As the sun was setting over the Gulf of Mexico this evening, the full moon was rising over Sarasota Bay. Known as the Flower Moon (for obvious reasons), the full moon of May is also a Super Moon this year, reflecting its relative closeness to Earth which makes it appear larger and brighter; indeed, the moon is now closer to the Earth than any other full moon this year.
Some Native American tribes refer to the May full moon as the Planting Moon, a more functional designation and one that reflects their close attention to nature's cycles. Of course, prior to the rise of human culture and religion, the lunar calendar was the primary means of marking the seasons and, one might argue, remains more relevant than those influenced by mysticism.
Whatever its official or unofficial name, the full moon was beautiful over the shimmering waters of Sarasota Bay. Nature's many gifts do not require human titles, however creative they might be.
