This Is What September’s Full Moon—the Harvest Moon—Means for You

 An astrologer sheds light on what to expect.

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September’s full moon will cast a spell over the early autumn sky. Its golden glow is nature’s way of celebrating the transition from summer to fall. It encourages everyone who sees it to enjoy these final warm-weather evenings while preparing for the cozy comfort of sweater weather that lies ahead. As you admire the Harvest Moon, remember it’s not just lighting up the sky—it’s a sign to embrace the season’s magic and all the beauty it brings, parade.com.

To dive deeper into the significance of this month's full moon, we spoke with Lisa Stardust, an NYC-based astrologer with over 253k Instagram followers and author of Saturn Return Survival Guide: Navigating This Cosmic Rite of Passage and The Astrology Deck: Your Guide to the Meanings and Myths of the Cosmos. “September’s full moon is also known as the Harvest Moon and gets its name because it marks the harvest season before winter begins,” she tells Parade. “It falls at the time of year closest to the fall equinox, which is on September 22.”

To find out more about September’s full moon meaning, keep reading. We cover everything from when you can see it, to all of the properties that come along with it. Stardust even taps into the energy surrounding the full moon, which zodiac signs will be affected the most when it appears, its spiritual meaning and more!

When Is September’s Full Moon in 2024?

If you want to see the full moon in September, it’s set to light up the sky in the middle of the month. “It will appear on Tuesday, September 17 at 10:34 PM ET,” Stardust reveals. “It will be visible in most of North America, in all of South America and Europe, as well as in all but the easternmost parts of Africa, western portions of Asia and Russia, and parts of Antarctica.”

She says it will stand out from other full moons because it’s also a partial lunar eclipse. “This is a super harvest partial lunar eclipse,” she notes. “The Earth will pass between the sun and the moon, creating a shadow that brings the eclipse. The Earth’s penumbra will give most of the moon a reddish-brown color in appearance.”

Besides being a partial eclipse, September’s full moon also has one more enchanting element. “It will also be a supermoon since the moon is in perigee, meaning it’s in close proximity to the Earth,” Stardust states. “This will result in the moon appearing bigger and brighter than usual."

What Is September’s Full Moon’s Spiritual Meaning?

Stardust informs Parade that September’s full moon spiritually recognizes the closing of a chapter.

“This eclipse marks a dramatic end to the story or vision that began under the Pisces new moon in March,” she says. “The spiritual lesson in this is to commit to what serves you, since it connects with Saturn, Uranus and Neptune. Learning to let go and embrace a different form of an old dream during this time is essential. Simply put, you should be looking at the past with sentimentality and the future with high hopes. One should try to remain grounded and focus on the present, but be careful not to chase waterfalls until you've made it through the waves of the river.”

How Does September’s Full Moon Affect You?

Watch out, this full moon is about to unravel some false truths in your life and open your eyes to things you didn’t notice before. “You might discover that what you thought was real may not have legs to stand on, which can result in you switching gears and reassessing your belief system,” Starlight shares. “The eclipse can also bring shakeups to relationships and careers. You’ll want to have a deep spiritual connection to others and your work, but if you don't feel as though you are in love with those aspects of your life, then the universe will push you to let go and move on. Conversely, if you love others and what you do, it'll bond you with those areas of life.”

According to Stardust, there are a few zodiac signs that will feel the effects of September’s full moon more than others will this month. “Geminis will feel an urge to set boundaries with their employer to add structure and discipline to their work,” she tells Parade. “Virgos will align more with people who reciprocate the kindness and love that they extend, while Sagittarius will look to tie up wounds, by taking a stroll down memory lane with their family to understand and heal their past. Pisces, on the other hand, will implement self-care into their day by treating themselves to something nice."

What Energy Does September’s Full Moon Bring?

“The eclipse is urging people to evolve and grow with the times,” Stardust explains. “People should dedicate their energy to transcending with the current status of the world because it’s important towards everyone’s enlightenment.”

She goes on to say that doing so may not be easy, but in the end it’s worth it. “This will require everyone to move towards a different state of being and heightened sensitivity,” she explains.

What Does September’s Full Moon Represent?

“September’s full moon represents a magical time to embrace life,” Stardust shares. “It acknowledges that if a person’s dreams are no longer in their heart, then it is time to depart from them and instead embrace all that life has to offer. By doing so, it will help you find your next big plan and vision.”