Watch the Full Flower Moon Bloom!
Did you watch Martin Scorsese鈥檚 鈥楰illers of the Flower Moon鈥? Find out the meaning of the Flower Moon, the first Moon of May. And start looking up on Wednesday, May 22, as it peaks early on the 23rd!
When to See the Full Moon in May 2024
May鈥檚 full Flower Moon reaches peak illumination at 9:53 A.M. (EDT) on Thursday, May 23. It will be below the horizon at this time. Therefore, venture outdoors on the nights of the 22nd and the 23rd to get the best view of the bright, full Flower Moon!
Find a location with unobstructed views of the horizon, if possible. See what time the moon will be visible in your area with our Moonrise and Moonset Calculator.
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Why Is It Called the Flower Moon?
The full moon names used by The Old Farmer鈥檚 蜜桃恋人 come from many places, including Native American, Colonial American, and European sources. Traditionally, each full Moon name was applied to the entire lunar month in which it occurred, not solely to the full Moon.
The Flower Moon
May鈥檚 Flower Moon name should be no surprise; flowers spring forth across North America in abundance this month!
- 鈥淔lower Moon鈥 has been attributed to Algonquin peoples, as confirmed by Christina Ruddy of The Algonquin Way Cultural Centre in Pikwakanagan, Ontario.
- May鈥檚 Moon was also called the 鈥淢onth of Flowers鈥 by Jonathan Carver in his 1798 publication, : 1766, 1767, 1768 (pp. 250-252), as a likely Dakota name. Carver stayed with the Naudowessie (Dakota) over a period of time; his expedition covered the Great Lakes region, including the Wisconsin and Minnesota areas.
- Henry David Thoreau sparked the Native American Moon names as well, referencing the Flower Moon and Carver when he .
Alternative May Moon Names
May鈥檚 Moon names tend to speak to the arrival of spring and all that it entails!
The Cree names Budding Moon and Leaf Budding Moon celebrate the awakening of local flora, which really begins to leaf out now in many areas. Similarly, Planting Moon (Dakota, Lakota) marks the time when seeds should be started for the farming season ahead.
The activities of animals marked spring鈥檚 arrival, too, which is highlighted by the Cree names Egg Laying Moon and Frog Moon, as well as the Oglala term Moon of the Shedding Ponies. All three names indicate that warmer weather is on the way!
鈫&苍产蝉辫;See all 12 months of full Moon names and meanings.
Moon Phases for May 2024
All dates and times are EDT. See our Moon Phase Calendar for times in your location.
.png){kind=small} | Last Quarter: May 1, 7:27 A.M. EDT |
.png){kind=small} | New Moon: May 7, 11:22 P.M. EDT |
.png){kind=small} | First Quarter: May 15, 7:48 A.M. EDT |
.png){kind=small} | Full Moon: May 23, 9:53 A.M. EDT |
| Last Quarter: May 30, 1:13 P.M. EDT |
鈫 When is the next full Moon? Find out in our Full Moon Dates chart.
Full Flower Moon Video
Each month, we will explain the traditional names of the full Moon along with some Moon facts. Click below to watch the video and learn about May鈥檚 Full Flower Moon.
Best Days in May 2024
Below are the best days for activities, based on the Moon鈥檚 sign and phase in May.
For Gardening:
- Planting aboveground crops: 11, 12
- Planting belowground crops: 3, 4, 30, 31
For Setting Eggs:
- 1, 17-19, 27, 28
For Fishing:
- 7-23
鈫 See the Best Days for more activities.
Full Moon Folklore
- Clothes washed for the first time in the Full Moon will not last long.
- The Full Moon is an ideal time to accept a proposal of marriage.
Share your thoughts about the May Moon below!
Catherine Boeckmann
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I too have always had an feeling that as a young person could not understand. Now I'm in my later years and get it. Could not put into words what I knew in my mind.l never spoke of it,looking ,studying, and feeling these pulls toward it.After all,I went to Catholic school and the nuns only spoke of it as something G d made,yet ,I stayed in wonder.
My grandmother was a true believer in attending to health matters according to the farmer's almanac. I will be having hip and knee surgery in the near future. When would be the best time to have it done for healing during the month of May and June. thank you.
In the summer when its hot, it's harder to heal. My dad had double knee surgery and it was hot that summer. His knees just took longer.
Why does the Moon look full tonight May 30th 2018 still? I live in Sedalia Mo. 65301 and Moon is beautiful bright big and full.
The Moon changes phases slowly, so it will appear to be full before and after its 鈥減eak fullness,鈥 which occurred on the 29th of May.
I have always loved looking at the moon.When I was a little girl riding in the car,I really believed that it followed me! I have shown each grandchild the moon (and stars).My 2 year old great granddaughter loves the moon. I will be watching the moon come up tonight.
You gave pics of full moons for most months. What about July ? Is there not a full moon ?
Hi Virginia, Thanks for writing. Yes, we have a Full Moon picture for every month. Here is July: /content/full-moon-july
I love the info here, when i was just checking date for full moon, duh...and
the comments are terrific too.
thanks for continuing all the sharings you do here!
smart people never take stuff for 'granted' or as 'entitled to'...right ?
in nature's bounty and appreciation to ya alllll...
Why does it always read that the moon phases are in the AM?? Like we can see and appreciate the Full Flower Moon at 10:20 A.M. That's in the daytime....
