Buck Moon – The Season Of Buck’s Happiness

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Full Moon Day occurs when the Sun, Earth, and the Moon are perfectly aligned in a straight line i.e the sun and the moon are separated by 180 degrees. Full Moon Day is the third phase of the four primary phases of the moon (the other three phases are – New Moon Day, First Quarter Moon, and, Third Quarter Moon). Only on a full moon, a lunar eclipse (Chandra Grahan) can occur. In India, Full moon day is also known as Purnima or Poornima. Full moon day comes 12 times (sometimes 13) in a calendar year. Out of 12 full moons, in this article, we will talk about Buck Moon – The Season Of Buck’s Happiness.

see also,  What Is Waxing Gibbous Moon?


What Is A Buck Moon?

The full moon in July is widely known as Buck Moon as it marks the emergence of new Antlers on Buck’s forehead. During this period of the year, Bucks or Male Deer sheds their weak and old antlers and begin to grow new and velvety antlers. During July full moon, the growth of antlers is at its peak. This lunar month’s full moon got its name from Algonquin Tribal People who lived across North America. Later the name ” Buck Full Moon” was adopted by the Colonial Americans and integrated it with their modern calendar.

 

Credit: Shutterstock

Believe it or not, those Native American tribal people used the lunar calendar (rather than using the solar calendar or Georgian Calendar) to understand the pattern of changing seasons. And with time, by seeing the patterns that how Bucks behave, they understood that the full moon in July marks the emergence of new antlers on Buck’s forehead: Hence named it Buck Moon – The Season Of Buck’s Happiness.

see also, Why Earth’s Axial Tilt Is The Reason For Change In The Season?


Buck Moon – The Season Of Buck’s Happiness

two-sambar-deers-fighting-to-show-their-dominance
Two Sambar Deers Fighting To Show Their Dominance
Credit: Wikimedia Commons

I know that the readers would be wondering that why named Buck moon – The Season Of Buck Happiness. The antlers of Buck or Male Deer basically signifies their strength and influence their female mate selection. During male to male competition, bucks use antlers to justify their dominance. On the other hand, antlers display their fertility competitiveness. The larger the size of antlers of Male Deer, the larger will be their chance of sexual display during mating season. That’s why named Buck Moon – The Season Of Buck’s Happiness. 

 

Other Names For Buck Moon

Although, the Full Buck Moon is the most commonly used name, yet this full moon in July has so many different Full moon names depending on the place and their related culture. In European culture, this July full moon is known as Thunder Moon because this full moon marks the arrival of frequent thunderstorms. On the other hand, for Anglo-Saxon people, this month’s full moon is known as Hay Moon; as for farmers, it indicates that the time has come to cut and gather herbs and essential for winter utilization.

Check out, First Full Moon in October 2020: Harvest Moon or Hunter’s Moon?


Cultural Aspects Of Buck Moon

As I mentioned in the introductory paragraph that in India, Full Moon day is also known as Purnima or Poornima. In India, according to the Hindu Calendar, this July full moon is memorably known as Ashadha Purnima (June/July). This day is also dedicated to all the Gurus; therefore, also known as Guru Purnima.

When Is The Next Buck Moon?

As for the year 2020, Buck Moon will be occurring on Sunday, July 5. Apart from this, on this July full moon; there will be a Penumbral Lunar Eclipse coinciding with Full Buck Moon. This Lunar Eclipse (Chandra Grahan) will be the second Lunar eclipse of the calendar year so far. So, I hope you folks will get a clearer view of this epic beauty of nature. On July 05, 2020; the moon will be in Capricorn or in Makar Rashi according to the Hindu calendar. Apart from Buck Moon, the other Full Moon names are Wolf Moon, Snow Moon, Worm Moon, Pink Moon, Flower Moon, Strawberry Moon, Sturgeon Moon, Corn Moon, Harvest Moon, Hunter’s Moon (Blue Moon), Beaver Moon, and Cold Moon. When there are 13 Full Moon in a calendar year, the extra full moon is known as Blue Moon; like this year (2020) we have 13 full moons in a calendar year. 

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I am a mechanical engineer by profession. Just because of my love for fundamental physics, I switched my career, and therefore I did my postgraduate degree in physics. Right now I am a loner (as ever) and a Physics blogger too. My sole future goal is to do a Ph.D. in theoretical physics, especially in the field of cosmology. Because in my view, every aspect of physics comes within the range of cosmology. And I love traveling, especially the Sole one.

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