The full moon in Aquarius that culminates today is a supermoon and a blue moon – and on Sunday evening in the UK (approximately 24 hours before culmination) the blue moon turned into a red moon, as smoke particles high in the atmosphere (from the wildfires sweeping across North America) caused the red shades in the light spectrum to be more visible than usual. Back in the days before we knew the cause of such a phenomenon, a red full moon (that could not be explained by the presence of a lunar eclipse) would have been regarded as an omen of the worst kind; today, it’s the lunation itself that is the bearer of celestial news.
That’s not to say we should discount ‘the omen’ entirely; it’s not a blood moon in the sense we understand it, but it could be interpreted as a celestial red flag and a reminder that we need to be aware that this Full Moon in Aquarius is intimately connected to both the current Mercury retrograde in Virgo/Leo and the Mars – Jupiter conjunction that I wrote about recently. In astrology, events rarely happen in isolation; if you’ve been experiencing some fall-out from either (or both) of those two astrological events, be prepared for things to reach a climax in the light of the Full Moon in Aquarius.
Full Moon in Aquarius: The Essentials
The full moon in Aquarius reaches culmination on Monday 19th August at 18:25 (UT). It’s going to be unmissable in the skies as it’s a supermo0n – and that means it appears larger than normal because the Moon is at its closest point to the Earth. The Moon’s elliptical orbit around the Earth means that the distance between the Earth and the Moon is variable – and ‘perigee’ marks the nearest distance between our planet and the it’s satellite. The moonlight is approx. 30% brighter than you would experience with a normal full moon and, astrologically, that gives this full moon a greater impact too.
The full moon in Aquarius is also a blue moon. Blue moons occur when certain things happen – either it’s the second full moon in a calendar month or (as is the case this month) it’s the third full moon in a season that contains four full moons. This makes it an extra full moon – and extra of anything that impacts on you in an emotional manner is going to be noticeable this month. To assess the full implications of that, we need to talk about Aquarius; there’s a heavy Uranus-style influence with this full moon, as it’s not just this full moon’s sign, the Moon also makes a square aspect to Uranus, Aquarius’s ruling planet.
I hesitate to use the word ‘weird’, but all things Aquarian and Uranian have a serious shock value – and this full moon is no exception to that rule – even though Aquarius is the sign of the rule breaker. Weird things, shocks and surprises, stress, unexpected feelings or events, contrariness, revolutions and rebellions; all of the above are associated with the Moon in Aquarius, but this Aquarius Moon has a few extras thrown in that are going to make it more offbeat and unpredictable than usual. If you feel edgy around the time of the full moon, an analysis of the full moon chart will help you to understand why.
Full Moon in Aquarius: the Chart
Any chart containing a t-square is dynamic – and a t-square from the full moon to the moon sign’s ruler – Uranus – packs an extra punch. And that’s before allowing for the fact that the full moon is opposite Mercury retrograde. There is a lot of energy in that aspect pattern, as the energy contained in the opposition is going to find its release through Uranus – the planet of radical innovation and left of field solutions. A trine from the full moon to the Mars-Jupiter conjunction in Gemini also connects the full moon to a second t-square in the chart. Are two t-squares better than one? Let’s drill down into the aspects to find out.
Full Moon in Aquarius: The Aspects
I’ll look at that tricky opposition to Mercury retrograde first, because I think it’s going to the big story of this particular lunation:
Full Moon in Aquarius Opposite Mercury Retrograde
So. We have the full moon in Aquarius shining its light on Mercury retrograde. Mercury is now retrograde in Leo – and passionate, fiery, emotional Leo is literally the opposite of cool, rational Aquarius. I suspect this is how it’s going to unfold: once again (because it’s retrograde) we are going to experience, see or hear something (or someone) playing up or acting out. Mercury retrograde suggests that we’ve been here before, This is nothing new, but this time around, staying, cool, rational and calm in the face of a Leo -style melt down is going to be the challenge.
Dealing with a person or situation from the past that causes emotional stress can be experienced at a personal or impersonal level. Sometimes, situations that don’t involve us directly can force us to confront feelings that take us by surprise, as they are so clearly related to a different time and place. That’s often the weird bit – you find yourself having to deal with stuff that seems so out of place in your life right now – and the only way to deal with it is to stand back, detach from it and try and maintain your objectivity – and that’s not easy given that Mercury retrograde in Leo tends to make a drama out of everything.
A dramatic outburst or encounter may be the trigger for confrontation – and that confrontation may be experienced externally or be of the inner, reflective variety. That’s unsurprising as this full moon in Aquarius has the potential to shake your world – particularly if your natal chart is dominated by the fixed signs (Taurus, Leo, Scorpio and Aquarius). Whatever happens, the solution to the problem is going to be unexpected and potentially uncomfortable. Liberation is the only way out – you need to free yourself from any attachment that’s threatening to draw you back towards a place where you really don’t want to go.
Full Moon in Aquarius Square Uranus
That’s how it is with the Uranus square too – this aspect from the full moon in Aquarius to contrary Uranus is reinforcing that point. You have to go your own way – and do things in your own way. Uranus is independent – yet social – a chaotic genius who is telling you that the future may look different from this moment onwards – but that’s potentially a good thing. Maybe. Square aspects to Uranus blast you out of any complacent rut that you’ve been sleeping in. They’re a wake-up call – and this one may have set the alarm just in time for you to avoid repeating the mistakes of the past.
While you’re dealing with some inconvenient truths, or (more positively) relishing the prospect of an exciting breakthrough or exciting future direction, try and think of it this way – if this full moon in Aquarius is showing you how to work with your own genius, and if that enables you to express yourself with authenticity and pride, then that’s what you need to do. Don’t spend too much time on the inquest either, as Uranus is not at all interested in the past. There is no time like the present for creating the future.
Full Moon in Aquarius Trine the Mars – Jupiter Conjunction
Finally, the full moon in Aquarius makes a trine aspect to the Mars – Jupiter conjunction in Gemini. This is the aspect of big debates and major conversations. It’s a ‘we need to talk’ moment – and that debate is going to be internal as well as external. It’s time for conversational action and active dialogue – and that is going to be in the context of the second t-square in the full moon chart – the one that’s pushing you to make some structural changes in your life – particularly where love and money and values are concerned.
So, let this full moon in Aquarius be a kind of modern omen: the weird stuff that happens (those odd coincidences, unexpected meetings and feelings you thought belonged in another time) are telling you something, but they may not be telling you what you want to hear. In astrology, you are at the heart of everything – and if the universe is suggesting you need a fresh, new, exciting or less conventional approach to life – that is what you should do. Within reason. Your guides need to be reason and intellect, as well as instinct, and your aim should be to be true to yourself – always.
Further Reading
In Pictures: Blue Supermoon Glows Red
Aspects | Mars Conjunct Jupiter 2024
Mercury Retrograde in Virgo: In Need of Repair
Aspects | Jupiter Square Saturn
Uranus Transits Taurus: Is This The New Normal?
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© Sara Shipman 2024
Picture Credit: Image by 愚木混株 Cdd20 from Pixabay
You previously did a chart on President Biden and President Trumps running chances. How about doing one on Vice President Kamala Harris now that she’s running against Trump?
Hi Cathy – thanks for your comment. I will certainly be doing that post before the November 5th election!