Full Buck Moon 2025: Date, time, cultural significance, horoscope and how to watch it in India

Call it what you like — Buck Moon, Thunder Moon, Salmon Moon, Hay Moon — this lunar giant returns each July when male deer start growing their fresh antlers. According to the Old Farmer’s Almanac, the name reminds us of “strength and growth” in the heart of summer.

On 10 July 2025, the Buck Moon hits its peak at 4:38 pm EDT (2:08 am IST on 11 July). In India, the moonrise is expected around 7:42 pm IST. New York can expect moonrise at 8:54 pm EDT, London at 9:46 pm BST.

Low, bright, and drenched in colour
This moon will ride unusually low across the sky. Why? It appears opposite the sun, which is at its highest in summer. Add to this the ‘Major Lunar Standstill’ — an event every 18.6 years that tips the Moon’s orbit to extremes. This means the Buck Moon will hang close to the horizon, bigger and more golden than usual.

There’s a touch of magic too. Soon after it rises, you’ll spot a warm golden or reddish hue. That’s Rayleigh scattering at work — the same trick that gives us vivid sunsets. Light travels through more of Earth’s atmosphere, scattering blue and letting the reds through. So what you see is a moon that looks close enough to touch.

A night worth marking
In India, this full moon lines up with Guru Purnima — a day to honour teachers and mentors. The moon and the moment together offer a pause for gratitude and a nudge towards fresh starts.

As astrologer Kyle Thomas puts it, the July Full Moon in Capricorn “lights up the sky with powerful energy and deep cosmic lessons.” Saturn rules Capricorn, so think ambition, discipline and the long game. Mars brings extra courage and drive. Neptune nudges imagination into the mix.

Best way to watch
A few simple steps will make the view better. Find an open field, rooftop or park away from city lights. Check the weather — clear skies matter more than fancy gear. If you want the biggest wow factor, look soon after moonrise when the ‘Moon Illusion’ makes it loom large.

Old Names, Old Stories
Different cultures call this moon different things. Some Native American tribes named it Salmon Moon, Raspberry Moon or Thunder Moon. The Celts had their own — Claiming Moon, Wyrt Moon, Herb Moon, Mead Moon — hinting at midsummer harvests and the gathering of herbs for remedies and rituals.

It’s not just folklore either. This full moon lands a few days after Earth reaches aphelion, the point farthest from the sun. So in 2025, the Buck Moon is the most distant full moon from the sun too.

A nod to the past
This July marks another milestone: the 56th anniversary of the Apollo 11 landing. On 20 July 1969, Neil Armstrong and Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin made history while Michael Collins kept watch in orbit. If you have a telescope, track down the landing sites and give a quiet salute.

What’s in it for each star sign?
Kyle Thomas says this Buck Moon brings a push to grow roots and reach higher at the same time. His advice is simple but sharp:

• Aries: “Your actions now can echo far into the future; make them count.”
• Taurus: Step beyond your bubble. New places, new ideas.
• Gemini: True closeness means being seen, flaws and all.
• Cancer: Deep talks, deeper love — work through it together.
• Leo: Stop pushing blindly, refine your game plan.
• Virgo: Find passion that’s both thrilling and safe.
• Libra: Keep a sense of home while life pulls you elsewhere.
• Scorpio: Speak up. Write it down. Sign the deal.
• Sagittarius: Money and work breakthroughs if you put in the graft.
• Capricorn: It’s your moon. Build your legacy.
• Aquarius: Let go of dead weight. Rest, heal, repeat.
• Pisces: Create the world you want to live in.

Whether you’re watching from a city balcony or a quiet field, the Buck Moon is a reminder that we’re all tied to cycles older than we can imagine. A brief moment of golden light to mark where we stand, where we’ve been, and what we might grow next.