All full moons are known by many names. Because different peoples and cultures chose names that often indicated what what happening (or expected to happen) in their environment, it’s an interesting way to note what was important to them and/or what their seasonal weather was like.
This upcoming full moon, while known by many other names as well, carries three that delight me because they’re things I love. This moon is known as Strawberry Moon, Rose Moon, and Honey Moon.
Strawberries are available this week from the CSA where I get my locally-sourced fruits and veggies, and I’m looking forward to the delivery. I can never think about strawberries without my mind wandering to a Swedish word I learned about a number of years ago: Smultronställe. This beautiful word literally means “place of wild strawberries,” and refers to a hidden or special place discovered, treasured, and returned to for solace and relaxation; a personal idyll free from stress or sadness. I’m in love with this concept. It feels like such a nourishing, nurturing thing for one’s soul, and there’s a deep deliciousness about it that delights me to the very core.
Of course, I’m all about roses as well. I have a particular love for the one pictured above. Some years ago I planted a pink rose tree, that alas was not able to survive a particularly harsh winter. But a couple years later, this bush popped up in its place – clearly from the mother root on which my pink tree roses were grafted. I find it delightfully magical.
Roses also have me contemplating a particular quote from Rumi that I wear engraved on one of the armful of bangles I wear. It reads: “Stop learning, start knowing. The rose opens and opens, and when it falls falls outward.” That feels like such a profoundly important message to me right now, as I consider new ways to share the things I know more widely. Lots to think about with that.
And then there’s honey. Being the bee devotee I am, honey is definitely on my love list as well. I love sampling honey from different locales and tasting what flowers local bees have had access to.
Besides having a moon named for honey, have you ever wondered about the term honeymoon? According to the Online Etymology Dictionary, the origin of honeymoon is: “1540s, hony moone, but probably much older, ‘indefinite period of tenderness and pleasure experienced by a newly wed couple,’ from honey (n.) in reference to the new marriage’s sweetness, and moon (n.) in reference to how long it would probably last, or from the changing aspect of the moon: no sooner full than it begins to wane. French has cognate lune de miel, but German version is flitterwochen (plural), from flitter “tinsel” + wochen “week.” In figurative use from 1570s. Specific sense of “post-wedding holiday” attested from c.1800; as a verb in this sense from 1821.”
Actually there are a number of other possible origins, many much earlier, but I happen to like this definition because it includes “flitterwochen” meaning tinsel week. Seriously, as of this moment, I’m adopting flitterwochen as the standard by which all my weeks need to measure up. And I’ll be doing my part to make it so, with strawberries, roses, and honey.
What about you? What will you be calling this full moon? Have a favorite between strawberries, roses, and honey? Love the concept of Smultronställe? Have any plans to create a tinsel week? Do tell – you know I love to hear.
Definitely strawberries as I’ve been finding surprise ones on the plants my older daughter left with me last summer. Tinsel week is a good way to express the concept and that every week should be worthy of celebration.
Surprise strawberries are definitely contributors to a wonderful tinsel week. Hope you find lots to celebrate this week and every other one as well.
I am loving the word flitterwochen! It’s delightful. 🙂
Strawberries, for me, are reminiscent of Midwestern summers — my mother grew them in her garden and would make homemade strawberry jam with them (as well as raspberries and blueberries).
I also have a fondness for strawberry-rhubarb crisps and pies, and one of my favorite summer desserts is strawberry shortcake.
Homemade jams – yum! I’ve never made any myself, but one of my favorites is blueberry lavender. I’m not a particular fan of rhubarb, but my SIL is, and one year I was over-the-moon delighted to discover a huge rhubard plant mysteriously popped up in the garden. I immediately called her and she excited rushed over, and only then did we discover it was a false rhubarb. Glad she didn’t have all her pie ingredients prepped and ready to go yet. 🙂
Hi Deborah – we do have wonderful cultural names that have held through centuries. Rose, Strawberry, Honey moon … all fun and good. I love fresh strawberries from the garden, while those rose perfumes from the blooming bushes that are many now … gorgeous. Honey – always good to enjoy, or use as a gentle overtone to taste …
Delightful post for us to appreciate summer – while your rose from the rootstock is quite beautiful. Thanks – enjoy all summery delights – Hilary
Thanks Hilary. I’m indeed enjoying the gifts nature is abundantly blessing us with! And I hope you have a most wonderful summer as well.
My plans for this Strawberry Moon are to bake Strawberry Muffins, serve them with butter and honey, while drinking something out of wine glass that has a bee motif. How’s that for bringing your post together in one day’s adventures?
LOL – it doesn’t get much more perfect than that!
Hi Deborah! I love roses, especially rugosa roses. Have had a lifelong love affair with them. And strawberries are just about my favorite fruit (along with blueberries and raspberries). Especially fresh picked, when they’re still warm. And honey! My grandfather raised bees. He drew over a ton of honey from his hives every year. We always had jars of it, and honeycomb. My grandmother would put out a big piece of honeycomb on a plate for breakfast. Sometimes, I’d spread a bee on my toast! Miss talking with you!
What a delight seeing you here Carol – I miss you as well! But what lovely memories you’ve shared – and now I will forever think of you in the lineage of a beekeeper. Not sure I’d care for bee toast though. 🙂 Wishing you lots of sun-warmed fruit and beautiful roses to enjoy always.
What a lovely moon this must be, to be sure, with so many delightful namesakes. I have some roses that look just like your picture (although mine were expected to come out that way.) Thanks for the words Smultronställe and Flitterwochen. I agree that every week should have at least a bit of sparkle.
Sparkly weeks and roses – how does it get better than that?