Have you ever looked up at the night sky and seen a full moon? If so, then you have experienced one of nature’s most beautiful phenomena. A full moon is when the Moon is illuminated by direct sunlight, appearing as a large circle in the night sky.
Full moons occur approximately once every month and are often associated with mysterious and romantic feelings. But what exactly causes full moons to happen? How many complete moons will there be in 2023? When is the next full moon? In this article, we’ll answer all your questions about lunar apogees in 2023!
What Is a Full Moon, and Why Does It Happen?
A full moon is the final phase of the moon’s eight distinct phases in its cycle around the Earth. It occurs when the moon is directly opposite the sun, and its entire illuminated side is visible from Earth. This unique alignment causes some interesting effects on our planet and explains why it happens in the first place.
The 8 phases of the Moon are New Moon, Waxing Crescent, First Quarter, Waxing Gibbous, Full Moon, Waning Gibbous, Last Quarter, and Waning Crescent. The lunar cycle takes an average of 29.5 days to complete, which is how often we experience a full moon each month.
How Many Full Moons Are There per Year?
In 2023, there will be 12 full moons in total. The first complete moon of the year is on January 6th, and the last complete moon is on December 26th. You’ll see a full moon every 29.5 days, as that’s how long it takes for the phases of the moon to complete, which is why there is one each month in 2023.
When Is the Next Full Moon?
The next full moon is on May 5th at 1:34 pm EST and is known as the Flower Moon.
Full Moon 2023 Names and Meanings
Now that we know when full moons are in 2023, let’s look at the names and meanings associated with them. Each full moon has a unique name that comes from Native American and Early European folklore. Here is a list of complete moon names in 2023:
January 6th: Wolf Moon
The Wolf Moon is the name given to January’s full moon, derived from the howling of wolves in search of food during the winter months. It is also known as the Old Moon or Ice Moon and is seen as a time for new beginnings and opportunities.
The Wolf Moon will be visible on January 6th, 2023, and will be the first complete moon of the year.
February 5th: Snow Moon
The Snow Moon is the name given to February’s plenilune, derived from the abundance of snow that usually falls during this time of year. It is also known as the Hunger Moon or Storm Moon, reflecting the struggles that animals and people face during the coldest winter months.
The Snow Moon will be visible on February 5th, 2023.
March 7th: Worm Moon
The Worm Moon in March is a full moon that appears during the end of winter and the beginning of spring. It is associated with the ancient idea that as temperatures begin to rise and the soil starts to thaw, earthworms become visible in many areas, which is said to be symbolic of new growth.
This Worm Moon serves as an important reminder to embrace this season of transformation and ready ourselves for the bounty that comes with spring.
The Worm Moon will be visible on March 7th, 2023.
April 6th: Pink Moon
The April complete moon is known as the Pink Moon, a tradition of naming moons that goes back to Native American tribes. It’s so-called because it usually rises around the time of year when wild ground phlox begin to bloom in various shades of pink and purple.
While the actual color of the moon itself won’t be tinted, the lovely floral hues remind us that spring is indeed upon us and the season for renewal and hope. Those who appreciate their natural surroundings can understand why Native Americans named this flowerful month with such grace.
The Pink Moon will be visible on April 6th, 2023.
May 5th: Flower Moon
The Flower Moon is called such because, in weeks prior to its arrival, the blossoming of wildflowers and flowering trees coincides with this full moon. Traditionally, the Flower Moon has been celebrated throughout many cultures for centuries, and during these celebrations, people take part in ceremonies for fertility and abundance.
Nature inspires us to be grateful for the cycle of growth and transformation that keeps us connected to all life on Earth. By gazing at the beauty of the Flower Moon night sky, we can reflect on our place in this natural cycle.
The Flower Moon will be visible on May 5th, 2023.
June 3rd: Strawberry Moon
June is an exciting month for sky gazers, as it marks the occurrence of the Strawberry Moon. This celestial phenomenon gets its name from the Native American tribes who used it to signal the start of strawberry season. Additionally, rising with the summer solstice, which brings longer days and shorter nights, creates a brilliant column of bright light in the sky.
The Strawberry Moon will be visible on June 3rd, 2023.
July 3rd: Buck Moon
The Buck Moon, July’s complete moon, is named for the antlers appearing on bucks’ heads at this time of year. It is also known as the Thunder Moon because summer thunderstorms are most frequent during this month.
The Buck Moon offers an extra opportunity to observe astronomical phenomena in July when many constellations and stars start to become visible again in the night sky after having been shrouded by twilight during the spring and early summer seasons.
The Buck Moon will be visible on July 3rd, 2023.
August 1st: Sturgeon Moon
The Sturgeon Moon, a name associated with different Native American tribes across the US, takes place each August. This is when sturgeons, also known as “living fossils”, are most abundant in the Great Lakes and other nearby bodies of water. During this time, often around the full moon in late August, fishermen take to the water for a fruitful outing, sometimes returning with 100- pound catches.
The Sturgeon Moon will be visible on August 1st.
August 30th: Blue Moon
The Blue Moon is an extra full moon that happens about every three years. It’s not really blue, but it’s a great time to observe its beauty and take notice of the sky in a special way.
A complete moon is an opportunity for us to pause, reflect and meditate on our relationship with the natural world around us.
The Blue Moon will be visible on August 30th, 2023.
September 29th: Harvest Moon
The Harvest Moon is a full moon that appears close to the autumnal equinox each year. The September Harvest Moon is when the night sky is illuminated by its orange and golden hues.
This complete moon gets its name from the fact that it was used historically by farmers in northern climates as an extended source of light which allowed them to complete their harvest tasks after sunset.
The Harvest Moon will be visible on September 29th, 2023.
October 28th: Hunter’s Moon
The Hunters Moon in October is a complete moon that shines especially bright as the nights begin to become longer and colder. It’s believed to be the culminating and brightest full moon of fall, and it often has an eerie orange-ish hue from the sunlight reflecting off changing leaves.
The Hunters Moon will be visible on October 28th, 2023.
November 27th: Beaver Moon
The Beaver Moon of November has long been observed by Native Americans and early European settlers. It’s a complete moon that appears near the start of the beaver’s breeding season – typically from mid-November to mid-December. Therefore, it was traditionally viewed as the perfect time to set beaver traps before the swamps froze over.
The Beaver Moon will be visible on November 27th, 2023.
December 26th: Cold Moon
December’s full moon is known as the Cold Moon, an appropriate title for this time of year! It can often be seen in stark contrast to the winter sky – even despite the long darkness that comes with the solstice. This cold-weather complete moon is also associated with harvest completion; away from the sun’s warmth, we face months where fruits from our labor are preserved or put aside in preparation for colder days ahead. The
Cold Moon will be visible on December 26th, 2023.
What Are Blue Moons, and When Are They?
A blue moon is a rare occurrence that happens when there are two full moons in the same calendar month. This happens about once every 2-3 years and is often seen as an opportunity for new beginnings or renewal. As its name suggests, the second complete moon of the month can appear to have a bluish hue caused by certain atmospheric conditions.
The next blue moon will be on August 30th, 2023, and will be visible from most parts of the world.
How to Keep Track of the Next Full Moon in 2023?
Keeping track of the next full moon can be done in a few different ways. The simplest way is to use one of our printable calendars where you can mark the date of the moon you want to watch.
For example, if you want to plan ahead and keep track of the next full moon in 2023, you can download one of our printable 2023 March calendars and mark down March 7th so that you don’t forget it. All you need to do is download the file and print it on your home printer to hang it up somewhere handy. This makes it easy to check when each month’s full moon will occur so that you don’t miss out!
Conclusion
When it comes to full moons, 2023 will have 12 full moons in total. The first full moon of the year is on January 6th, and the last full moon is on December 26th. To keep track of the next full moon in 2023, you can use our printable calendar.
The complete moons bring a special beauty to our night skies and come with a mysterious romanticism that has captivated people for centuries. From the full moon’s effects on the ocean tides to its strange influences on human behavior, full moons are one of nature’s most beautiful phenomena.
By reading this article, you’ve learned what causes full moons to happen and how many complete moons there are per year. You’ve also learned the full moon names and their meanings for 2023, as well as how to keep track of when the next full moon will be. Now you’re ready to enjoy plenilunes in all their glory!
How Can I Use a Printable Calendar for to Track the Full Moon Calendar?
To use a printable calendar to track the full moon calendar, you can follow these steps:
- Find a printable calendar: You can find printable calendar templates online, or you can create your own using a word processing or spreadsheet program.
- Mark the full moon dates: Look up the dates of the full moons for the year you want to track. These dates can be found online or in an almanac. On the calendar, mark each full moon date with a symbol or highlight it in a different color.
- Note the zodiac sign: Each complete moon occurs in a different zodiac sign, so you may want to note the zodiac sign on each full moon date. You can do this by writing the zodiac sign next to the full moon symbol or using a different symbol to represent the zodiac sign.
- Add additional information: You may want to add additional information to your full moon calendar, such as the traditional names of each full moon or any rituals or practices you want to do during each full moon.
- Display your calendar: Once you have created your full moon calendar, you can display it in a prominent place in your home or office. This can help you stay aware of the full moon dates and zodiac signs, and allow you to plan any rituals or practices you want to do during these times.
Overall, using a printable calendar to track the full moon dates and zodiac signs can be a helpful way to stay connected to the lunar cycle and plan any practices or rituals you want to do during these times.
Table With the Full Moon Calendar 2023
Below is a table with all the dates and times of next complete moons in two different times: US Eastern Time and Greenwich Mean Time.
| DATE | NAME | U.S. EASTERN TIME | GREENWICH MEAN T |
| JANUARY 6 | WOLF MOON | 6:08 PM | 23:08 |
| FEBRUARY 5 | SNOW MOON | 1:29 PM | 18:29 |
| MARCH 7 | WORM MOON | 7:40 AM | 12:40 |
| APRIL 6 | PINK MOON | 12:34 AM | 04:34 |
| MAY 5 | FLOWER MOON | 1:34 PM | 17:34 |
| JUNE 3 | STRAWBERRY MOON | 11:42 PM | 03:42 June 4 |
| JULY 3 | BUCK MOON | 7:39 AM | 11:39 |
| AUGUST 1 | STURGEON MOON | 2:31 PM | 18:31 |
| AUGUST 30 | BLUE MOON | 9:35 PM | 01:35 Aug. 31 |
| SEPTEMBER 29 | HARVEST MOON | 5:57 AM | 9:57 |
| OCTOBER 28 | HUNTER’S MOON | 4:24 PM | 20:24 |
| NOVEMBER 27 | BEAVER MOON | 4:16 AM | 9:16 |
| DECEMBER 26 | COLD MOON | 10:33 PM | 3:33 Dec. 27 |
Table With the Full Moon Calendar 2024
Below is a table with all the dates and times of next complete moons in two different times: US Eastern Time and Greenwich Mean Time.
| DATE | NAME | U.S. EASTERN TIME | GREENWICH MEAN T |
| JANUARY 25 | WOLF MOON | 12:54 PM | 17:53 |
| FEBRUARY 24 | SNOW MOON | 7:30 AM | 12:30 |
| MARCH 25 | WORM MOON | 3:00 AM | 7:00 |
| APRIL 23 | PINK MOON | 7:49 PM | 23:48 |
| MAY 23 | FLOWER MOON | 9:53 AM | 13:53 |
| JUNE 21 | STRAWBERRY MOON | 9:08 PM | 01:07 |
| JULY 21 | BUCK MOON | 6:17 AM | 10:17 |
| AUGUST 19 | STURGEON MOON | 2:26 PM | 18:25 |
| SEPTEMBER 17 | HARVEST MOON | 10:34 PM | 2:34 |
| OCTOBER 17 | HUNTER’S MOON | 7:26 AM | 11:26 |
| NOVEMBER 15 | BEAVER MOON | 4:28 PM | 21:28 |
| DECEMBER 15 | COLD MOON | 4:02 AM | 09:01 |
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