The Blue Supermoon of August 30-31 is the real story impacting the last five days of August and the first few days of September. (Not forgetting the Uranus retrograde station on August 28, which I mention further on).
The Magic of the Blue Supermoon
The last five days of August and first few days of September will fall under the powerful influence of the Blue Supermoon. The exact occurrence of the Full Moon will be on Wednesday, August 30 in North and South America, and on Thursday, August 31 everywhere else in the world. The time of the event will be August 30 at 9:36 PM EDT, or August 31 at 1:36 AM UTC. Use the World Time Buddy to convert to your time zone if it is different.
The Full Moon phase that appears every month of the year is a symbol of abundance, fruition, illumination, and transformation. This one is particularly important as it is also a Blue Supermoon that also marks the ending of meteorological summer, which is a significant natural turning point. (For our friends in the southern hemisphere, this Full Moon marks the end of meteorological winter!).
Why We Will Experience a Blue Moon in August
The August 30-31 Full Moon is known as a Blue Moon, meaning it is the second of two Full Moons appearing in one calendar month. The first one occurred on August 1. The definition of a Blue Moon comes from a 1940’s article that appeared in Astronomy Magazine suggesting that the second Full Moon in a calendar month should be called a Blue Moon. It has no astrological significance per se, in that it is not based on the lunar calendar, but instead it is based on the more arbitrary civil calendar.
Understanding the Importance of the Supermoon
The Blue Moon of August 30-31 is a Supermoon, which is defined as a New or Full moon occurring with the Moon at or very near its closest approach to Earth (perigee). In 2023, the New Moons of January, February, and March were Supermoons. The Full Moons of July, two in August, and one in September are also Supermoons.
This Full Moon will be the closest and brightest Supermoon of the year. Supermoons are associated with an extreme lunar effect, suggesting high tides, intense emotional sensitivities and reactions, and the possibility of strong storms or seismic events.
Stormy weather is even more likely since the Supermoon will occupy Shatabhisha nakshatra, which is governed by Lord Varuna, the Vedic god of the sea and rains. The period of potential maximum lunar intensity will be in range for three days before, the day of, and three days after the Full Moon.
A Time of Blessings and Spiritual Power
In Pagan traditions, the Mother Goddess is seen as the embodiment of the Moon, so two Full Moons in one calendar month signify Her exponential blessings! Even though not tied to the lunar calendar, a Blue Moon captures our imaginations and becomes important simply because we assign meaning to it. In other words, we inform the mysteries of life as much as they inform us.
Mother of the World, by Nicholas Roerich (1937 Oil Painting)
The Blue Moon Will Occur in Aquarius and Shatabhisha Nakshatra
The Blue Moon will occupy Aquarius, the sign of the Water-Bearer who pours forth the energy of healing and wisdom. The Moon will also occur in the mysterious nakshatra of Shatabhisha, which is associated with astronomy and astrology, healing, occult mastery, writing, research, organizational development, engineering, and technology. Any or all of these areas could come into focus now and in the coming weeks, depending on where and how the lunation will activate a natal or mundane astrological chart.
August 28: Uranus Will Station Retrograde in Aries - Surprising Events, Restlessness, or Unease
On August 28, during the sensitive days leading into the Full Moon, Uranus will station retrograde at 29 degrees of Aries. It will remain retrograde until January 27, 2024, when it will station direct at 25 degrees of Aries. Uranus represents a higher octave of Mercury, so this event can actually manifest like Mercury's own concurrent retrograde period.
The Uranus retrograde station may compound some of the typical Mercury retrograde frustrations and snafus that we often see with technology, communication, transportation, or travel. It may also reflect an added sense of restlessness and unease. Mercury and Uranus both represent high winds, and their retrograde transits can make their influence very strong and potentially problematic for storms. I wrote about this at length in my August report if you need a refresher. I also have a slide show about it on my Instagram page which you might like to view.
How Saturn Will Impact the Full Moon
Saturn will conjoin the Full Moon, a combination which can have a somber, serious, and circumspect tone. In its higher expression, there will be a contemplative quality. In its lower expression, this combination can also manifest as fear, pessimism, or melancholy.
In Vedic astrology, the name for the conjunction of Saturn with the Moon is “Visha Dosha.” It mainly points to some potential for mental adversity.
Remedy for Visha Dosha
If you suffer from the Visha Dosha affliction during this transit or even more regularly as a result of the placement in your birth chart, one of the best remedies is to chant a Shiva Mantra.
This is my favorite version of the Namah Shivaya mantra chanted by Sahil Jagtiani:
A Full Moon Ritual - Make Some Blue Moon Magic!
Full Moon rituals and practices will be best performed on Wednesday night or very early Thursday morning, no matter where you are located. If your skies are clear, I recommend that you take a 20-minute Moon bath to soak in the abundant and blissful cosmic soma of the lunar light.
This divine substance of life flows like a powerful nectar that can nourish and rejuvenate body, mind, and spirit. Direct the light into your third eye (ajna chakra) in the middle of your forehead. And then, affirm your highest intentions and prayers. If you are not able to take a Moon bath, just meditating on the third eye at the time of the Full Moon can also have a similar result.
Father, Mother, God, thank You for Your presence during the hard and mean days. For then we have You to lean upon.
Thank You for Your presence during the bright and sunny days, for then we can share that which we have with those who have less.
And thank You for Your presence during the Holy Days, for then we are able to celebrate You and our families and our friends.
For those who have no voice, we ask You to speak.
For those who feel unworthy, we ask You to pour Your love out in waterfalls of tenderness.
For those who live in pain, we ask you to bathe them in the river of Your healing.
For those who are lonely, we ask You to keep them company.
For those who are depressed, we ask You to shower upon them the light of hope.
Dear Creator, You, the borderless sea of substance, we ask You to give to all the world that which we need most—Peace.
Amen. (Prayer, by Maya Angelou)
Thank you for sharing the astrology! My favorite sentence in the entire post is this one, “In other words, we inform the mysteries of life as much as they inform us.” It’s a succinct capture of how fate and free will might interact.
Thank you dearest Juliana. Your writings and insights are always so poignant and clear. ❤️