Buck Moon
A midsummer full moon for strength, confidence, ambition and steady personal growth.
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Where the name comes from
Buck Moon is one of the traditional North American full moon names popularized by the Old Farmer's Almanac, which gathered them from Algonquin and other Native American sources and from colonial American usage. The name refers to male deer, whose new antlers grow quickly in midsummer, covered in soft velvet. It is a good image of growth that happens fast once conditions are right. Other traditional names for this full moon include the Thunder Moon, for the frequent summer storms, and the Hay Moon, since July was the season for cutting and drying hay. All three point to energy, effort and a land at its busiest.
Buck Moon magick
In the Northern Hemisphere the Buck Moon shines in the heart of summer, when the sun is strong and the fields are full. Its themes are strength, confidence, ambition and growth. Just as the buck's antlers grow each year, this full moon invites you to notice how much you have grown and to reach for the next stage. It is a good time for career and goal work, for building courage before a challenge, and for claiming your own worth without apology. Pair that ambition with patience. Antlers grow in velvet first, so give new skills time to harden.
Southern Hemisphere: In the Southern Hemisphere this is midwinter, so work with endurance, quiet inner strength and planning for the growth that spring will bring.
Correspondences
A simple Buck Moon confidence ritual
- Set an orange candle on a fire-safe dish and place a tiger's eye in front of it. Lay a dried bay leaf beside the stone. Never leave a burning candle unattended.
- Light a stick of sandalwood incense, open a window a little for airflow, and take a few deep breaths as the scent fills the room.
- Light the candle. With a pen, write on the bay leaf one word for the strength you want to grow, such as courage or focus.
- Hold the tiger's eye and recall three moments this year when you did something hard. Let yourself feel proud of each one.
- Snuff the candle and keep the bay leaf in your wallet or journal, with the tiger's eye nearby, as a reminder of your strength.
Journal prompts
- How have I grown since this time last year?
- Where do I want to step forward with more confidence?
- Which new skill needs more patience before it is fully mine?
Buck Moon dates
Shown in your time zone.
- Wed, Jul 29, 2026, 10:36 AM ETBuck Moon in Aquarius
- Sun, Jul 18, 2027, 11:46 AM ETMicromoon in Capricorn
- Thu, Jul 6, 2028, 2:11 PM ETBuck Moon in Capricorn
- Wed, Jul 25, 2029, 9:36 AM ETBuck Moon in Aquarius
- Sun, Jul 14, 2030, 10:12 PM ETBuck Moon in Capricorn
- Fri, Jul 4, 2031, 3:02 PM ETSupermoon in Capricorn
- Thu, Jul 22, 2032, 2:52 PM ETSupermoon in Aquarius
- Tue, Jul 12, 2033, 5:29 AM ETBuck Moon in Capricorn
- Sat, Jul 1, 2034, 1:45 PM ETBuck Moon in Capricorn
- Fri, Jul 20, 2035, 6:37 AM ETBuck Moon in Capricorn
- Tue, Jul 8, 2036, 7:20 AM ETBuck Moon in Capricorn
- Mon, Jul 27, 2037, 12:16 AM ETBuck Moon in Aquarius
- Fri, Jul 16, 2038, 7:49 AM ETBuck Moon in Capricorn
- Tue, Jul 5, 2039, 10:04 PM ETSupermoon in Capricorn
- Mon, Jul 23, 2040, 10:06 PM ETSupermoon in Aquarius