Buck Moon Bonanza: Embrace July’s Massive Energy!
In July, the days are long, and the nights are short. Making the Buck Moon in the night sky even more special and magical. Allow yourself to feel centered, grounded, and renewed beneath the glow of July’s Full Moon. In this article, I’ll show you how to meet its spiritual energy and develop your own rituals.
The intoxicating scent of freshly mowed grass, sunscreen, chlorine, fragrant flowers, and herbs infuse the long, hot days of July. As you lie on a soft but brightly colored quilt, you watch the clouds float lazily across the sky. A bee buzzes past in search of sweet nectar. The sun shines through lush green leaves, and life thrives everywhere you look.
Every full moon has its name based on the month or season it appears. Creating a name for each full Moon allows people to reflect on each season and how it affects them AND the natural world. There can be some variation on the Full Moon names due to their origins.
Most Full Moon names are English translations of Native American names; others are rooted in Celtic, European (Anglo-Saxon and Germanic), and more recent Neo-Pagan origins. I created a guide to each Full Moon, complete with their meanings and how you can celebrate
Please note that I make every effort to ensure this information is correct and accurate through my experiences and referencing sources throughout AND at the bottom of this article.
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Table of Contents
When is the Buck Moon 2024?
In 2024, July’s Full Moon is called the Buck Moon. It takes place on July 21st and peaks at 6:17 a.m. Eastern Standard Time.
July’s Buck Moon promised to provide a unique and deeply meaningful experience whether you choose to celebrate with loved ones, go on a solitary moonlight walk, or partake in sacred rituals.
Buck Moon Spiritual Meaning
July’s Buck Moon name and spiritual meaning are attributed to the male deer, also called a buck. By late July, a buck’s velvety rack has begun to develop into powerful antlers. This is considered a symbol of fertility, and it is absolutely beautiful to see!
The size and magnitude of a buck’s antlers will hinge on the season’s rainfall and local soil quality. Drought brings a shortage of nutrition and a poor diet, which will hinder the buck’s ability to achieve a large rack. During July and August, the buck’s antlers will start to harden and form tips. The velvet will shed by mid-September, and the buck will be ready for mating season.
Not only are buck antlers growing and thriving right now, but so are we! The mighty buck energy brings spiritual themes of strength and ambition into this season of abundance.
Use this energy to help fuel your goals and intentions; now is not the time for procrastination. Do your best to avoid distractions. Ask yourself what small goals you can let go of so you can prioritize and focus on accomplishing your bigger priorities.
July Buck Moon Alternative Names
Alternative names for July’s Buck Moon exist due to the cultural and historical influences throughout time. Many cultures around the world have different names for July’s Full Moon, and I did my best to include the ones I could find sources on.
These names beautifully reflect the connection between humans, Nature, folklore, and communities. Remember, most of these names often apply to the entire month, not just during the full moon!
- Wyrt Moon (Celtic) Wyrt is an Old English word that means plant or herb. This is why you may sometimes see July’s Full Moon referred to as the Herb Moon.
- Thunderstorm Moon (Hiyeswa Tiriri Nuti ) Catawba Indian Nation
- Sólmánuður (Norse) means Sun Month (source: Nordic Culture – Skjalden)
- Mid-Summer Moon (ameku) Kalapuya, Pacific Northwest, Oregon
- Claiming Moon (Celtic) (source: Time and Date)
- Raspberry Moon (Miskomini-giizis) Anishinaabe, Great Lakes
- Hay Moon (Anglo-Saxon)
- Time of Much Ripening (ohiari) Mohawk Eastern Woodlands
- Meerkat Moon (South African origins) (source: Centre for Astronomical Heritage)
- Rose Moon (Neo-Pagan)
- Limbs are Broken by Fruit (dayamcho yachunne) Zuni Southwest, New Mexico
For a list of even more Native American Moon names check out American Indian Alaska Native Tourism Association’s article here or Western Washington University’s article here.
Buck Moon Correspondences
The spiritual meaning of July’s Full Buck Moon is a powerful time for abundance, strength, and passion. To get you started, here are some spiritual correspondences and intentions!
Buck Moon’s Spiritual Meaning and Intentions
- Abundance
- Self-reflection
- Passion
- Strength
- Honesty
- Vigor
- Leadership
- Dreamwork
Buck Moon Colors
- Green
- Gray
- Blue
- Gold
July’s Buck Moon Ritual Ideas
The Buck Moon is a lovely time to reflect on your life and decide what steps you’d like to take next. Here are a few celebration ideas to get you started.
If you’re looking for even more ideas, check out Full Moon Rituals You Need To Know!
Thunderstorm Moon Ritual Reflections
July’s Full Moon is also known as the Thunderstorm Moon. Summer thunderstorms have always made me feel moody, creative, and thoughtful. Their intense strength always leaves me in awe. It feels as if Nature is reaching out to remind us of its power.
However, a storm can quickly turn into a gentle rain that replenishes the plants and flowers from the scorching hot summer days. Don’t forget to create some Moon Water with your rainwater!
That intense energy always fills me with inspiration! July’s Thunder Moon is a fantastic time to pursue your creative outlets.
DIY Faux Antlers
A set of faux antlers on your altar for the Full Buck Moon can add powerful spiritual meaning and energy. You can make your own with the instructions in my Yule decorations video. I made DIY faux antlers to top my Yule tree; follow the step-by-step tutorial.
It’s perfect to symbolize the Buck Moon in your sacred space or on your altar. The antlers can be used as a focal point for rituals and meditations, allowing you to channel its positive energy.
Buck Moon Journal Prompts
July’s Full Moon is a wondrous, magical time calling out for you to practice self-reflection. Journaling can really help you connect with yourself, and here are a few prompt ideas to get you started –
Celebrating July’s Buck Moon
Nature Infused Altar Cloth Ritual
Creating a nature-based altar cloth during the Buck Moon is a meaningful ritual combining art and spirituality. Gather natural dyes using plants, flowers, and berries. For example, you could use turmeric for yellow, beetroot for red, spinach for green, and blueberries for blue.
Use natural fiber fabrics like cotton or linen. Wash, dry, and soak it in a vinegar solution to help the dye stick. Add a bit of iron to help the colors stay (I just crush up an iron tablet with my mortar and pestle). Dye the fabric with your natural pigments, and then add patterns or symbols like leaves or moon phases.
An altar cloth serves as a personal foundation for rituals or offerings. Making your own allows you to add personal energy and spiritual intentions. Arrange crystals, herbs, and other meaningful items on it during the Buck Moon to focus on growth and strength. This cloth will remind you of your intentions and can become a cherished tradition, connecting you to nature and the moon’s energy throughout the year.
Go For An Adventure
When I was little, and my mom got lost while driving, she’d say, “We’re going on an adventure.”
Get lost on an adventure in your area! It’s a great way to learn more about your hometown. This can be a walk, bike ride, or drive!
For an extra layer of fun, bring a sketchbook. You could also check out Pinterest for some photography challenges and bring your camera! Here are a few ideas to get you started –
- Your favorite flower/herb/plant/tree
- Water
- Close-up of something you find beautiful
- A black-and-white shot
- Snack/drink/food you brought with you
- Whatever you think embodies summer or the Full Buck Moon’s spiritual meaning
- Selfie of you out in Nature
- Beautiful light and shadows (probably best during sunrise/sunset)
- Photo of anyone who went on the adventure with you
- Someone running through sprinklers (maybe you?)
- July’s Full Buck Moon
- Monochromatic colors
- Something that makes you happy
- Your favorite place
- A photo that shows off July’s Full Moon colors (green, gray, blue, and gold)
- Balancing rocks
Garden Green Magic
July’s Full Moon is also known as the Wyrt Moon, which refers to plants and herbs used for medicinal purposes. If you’ve got a garden of your own, use this as an opportunity to harvest some herbs for tinctures, extracts, salves, and spices, or hang them upside down to dry for a homemade smoke cleanser. Don’t forget to cool down with a run through the sprinklers!
Give back to your garden by weeding and adding some garden crystals. If you don’t have a garden of your own, maybe you can volunteer your time to a loved one by helping them with their weeds or outdoor chores. You can also give back to Mother Nature by picking up trash and garbage in your local area.
Full Moon Schedule 2024
Is the Full Moon of July 2024 a Supermoon?
No, the Full Moon of July will NOT be a supermoon.
However, there will be TWO Supermoons in September and October this year!
The astronomical term for this [supermoon] phenomenon is perigee-syzygy Moon. The alignment of the Sun, the Moon, and Earth that occurs at both new and full moon is known as syzygy.
Britannica – Supermoon
Will July’s Buck Moon Have A Lunar Eclipse in 2024?
No, July’s Buck Moon will not have a Lunar Eclipse this year.
However, there will be two Lunar Eclipses AND two Solar Eclipses in 2024! (see chart below)
Lunar and Solar Eclipses in 2024
penumbra, (from Latin paene, “almost”; umbra, “shadow”), in astronomy, the outer part of a conical shadow, cast by a celestial body, where the light from the Sun [or other light source like the moon] is partially blocked—as compared to the umbra (q.v.), the shadow’s darkest, central part, where the light is totally excluded.
Britannica – Penumbra Eclipse
Is There a Black Moon in July 2024?
No, July doesn’t have a Black Moon in 2024.
However, a calendrical Black Moon will be on November 30th, 2024!
A Black Moon is a modern phrase that is very similar to the definition of a Blue Moon. However, it involves two NEW MOONS inside a specified time period rather than two FULL MOONS. Since two New Moons take place in the month of November, it makes this a calendrical Black Moon.
A Black Moon brings success and good luck. While it is not an astronomical phrase, it’s honored and celebrated by Pagans, witches, and other spiritual practitioners.
I hope you enjoy July’s Buck Moon 2024; lots of love to you, and remember, as always…
