Origins of the Name “Buck Moon”
July’s full moon rises strong and golden in the heart of summer—bold, warm, and alive with growth. Known as the Buck Moon, it marks a time of powerful transformation in the natural world, especially among the creatures of the forest.
How to Work With the Energy of the Buck Moon
The Buck Moon calls you to step into your growth, to own your progress, and to celebrate how far you’ve come. There’s power in your becoming. This is a time for confidence, clarity, and setting goals with heart.
Buck Moon Ritual Ideas
Antler Intention Ritual: Draw or use an image of antlers to represent strength and regrowth. Write what you’re growing into on slips of paper and place them at the base of the “antlers” on your altar.
Outdoor Fire Ceremony: Light a small fire or candle and reflect on what you are becoming. Speak your truth into the flames—what you’re building, claiming, or shedding.
Grounding Practice in Nature: Sit beneath a tree, barefoot if possible. Visualize your own "antlers" of energy growing upward while roots connect you below.
Crystal Companions: Work with tiger’s eye, carnelian, or pyrite for strength, courage, and confidence.
Tarot Spread Prompt:
What strength is rising within me?
What must I claim as mine?
What growth am I ready to support?
Final Thoughts
The Buck Moon reminds you that growth is not always easy, but it is always sacred. Stand tall in your strength. What you’re building matters.
The name Buck Moon was given by Algonquin and other Native American tribes, and later adopted into the Old Farmer’s Almanac. It refers to the time of year when male deer (bucks) begin to regrow their antlers after shedding them earlier in the year. In July, these antlers are still soft, covered in a fuzzy layer of velvet, yet they grow rapidly—symbolizing strength in progress.
This moon is a reflection of that same resilient, surging energy—a moment of inner and outer growth, where the seeds you’ve planted begin to show real, tangible results.
Across traditions, July’s moon carries different names that echo the intensity, fertility, and vibrant movement of midsummer:
Celtic Tradition: Often called the Claiming Moon, marking a time to take ownership of one’s path, purpose, and harvest.
Anglo-Saxon: Known as the Hay Moon, tied to the cutting and gathering of hayfields—symbolic of sustenance and storing energy.
Chinese Lunar Calendar: Usually falls in alignment with festivals that celebrate fire, bounty, and sun-related elements.
Wiccan/Pagan Traditions: Sometimes referred to as the Blessing Moon, celebrating life’s richness and the ability to give and receive.
European Tradition: In some regions, it’s called the Thunder Moon, because of the frequent summer storms that bring release, clearing, and growth.
Each name reflects the power and momentum of summer—a time to stand tall, stay steady, and embody your strength.
Names in Other Cultures
Affirmations for the Buck Moon
I am growing stronger with each passing day.
I honor my progress and claim my path.
My energy is rooted, powerful, and rising.
