You might be wondering: What, exactly, does the full moon do? It's been used over and over in various fairytales and movies in the modern world and ancient myths and legends for even longer, but that doesn't explain why it's helpful to know the moon phases. Setting aside werewolf stories and other magical lore, we wanted to cut to the truth and studies around it, from its effects to what the different phases of the moon mean for us.
There's much more to know than you might think. For example, the moon is very rarely completely full, even if it might look like it. It's only 100% full when the moon, earth, and the sun are perfectly aligned, producing a lunar eclipse. We also always see the same side of the moon, not both sides, due to the way that the moon rotates.
Here's everything you need to know about the full moon, according to astrologist Noura Bourni.
What does a full moon mean?
“The full moon is when it emerges in the night sky fully illuminated and appears as a full circle from the earth’s perspective,” Noura explains.
When is the next full moon?
The next full moon is on January 6, 2023: the Wolf Moon.
What was the 2022 full moon calendar?
Here are all the full moons that have graced our skies this year.
- January 17, 2022: the Wolf Moon
Named because the native Americans would hear wolves howl at night during the cold January nights. - February 16, 2022: the Snow Moon
A simple moon to name, due to the rate of snowfall this time of year. - March 18, 2022: the Worm Moon
It indicates the approach of spring, because the amount of earthworms spotted rising out of the soil begin to increase. - April 16, 2022: the Pink Moon
No, the full moon isn't pink in April—this moon was named due to the beautiful pink flowers that bloom this time of year as spring arrives, including phlox and blossom. - May 16, 2022: the Flower Moon
Named due to the mass blooming of wildflowers during the month of May—a magical time. - June 14, 2022: the Strawberry Moon
As the berries began to ripen in North America and Canada, communities were inspired to name June's full moon after them. - July 13, 2022: the Buck (or Thunder or Hay) Moon
Male deer (known as bucks or stags) shed their antlers, and they begin to regrow them in July, inspiring the naming of the Buck Moon. Others call July's full moon a thunder moon due to the amount of summer storms during that month, or the hay moon after the July hay harvest. - August 11, 2022: the Sturgeon Moon
A simple one: There's an increased amount of sturgeon (a species of fish) in lakes in northeastern America in August, prompting the full moon that month to be named after this occurrence. - September 10, 2022: the Harvest Moon
Named due to its proximity to the autumn equinox, and because the light from the full moon aiding farmers harvesting their crops. - October 9, 2022: the Hunter's Moon
October's full moon indicated the time to begin hunting in preparation for winter. - November 8, 2022: the Frost Moon or Beaver Moon
Falling around the time of the season's first hard frost, and the time of year during which beavers build their winter dams by moonlight. - December 7, 2022: the Cold Moon
“It’s called the cold moon because in the northern hemisphere we’re either a few weeks away from winter or have just entered it, thus it introduces the coldest months of the year,” Noura says.
What is the 2023 full moon calendar?
Don't miss a single full moon in the new year:
- January 6, 2023: the Wolf Moon
- February 5, 2023: the Snow Moon
- March 7, 2023: the Worm Moon
- April 6, 2023: the Pink Moon
- May 5, 2023: the Flower Moon
- June 3, 2023: the Strawberry Moon
- July 3, 2023: the Buck Moon
- August 30, 2023: the Sturgeon Moon
- September 29, 2023: the Harvest Moon
- October 28, 2023: the Blood Moon
- November 27, 2023: the Frost Moon or Beaver Moon
- December 26, 2023: the Cold Moon
What effects can we expect from a full moon?
Quite a lot, actually. It may serve you to make certain changes in line with the full moon. “On a spiritual level, the full moon is when we close off cycles and see the fruits of the past 15 days come to pass,” Noura says.
"For some this can mean new beginnings, for others this can mean opportunities for closure. The full moon has an inherently feminine aspect to it because it represents the blossoming, creative woman: The Mother, The Nurturer.
“Cutting your hair, for example, during the full moon promises steady growth. Conducting any activity that relates to beauty or spirituality or even creativity during the full moon, usually promises abundance, growth, and positive outcomes.”
What are the moon phases?
“There are four main phases of the moon: The New Moon, First Quarter, Full Moon, and Last Quarter,” Noura says.
Here is what to expect from the moon's four phases:
- The New Moon: "We use it to release and plant new seeds. It relates to the merging of the masculine and feminine esoteric principles. A part of us is essentially being reborn every New Moon."
- The First Quarter: “It solidifies our intentions, whether that’s a deadline we need to make or a conversation we need to have with a significant person.”
- The Full Moon: “We use it to blossom just as it is blossoming in the sky. We allow ourselves to reap the rewards of our work but also observe the results of the intentions made during the New Moon phase.”
- The Last Quarter: “We use this phase to release and retreat, we slow down when it comes to matters close to our hearts.
“Whatever has transpired since the New Moon, we review it and prepare for what needs to be further crystalized by intention during the next New Moon or admit what needs to be released.”
