Full Moon 2025: Dates, Rituals, Signs, and Spiritual Meaning

There’s something ancient and stirring about a full moon. It pulls at your emotions, lights up the night sky, and reminds you that you’re part of something much bigger.

In simple terms, a full moon happens when the moon is directly opposite the sun, fully illuminated from our view on Earth. The alignment of the sun and the moon with Earth is what causes the full moon. The full moon occurs at the exact moment when the earth and the sun are aligned with the moon in the middle of its lunar cycle.

The full moon is just one phase in the lunar cycle, which lasts about 29.5 days. But beyond the science, many traditions see it as a time of heightened energy. It’s believed to amplify your feelings, bring clarity to hidden truths, and support powerful spiritual shifts.

In this guide, you’ll discover everything you need to know about the full moon. From exact 2025 dates and zodiac meanings to rituals you can try and ancient legends tied to each moon, this is your all-in-one lunar resource.

Key Takeaways

• Each full moon has a unique energy based on its zodiac sign, influencing emotions, clarity, and personal growth.
• Rituals such as journaling, crystal charging, and intention setting can help you align with the moon’s energy.
• After a full moon, emotional aftercare matters, ground yourself with rest, herbs, and calming tools.
• Cultures around the world honor the full moon, showing its deep spiritual and symbolic importance across time.

When Is the Next Full Moon?

You keep seeing reminders or feeling a pull around the sky, and wonder, when is the next full moon? This phase doesn’t just mark a calendar event. It often aligns with a surge of emotions, vivid dreams, or a strong desire to make changes in your life. The next full moon rises around sunset, and watching the moon rise in the night sky is a breathtaking experience. The moon reaches its peak illumination at the exact time of the full moon, making it a perfect moment for observation.

The next full moon will appear when the moon’s light is at its brightest and its energy peaks. The moon appears fully illuminated when the sun, earth, and moon are perfectly aligned. While the full moon appears brightest at its peak illumination, it can look full on the nights before and after the exact time. Many people report feeling more emotional, restless, or even inspired around this time. That’s no coincidence. The moon’s energy can influence your mood and your body, just like it affects ocean tides.

To help you prepare, we’ve included a full moon calendar below. You’ll find all the full moon dates and moon dates for 2025, including the exact times, zodiac signs, and names for each full moon, as well as the times when the moon passes through its different phases, so you can plan your reflections or rituals accordingly.

Full Moon 2025 Schedule: Dates, Zodiac Signs, and Traditional Names

Planning your year around the lunar calendar helps you connect more deeply with nature’s rhythm. The lunar month is about 29.5 days, so the lunar calendar does not perfectly align with the modern calendar. The moon calendar and moon names listed here are based on traditions from the northern hemisphere. Each full moon marks a specific moon phase in the lunar cycle and carries a symbolic meaning that aligns with the zodiac sign it falls in.

Here’s what you can expect each month:

Date	Full Moon Name	Zodiac Sign	Spiritual Theme
January 13	Wolf Moon	Cancer	Emotional security, home, and nurturing
February 12	Snow Moon	Leo	Self-expression, creativity, and leadership
March 14	Worm Moon	Virgo	Organization, health, and service
April 12	Pink Moon	Libra	Balance, relationships, and harmony
May 12	Flower Moon	Scorpio	Transformation, intensity, and rebirth
June 11	Strawberry Moon (also called the Full Strawberry Moon)	Sagittarius	Adventure, truth-seeking, and optimism
July 10	Buck Moon	Capricorn	Ambition, structure, and responsibility
August 9	Sturgeon Moon	Aquarius	Innovation, individuality, and humanitarianism
September 7	Corn Moon	Pisces	Compassion, dreams, and spiritual connection
October 6	Hunter’s Moon	Aries	Courage, initiative, and new beginnings
November 5	Beaver Moon	Taurus	Stability, sensuality, and resourcefulness
December 4	Cold Moon	Gemini	Communication, adaptability, and curiosity

Note: Occasionally, a second full moon can occur within a single calendar month. This rare event is known as a blue moon. The second full moon in a month is significant because it highlights the difference between the lunar month and the modern calendar.

Each full moon brings a different energy based on its zodiac influence. Some support bold action, while others ask you to slow down and reflect. By learning the meaning of each moon, you can work with its energy rather than against it.

Full Moon Meanings Month by Month

January Full Moon in Cancer

This moon tugs at your heart. It awakens your need for emotional safety, nurturing, and connection to your roots. You might find yourself drawn to home-cooked meals, family memories, or craving space to just feel.

Try this: Light a white candle and journal about where you feel most at home—in people, places, or yourself. Let the emotions flow without judgment.

February Full Moon in Leo

Under this moon, you’re reminded that you are meant to be seen and celebrated. Your inner child wants joy, your soul wants applause. It’s a great time to reconnect with your passions and speak your truth.

Try this: Dance alone in your room or write a love letter to yourself. Look in the mirror and say out loud: “I am worthy of love and recognition.”

March Full Moon in Virgo

You’ll feel the pull toward order, health, and practicality. This is a moon of purification—clearing clutter not just in your home but in your habits and thoughts.

Try this: Declutter one space you’ve been avoiding. Journal about routines or beliefs that no longer serve you. Cleanse your energy with a sage stick or saltwater bath.

April Full Moon in Libra

Balance becomes the theme—especially in love, friendships, and your inner harmony. You might feel torn between pleasing others and honoring yourself.

Try this: Meditate with rose quartz or place it over your heart. Reflect on a relationship that needs healing or boundaries, and write about what fairness means to you.

May Full Moon in Scorpio

This is the most emotionally intense full moon of the year. Secrets, shadows, and suppressed feelings may come to the surface for healing. Scorpio invites transformation.

Try this: Write down a fear or secret and burn the paper safely. Take a ritual bath with Epsom salt to symbolically cleanse your emotional body.

June Full Moon in Sagittarius

Wanderlust and wisdom fill the air. This moon expands your thoughts and challenges your comfort zone. Perfect for planting seeds for your future adventures.

Try this: Create a vision board for your next big dream. Journal about a belief you’ve outgrown—and what you’re ready to believe instead.

July Full Moon in Capricorn

Ambition rises, but so can burnout. Capricorn’s energy asks you to check your long-term goals and responsibilities. It’s a good time to get serious without being too hard on yourself.

Try this: List your biggest win from the past six months. Reflect on how you define success and whether it still aligns with who you are.

August Full Moon in Aquarius

You’ll feel more visionary, rebellious, and humanitarian under this moon. Aquarius pushes you to think about your role in the bigger picture.

Try this: Journal about a cause you care about. Write one small way you can contribute to the collective while staying true to your unique gifts.

September Full Moon in Pisces

Dreamy, spiritual, and deeply sensitive, this moon invites surrender. Let go of needing logic and allow your intuition to guide you.

Try this: Listen to music, write a poem, or spend time alone near water. Ask your higher self for messages in your dreams or meditation.

October Full Moon in Aries

Fire, courage, and bold beginnings. This moon lights a match in your spirit. It’s time to take a stand for yourself—even if it means ruffling feathers.

Try this: Write down your desires unapologetically. Take one brave action that gets you closer to what you really want.

November Full Moon in Taurus

This full moon grounds you. Taurus reminds you to slow down and indulge your senses—touch, taste, rest, and stability.

Try this: Cook your favorite meal, wear something soft, or sit in stillness with a cup of tea. Reflect on what you truly value.

December Full Moon in Gemini

This moon activates your mind. You’ll feel chatty, curious, and maybe a little scattered. It’s great for wrapping up the year with reflection and meaningful conversation.

Try this: Write a letter to your future self for next December. Connect with a close friend and talk about what you’ve both learned this year.

Emotional Aftercare After a Full Moon

After every full moon, you might notice a drop in energy, emotional overwhelm, or even a strange sense of emptiness. That’s normal. Full moons stir up deep emotions, and once the peak energy passes, your system starts to come down — kind of like a spiritual hangover. This period marks the start of the waning gibbous phase, when the moon begins to lose its brightness and the illuminated portion gradually decreases.

To ease this transition, give yourself space to rest and process. Ground yourself with slow walks, comforting foods, or time in nature. Drink herbal teas like chamomile or tulsi to calm your nervous system. You can also use calming crystals like amethyst, lepidolite, or moonstone to gently reset your energy.

Journaling helps too. Ask yourself: What did I feel strongly about? What am I ready to let go of now that the moon is waning? Sleep rituals like soft lighting, guided meditations, or a warm bath before bed can also support your emotional recovery. The next phase after the waning gibbous is the waning crescent, when the moon’s illumination continues to decrease, leading up to the new moon.

How Full Moons Affect You Based on Your Rising Sign

Did you know your rising sign plays a big role in how each full moon feels? While your sun sign shows your personality, your rising sign reflects how the world affects you — including the moon’s energy.

Here’s a quick guide:

• Fire Rising (Aries, Leo, Sagittarius): You’ll feel bursts of energy or frustration. Best to move your body and express your passion.
• Earth Rising (Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn): You may get more focused on routines, security, or material concerns. Grounding helps you recharge.
• Air Rising (Gemini, Libra, Aquarius): Full moons bring mental chatter. Journaling or talking it out will bring clarity.
• Water Rising (Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces): Emotions may rise quickly. Take time to rest, reflect, or do something nurturing.

If you’re not sure about your rising sign, use a free online rising sign calculator — just enter your date, time, and place of birth. Once you know it, you’ll start to notice clear patterns during each full moon.

Full Moon Myths and Legends from Different Cultures

Every culture has stories tied to the moon — passed down like whispers from our ancestors. These legends aren’t just folklore. They reflect how humans, across time and place, have looked up at the same glowing circle and felt something stir deep inside. Many cultures used the lunar month and the lunar cycle to track time, mark natural events, and understand the rhythms of nature. Here are some of the most powerful full moon traditions that still echo today:

Native American Moon Names and Nature Wisdom

Many Native American tribes named each full moon based on seasonal signs. For example, the Wolf Moon (January) signified howling wolves in winter, while the Harvest Moon (September) marked the season of gathering crops. These names helped track time and honor nature’s rhythms. When you use them today, you’re tapping into ancient earth wisdom.

Chinese Moon Lore and the Mid-Autumn Festival

In Chinese culture, the full moon symbolizes family reunion and completeness. During the Mid-Autumn Festival, families gather to eat mooncakes and tell the story of Chang’e, the moon goddess who sacrificed everything for love. Looking at the moon during this time is a quiet prayer for connection, even across distance.

Indian Purnima Rituals and Lunar Devotion

In India, each Purnima (full moon) carries its own spiritual meaning. Guru Purnima honors teachers. Sharad Purnima celebrates divine love and moonlit meditations. People fast, bathe in sacred rivers, and offer prayers to honor the moon’s purity and energy. It’s not just about tradition — it’s about aligning your soul with cosmic flow.

Norse and Celtic Lunar Myths

In Norse mythology, the moon was ruled by Máni, a male lunar deity chased by a wolf through the sky. The Celts, on the other hand, revered Arianrhod, a moon goddess linked to fate, dreams, and reincarnation. Their stories taught people that the moon held magic, mystery, and the power to shape destiny.

African and Polynesian Moon Teachings

In parts of Africa, the moon was seen as a timekeeper — guiding when to plant, harvest, or rest. Some tribes believed the moon connected the living to ancestors. In Polynesian cultures, moon phases were used to navigate oceans and understand tides, showing that the moon is not only mystical but deeply practical.

These myths remind you that the moon isn’t just a celestial body. It’s a spiritual teacher, a timekeeper, and a source of healing. Whether you light a candle, whisper a prayer, or simply gaze up in wonder, you’re joining a global tradition that spans centuries. That’s the power of full moon magic.

Full Moon Rituals and Practices

Cleanse Your Space with Intention

Use sage, palo santo, or incense to clear the air around you. As the smoke rises, imagine it lifting away any tension, stress, or emotional clutter. This creates an open, sacred space for new energy to flow.

Write What You’re Ready to Release

Grab a notebook or scrap paper and write down everything that’s been weighing on you—old fears, self-doubt, toxic habits, or heavy emotions. Then, gently burn or tear up the paper as a way to symbolically let it go.

Charge Your Crystals and Moon Water

Place your crystals or a jar of water under the full moonlight overnight. This re-energizes them with lunar power. You can later use the moon water to anoint your body, cleanse tools, or add it to a bath for emotional renewal.

Sit in Stillness with Your Intentions

After your ritual, take a moment to just sit and breathe. Feel the moonlight on your skin, let your thoughts settle, and whisper your hopes into the night. Full moons are not just for letting go—but for tuning in.

Crystals, Herbs, and Tools for Full Moon Energy

Powerful Crystals to Work With

Use Moonstone for feminine energy and intuition, Selenite for clarity and cleansing, Clear Quartz to amplify your intentions, Amethyst for emotional release, Labradorite for transformation, Rose Quartz for self-love, and Black Tourmaline for protection.

Herbs That Support Your Rituals

Burn Sage to clear stagnant energy, Mugwort to deepen your intuition and dreams, and Lavender to calm your nervous system. You can also drink them as tea or place them on your altar.

Create and Use Moon Water

Fill a clean glass jar with water and leave it outside or by a window overnight during the full moon. Use it to cleanse your aura, anoint your tools, water your plants, or even bathe in it with intention.

Build a Personal Moon Altar

Choose a quiet space and place crystals, flowers, photos, or symbols that hold meaning for you. Light a candle and let this sacred corner remind you of your spiritual intentions every full moon.

Manifestation and Letting Go Under the Full Moon

• Understand What the Full Moon Is Meant For. While new moons are for setting intentions, full moons are about release. The full moon phase is one of the key phases of the moon in the lunar cycle, marking a time of heightened energy and illumination. It’s a natural time to let go of anything that no longer aligns with your growth.
• What to Release During a Full Moon. Let go of emotional baggage, limiting beliefs, past relationships, fears of judgment, procrastination, or comparison. The process of letting go is supported by the natural progression of the lunar phases, helping you move forward as the moon transitions through its cycle. If it’s been holding you back, this is your chance to free yourself.
• Simple Letting Go Rituals That Work. Write everything down and safely burn it, flush it, bury it, or tear it up—whatever feels most symbolic for you. You can also say it aloud under the moon as a declaration to the Universe. Each moon phase, including the full moon phase, has its own energy and significance, so choose a ritual that resonates with the current phase.
• Affirmations That Support the Process. Try saying, “I release what no longer serves me,” “I trust the process of letting go,” or “I am ready to make space for new blessings.” Repeat these while looking at the moon or journaling, and consider aligning your intentions with the moon’s phases for greater impact.

Conclusion

Every full moon is a quiet invitation—a chance to pause, reflect, and release. It lights up not just the sky, but the places within you that are ready to change. When you align with the moon’s rhythm, you don’t just observe it… you feel it. You become part of something ancient and deeply wise.

You don’t need to have all the answers. You just need a little intention, a quiet moment, and the willingness to let go of what’s been weighing you down.

Let the moon be your mirror. Let it show you what’s ready to leave, and what’s ready to grow.