Full Moon Bonfire
Saturday, June 3, 2023
On the beach between BW 1 and 2
Sunset – 8:23 pm
Moonrise – 8:18 pm
High Tide – 8:36 pm
Full Strawberry Moon
It’s almost summer and a great time for a bonfire on the beach. The forecast is for clear skies with temperatures in the 60s. The fire will primarily be for ambiance, perfect for a great time on the beach with family and friends.
To keep things simple, each person brings what you want: food, drinks, chairs and a stick of firewood for a big bonfire. Nothing will be provided but a beautiful beach, a bonfire and, hopefully, a full moon.
Hopefully the weather remains accomodating (unlike last month). People ask if the bonfire will be held if it’s rainy…. the bonfire will be cancelled if it is raining or rain is threatening as few would be comfortable attending.
By terms of the permit, the fire needs to be out no later than 10 pm. The later sunset and moonrise times eases the challenge for scheduling dinner but still gives us plenty of time to enjoy the evening.
Other night sky observation opportunities:
The Internationial Space Station Flyovers should be visible at 9:24 pm looking WNW. Venus will be the “star” of the evening. The next SpaceX launch is 12:35 pm from Cape Kennedy – not a good time to view for the bonfire but a possible viewing opportunity on Seabrook Island.
Put these dates for the Full Moon Bonfires on your calendar:
Sunday, July 2 (to avoid conflict with fireworks)
Tuesday, August 1 (the first of two full moons in August)
Wednesday, August 30 (the second of two full moons in August- a blue moon)
There’s always plenty of room on the beach for everyone, so invite a friend or bring your house guests.
According to almanac.com, Juno is the ancient Roman goddess of marriage and childbirth. And the month of June is still a popular month for weddings today! As a natural extension of marriage, Juno was also the goddess of childbirth. Another interpretation of the origins of “June” says that the name came from the Latin juvenis, “young people,” who were celebrated at this time.
Juno, in Roman religion, was the chief goddess and female counterpart of Jupiter, similar to the relationship between the Greek Hera and Zeus. Perhaps not surprisingly, given her role of protector of women and children, this powerful queen of the gods was also considered the fierce protector and special counselor of the state and a guardian angel warning those in times of danger.
How the Full Moon got its name:
Per Old Farmers Almanac, (https://www.almanac.com/content/full-moon-names), June Full Strawberry Moon was the time to gather ripening strawberries in what is now the northeastern United States.
Other names:
• Berries Ripen Moon (Haida)
• Birth Moon (Tlingit)
• Blooming Moon (Anishinaabe)
• Egg Laying Moon (Cree)
• Hatching Moon (Cree)
• Green Corn Moon (Cherokee)
• Hot Moon
• Hoer Moon (Western Abenaki)
Another web site, (http://newsclipper.hubpages.com/hub/The-Moon-Facts-Trivia-and-Folklore), also says the Cherokee Indians called it the Green Corn Moon and the English Medieval name was the Dyan Moon.
Another web site, (https://www.space.com/16830-full-moon-calendar.html), says the Chinese call it Lotus Moon.
-Submitted by Judy Morr
(Image credit: istockphoto.com)