Astrology

There’s a blue supermoon rising in the sign of the unrepentant weirdo — and we’re all in for a wild ride

On Monday, August 19, at 2:26 p.m. ET, the full moon will peak at 17 degrees of Aquarius, a sign associated with asymmetrical haircuts, revolutionary ideals, glow-in-the-dark stars, tentacle erotica and utopian dreams.

Expect the unexpected, folks.

This full moon is both a super moon and a blue moon — and it’s coming in hot and bright to shine a glaring light on any aspects of our lives where we have thus failed to come correct and/or contribute to the betterment of our fellow man.

This full moon is shining in the sign of Aquarius, the zodiac’s rabble-rousing, defiantly weird water bearer. Africa Studio – stock.adobe.com

Aquarius is ruled by both Saturn, lord of challenge, and Uranus, lightning-riding agent of change. In this sense, the energy of this moon is forcing us to change our challenges to better suit our personal evolution.

Make sure your fight is right, dig?

The full moon in Aquarius sits opposite the sun in Leo. Both are forming an exact (and highly yikes!) square with Uranus, the planet of sudden change and rude awakenings.

It will not be gentle, but it will be beneficial — known as a T-square, this aspect is something of a benevolent bully, escalating certain conditions so that we are forced to take action, initiate change, deprogram, and otherwise get free and live true.

The sun and moon form a T-square with revolution igniting, lightning riding Uranus. LOVE A Stock – stock.adobe.com
Uranus, the planet of sudden change and absolute freedom, is never gentle but usually beneficial. revers_jr – stock.adobe.com

Because the shock jock planet Uranus is the focal planet here, we should seek uncommon, and ever radical solutions to our restlessness.

These energies also suggest we’ll feel be served surprises, bombshells and sudden reversals of fortune. It is in our best interest to answer upset with innovation — and resist the urge to brood, lament, or problem-solve with established patterns.

Greet chaos with a tongue kiss, rather than a raised fist.

Moon vs. Mercury retrograde

The full moon is opposing Mercury retrograde in Leo. David Carillet – stock.adobe.com

For funsies, the full moon is also opposing Mercury, currently retrograding in Leo, encouraging antagonism and widening the gap between the rational and emotional, with reason losing out to reaction.

As Moon Omens maintains, “We might find ourselves strongly aligning with one side, dismissing the validity of the other, or projecting our own biases onto those around us…We may feel more rigid and less open to compromise. It’s essential to recognize this tendency and strive to integrate intellectual insight with emotional information.”

If we allow it, this star stew may illustrate how discourse can be the first step on the road to mutual benefit.

In a sense, this wily astrological weather is not testing us — but readying us to receive.

What is a supermoon?

A supermoon appears brighter due to the full moon being at its closest point to Earth in its elliptical orbit DariaS – stock.adobe.com

Supermoon is a sexier shorthand for what astrologers call a perigean full moon, wherein the full moon appears brighter, bolder, and better due to being at its closest point to Earth in its elliptical orbit

Supermoons exceed the disk size of the average moon by roughly 8% and can appear 16% brighter.

As full moons rise, they bring to the surface issues, emotions, intestinal parasites, menses and other sticky situations that demand attention.

A supermoon, due to its proximity, heightens these effects; it is more revealing and more feeling, folks.

What zodiac signs will be most affected?

The fixed signs will be most affected by Monday’s full moon. Franzisca Guedel – stock.adobe.com

Because this full moon falls in a fixed sign, the fixed signs Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, and Aquarius will feel these effects most acutely.

TAURUS (April 20 – May 20)

Brace for impact in your career, Taurus — shakeups and revelations could lead you out the door or push you further up the proverbial ladder. Make sure you’re climbing for a cause beyond coins, bull babies.

LEO (July 23 – August 22)

For Leo, look for the light to shine and the shadows to shout in your relationships. Are you in a state of mutual growth and reception — or simply getting high on the fumes of being liked? How can you use the power of attraction to aid and abet collaboration?

SCORPIO (October 23 – November 21)

Scorpio, your fourth house of home and history, is lit the f–k up by this full moon. Keep an eye out for conflict related to your family of origin — and/or repressed childhood trauma — to come clawing back into your consciousness. Bear in mind that forgiveness is the most radical act of courage you can commit.

AQUARIUS (January 20 – February 18)

Aquarius, this full moon is going all in on your first house of the self and identity, meaning the skin suit of who you were might be ready for a refresh. You might feel flooded by feelings this full moon, not a place you particularly love to be, but if you can wade through the wreckage, you’ll find yourself on a shore much better than before.

When is the next full moon in 2024?

The next full moon falls in the fish-forward sign of Pisces. Worldillustrator – stock.adobe.com

The next full moon will rise and shine on Tuesday, September 17, 2024 in the sign of Pisces. This full moon will also be a supermoon and owing to its proximity to the fall equinox, will be a Harvest Moon!

When is the next blue moon?

The next blue moon will shine on May 31, 2026, in the sign of Sagittarius.


Astrology 101: Your guide to the star


Astrologer Reda Wigle researches and irreverently reports back on planetary configurations and their effect on each zodiac sign. Her horoscopes integrate history, poetry, pop culture, and personal experience.