Strong Sun Moon

In June, the sun has taken over and the fields are growing. This is the month named for Juno, the Roman goddess of marriage, and it's the time when we welcome Litha, the summer solstice. The full moon this month is called the Strong Sun Moon in many folkloric traditions, but it's also known as the Lover's Moon, the Honey Moon, or the Strawberry Moon. In some Native American belief systems, this time of year is associated with the woodpecker.

Flowers have bloomed, we're beginning to see some early summer fruits and vegetables (a great time for strawberry crops!), and the days are getting longer and longer. It's a far cry from the darkness of winter, and we typically try to spend as much time outside as possible. It's a time for bonding with friends and family, and forging what connections we can. Nurture your relationships, your garden, your career, and your soul this month.

Correspondences

• Colors: Incorporate sunny colors like gold, yellow, and orange into your magic, ritual, and altar decorations
  Gemstones: Topaz and agate are associated with the summer solstice season and the month of June
  Trees: Oak and maple are flourishing this time of year
  Gods: Isis, Cerridwen, Juno, and Persephone are connected with the month of June, which means it's a great time to do moon magic focusing on female empowerment and the sacred feminine
  Herbs: Parsley, mosses, skullcap, and mugwort in bloom, so find a way to work them into your spellwork
  Element: Earth is tied deeply to this full moon phase

Strong Sun Moon Magic

Because the nights are short, June is also a good time to tap into solar energy, and it's not uncommon for the full moon to be visible in the sky before the sun has actually set. Take advantage of this, stay outside later than normal, and embrace the power of the sun and the moon at the same time. It's a perfect blend of opposites and balance - sun and moon, masculine and feminine, day and night.

This is the month where magical workings are well suited to maintaining and enhancing things you already have.

Try one or more of these to welcome the magic of the Strong Sun Moon into your life:

• Weed your garden, prune the bushes, give your lawn all the tender loving care it needs. If you're growing fruit or vegetables, begin harvesting those that are ready to be gathered. Early herb and flower blossoms can be collected as well, and hung up to dry for later use. 
• Take time to let your personal life blossom as well—focus on things that improve your job or education, as well as your relationships with family and friends. It's okay to do nice things for yourself! Go on a short vacation, cut off the cell phone and your email for a few days, and spend time with family—or with yourself!
• Another name for the Strong Sun Moon is the Honey Moon, and during the late summer and early fall, honey is a staple crop in many parts of the world. Honey has a number of magical properties, so why not find a way to tie it into your spellwork this month?
• Focus on the power of the sun to help with spells and rituals related to strengthening yourself mentally and spiritually. You've got more hours of daylight now than any other time of the year, so tap into it! Spend as much time outdoors as possible - it's not only good for your emotional well being, it also can help you feel better physically!
• Use sun energy to charge your tools by leaving them out on a bright warm day to absorb the sun's rays. You can also consecrate water for rituals by placing a jar of it out in the sunlight—use this for workings related to strength and power, as well as personal growth. 
• If you've been dealing with issues in your personal life that are rooted in indecision or uncertainty, this is a good time to fix them. Take a long hard look at your possible choices, and make one. Ask for advice from others if you need to, but in the long, it's okay to trust your intuition. 
• Remember this is also called the Lovers' Moon—and no wonder, since so many people get married in June! Allow yourself to welcome love into your life—and if you've already got it, then let yourself appreciate it even more! Do things that make you feel sensual and sexy, affectionate and abundant, and in addition to loving other people, and allowing them to love you in return, know that you're allowed to love yourself as well.