Flower Moon: Here’s When May’s Full Moon Will Rise

Each night, the moon looks a little fuller as we approach the zenith – and then the reverse will happen. This month, the full moon will appear in the sky on Monday 12 May. Nicknamed the flower moon, here’s everything you need to know, plus how to see it.

Flower Moon May 2025: Meaning, Timings & More

The next full moon will rise in the sky at 9.07pm on Monday 12 May 2025, setting in the wee hours of the next morning. Like April’s Pink Moon, May’s full moon (nicknamed the Flower Moon) is a micromoon, meaning beady eyed moongazers might notice it looks a little smaller than usual. This is because the moon is at the point in its elliptical orbit when it is furthest away from Earth (this is called the apogee).

Why Is It Called The Flower Moon?

In Native American tradition, every full moon has a (usually seasonal) nickname. May’s full moon is called the Flower Moon, owing to the abundance of blooms that spring up around the time of the year that this full moon shines, particularly wildflowers.

‘Naming the full Moons has been done by ancient peoples around the world to mark events, as well as to act as a calendar,’ astronomy expert Dr Darren Baskill tells Science Focus. ‘While we might now say to a friend, “Let’s meet at 1pm on Sunday 7 May”, we could equally say: “Let’s meet two days after the full Flower Moon when the sun is highest in the sky”, and both mean the same time to within a few minutes.

‘While the Full Moon names in common use today originate from North America, a huge variety of names were used by indigenous cultures both across North America, Europe and around the world,’ Dr Baskill adds. ‘The name Flower Moon was used by those native to areas where carpets of flowers bloomed at this time of year, but other Native American cultures used different names depending on what was happening in their locality at that time of the year.’

Examples include ‘blossom moon’, ‘corn-planting moon’, and even ‘moon when the horses get fat’, which was used by the Cheyenne people of the American Great Plains. ‘In some parts of the UK, the May Full Moon was called the Mothers’ Moon, as that is when a wide variety of animals are busy looking after their young,’ Dr Baskill says.

The Spiritual Meaning

Drawing on the idea of abundant plants and flowers, the Flower Moon is spiritually connected to new beginnings, fertility and growth; you might want to use the opportunity to embrace change or pursue new opportunities. Occurring in May, the Flower Moon is also associated with the peak of spring’s energy, and therefore vitality, inspiration and the pursuit of one’s goals.

Astrologically, the Flower Moon is often seen as a time to let out deep feelings and be more vulnerable. As with all full moons, the Flower Moon also signifies a culmination of energy, a fresh slate, and a time to release what no longer serves you and make space for new growth.

The Flower Moon rises in Taurus, and this sign might feel its energy most palpably – as will the opposite sign, Scorpio. Taurus will feel a culmination of energy related to their core values and security, while Scorpio might experience shifts in their partnerships and shared resources.

Leonardo DiCaprio and Lily Gladstone in “Killers of the Flower Moon,” coming soon to Apple TV+.

Killers Of The Flower Moon

May’s full moon might also make you think of the 2023 film starring Leonardo Di Caprio and Robert Di Niro, Killers of the Flower Moon. Here, the full moon – so associated with new life and abundance – takes a dark turn. Indeed, in Martin Scorsese’s film, a time of abundance and prosperity for the Osage people (the discovery of oil on their land) is twisted and ‘killed’ by white exploiters who infiltrated the community before committing the ultimate act of betrayal: systematically murdering the Osage people to steal their oil and land rights.