The Fourth of July holiday weekend will be a little more spectacular this year, with a bright moon and low tides coming to Oregon.
On Monday, July 3, as people try to stretch the weekend into the July Fourth holiday on Tuesday, the moon will officially become full in the wee hours of the morning. It will rise again that night at 10:05 p.m., about an hour after sunset, according to Time and Date.
The full moon will coincide with the lowest tides of the year on the Oregon coast. Forecasts by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration show tides reaching their lowest point the morning of July 4, nearing minus three feet at some locations. Strong minus tides are expected from July 2 to 6.
The Old Farmer’s Almanac refers to the July full moon as the “Buck Moon,” named for the male deer who are growing antlers this time of year.
By some definitions, this month’s moon may also be considered a “supermoon,” though according to astrologer Richard Noelle, who coined the term in 1979, this year’s two August full moons are the only ones close enough to be “super.”
Astrologically, the full moon will be in the sign of Capricorn on July 3. With the sun currently at opposition in Cancer, the event creates a polarity between domestic life and public reputation, according to Cafe Astrology, and encourages the careful release of raw emotions.
— Jamie Hale
503-294-4077; jhale@oregonian.com; @HaleJamesB
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