what “they” said. And, also according to what I’ve read, it will look full for about three days, from Thursday evening through Sunday morning. I hope to see it here in the heart of the heart of America.
Anyway…
There’s a place in the Bible where it says God put the moon, and the sun, right up there in the sky where we could see ’em. He put them in the sky, along with all the stars, all in only took one day. And it was the 4th day of His creation week. He wanted to make sure we had plenty of light and warmth in the daytime. Plus, He’s the ultimate Host. So, he place a night light, too.
And the sun, moon, and stars help us to know about seasons, days, and years. Very cool.
And the Strawberry Moon is a colorful reminder of God’s power.
Imagine being able to put a big ball of fire, like the sun, in the sky and make it just hang there. No strings. No wires. Not anything to hold it up. God can do that.
In fact, He did that with all the stars and suns and moons. And even with our good ol’ planet Earth. And did you know this? The sun is about 400 times further away from us than the moon. And the sun is about 400 times bigger than the moon. And that’s how we get to see solar eclipses. That’s where the moon blocks out the light from the sun for a little while.
But that’s another moon story.
So, there you go. This weekend, grab yourself a slice of cold, strawberry pie.
And eat it on the porch as you ogle the glowing…
Moon Illusion
The moon illusion caught my eyes
As the wings of butterflies
Fluttered past the dandelions in the yard.
The gentle breezes through twilight
Coaxed the crickets, out of sight,
To compose a rhythm synced to that postcard
As it unfolded to full view,
With moonbeams in every hue,
And my mind could barely even comprehend.
And so I simply sat and sighed,
Knowing what I know inside.
Every bit of it was made by my best Friend.
© 2024
Enjoy this year’s Strawberry Moon.
But before you go, jump on the The FunderFlash. And join the growing band of believers who enjoy my books, daily rhymes, songs, and videos about the Rhyme and Reason and power of God’s love.
Stay tuned,
