Full Milk Moon (at 16:56 GMT)

The moon will reach its full phase on Monday, May 12 at 12:56 p.m. EDT, 9:56 a.m. PDT, or 16:56 GMT. In the Americas, the moon will appear to be full on both Sunday and Monday night, but closer inspection will reveal a strip of shadow curving along the moon’s left and right limb, respectively, on those nights. Full moons in May always shine in or near the stars of Libra or Scorpius. The indigenous Ojibwe groups of the Great Lakes region call the May full moon Zaagibagaa-giizis, the “Budding Moon” or Namebine-giizis, the “Sucker Moon”. For them it signifies a time when Mother Earth again provides healing medicines. The Cree of North America call it Athikipisim, the “Frog Moon” – the time when frogs become active in ponds and swamps. The Cherokee call it Ahnisguti, the “Planting Moon”, when the fields are plowed and sown. Other common names are the Milk Moon, Flower Moon, or Corn Planting Moon.