One of the more striking celestial events this August is the full moon known as the Sturgeon Moon. What makes this full moon stand out is that it will appear on two consecutive evenings, August 8 and 9, 2025, both at dusk. This unusual occurrence is thanks to a “shortened moonrise delay” of about 30 minutes between the two nights, a quirk caused by the moon’s position well south of the celestial equator. Normally, the moon rises around 50 minutes later each day, but in August it creeps up faster, letting skywatchers enjoy the glowing orb twice in a row as it climbs the eastern horizon after sunset.
The moon reaches its peak illumination at 3:55 a.m. Eastern Time on August 9. For those in New York City, the moon will rise just after sunset on both evenings—8:03 p.m. on the 8th and 8:32 p.m. on the 9th—perfect timing for a breathtaking twilight spectacle.
Why the name ‘Sturgeon Moon’?
The name traces back to the Great Lakes region of North America, where sturgeon fish were once abundant and easiest to catch in late summer. According to The Old Farmer’s Almanac, this full moon coincided with the time when lake sturgeon were harvested, a vital source of food for Native American communities. The lake sturgeon itself is a remarkable creature, capable of living up to 150 years and growing over two metres long.
Different cultures have their own names for this August full moon. The Anishinaabe people call it the Wild Rice Moon, reflecting the ripening of wild rice crops. Other regions refer to it as the Green Corn Moon or Grain Moon, marking the time when crops mature and harvest season begins. The Cree speak of it as the Flying Up Moon, symbolising young birds learning to fly, while the Assiniboine name it the Black Cherries Moon, signalling the ripening of cherries.
The sky show beyond the Moon
The Sturgeon Moon isn’t alone. Just days later, on August 12, it will pass close to Saturn and Neptune, although only Saturn will be visible without a telescope. Soon after, the famous Perseid meteor shower will light up the skies on August 12 and 13, often producing around 100 bright meteors per hour under dark skies.
Despite the full moon’s brightness making the meteor showers harder to see, planets like Venus and Jupiter will put on their own show, visible in the early morning hours throughout August. These two will even appear close together in the sky on the mornings of August 12 and 13—a rare and dazzling celestial meet-up.
Mars will be visible just after sunset, and later in the month, Mercury will join the morning lineup below Venus. So, whether you’re a casual observer or a dedicated astronomer, the sky offers a rich tapestry of sights through the month.
What this Moon means for the zodiac signs
Astrologers and readers like Kerry Ward and Evan Nathaniel Grim see the Sturgeon Moon as more than just a pretty light in the sky. At 16°59’ Aquarius, this full moon carries the energy of flow, change, and community. Aquarius, ruled by Saturn and Uranus, calls us to balance structure with rebellion and to find our place between individual expression and collective responsibility.
Ward explains the moon’s link to harvesting and abundance ties it to life cycles and water’s flow, asking us, “Are you in flow with those around you?” It’s an invitation to reflect on relationships and authenticity during the heart of Leo season, when personal strength meets communal awareness.
Grim adds that this moon reminds us we are loved and cared for, highlighting the powerful alignment of Jupiter and Venus in Cancer, which brings a sense of support and belonging—whether through family, friends, or inner resilience.
For certain signs—Taurus, Leo, Libra, Scorpio, and Aquarius—the moon promises “undeniably massive effects,” from career breakthroughs and relationship shifts to emotional breakthroughs and endings.
The Lunar calendar ahead
This Sturgeon Moon is the last full moon of summer 2025. As autumn approaches, the nights grow longer and darker, leading up to significant eclipse events: a total lunar eclipse in early September, visible across much of the world, and a partial solar eclipse two weeks later. The lunar eclipse, sometimes called a “blood moon” because of its reddish tint, will be a dramatic end to the season’s celestial highlights.
There are still more full moons to come this year, including several supermoons in October, November, and December, when the moon appears larger and brighter as it swings closest to Earth.
The Sturgeon Moon is a bridge between nature’s rhythms and human culture, past and present. It connects us to the ancient cycles of fish harvests, ripe crops, and bird migrations while offering a modern spectacle in the sky that encourages contemplation and connection.
Whether you watch it rise twice in twilight, track the planets and meteors that follow, or consider the deeper messages this moon carries, it’s a moment to pause and feel part of something larger—a universe in motion, quietly reminding us of abundance, change, and the ties that bind.
The moon reaches its peak illumination at 3:55 a.m. Eastern Time on August 9. For those in New York City, the moon will rise just after sunset on both evenings—8:03 p.m. on the 8th and 8:32 p.m. on the 9th—perfect timing for a breathtaking twilight spectacle.
Why the name ‘Sturgeon Moon’?
The name traces back to the Great Lakes region of North America, where sturgeon fish were once abundant and easiest to catch in late summer. According to The Old Farmer’s Almanac, this full moon coincided with the time when lake sturgeon were harvested, a vital source of food for Native American communities. The lake sturgeon itself is a remarkable creature, capable of living up to 150 years and growing over two metres long.
Different cultures have their own names for this August full moon. The Anishinaabe people call it the Wild Rice Moon, reflecting the ripening of wild rice crops. Other regions refer to it as the Green Corn Moon or Grain Moon, marking the time when crops mature and harvest season begins. The Cree speak of it as the Flying Up Moon, symbolising young birds learning to fly, while the Assiniboine name it the Black Cherries Moon, signalling the ripening of cherries.
The sky show beyond the Moon
The Sturgeon Moon isn’t alone. Just days later, on August 12, it will pass close to Saturn and Neptune, although only Saturn will be visible without a telescope. Soon after, the famous Perseid meteor shower will light up the skies on August 12 and 13, often producing around 100 bright meteors per hour under dark skies.
Despite the full moon’s brightness making the meteor showers harder to see, planets like Venus and Jupiter will put on their own show, visible in the early morning hours throughout August. These two will even appear close together in the sky on the mornings of August 12 and 13—a rare and dazzling celestial meet-up.
Mars will be visible just after sunset, and later in the month, Mercury will join the morning lineup below Venus. So, whether you’re a casual observer or a dedicated astronomer, the sky offers a rich tapestry of sights through the month.
What this Moon means for the zodiac signs
Astrologers and readers like Kerry Ward and Evan Nathaniel Grim see the Sturgeon Moon as more than just a pretty light in the sky. At 16°59’ Aquarius, this full moon carries the energy of flow, change, and community. Aquarius, ruled by Saturn and Uranus, calls us to balance structure with rebellion and to find our place between individual expression and collective responsibility.
Ward explains the moon’s link to harvesting and abundance ties it to life cycles and water’s flow, asking us, “Are you in flow with those around you?” It’s an invitation to reflect on relationships and authenticity during the heart of Leo season, when personal strength meets communal awareness.
Grim adds that this moon reminds us we are loved and cared for, highlighting the powerful alignment of Jupiter and Venus in Cancer, which brings a sense of support and belonging—whether through family, friends, or inner resilience.
For certain signs—Taurus, Leo, Libra, Scorpio, and Aquarius—the moon promises “undeniably massive effects,” from career breakthroughs and relationship shifts to emotional breakthroughs and endings.
The Lunar calendar ahead
This Sturgeon Moon is the last full moon of summer 2025. As autumn approaches, the nights grow longer and darker, leading up to significant eclipse events: a total lunar eclipse in early September, visible across much of the world, and a partial solar eclipse two weeks later. The lunar eclipse, sometimes called a “blood moon” because of its reddish tint, will be a dramatic end to the season’s celestial highlights.
There are still more full moons to come this year, including several supermoons in October, November, and December, when the moon appears larger and brighter as it swings closest to Earth.
The Sturgeon Moon is a bridge between nature’s rhythms and human culture, past and present. It connects us to the ancient cycles of fish harvests, ripe crops, and bird migrations while offering a modern spectacle in the sky that encourages contemplation and connection.
Whether you watch it rise twice in twilight, track the planets and meteors that follow, or consider the deeper messages this moon carries, it’s a moment to pause and feel part of something larger—a universe in motion, quietly reminding us of abundance, change, and the ties that bind.
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