Full Moon in July 2023 - Buck Moon in Northern Hemisphere & Wolf Moon in Southern Hemisphere

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Whether the full moon in July 2023 is a Buck Moon or a Wolf Moon is not rocket science to solve. I mean, it’s just simple physics. The seventh full moon of 2023 in the earth’s northern hemisphere is Buck Moon. This full moon in July will occur on Monday, July 03 at 7:39 Eastern Standard Time (EST).

On the contrary, for the people living in the southern hemisphere: let’s say for Australian People, they call the full moon in July 2023 a Wolf Moon. In Earth’s southern areas, the wolf moon will occur on Monday, July 03 at 22:39 Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST).

Why Different Full Moon Names in Different Hemispheres?

Just because there are approximately 6 months of seasonal differences between the northern and southern hemispheres, people living above and below the equator use different full moon names.

summer-and-winter-solstice-in-northern-and-southern-hemisphere — When there is the summer solstice in the northern hemisphere, there is the winter solstice in the southern hemisphere. Pic credit: Wikimedia Commons

Obviously, now you would be thinking that what could be the reason behind the seasonal difference between the two hemispheres?

Well, just because the earth has an axial tilt of 23.4 degrees, there is a seasonal mismatch between the southern and the northern hemisphere. See the above image for a proper understanding.

However, If you wanna know more about the Earth’s tilt and how it affects the seasons on the Earth, you can check this article. I can bet you will love this piece of article.

Different Full Moon Names in Northern Hemisphere

For millennia, ancient humans have used different seasons as a guide to track the different full moon phases. Or, you can say for millennia, humans have used the full moon phases to track the changing seasons. However, seasons are not the only possible way to define different full moon names.

I mean the names given to the various full moon phases are based upon a couple of different sources. Out of all, the most famous and widely acknowledged full moon names come from the tribes of Native American culture.

As per the legends, in order to keep track of changing seasons, the Algonquin tribal people used to follow the lunar calendar rather than following the solar calendar.

These full moon names were later adopted by Colonial Americans and European settlers. And, with time, these names were finally integrated with the modern (Georgian calendar) calendar.

Editor’s Choice: Full Moon Calendar 2023 (Dates & Names – Northern Hemisphere)

Full Moon in July 2023- Buck Moon in Northern Hemisphere

full-moon-in-july-2021-buck-moon-northern-hemisphere — Image Credit: Daily Express

In the northern hemisphere, the full moon in July is known as the Buck Moon. WHY? Because during this time of the year, Buck (Male Deer) shed their old antlers and grows new ones every year.

The antlers of Buck signify their strength and influence on their female mate selection. That’s why during male-to-male competition, bucks use antlers to justify their dominance.

Not to mention, the Bucks’ antlers also display their fertility competitiveness. In other words, one can say that the larger the size of the antlers of Male Deer, the larger will be their chance of sexual display during mating season.

Other Cultural Full Moon Names for July 2023 in Northern Hemisphere

Well, if you go somewhere away from your native place, you will see that local indigenous people have their own indigenous full moon names. For example:

In Indian Culture, the full moon in July is known as Ashadha or Vyasa Purnima. Not to mention, the full moon in Hindi is known as Purnima.
English Medival people call it a Mead moon.
Chinese people call the full moon in July a Hungry Ghost Moon.
Dakotah people call it the Moon of the Middle Summer.
Cherokee tribe people call it the Ripe Corn Moon.
Colonial American People call it the Summer Moon.
Choctaw tribe people call it the Crane Moon, etc.

Different Full Moon Names in Southern Hemisphere

You would be baffled to know that the full moon names used in the southern hemisphere are the same as the northern hemisphere, just the seasonal difference. Wanna know why???

Well, because most of the people living in the southern hemisphere (let’s say Australia or New Zealand) are none other than European settlers.

In other words, one can say that European settlers, at first, integrated the Native American full moon names into their modern Georgian calendar. And, later, many of these full moon names went with them to new places around the world.

Editor’s Choice: Full Moon Calendar 2023 (Dates & Names – Southern Hemisphere)

Full Moon in July 2023 – Wolf Moon in Southern Hemisphere

full-moon-in-july-2021-wolf-moon-southern-hemisphere — Image Credit: today.com

In the southern hemisphere, the full moon in July is known as the Wolf Moon or Full Wolf Moon. WHY? Because it has been history said that during this time of the year, native people would hear wolves howling at the moon.

However, as per the Smithsonian Institution, there is no scientific relation between the howling of the wolf and the moon. In fact, it’s a myth that wolves howl at the moon!

Howling may be heard at night, but it is not a behavior directed at the moon. Instead, it is used as a social rally call, a hail to hunt, or as a territorial expression.

Other Cultural Full Moon Names for July 2023 in Southern Hemisphere

Well, if you go somewhere away from your native place, you will see that local indigenous people have their own indigenous full moon names. Sadly, that is not the case with the people living in the southern hemisphere.

Not to mention, for several days, I have been trying to get some detail regarding the full moon naming criteria for the Earth’s southern areas. But, I did not find any single piece of work related to that.

However, I did find one resource where it has been mentioned that the native people of the southern hemisphere (Māori People of New Zealand) didn’t assign a name to only the Full Moon phase of each month. Every night of the Moon had a name.

Therefore, as a result of these elaborated naming conditions, many in the Southern Hemisphere rely on European-inspired Full Moon Names.

Latest Update

Just to let you know, one of my friends Retha Potgieter recently told me about the update on Full moon names in South Africa. Since September 2020, South Africa has their own unique full moon names.

As per the Centre for Astronomical Heritage (CfAH), in South Africa, the full moon in July is known as MEERKAT MOON. The Centre for Astronomical Heritage (CfAH) is a non-profit company working to protect South Africa’s astronomical heritage.

The Centre’s mission is to record, preserve, and disseminate information about, South Africa’s tangible and intangible astronomical heritage. I would request you to visit this website at least once. They are doing really nice work.

When is the Next Full Moon in July 2023?

The next full moon in the northern hemisphere will occur on Monday, July 03 at 7:39 Eastern Standard Time (EST). It will be known as the full buck moon. Okay, for the northerners, it will be Buck Moon.

But, for the Southerner, it will be a Wolf Moon. Therefore, for Southerners, the next full moon in July will occur on Monday, July 03 at 22:39 Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST).

Not to mention, on this day, the moon will be in Capricorn. At last, I wish you good luck with this epic moon gazing. And, do let me know about your amazing experience in the comment section.

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