Sturgeon Moon 2023: The Unique Supermoon Meaning of August

The meaning of the 2023 Sturgeon Moon fully embodies the final days of summer and signals the beginning of harvest season. Deep within us, there’s a subtle softening, and we begin to spiritually slow down. The days start to feel a bit shorter, and the sunlight has grown a bit weaker and more golden. This year, August’s full moon has a blue moon and TWO SUPERMOONS!

August’s sweltering lazy summer days inspire dreams of pumpkin spice lattes and sweater weather. In my area, Locust trees have a few fallen yellow leaves beneath them. We’re beginning to reap the rewards of some of our crops, either literal or metaphorical. However, be patient and wait for your hard work and creations to fully culminate.

Every full moon has its own name based on the month or the season in which it appears. Creating a name for each full Moon allowed people to reflect on each season and how it affects them AND the natural world. There can be some variation on the Full Moon names due to the origins from whence they came.

Most Full Moon names are English translations of Native American names; others are rooted in Celtic, European (Anglo-Saxon and Germanic), and more recent Neo-Pagan origins. I created a guide to each Full Moon, complete with their meanings and how you can celebrate

Please note that I make every effort to ensure this information is correct and accurate through my own experiences and referencing sources throughout AND at the bottom of this article.

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When is the Sturgeon Moon 2023?

In 2023, there are TWO FULL MOONS in August, and they’re both Supermoons. The Sturgeon Moon takes place on August 1st and peaks at 2:31 P.M Eastern Standard Time.

August’s Blue Moon takes place on August 30th and peaks at 9:36 P.M Eastern Standard Time.

What is a Sturgeon Moon?

The Full Moon of August is named the Sturgeon Moon to symbolize and represent the freshwater fish that were easily caught during this hot summer month in North America. These impressive archaic-looking fish are a gray-green color, and their existence can be traced back over 200 million years!

Sturgeon can grow to be quite large in size and often live to be over 100 years old. Here in Idaho, the largest sturgeon ever recorded was almost 10 feet long, but it’s not uncommon to find them over 6 feet in length. Due to overfishing for their meat and eggs, their numbers are dwindling. However, many conservation efforts have been successful, and their population numbers have been increasing.

[Ron] Clark, [a volunteer with the nonprofit Kalamazoo River Sturgeons for Tomorrow] who has found the fish docile and easy to handle, said they seem to have individual personalities … they’re more like a [mammal] than a fish.”

Fisheries biologist Smith added that he likes the look of the prehistoric fish and its weird adaptations. For example, sturgeons have spiracles, which are holes in the side of the fish that allow them to breathe along with their gills.

He added that bringing the sturgeon back would give the public a chance to learn about a fish that had to survive during the dinosaur era.
National Geographic

Sturgeon Moon Meaning in 2023

Align your spiritual intentions this month with the strong and impressive sturgeon. They’ve survived millions of years by adapting and persevering through many different challenges. You are just as powerful and resilient, whether you realize it or not!

What big ambitions did you have last Winter or early Spring you deeply want to see accomplished? Let the energy of the Sturgeon Moon help you to push through the final hurdles and complete your goals or intentions. Allow yourself to admit if you’ve fallen off track, and then dust yourself off, and try again.

Remember progress over perfection! It’s ok if things aren’t working out exactly as you envisioned. Allow yourself to go with the flow and trust that the universe is also working hard to help your intentions or manifestations come true. Consistent effort and hard work will always pay off, even if it’s not exactly as you planned. Stay open-minded, but don’t give up!

How I Celebrate August’s Sturgeon Moon

AUGUST STURGEON FULL MOON SPIRITUAL MEANING FOR PAGANS AND WITCHES

Is There a Supermoon in August 2023?

Yes! In fact, there are TWO SUPERMOONS in the month of August. This means the moon will appear larger than usual and shine a bit more brightly!

Although a supermoon is larger and more luminous than a typical full Moon, it’s really only 7% bigger, so you may not notice a difference simply by looking at it. However, it’s still pretty cool to know the moon is so close to us, making its brilliant energy all the more powerful!

Note: There are no specific rules as to how close the Moon must travel to Earth to qualify as a supermoon. Depending on how you define a supermoon, there could also be one in July and one in September. However, they don’t orbit as close to the Earth as the August Moons.

Is There a Blue Moon in August 2023?

Yes, and it’s a Supermoon! August’s Blue Moon takes place on August 30th and peaks at 9:36 P.M Eastern Standard Time.

A Blue Moon is when two full moons occur within a calendar month OR seasonal cycle. Since they only take place about every two to three years, they’re considered a rare and magical event.

Many spiritual practitioners believe the intentions you set during a Blue Moon are so powerful and intense; they can continue until the next Blue Moon!

Learn more about the 2023 Blue Moon Meaning here!

August Sturgeon Moon Alternative Names

Many cultures around the world have their own beautiful names for August’s Full Moon, and I did my best to include the ones I could find sources on.

These names beautifully reflect the connection between humans, Nature, folklore, communities, and historical influences throughout time. Remember most of these names applied to the entire month, not just during the full moon!

Hot Moon (guuteyai-mea’) Shoshone Idaho, Nevada, Wyoming
Peace Moon (South African origins symbolizing National Women’s Day) (source: Centre for Astronomical Heritage)
Dry Moon (Yiraha Nuti (pronounced yihrah-hah(q) noong-tee) Catawba Native American origins
Lightning Moon (English)
Heyannir (Norse) means haymaking and refers to the drying and harvesting of hay (source: Nordic Culture – Skjalden)
Grain Moon (Anglo-Saxon)
Hungry Ghost Moon (Chinese) The Hungry Ghost Festival usually takes place during the Western calendar month of August. Many people worship their ancestors and make offerings to the roaming spirits of the earth. (source: Singapore Infopedia)
Dispute Moon or Lynx Moon (Celtic) (Source: Time and Date)
End of Fruit Month (galoni) Cherokee Native American origins

For a list of even more Native American Moon names, check out American Indian Alaska Native Tourism Association’s article here or Western Washington University’s article here.

Does the Sturgeon Moon of 2023 Have a Lunar Eclipse?

No, the Sturgeon moon doesn’t have a lunar eclipse this year. However, there will be two lunar eclipses in 2023!

The first eclipse takes place during May’s Full Flower Moon and is called a Penumbral Lunar Eclipse. Although this eclipse is barely visible, it creates a subtle shadow while still casting a mesmerizing effect in the night sky.

The second will be a Partial Lunar Eclipse which takes place during October’s Full Hunter’s Moon. Both of these lunar eclipses are sure to be a spectacular sights for sky gazers!

There will also include an Annular SOLAR eclipse on October 14th, 2023. An annular solar eclipse happens when the moon passes between the sun and the Earth, creating a mesmerizing ring of fire.

Sturgeon Moon Spiritual Correspondences

The spiritual meaning of August’s Full Sturgeon Moon is a powerful time for gratitude, harvesting, and strength. To get you started, here are some spiritual correspondences and intentions!

Sturgeon Moon Spiritual Meaning and Intentions

Gratitude
Reaping
Harvesting
Flourishing
Gumption
Flexibility
Perseverance

Sturgeon Moon Colors

Gold
Dark Green
Orange

Full moon August 2023 Ritual Ideas

The Sturgeon Moon is a lovely time to reflect on your life and what you’re grateful for. Here are a few celebration ideas to get you started.

If you’re looking for even more ideas, check out Full Moon Rituals You Need To Know!

Connect With Water

Water is the perfect way to cool down during the warm August days and nights. Spend some time by a lake, ocean, river, or your favorite watering hole!

Fully submerge in the cool water. Let it flow around you and relax. Allow any anxiety or worries to slip away with the current or tide. Imagine yourself as the water trusting and flowing freely. Let go of your fears and know that whatever may happen, you will find a way to make the best of it.

Spend some time focused on these thoughts. If you feel comfortable, float on the water’s surface and meditate. Don’t forget to create some Sturgeon Moon Water!

Sturgeon Moon Journal Prompts

Write a letter or thank you note to a friend or loved one! This time of year is all about abundance and harvesting what we’ve sown, literally or metaphorically. Take a moment to let those who add joy to your life know how grateful you are! Now actually send it to them!
What is one last goal you’d love to accomplish before Autumn is here? What’s standing in your way? What fears do you have about it? How can you crush and overcome them to accomplish your dreams?
List any natural remedies you love to use. List the ingredients, magical correspondences, and why it works so well. Can you create any of them during this season of abundance?
In what ways are you inauthentic? What can you do to change this? How can you let go of this as you head toward Autumn and Winter?
How long do you work towards a goal before quitting? Why? What can you do to change this behavior right now?

Camp Beneath The Sturgeon Moon

What an amazing time to soak up those moonlight beams! Plan a camping trip where you can fully enjoy the summer season and optimal Sturgeon Moon views!

You can also keep it local in your backyard! Laying out beneath the moon is a beautiful way to embrace nostalgia and childlike fun. It brings back memories of sleepovers with friends and stargazing while lying on trampolines.

Sturgeon Full Moon Stargazing The Peculiar Brunette

Enchanting Cinema Experience

During August’s hot and dusty days, I’m always trying to seek out cooler temperatures. Enjoy a movie or television show marathon in your home.

Better yet, visit a local drive-in movie theater with friends once the sun goes down. Munch on snacks and focus on truly being present at this moment. Enjoy the smell of popcorn, the old-school ambiance, and all the memories with loved ones!

Bake Bread

Embrace the reaping and harvesting spiritual meaning of August’s Full Moon and bake some bread. Incorporate a few magical intentions into your delicious bread by using plants, herbs, and flowers that are currently in season.

You could also carve a few Elder Futhark Runes, sigils, or other pagan or witch symbols that have meaning to you into your baked goods. If you’re busy, keep it simple, and pick up some bread from a local market. Remember, we’re still in the season of Lughnasadh!

Start Preparing for Autumn and Winter

August is a wonderful time to begin harvesting, canning, drying, or saving seeds for next year. You can do this from your own garden, on local farms, or at a farmer’s market. Create herbal infusions you can use later for salves, tinctures, balms, etc.

You can also start planning and preparing your home for the Autumn Equinox and the cold Winter months ahead by making sure you have warm blankets and candles. Try checking your heater, caulking drafty doors or windows, changing your air filter, cleaning out the fireplace, or de-cluttering and donating items that no longer serve their purpose.

2023 Full Moon Calendar

Below is a schedule for 2023 Full Moons, including dates, times, and links if you’d like to read more in-depth.

January Full Wolf Moon January 6th, 2023, reaching its peak at 6:08 p.m. Eastern Standard Time.
February Full Snow Moon – February 5th, 2023, reaching its peak illumination at 1:29 pm EST.
March Full Worm Moon March 7th, 2023, reaching its peak illumination at 7:40 am EST.
April Pink Moon April 6th, 2023, reaching its peak illumination at 12:34 a.m. EST
May Full Flower Moon May 5th, 2023, reaching its peak illumination at 1:34 p.m. EST
June Full Strawberry Moon June 3rd, 2023, reaching its peak illumination at 11:42 p.m. EST
July Full Buck Moon July 3rd, 2023, reaching its peak illumination at 7:39 a.m. EST
August Full Sturgeon Moon August 1st, 2023, reaching its peak illumination at 2:31 p.m. EST
What is a Blue Moon and How To Celebrate August 30th, 2023, reaching its peak illumination at 9:36 p.m. EST
September Harvest September 29th, 2023, reaching its peak illumination at 5:57 a.m. EST
October Full Hunter Moon October 28th, 2023, reaching its peak illumination at 4:24 p.m. EST
November Beaver Moon November 27th, 2023, reaching its peak illumination at 4:16 a.m. EST
December Full Cold Moon December 26th, 2023, reaching its peak illumination at 7:33 p.m. EST
What is a Dark Moon?