If there ever was a time to let go of extra baggage you’ve been carrying, it’s this week’s Full Moon in Aries, which happens to be the first of its kind in fall 2024. It follows the last New Moon in Libra and is known as the Hunter Supermoon. The influential planet is certainly making her presence felt following September’s Harvest Moon in more ways than one – some of which you might be picking up on in your personal life. This isn’t the last major lunar event we’ll see this year (though it is the brightest), but there’s no time like the present to start developing a Full Moon ritual that can help you feel empowered and stable through these monthly transits.
Why Is the Moon So Big Tonight?
The Full Moon in Aries marks the third of four consecutive Supermoons, defined as a “Full Moon that occurs near its closest point in its orbit of Earth,” as Smithsonian Magazine puts it. “The Moon’s most distant point in its orbit is called its apogee, and its nearest point – which it approaches during a Supermoon – is called the perigee,” the publication explains. “A Supermoon refers to a Full Moon within at least 90 percent of perigee.”
The Hunter Supermoon is an estimated, 222,0555 miles from Earth; in comparison, the Harvest Moon in September was 222,121 miles away. Despite the closer proximity, it’s worth noting that the difference in tides generated by a regular vs. Supermoon is just a few inches, according to Royal Museums Greenwich. Still, these amazing events appear seven percent larger in the sky, and up to 16 percent brighter.
All About the Hunter Supermoon
The Old Farmer’s Almanac offers an explanation as to how to Hunter Supermoon got its name. “Since fields had recently been cleared out under the Harvest Moon, hunters could easily spot deer and other animals that had come out to search for remaining scraps,” they write. “Foxes and wolves would also come out to prey on these animals.” The lunar transit has also been referred to as the Dying Grass Moon, the Travel Moon and the Sanguine or Blood Moon, with origins tracing back to Algonquin Native American tribes.
How To Make the Most of This Full Moon in Aries Energy
The Full Moon in Aries was at 7:26 AM ET on Oct. 17, but its energy can be felt in the days leading up to and following the event. Seeing as eclipse season has wrapped for another year, you might find yourself contemplating, resolving matters or leaving behind situations you’ve felt stuck in since springtime. Being the first sign of the zodiac, Aries is known for being youthful, exuberant and confident in all that they do – channeling this energy can help you navigate any bumpy roads or unclear paths you feel lost on. Additionally, tapping into your inner child can help ward off temper tantrums or overwhelming emotions at this time; make time for play, leave room for curiosity and always be ready for adventure to thrive in this fiery season.
While you might feel called to speak your truth and live authentically, it’s important to remember that other can only meet you as deeply as they’ve met themselves. Not everyone will understand you (especially those who haven’t done the work to let their inner light shine through yet), but it’s not your job to make them. Instead of focusing on others, be mindful of your self-talk at this time and don’t let the assumptions or judgements of others make you forget your inherent value.
“Under the Full Moon in Aries, you might feel as if your drive is stalled, like you have gas in your car but no clear destination in sight,” Cosmopolitan writes. Rather than forcing yourself to take action, use the Hunter Supermoon as a time to embrace stillness and leave yourself open to the possibility of all that already is and everything that could be. We live in a fast-paced world – don’t let that pull you out of alignment with your soul’s true purpose. If you listen closely in the quiet moments, passionate and brave Aries just might help you figure out the next steps on your path.
When’s the Next Full Moon?
If you happened to miss the radiant Hunter Supermoon in the sky this month, it’s not the only opportunity you’ll have to see the planet so closely. The final Supermoon of 2024 will happen in November, and at the end of 2025 we’ll see another round of four. After that transit wraps with a Full Moon in January 2026, we won’t have four in a row again until 2040.