The names of the individual Full Moons vary from culture to culture. The names we use in CUSP are gleaned from many traditional names for Full Moons used over time.

Cold Moon – This Full Moon occurs between December and January in the sign of Capricorn. The theme for this moon is “Joy.” Winter is at its strongest point and is about to loosen its hold on the world, allowing us to return to a warmer, kinder time. Throughout winter, survival was in question because of the harsh conditions. At a time when there was no central heat and when animals often became desperate in their search for food, danger ran high. Those not attuned to the cycles could suffer from “cabin fever” as they reacted to the limitations of movement created by cold, ice, and snow. Livestock was vulnerable to the elements and sometimes, the urgency for survival would develop around this time if the stockpiles from the harvest began to dwindle. Reaching this Full Moon was a turning point that brought with it an assurance that warmer times were on the way. December gave us a heartwarming time to spend with friends and loved ones, reminding us of their value in our lives and sharing gifts as tokens of our affection. Coming from the glow of that familial closeness, our spirits are heartened, and we feel our own inherent strength move within us, preparing us for the physical work that is to come.

Quickening Moon – This Full Moon occurs between January and February in the sign of Aquarius. The theme for this moon is “Awakening.” It heralds in the first signs of warmth returning to the land. The sign of Aquarius gives us creativity, originality, and awakens within us new ideas and new approaches to life. As the Earth quickens and comes back to life, so do we as our ideas begin to flourish around the new spark of an idea that will become our goals for the year. We begin to dream, to plan, and to long for a new way of being in the world. The coming spring can be sensed, if not yet felt, and this allows us to have faith in the unseen and believe that things can be different if we will them to be. We begin to build our hopes around the ideas and inspirations that have come into our head regarding ways we can change our lives in the coming year. We feel the stirring of excitement and a slightly premature eagerness to get moving. The “Awakening” energy allows a clear understanding that our hopes and dreams can take form and manifest positively in our “real” lives rather than just live in our heads.

Storm Moon – This Full Moon occurs between February and March in the sign of Pisces. The theme for this moon is “Desire” as we solidify the goals that were born at Winter Solstice when the Spark brought ideas for change onto on the radar of our minds. Because Pisces is very mutable and adaptable as a sign, the energy around this moon allows us to weather the storms that come into play as we receive our confirmation and redirects from God as to what to plant in spring. It also encourages us to use the brewing storm of our desire and passion in creative and inventive ways for what we intend to harvest.

Wind Moon – This Full Moon occurs between March and April in the sign of Aries. The theme is “Change” as the winds of change blow into our lives to prepare us for the planting. As soon as plans for what to plant solidify, the Universe clears the way of obstacles and prepares our lives to receive the upcoming harvest as a reality. The Wind Moon sweeps clean the debris in our lives that would pose as obstacles to the manifestation of the harvest and prepares our hearts and spirits for the change that is to come. Aries is a sign of fierce self-protection and determination, which helps cement our focus on the harvest that is to come.

Tower Moon – This Full Moon occurs between April and May in the sign of Taurus. The theme for this moon is “Perspective.” It is a moon of complexity and contradiction, yet it works effectively toward its purpose of adapting us to the new way of being in the world ushered in by the Wind Moon before it. Taurus is a sign that relishes creature comforts and physical luxuries. After the Wind Moon initiated widespread changes to ready the “fields” of our life for the harvest that is to come, the Tower Moon gives us the ability to find comfort in the change. It helps us understand that what appears to be destruction and devastation works in our favor to clear the playing field for the incoming harvest energy. The Tower Moon gives us strength and fortitude right when we need it most. We often interpret change as “bad,” but the energy of the Tower Moon encourages us to settle into the changes and prepare for the exciting ride that is to come over the busiest months of the year now upon us. 

Strong Sun Moon – This Full Moon occurs between the months of May and June in the sign of Gemini. The theme for this moon is “Strength” as the strongest physical time of the harvest year comes around. This moon bellies up to the longest day of the year and heralds the waning of the sun’s strength as the days now become shorter. The crops are in the field and the harvest is nearly assured. The sign of Gemini gives us adaptability and quick thinking to problem-solve on the fly and bring swift resolution to problems. The sun, in its most powerful astrological male aspect, is at its height of power and therefore, the emphasis is on all things associated with male processes: strength, action, the logical/practical approach, and fierce determination. 

Blessing Moon – This Full Moon occurs between June and July in the sign of Cancer. The theme of the moon is “Awe and Anticipation.” We now see the “crops in the field” and get a glimmer of how our harvest will manifest. The first rewards of the harvest are visible and that rewards our faith with strong assurance. Certainly, any manner of destruction may still affect the crops in the field, but we can see results and know that what we are doing is real and generates real results. Inevitably, there is always a feeling of startled awe when you first see the results of your crops in the field and know that the process is underway. It is a time to celebrate our blessings and invest faith into the outcome of our planting. The sign of Cancer is very mother-oriented, and thusly, this is a wonderful time to connect to Mother Earth and give thanks for all that nature provides to us.

Corn Moon – This Full Moon occurs between July and August in the sign of Leo. The theme is “Gratification.” The harvest now begins to deliver its very first results, which are those that come of our own hands and our own effort. Corn is often the first plant to yield fruit and many cultures celebrate it as the symbol of first harvest. During this time, manifestation is particularly potent and can happen in the blink of an eye. At harvest time, if you want a tomato, you go out into the garden, pick it, and eat it. It is a time of instant gratification with little or no wait or process required for reward. It is essential, therefore, that we be especially careful in mind and deed during this time. The sign of Leo gives us great expression and joy in the face of the work required by harvest. 

Harvest Moon – This Full Moon occurs between August and September in the sign of Virgo. The theme is “Harvest.” As the first harvest is being gathered, we learn how it has fared and how to put the early results of our harvest to best use. The sign of Virgo gives us organizational skills and discernment of how to use the harvest to the greatest advantage. The Harvest Moon hangs full and golden on the horizon and provided illumination for continued work in the fields even after darkness fell. It is a time of celebration and anticipation as first harvest approaches its closing and the second phase of harvest broaches. Harvest Moon can be exhausting and demanding as often the actions required of us seem to exceed the time and energy we must invest. As the heavy Harvest Moon hangs in the sky, we are reminded that we are not alone and that our efforts invested into the harvest are proportional to the bounty we will receive. If we do not go out into the fields and work hard to bring it in, our harvest may rot in the field. Harvest is not going to walk its way up to our door and crawl into the larders on its own. Tremendous work and time are required to create a successful harvest. The Harvest Moon gives us a much needed boost of energy during this critical time.

Blood Moon – This Full Moon occurs between September and October in the sign of Libra. The theme is “Balance.” As the harvest time slows down for the upcoming dark of the year, we seek inner balance to make the transition. Libra gives us balance and emotional detachment for objectivity and discernment. As the second phase of harvest dawns near the time of this moon, the energy of the blessings we receive come into balance with the overlapping results of our own efforts. This is a glorious time of bounty and we can begin to see that the end of the time of hard work and sacrifice is in view. The Blood Moon refers to the sweat and blood of our own brow and hands that we have invested into the harvest and the degree of perseverance required to complete the harvest year successfully and fully. The balance is now coming into play and we will be able to rest as well as work as we begin the descent into the dark of the year. The Blood Moon is also so named because it was during this time that herds of livestock were culled and those who were unlikely to survive the winter were sacrificed. The Full Moon at this time afforded a longer time to work at this grisly task.

Mourning Moon – This Full Moon occurs between October and November in the sign of Scorpio. The theme is “Mourning.” As the harvest ends, we mourn the things that did not manifest and the things that were released during Samhain. Even though our goals are realized, we sometimes do not react well to change, even positive change. If we have been asked to sacrifice something to gain our harvest, it is during this time that we mourn that loss. One of the basic laws of existentialism says that “Every choice is bittersweet.” If we choose vanilla ice cream, we may briefly mourn not having the strawberry ice cream. When we choose one thing, we are inevitably un-choose something else. That is part of the balance that came to us through the Blood Moon. The Mourning Moon is efficient enough to recognize that as humans, we need to acknowledge and grieve the parts of our life that were changed in order for us to receive the bounty of our harvest, as well as the chance to work through the parts of our harvest that, for our own greatest good, may not have manifested. The sign of Scorpio gives us both the passion to grieve and the resilience to recover. 

Long Night’s Moon – This Full Moon occurs between November and December in the sign of Sagittarius. The theme is the “Descent.” It is time to welcome the quiet repose of winter and the introspection that is to come. Sagittarius gives us the spirituality and insight to explore our inner selves and reflect on what has occurred and plan what is to come. As the Strong Sun Moon celebrates the most powerful male astrological symbol in our Heavens, the Long Night’s Moon exalts the energies of the moon, the female archetype. Rapidly changing and mutable in comparison to the sun, the moon hides her face and goes into seclusion for part of the month and beams down upon us in full glory at other times. The weather is cooler now, leading us inside both physically and emotionally. During the dark of the year, we get to know ourselves better through spiritual exploration and understanding. Where the Strong Sun Moon represented the greatest physical energy of the year, the Long Night’s Moon is all about emotional and internal strength. We descend into ourselves and explore all of the hidden passages and dark, recessed corners of our psyche to emerge in the spring clean, clear, and ready again for action.

Blue Moon – This Full Moon occurs between the year and between the worlds. The Blue Moon is the second Full Moon in a month and since there are twelve months and thirteen moons in the lunar year, this can happen at any time and usually happens once a year. The Blue Moon is a particularly magical time when we slip away from the beaten path to celebrate, dance, drum, and manifest those “one of a kind” moments. This is the time to make a special, ethereal wish and slip between the worlds into the time of the unseen and unimagined. It is a great time for asking for a special boon or blessing because the theme of this moon is “Extra” since it is an “extra” moon. Treat it as the joyful, magical gift it is and expect the unexpected.