Full moon astrology illuminates the hidden clues to your heightened feelings, creative surges and even outbursts every month
How the Full Moon Affects Your Zodiac Sign
Updated on Sep. 20, 2024
Aries (March 21–April 19)
Full moon astrology affects Aries by hyping up their enthusiasm, positivity, bravery and physical vitality, so you can expect to see more of the zodiac’s ram during a full moon phase. They are feeling bombastic and bold … but Aries’s impatience and insensitivity can also creep up a notch, especially during eclipse full moons, which makes socializing a risky business.
A good trick to scale back the potential agitation is to focus each full moon on a celebration, reward or recognition of something great that Aries has done in the past month. Full moon party, anyone? Cue the good vibes for one of the happiest zodiac signs.
Taurus (April 20–May 20)
Taurean folk are natural reflectors and analysts, so the full moon provides a welcome window to sit and simply think. However, they must be wary of falling into catastrophizing or negatively ruminating on previous grudges, gripes or issues, particularly around money and love. The full moon’s effects on Taurus can amplify their grievances.
Taureans are deeply romantic and passionate people, so a way out of this habit is to focus on the romance of the full moon. Organize a date night, getaway, candlelit meal or moon-gazing evening, and Venus-ruled Taurus will forget all of their worries. Single Taureans can divert that whimsical, loving energy to their friends and family at this time.
Gemini (May 21–June 20)
The full moon beams down more literal light than other phases, but it also has an illuminating power in terms of awareness and realization. This is both a gift and a curse to thoughtful, clever—and dare I say overthinking—Geminis.
One of the smartest zodiac signs, Gemini has a mind that never stops whirring, and the added mental and emotional intensity of a full moon can be disruptive and intrusive. This can be countered by making the full moon a conscious time-out from ordinary routines and instead focusing on journaling, scrapbooking or guided meditation—something that encourages those thoughts to be acknowledged, processed and released creatively, keeping Gemini on an even keel.
Cancer (June 21–July 22)
Cancer is ruled by the moon, so everything about the full moon is more intense for this intuitive, loving, passionate person. Spoiler: There will be a lot of tears because it all gets a bit overwhelming emotionally.
The good side of this monthly meltdown is that it helps Cancer to release pent-up feelings and fears, so it’s a great idea to schedule alone time and time with trusted confidants and family members (not those that are annoying you, obviously, as that will go south real fast) during a full moon phase. The downside of this is that it’s draining mentally, and what emerges can be unpredictable. Try looking at this unleashing as a regular short, sharp learning curve that, with practice, can become a valued check-in.
Leo (July 23–Aug. 22)
The prospect of a freely available and powerful boost of energy in the cosmic realm is something that dials Leos all the way up. Leo is all about supersizing whatever they’re doing, so they just think, “Bring it on!” The more intense, the better.
Creative activities are the best zodiac sign hobbies and pursuits for Leos to focus on during a full moon, which can help them harness the potent lunar waves for artistic and imaginative purposes and outputs. Everything will seem a little brighter, exciting and more possible, which Leos will lap up. The most creative full moons for Leo are those in Gemini and Sagittarius.
Virgo (Aug. 23–Sept. 22)
If full moons help to bring things to a conclusion or to fruition, then Virgo is at the front of the line to put that energy to good use. Virgos enjoy the clear insight and perception this lunar event creates because they can see exactly what still needs to be done and figure out the most efficient way to do it.
With the full moon, Virgos can turn the potential for worrying about unsolved problems—this zodiac sign’s fear—into fuel for preparation and action. Use this time of the month for making determined inroads on lingering or tricky projects yet to be completed. It’s also a time to tie up those dratted loose ends!
Libra (Sept. 23–Oct. 22)
The effects of full moon on emotions and sensitivities can be a time when arguments and rifts open up more easily than at others. This is bad news for Librans, who crave harmony, peace and balance in their realm. Librans can find themselves busy mediating through the full moon phase among family, friends, colleagues and neighbors.
But they do benefit from the heightened creativity and artistic power swirling like an unseen force to be tapped into, especially the full moon in Libra and Pisces. This is a wonderful time to get artistic, mood-board a new idea, rearrange your outfits or home, or glow-up your personal style.
Scorpio (Oct. 23–Nov. 21)
Scorpio is the deepest, darkest and most sensual sign of the zodiac (there’s a lot to unpack there … ), and all three of those traits are impacted by the full moon, especially when in Cancer or Scorpio itself.
Scorpio is already a “10” in intensity of feeling, and full moons amplify emotions—so expect it to be a particularly stirring time. Full moons emphasize the darkest traits in our nature, so taken with their heightened passion, it’s also often a freaky time in the bedroom for Scorpios. You may also need to de-stress for your zodiac sign, so try leaning into your proclivity for mystery. Basically, anything goes with this sign at full moon—perhaps they are the OG werewolves?—so expect to feel particularly ready to pounce.
Sagittarius (Nov. 22–Dec. 21)
Sagittarians love their freedom, their independence and their ability to redesign and redo their life at will. Full moons only supersize that natural trait—especially the Aquarius and Gemini full moons—which means this is a time for daydreaming, planning what’s possible, visualizing the future in its most optimistic and outlandish zodiac colors, and setting forth on new pathways. This phase of the moon invites Sagittarians to dream even bigger, if that’s even possible, so they should set aside some time for brainstorming and setting goals for their next steps.
Capricorn (Dec. 22–Jan. 19)
Full moon astrology is a double-edged sword for Capricorns. The additional illumination and clarity is useful to them, helping to put a spotlight on their priorities, tasks and goals—literally lighting up the pathway to success like a runway.
On the other hand, the extra emotional intensity of this lunar phase rattles calm, composed Capricorn a little. Other people can become irritating, feelings can get in the way of getting the job done, and emotions can disrupt the tried-and-tested routines and methods they rely on. Capricorns are not keen on anything destabilizing, which a full moon can be, especially in Scorpio. Knowing this is coming, though, can help Capricorns prepare to keep their focus.
Aquarius (Jan. 20–Feb. 18)
The zodiac elements have a role in full moon astrology as well: As an intellectual air sign, Aquarius is generally not overly emotive or intuitive, so the full moon is not as troublesome to them as, say, an emotional water sign. Aquarians rely on logic and analytical, rational thinking to get them by, so the presence of a full moon serves more as an illuminator and stirrer of creativity and imaginative daydreams.
Full moons are a great time for ever-progressive Aquarius folk to consider a long-term goals or ambitions, visualize far out or create an inspiring picture that they can work toward of how things could be.
Pisces (Feb. 19–March 20)
Pisces is the most empathic sign, and therefore full moons will make a massive impact upon them due to the additional emotions and more intense sensitivities created by this phase. Pisceans need a kind of “bunker mentality” to get through this phase in one piece without absorbing the woes and worries of everyone around them—and they should feel free to have a cry session, this zodiac sign’s guilty pleasure.
Mature and emotionally intelligent Pisces people can also strategically use the day before, during and after a full moon to initiate dialogue in realms or relationships where they want to tap an unspoken truth, draw out a secret or reveal an underlying issue.
When are the full moons in 2024?
Approximately one monthly full moon occurs during each of the 12 zodiac signs. Whatever zodiac season the full moon occurs in, the moon will be positioned in its opposite sister sign (the one six spaces ahead on the zodiac wheel); so, for example, the full moon in October (zodiac sign: Libra) is in Aries. Find out the dates of the full moons this year, and plan ahead to carve out some space for contemplation during this powerful lunar phase.
- Jan. 24: Full moon in Leo
- Feb. 24: Full moon in Virgo
- March 25: Full moon in Libra
- April 24: Full moon in Scorpio
- May 23: Full moon in Sagittarius
- June 22: Full moon in Capricorn
- July 21: Full moon in Capricorn
- Aug. 19: Full moon in Aquarius
- Sept. 18: Full moon in Pisces
- Oct. 17: Full moon in Aries
- Nov. 15: Full moon in Taurus
- Dec. 15: Full moon in Gemini
The most significant full moons are the lunar eclipse moons are on Sept. 18, 2024 (also a supermoon), and March 14, 2025. Eclipses occurs when the sun, moon and Earth come into a particular alignment at either new moon (solar eclipse) or full moon (lunar eclipse). Once feared as omens of doom and turmoil, eclipses are now seen as pivot points, provoking cyclical changes or challenges on Earth. Eclipses that fall in your zodiac sign can signal new activity and opportunity.
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Reader’s Digest provides an easy-to-understand guide to all things astrology—from understanding sun signs, moon signs and rising signs to exploring each zodiac sign’s strengths, challenges and desires. You’ll learn about your ideal match in love, career, hobbies and more, as well as learn how big astrological events will affect you. We’re committed to producing high-quality content by writers with expertise and experience in their field in consultation with relevant, qualified experts. We rely on reputable primary sources, including practicing astrologers, as well as our writers’ personal experience where appropriate. For this piece on full moon astrology, Kerry Ward tapped her 25-plus years of experience as an astrologer and tarot reader. We verify all facts and data, back them with credible sourcing and revisit them over time to ensure they remain accurate and up to date. Read more about our team, our contributors and our editorial policies.
Sources:
- Gemma Black, professional witch and tarot reader; interview, June 2024
- Science Advances: “Moonstruck sleep: Synchronization of human sleep with the moon cycle under field conditions”
- Cleveland Clinic: “Does the Moon Affect Humans?”
