April’s full moon will peak on Sunday, April 13. It’s known as the Pink Moon and will be a “micro moon,” meaning it will appear slightly smaller than usual in the sky due to its distance from Earth.

While the term “Pink Moon” may evoke images of a beautifully rosy Moon, the truth is somewhat just as enchanting. The name actually originates from the early spring flowering of a wildflower found in eastern North America: Phlox subulata, commonly referred to as creeping phlox or moss phlox. This flower, often known as “moss pink,” typically reaches its peak bloom around the time of April’s full Moon.

April’s moon is a very important one.  Easter’s date is determined by the first Sunday after the first full moon following the spring equinox and the first day of spring in the Northern Hemisphere.

April’s full Moon names reflect the vibrant signs of spring!

The Farm’s Almanac shares with us these beautiful names.

The Breaking Ice Moon (Algonquin) and Moon When the Streams Are Again Navigable (Dakota) reference the melting ice and the increased mobility of early spring.

The Budding Moon of Plants and Shrubs (Tlingit) and Moon of the Red Grass Appearing (Oglala) highlight the plant growth about to take off.

Other names focus on the return of certain animals, like the Moon When the Ducks Come Back (Lakota), Moon When the Geese Lay Eggs (Dakota), and Frog Moon (Cree).

The Sucker Moon (Anishinaabe) marks the time to harvest sucker fish, which return to streams or shallow lakes to spawn.

Legend says this is when the fish come back from the spirit world to purify the waters and the creatures within them.

This name can also apply to the February Moon, honoring the sucker fish’s sacrifice to help the Anishinaabe survive the winter. 

I find myself thinking about how this will be a micro moon, appearing smaller, but only to our eyes. Much like us. We may believe we are small, and our impact is “micro.”  But just like this April Moon, the implications of who we are, who we touch, who we heal, and how we move and live and breathe upon this earth have meaning and importance that we may never know or understand fully. As we shine, just like this moon, an entire universe is illuminated.

As the gentle warmth of spring arrives, the pink moon invites you to welcome fresh possibilities, emotional development, and artistic expression. Much like blooming flowers, let this enchanting lunar phase inspire you to open your heart, embrace your vulnerabilities, and gracefully evolve into your most vibrant self.