Strawberry Moon (June) —by Míchealín Daugherty (Also known as Berry Ripening Season Moon, Honey Moon, Hot Moon, Mead Moon, Rose Moon, Strong Sun Moon, Turning Moon) This moon is named as such because the relatively short season for harvesting strawberries comes each year during the month of June The French call this moon la lune rose, or "the rose moon. The rose has traditionally been the flower of the month of June. For Pagans everywhere, the June Moon heralds the end of the fertility season and beginning of new life. Hives feel with honey, animals give birth, and butterflies and cicadas burst forth. All of nature is busy, it is a time for nurturing and transformation. For Wiccan ritual, dress in shades of yellow and amber to represent honey. Use yellow or orange candles; use frankincense or myrrh incense; and decorate your altar with dandelions, roses and gifts of nature, e.g., sea shells, honeycombs, cicada shells, hatched eggs and feathers. Some Wiccans and Pagans make a "Witches Ladder" during this moon to bring personal good fortune for the next 12 months. To Make a Witches Ladder: Braid together one yard each of red, white and black ribbon, then attach nine different coloured shed bird feathers at intervals in the braids. Enchant each feathers with a quality. For example, you might use a green feather for prosperity, a blue feather for peace, etc. After you enchant each feather, tie the braids together in a bow and place the ladder between your altar candles. Say something like: "Ring of feathers, braid of three, bring good fortune unto me." Leave the ladder on your altar until the candles have burned out, and then you might want to hang it on the wall or place it somewhere within your home. Sources:    The Farmer's Almanac Gross, T. Native American Full Moons. Morrison, D. The Craft, Llewellyn Publications, St. Paul, MN, 2000. Pennick, N. The Pagan Book of Days, Destiny Books, Rochester, VT, 2001. Personal traditions. See also:  The Esbats Page last updated 21 Jun 2008 Website Design and Myths & Magic logo by Míchealín Daugherty Copyright © 2008 Ireland's OWN All Rights Reserved.