Why it's called the Buck Moon
July's full moon is the Buck Moon: the month when male deer, having shed their antlers in winter, are visibly regrowing them at full speed — antlers are among the fastest-growing tissue in any mammal. Older alternatives include the Thunder Moon (July storms) and the Hay Moon.
The Buck Moon in the sky
Still riding low and warm through short summer nights, the Buck Moon is a classic "big moon on the horizon" moon — the low arc keeps it near the skyline where the moon illusion makes it look enormous.
What the Buck Moon means
The Buck Moon's theme is visible strength in progress — regrowth you can measure week to week. In moon practice it's a moon for momentum: the year's intentions are past halfway, and effort now compounds.