The Next Full Moon Might Have Your Emotions Running High—Here's When To Expect It
In astronomy and astrology, a full moon is a special event. Sure, it happens every 29.5 days, or roughly once a month, but each full moon is a pretty epic lunar event. Scientifically speaking, a full moon occurs when the sun illuminates the moon completely, making it perfectly visible and round for you to see from Earth.
Each year typically has 12 full moons, but in 2023, there will be a whopping 13, thanks to a bonus Blue Moon in Pisces on August 30 (which just happened, BTW!).
And, heads up (literally): The next full moon will light up the night sky on September 29, 2023, followed by a lunar eclipse on October 28, 2023.
If you're wondering when you can expect to see the next full moon, look no further. Ahead, here's your full moon calendar for 2023, including each full moon's traditional name, the zodiac sign it appears in, and what that means for your life.
Harvest Moon in Aries: September 29, 2023 at 5:58 a.m. EST
The Harvest Moon always falls in September or October, and its name is pretty self-explanatory: It marks the start of harvest season. Emotions will be high around this time, astrologer Naranyana Montúfar previously told WH, so try to avoid making any rash decisions—especially if you're an Aries, Taurus, Leo, or Libra.
Hunter’s Moon in Taurus: October 28, 2023 at 4:24 p.m. EST
Because mid-fall is often prime hunting season, this full moon is aptly titled the Hunter’s Moon. Some also call this one the Ice Moon or Freezing Moon. It also coincides with another lunar eclipse, closing a cycle that began back in the Spring of 2022, according to Montúfar. Taurus, Virgo, and Scorpio could be in for a "big and sweet surprise" from this full moon, she added.
Beaver Moon in Gemini: November 27, 2023 at 4:16 a.m. EST
The Old Farmer’s Almanac cites several reasons for the Beaver Moon name: Around this time, beavers are actively preparing for the chilly winter, but it also marks the ideal time to set beaver traps before the swamps freeze over.
On the astrological front, this "intense lunar event" will be all about regaining your focus and taking on the responsibilities you may have been ignoring, per Montúfar. Concentration and hard work will help you succeed under this full moon, especially if you're a Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, or Pisces.
Cold Moon in Cancer: December 26, 2023 at 7:33 p.m. EST
The last full moon of the year is named after the cold winter air. It’s also called the Long Night Moon, since it’s seen above the horizon for an abnormally long time. That's the astronomical impact, but when it comes to the astrological effects...
"Our words have power under this potent full moon," Montúfar previously told WH. "Use yours wisely by telling your loved ones how much you care for them. Pay attention to the themes that come up for you now, as they function as a window into your 2024 future."
So yeah, you'll definitely want to mark your cal for this full moon—and that goes double for any Cancer, Taurus, Scorpio, and Capricorn signs.
Wolf Moon in Cancer: January 6, 2023 at 6:08 p.m. EST
The first full moon of the year is named after the wolves that loudly, hungrily howl at the moon in midwinter, according to the Old Farmer’s Almanac.
Snow Moon in Leo: February 5, 2023 at 1:29 p.m. EST
The smallest full moon of the year, February’s micromoon is dubbed the “Snow Moon” because there’s typically the heaviest snowfall around this time.
Worm Moon in Virgo: March 7, 2023 at 7:40 a.m. EST
The Full Worm Moon, which happens in March, gets its name from the earthworms that crawl out from hiding as the icy ground thaws and spring begins.
Pink Moon in Libra: April 6, 2023 at 12:34 a.m. EST
This moon name comes from the pink wildflowers that bloom in early spring, like the wild ground phlox, according to the Old Farmer’s Almanac. Because this full moon was in Libra, you likely felt a renewed focus to restore balance in your life, Montúfar said.
Flower Moon in Scorpio: May 5, 2023 at 1:34 p.m. EST
Flowers are abundant in spring (duh!), hence the name of May’s full moon. This year’s Flower Full Moon was extra powerful, too, since it lined up with a lunar eclipse.
Strawberry Moon in Sagittarius: June 3, 2023 at 11:42 p.m. EST
Also known in some parts as the Rose Moon, the Strawberry Moon is named for the short-lived strawberry season in June. Montúfar previously warned that this would be a time to learn some “tough lessons,” especially if you’d been bending the rules.
Buck Moon in Capricorn: July 3, 2023 at 7:39 a.m. EST
July is the month when bucks typically grow antlers, which explains why this moon is called The Buck Moon. (It’s also known as the Thunder Moon, thanks to all those summer storms.)
Sturgeon Moon in Aquarius: August 1, 2023 at 2:32 p.m. EST
Fishing tribes named this moon after the large fish located in the Great Lakes, per the Old Farmer’s Almanac. Other names include the Red Moon and Grain Moon. On the astrological front, the Full Sturgeon Moon in Aquarius did bring some D-R-A-M-A, said Montúfar.
Blue Moon in Pisces: August 30, 2023 at 9:36 p.m. EST
Ever heard the expression “once in a blue moon”? A quick astronomy lesson: Just once every two or three years, there are two full moons in one month. The second is called a Blue Moon (hence the expression!). In 2023, there was a blue supermoon in Pisces in late August, which brought all kinds of astrological magic.
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