The Radiant Strawberry Moon and the Arrival of Summer

There have been a number of interesting astronomical events happening this summer so far! On June 3, the Full Strawberry Moon lit up the heavens, named by Native American tribes to signal the strawberry harvesting season. This year, it was also a supermoon, appearing larger and brighter than usual as it reached its closest point to Earth. Standing beneath its luminous glow, it was hard not to feel a sense of awe. Its warm, silvery light seemed to invite stargazers everywhere to pause and enjoy the moment, connecting us all under one brilliant moon.

Later in the month, on June 21, the June solstice marked the official start of summer in the Northern Hemisphere. This day, when the Sun reaches its highest point in the sky, gifted us the longest daylight hours of the year. For centuries, cultures across the globe have celebrated this turning point, honoring the Sun’s energy and its role in sustaining life on Earth. There’s something deeply grounding about knowing that this same celestial alignment has been observed and celebrated for millennia, a shared moment between humanity and the cosmos.

Whether it was watching the Strawberry Moon rise or soaking in the extended daylight of the solstice, June reminded me that the universe doesn’t just exist above us — it’s a part of us.