Sippin On Strawberry Stars: Strawberry Moon Activity 4

My dear friends and fellow sky gazers,

As I sit here on this evening of June 16, 2026, my heart is full of excitement for the beautiful celestial journey unfolding right in front of us.

We are in the heart of June, a month that stargazing news has been highlighting for its rich mix of planetary dances, bright clusters, and the sweet arrival of the Strawberry Moon and the Sacred Summer Solstice.

This full moon peaks on June 29th around 7:56 in the evening Eastern Time, carrying the gentle energy of ripening strawberries, abundance, and the harvest of everything we have been tending with patience and love. It is the perfect time to slow down, step outside, and connect with the greater rhythms of the cosmos as we count down these precious days together.

June 2026 is truly special. Stargazing news has been buzzing about planetary conjunctions throughout the month, the beautiful Summer Triangle of Vega, Deneb, and Altair becoming more prominent in the evening sky, and our steady approach to the Summer Solstice on or around June 21st, the first official day of summer and the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.

These longer days bring an expansive, light-filled energy that supports growth, visibility, and the gentle unfolding of our intentions.

The Summer Triangle acts like a great celestial marker, helping us orient ourselves under the stars while the solstice reminds us of the turning wheel of the seasons and the peak of light before the days begin to shorten again.

If you can’t catch this activity right now, don’t worry. We have up until June 30 for a lot of them, but some are very specific. Get yourself agree. Binoculars or telescope, or just layout of the blanket and look up!

Right in the middle of all this beauty we have a concentrated window of magic from June 17 to 19, followed by the June Bootids meteor shower peaking around the 22nd, all building toward our Strawberry Moon on the 29th.

I want to walk you through these dates and star events in great detail so you can plan your evenings, feel the energies, and turn your stargazing into a true spiritual practice. Grab a journal, a blanket, and perhaps one of the sweet drinks I will share later in this post, because this is going to be a rich and heart-opening journey.

Let us begin with the heart of the countdown, the nights of June 17, 18, and 19. These three evenings offer one of the most concentrated and beautiful sequences of lunar and planetary events we will see this month.

On June 17, 2026, the sky puts on quite a show starting in the early morning hours. At 2:51 a.m. there is a conjunction between the Moon and Jupiter. A conjunction is when two celestial bodies appear very close to each other in the sky from our perspective on Earth. Jupiter, the planet of expansion, wisdom, and big-picture vision, meets the Moon, our emotional and intuitive guide. This pairing in the pre-dawn sky can feel like a powerful moment for receiving guidance or setting expansive intentions before the day begins. Just over an hour later, at 3:58 a.m., the Moon draws especially close to Jupiter, making the pair even more striking if you are an early riser or night owl.

The real highlight of June 17 arrives in the afternoon and evening.

From approximately 2:15 p.m. to 6:28 p.m. the Moon occults Venus. An occultation happens when one celestial body passes directly in front of another, temporarily hiding it from view. Here the Moon passes in front of Venus, the planet of love, beauty, harmony, and relationships. Some locations may even be able to observe parts of this during daylight hours because Venus is bright enough to be seen in the daytime sky when it is close to the Moon.

Spiritually, this can feel like the Moon gently veiling the energy of love and beauty, inviting us to turn inward and reflect on our relationships with ourselves and others.

Around 4:20 p.m. there is a close conjunction between the Moon and Venus, followed at 4:29 p.m. by another moment when the Moon is especially close to the planet. These are wonderful times to pause, breathe, and send loving energy toward whatever or whoever needs it in your life.

Later on the evening of June 17, from 6:06 p.m. to 11:06 p.m., the Moon occults the Beehive Cluster, also known as Messier 44 or Praesepe.

This is a beautiful open star cluster in the constellation Cancer containing hundreds of stars. When the Moon passes in front of it, the cluster is hidden for a time, then gradually reappears. At 8:14 p.m. there is a conjunction between the Moon and the Beehive Cluster. This event can feel deeply magical because the Beehive Cluster is sometimes called the “Manger” and carries nurturing, protective energy. Watching the Moon interact with this cluster is like witnessing a cosmic story of care and hidden treasures being revealed. Binoculars or a small telescope will enhance the view of the stars around the Moon, but even with the naked eye the alignment is moving.

The following night, June 18, 2026, brings a close approach between Mercury and Pollux at 7:12 p.m. Mercury, the planet of communication, ideas, and quicksilver energy, draws near Pollux, one of the bright twin stars in the constellation Gemini. This pairing in the evening sky can support clear thinking, meaningful conversations, and new ideas coming into form. It is a lovely night to journal or have heart-to-heart talks under the stars.

On June 19, 2026, the morning hours offer another lunar occultation. From 8:48 a.m. to 12:38 p.m. the Moon occults Regulus, the bright “heart” star of the constellation Leo. Regulus carries regal, courageous, and leadership energy. When the Moon passes in front of it, we are invited to reflect on our own inner authority and how we lead with heart.

At 10:31 a.m. there is a conjunction between the Moon and Regulus. This daytime event may be visible with careful observation or through binoculars in some areas, reminding us that the sky’s magic is not limited to nighttime.

These mid-June events create a powerful sequence of lunar-planet and lunar-cluster interactions. They prepare the energetic field for what comes next.

Around June 22, 2026, the June Bootids meteor shower reaches its peak. This shower is associated with the comet 7P/Pons-Winnecke and can produce lovely shooting stars, sometimes in surprising outbursts even though it is generally considered a modest shower. The best viewing is usually after midnight when the radiant point in the constellation Bootes is higher in the sky.

Lie back on a blanket, let your eyes adjust to the dark, and watch for quick streaks of light. Each meteor can feel like a little message or wish being carried across the heavens. Spiritually, meteor showers often amplify manifestation energy because they represent quick flashes of inspiration and the release of old patterns.

The night of the 22nd is an excellent time to sit under the stars, speak your intentions out loud or in your heart, and watch the sky respond with light.

As we move past the 22nd, the energy continues to build toward our Strawberry Moon on the 29th. The days grow longer until the Summer Solstice around the 21st, then begin their slow return toward balance. The Summer Triangle remains a steady companion in the evening sky, helping us feel oriented and connected to the larger patterns above. All of these events, the planetary dances, the occultations, the meteors, and the lengthening light, are gently guiding us toward the full illumination of the Strawberry Moon, when the Moon is opposite the Sun and fully lit, mirroring the ripening of our own inner fruits.

Activity Time!

This brings us to our next magic activity: stargazing as a spiritual practice during this powerful countdown. I invite you to make time on at least a few of these key nights, especially the 17th for the Moon-Venus and Moon-Jupiter dances, the 22nd for the meteor shower, and any clear evening leading up to the 29th, to step outside with intention.

Choose a spot with a good view of the sky, away from bright city lights if possible. Bring a comfortable blanket or chair, perhaps a journal for writing down what you notice or what arises in your heart, and one of the sweet strawberry drinks I will share with you in just a moment.

As you settle in, take a few deep breaths and acknowledge the vastness above you. Notice how small our daily worries can feel when we remember we are part of this immense, living universe.

On the nights of the 17th through 19th, watch how the Moon interacts with the planets and clusters. Feel the emotional wisdom of the Moon meeting the expansive vision of Jupiter. Sense the loving energy of Venus being gently veiled and then revealed. Let the nurturing quality of the Beehive Cluster wash over you. On the 22nd, allow the shooting stars of the June Bootids to carry your wishes and prayers across the sky. On any of these evenings, simply being present with the stars is a form of prayer and connection.

Before or during your stargazing, prepare one of the strawberry drinks below. The act of making the drink with fresh ingredients can itself become part of the ritual, a way of honoring the sweetness and ripeness that the Strawberry Moon represents. Sip slowly, let the flavors ground you in the present moment, and allow the sweetness to mirror the sweetness you are inviting into your life.

Here are the full, detailed recipes for both the Strawberry Margarita and the Strawberry Mocktail. I chose these because they feel celebratory yet grounded, perfect for turning an ordinary evening into a sacred stargazing ritual.

The Strawberry Margarita

I want to especially thank my daughter Amber, who has experience in bartending, for these wonderful recipes. This vibrant, slightly tart, and beautifully sweet drink honors the strawberry energy of the season while adding a touch of joyful celebration.

Ingredients:

• 4 to 5 ripe, fresh strawberries

• 2 ounces of good quality tequila

• 1 ounce of triple sec or orange liqueur

• 1 ounce of fresh squeezed lime juice

• ½ ounce of agave nectar or simple syrup (adjust to your preferred sweetness)

• Plenty of ice

• Coarse salt or sugar for the rim (optional but lovely)

• Garnishes: one fresh strawberry, a lime wheel, and a mint sprig if desired

How to prepare it:


Begin by gently muddling the strawberries in the bottom of a cocktail shaker. You want to break them down enough to release their juices and beautiful color without turning them completely to mush. Add the tequila, triple sec, fresh lime juice, and agave or simple syrup. Fill the shaker generously with ice. Secure the lid and shake vigorously for about 15 seconds, this chills the drink beautifully and marries all the flavors.

If you enjoy a salted or sugared rim, run a lime wedge around the edge of your glass and dip it into a small plate of coarse salt or sugar.

Strain the shaken mixture into your prepared glass. Garnish with a fresh strawberry on the rim or floating in the drink, a lime wheel, and a mint sprig for an extra layer of freshness and aroma.

For a frozen version on warmer evenings, simply place all the ingredients (including the ice) into a blender and blend until smooth and slushy. The color becomes a gorgeous pink, and the texture feels like a dessert under the stars.

The Strawberry Mocktail

This bright, fizzy, alcohol-free version is equally special and lets the pure sweetness of the strawberries shine. It is wonderful for any evening when you want something light, refreshing, and still deeply ritualistic.

Ingredients:

• A generous handful of ripe fresh strawberries (about 5 or 6)

• Juice of 1 fresh lime

• A few fresh mint leaves (optional but adds lovely freshness)

• 1 to 2 teaspoons of agave nectar or a touch of honey (optional, to taste)

• A small splash of orange juice (optional, for extra brightness)

• Sparkling water or a light lemonade to top

• Ice

• Garnishes: fresh strawberry slices, a lime wheel, and a mint sprig

How to prepare it:


Muddle the strawberries in a glass or shaker with the fresh lime juice and mint leaves until the berries are nicely broken down and releasing their juices. Stir in the agave or honey and the splash of orange juice if you are using it. Fill your serving glass with ice, pour the muddled strawberry mixture over the ice, and top with sparkling water or lemonade for a gentle, celebratory fizz. Stir softly so the flavors combine without losing the bubbles.

Garnish with fresh strawberry slices, a lime wheel, and a mint sprig. The drink is bright pink-red, incredibly refreshing, and tastes like summer in a glass. The natural sweetness of the berries mirrors the ripening energy of the Strawberry Moon perfectly.

Both drinks can be made a little ahead of time and kept chilled until you are ready to head outside. Preparing them with care and gratitude turns the simple act of mixing into part of your spiritual practice.

As we move through these next two weeks together, I encourage you to treat each clear night as an opportunity. Mark your calendar for the key dates I have shared.

On the 17th, 18th, and 19th watch the Moon’s intimate dances with Jupiter, Venus, the Beehive Cluster, and later Regulus.

On the 22nd lie back and let the June Bootids meteors carry your intentions across the sky.

On any evening, simply be present with the Summer Triangle and the lengthening light as we approach the Solstice and then the Strawberry Moon on the 29th.

May these skies remind you that you are held, guided, and deeply connected to something vast and loving. The same forces that move the planets and stars are moving within you, ripening your dreams in perfect timing. Enjoy this activity with a loved one, alone, meditating, inviting your spirit guides beside you, with God, or even with me from a distance. I promise you I will be there in spirit.

I would love to hear how your stargazing nights unfold, which events speak to you most, or what intentions you are setting under these beautiful skies. Tag me if you post photos of your evenings. We are counting down these precious days together with open hearts and eyes lifted to the stars.

With so much love, gratitude, and starlight,
 Alura 🌕🍓