We are entering a new lunar phase this week; the full moon on October 17th. As the Moon changes signs approximately every 2-3 days, we feel her influence over our moods and intuition shift. October’s full moon brings the season of the hunt, preservation, and preparation for the icy cold days and nights to come. As you can imagine, any Full Moon close to Samhain, Halloween, and Alfablot, will be a powerful, mystical, and transitional time. The energy will be intense and pull us into the depths of darkness in both nature and ourselves, as the veil is getting closer to being pulled back all around us. This full moon we will also find ourselves in the headstrong, motivated, energetic, confident, independent, and passionate fire sign of the ram, Aries. The full Moon in Aries is set to ignite a fiery burst of energy to burn away all that holds us back and no longer serves us. To Start a bright, burning, raging fire of change, and a passionate pursuit of our goals. This fire is meant to keep us warm as we nestle alongside it during the long, dark, cold winter months ahead.

Keep reading to learn all about this Aries full moon, how it will affect you, and how you can harness it in your life and magical practice. By aligning yourself with the energy of the hunters full Moon in Aries, you can prepare for the dark winter months ahead by tapping into your inner strength and unleashing your full potential, passion, and inner warrior.

First, What is the Full Moon

Over the centuries, the Moon has played a significant role in different cultures and traditions. The full moon simply put is when the moon is completely illuminated in the sky and it has reached it’s peak in this lunar cycle in the sky. When the moon is completely illuminated it’s time for all to reach full expression. The full moon is the most powerful and potent time of the entire lunar cycle.

A full moon occurs when the transit (moving) Sun and Moon are in the exact opposite positions in the Zodiac (called an opposition). The full moon greatly affects humans and it’s no wonder it does because, there’s a scientific reason for this – we are made up of 60% or more of water. Full Moons are the peak point of the lunar cycle: at this time of the month, the light of the Sun is fully illuminating the Moon, and the luminaries are exactly opposing one another from our perspective on Earth. This potent alignment offers us opportunities to gain more awareness about what is moving in our inner and emotional world, and information previously uncertain or hidden could be revealed at this time.

With the moon being fully illuminated it creates this portal to some of the most potent energy to connect to for us to manifest our desires and dream life. This portal creates a connection to our peak creative energy and the deep seated creative passions we all have within us. This creative energy and power is the energy we need to actually do and create the things and lifestyle we need to manifest what we desire. With the new moon phase being about planting the seeds of what you want to manifest, the full moon is about actually doing the work and moving the energy to make your manifesting happen. The full moon allows you to bridge the connection between these energies and themes and bring them into your life while reminding you how important it is to have them in your life not only when the moon is illuminated in the sky for you to see.

There are so many ways to work with the full moon, to learn more about the basics of working with the full moon energy check out my blog post here and you can watch my class all about lunar magic. But, remember each full moon will be slightly different and have different practices to add and different ways to do it based on which zodiac sign the full moon is currently in at the time.

The Hunter’s Moon

This full moon is also known as the Hunter’s moon. The Hunter’s Moon typically occurs in October, right after the Harvest Moon of September. Since the Harvest Moon is closest to the autumn equinox, the Hunter’s Moon is our signal for the days getting shorter and the nights getting longer. In ancient times, it became known as the Hunter’s Moon because the approach of winter meant it was time to hunt and prepare to store food to feed your family during the long cold winter months ahead. During this time animals would be fattening up and getting ready to hibernate, and conditions were ideal for hunters to get all the meat they could to add to their families stores.

This full moon, which occurs in the heart of autumn, marks a season of preparation, introspection, and connection with the natural world. The Hunter’s Moon symbolizes recognizing the cold and darkness in our own lives and preparing to face them. Internal reflection and self-recognition take center stage during the Hunter’s Moon. Reminding us that darkness may lie ahead, but only by preparing to face it will you find a way to not only survive but, to thrive. It’s also a time that draws us close to the rhythms, and cycles of nature all around us. In order to be good hunters we have to understand the land we are on and the animals we are attempting to track. So, this full moon really pulls us to immerse ourselves deeply into the nature all around. The hunter’s moon has always played a part in humanity’s survival letting us know it was time for the gathering of essential resources.

As with most pagan names there will be different ones for each culture so below I listed any of the other names for the hunter’s moon I could find across the Earth. The common themes among them is focusing on preparation, introspection, connection, and the coming dark days ahead.

Who is Aries?

Like, I said before each full moon will be amplified and influenced by the zodiac sign we find it in and this time the full moon is in the sign of Aries. So who is Aries?

Aries symbolized by the ram is the first sign of the zodiac which makes it the go-getter of the Zodiac. People born between March 21st and April 19th are considered Aries. As the first sign of the zodiac, Aries symbolizes new beginnings, assertiveness, and the pursuit of our passions. It’s ruled by Mars, the God of war, making the ram a fearless fighter. Aries is a fire sign, and its energy is passionate, dynamic, and driven. Through the sign of the Ram, we tap into our inner fire, embody our inner warrior, and work on developing a conscious relationship with our anger. Aries is the sign to commit to personal goals and have the fiery motivation to see them through to the end. Aries is the sign to connect us with our capacity to be the leaders of our lives, to take paths that no one ever walked before, to go toward the direction that instinctively calls to us. Aries, is known to be a little bit faster to react because, they are more intrigued by doing something they’ve never done before. Being ruled by mars Aries is much more willing to take a risk or take a gamble by pushing into the unknown and usually being the first one to do it as well.

Aries Constellation

Aries is one of the smallest constellations of the zodiac sitting in Northern sky. This constellation is located between Pisces to the west and Taurus to the east. The constellation has been associated with a ram since ancient times. In ancient Babylon, the Aries star constellation was known by the name CHUN-GA, or Aries. Also, the Persians, the ancient Egyptians, and the Minoans called it ‘Aries’ as well. Ultimately, by way of Greece, the constellation came to Rome, where astronomers gave it the Latin name ‘Aries’; meaning ram.

I find that Aries has one of the largest varieties of legends and myths about it’s placement in the skies and it’s association with the ram. One of the simplest and most commonly known legends attributes the name of the constellation to Zeus, who turned into a ram while fleeing the overpowering Titans which is why the image was place amongst the stars.

In another, less well known telling of the Aries constellation myth, a Roman writer Hygenius describes how Bacchus aka Dionysus (greek), the god of wine, together with his cheerful entourage, unexpectedly lost his way in the vastness of the Libyan Desert. In this dry wasteland, they were soon plagued by terrible thirst. Fortunately, they met a friendly ram that led Bacchus and his party to a source of water, saving them from certain death. In gratitude, Bacchus placed the ram amongst the stars in the heavens for all eternity.

In the most well known Aries constellation myth of Greek origin, King Athamas appointed his eldest son Phrixos as his heir to the throne. His current wife, Ino, however, wanted to see her own son named the heir. For this reason, the queen devised a plan to cause the crops of their land to not flourish and grow. She let the seed rot and spoil, so when they were planted the following year they would not be able to grow.

Once the crops that season had failed to grow she convinced her husband, the king to consult an oracle that she had visited prior and had under her control. He was told that if he wanted to avoid another crop failure in the following year, he would have to sacrifice his son Phrixos; the one he had named as his heir.

The king had agreed but, on the day of the offering, a magnificent ram, summoned by Nephele (Phrixos’s biological mother) appeared in a shining golden fleece. Phrixos and his sister, Helle, swiftly mounted the ram’s back and flew away. But high above the strait separating Europe and Asia, Helle fell into the sea, where she drowned. The ram flew on with Phrixos on his back to the land of Colchis, where the boy was well received. Upon the Ram’s wish as a thanks for his service; Phrixos sacrificed him to the gods where he now resides in the heavens among the stars for all eternity.

Aries The Primal Sign Of Passion

Aries is the first sign of the zodiac which means it is the big bang, our life force, the element of fire, primal passion, anger, rage, and ruled by Mars the God of War- this sign is the sign of life itself. It is the spark needed to light the tinder for existence to evolve. It is our will to persist no matter what obstacles are in our way. This sign is a Cardinal sign which means it is a leader, an initiator, and a visionary of the cosmos.

This full Moon is a time to embrace our inner warrior. Aries is ruled by Mars, the planet of action, passion, and aggression. During this full Moon, we may feel a surge of energy, passion, and assertiveness. We can use this energy to break free from old patterns and beliefs that no longer serve us. We can assert our boundaries, speak our truth, and take action toward our deepest desires with the flames of burning passion.

Aries The Sign Of Independence

This sign is also a sign of independence which means it’s a time to focus on what YOU really truly want for YOU and not for others. You will feel many things coming up for you that may surprise you especially if you are a people pleaser. The energy of Aries really pushes you to think about what makes YOU and YOU alone happy and whole. One of Aries’ “lessons” is to show a pure part of ourselves to the world. By acting upon our own inner impulses (constructive ones!) without fear, and by abandoning the need to refine these impulses based on what others might want us to do or what others think we “should” do, we learn more about ourselves. If we learn to depend on ourselves, we exude an all-new aura of strength that comes from personal integrity and confidence, and strength.

Aries the sign of action

Aries is the zodiac sign of action, as it is associated with initiation, taking the lead, and making a mark on the world. Aries draws fire into the atmosphere, stimulating life force and vitality pushing us into action. Aries it the energy that lights the fire in our soul driving us to make our mark on the world. Aries teaches us that courage is the key to unlocking our full potential. And that comes from connecting your head to your heart, focusing your will, and taking consistent action. Aries is a cardinal sign, which means it is associated with taking the lead and driving change. Aries is nothing if not bold, preferring to act first and think later never hesitating to step into the unknown.

Aries the ruler of self

Since Aries is the first sign of the zodiac, Aries is also the ruler of the first house in astrology. Which is often called the house of self. In this house you are given a window into understanding more about your outward appearance, traits, characteristics, outlook, and sense of expression. This house is the location of your ascendant or rising sign, which speaks to how you present yourself in the world. Since Aries rules this house, Aries represents consciousness, that first awareness of the self, separate from others and eager to explore the world. Aries is the personal fire deep within your soul, it’s our true self. Aries is the zodiac sign that blazes with a strong sense of self-worth, self-assurance, and self- confidence. Aries has the purest sense of self it’s the sign that truly navigates life in the 1st person perspective and approaches the world only as they authentically are.

Themes of the Aries Full moon

Every full Moon contains its own themes, which are related to the sign that it falls under. This time, we experience the full Moon in the energetic, motivated, independent, confident, and headstrong Aries. We feel that in a fiery burst of passion, strength, and determination under the glow of the full moon. This full moon is all about utilizing the fire within, embracing leadership, and conquering fears. If you’ve been holding back, this is your cosmic green light to move forward with intentional action.

Keep in mind that the full Moon relates to the continuation of your journey to manifest your desires and dreams. This will be especially strong this full moon being in the sign of our self, determination, and motivation. We will feel a blazing strong pull to take intentional steps down the path where all our goals will be met. So, try and have any of your workings based on these topics, and be grounded in those seeds of intention you had planted on the new moon. Don’t forget this full moon is layered with many energies for you to connect to as well like the preparation and preservation of the hunter’s moon. Along with the death, rebirth, and ancestral energy of Samhain, Alfablot, and Halloween right around the corner.

What To Be Cautious Of With The Aries Full Moon

Amidst the beauty of this lunar energy, there may also be feelings of explosive anger and outbursts. The energy of Aries is grounded in Mars, which is all about aggression, war, and conflict. So, take the time to stop and think before you let the little things allow you to blow up right now and create conflicts in your life by making small things bigger than they need to be. It is essential during this time to stay grounded, and connected to who you are so your emotions don’t allow you to wander from your goals, let your ego get in the way, or allow your anger to create unnecessary conflict with others.

Also remember, as you tap into Aries’ pioneering spirit, that Full Moons also highlight balance. While you may feel the urge to charge ahead, don’t forget to pause, reflect, and ensure that your actions align with your higher purpose. Aries can sometimes push us toward impulsive decisions, so let the glow of this Full Moon guide you with both confidence and mindfulness. It’s great to let our passion and motivation propel us forward without fear, but also remember that fear does serve a purpose. It keeps us safe and whole. So, while you use that bold, assertive, and headstrong Aries energy to pursue your dreams and goals make sure you listen to red flags of urgent danger that pop up along the way.

Aries and duality

Since, I am a grey witch every single energy I work with I look for the duality in that energy and how I can connect to it. This includes the full moon and the energy of the zodiac sign it currently is in. First, the full moon itself is all about duality as it is another time of transformation, transition, and rebirth. During this time we are pushed into a liminal space that forces us to look at the things, people, and places that have been obstacles or holding us back. This can be a thing of beauty and hope as well as a thing of pain and darkness which forces us into duality. Next, let’s look at the duality of Aries itself. Aries is known for being assertive and enjoying excitement, which can make it an energy that is full of passion, confidence and a bit impulsive. Which is an amazing energy for being able to truly let go of things no longer serving you by burning it away and moving forward in life with fiery motivation and passion. It can also be a potent time to really take steps towards the biggest goals for you unique path in life. However, it can also be known for that passion turning into a fiery temper. Which can cause us to lash out in anger towards those who are only trying to help us meet our goals and walk down our intended path. Once we feel discord in our relationships because of our own anger, it can make us feel isolated and cause us to no longer focus on the passion of this energy to meet our goals.

Correspondences for the Aries full moon

First, what is a correspondence? ,A correspondence is an item or symbol that is meant to connect you to a specific energy thru it’s representation. It is seen also as an item to respect, honor, and venerate that energy as well whether it be a deity, an archetype energy , or the zodiac energy the moon is currently in like I will list below for you to use. Remember to follow your intuition with the correspondences you choose to work with and that you can always use any that correspond to the moon itself as well.

How to connect to the Aries Full moon

Now, that we have talked about the themes of this motivated, energetic, passionate, resilient hunter’s moon in Aries and how it is going to affect you let’s talk about how you can specifically connect to and work with this moon. First, make sure to do all of your staples that your learned in the previous blog post linked here  for you like, charging your crystals, making moon water, and resetting your altar.

With this moon there are certain spells and rituals that will help connect you to this moon in the most effective way. With the Moon in Aries, magic associated with goals, taking a leadership role, confidence, using your anger, and harnessing your passion are highlighted now. You can also perform magic associated with death, rebirth, transition, and the thinning of the veil under this full moon as well. Remember these are just some of the many ideas, follow your intuition and the energy of this moon. You can find more ways to connect to the moon and more information on many of these forms of magic on my Pinterest page here and my Facebook here.

Reflection questions for Aries full moon

Every full moon is a great time for reflecting on those seeds you had planted during the new moon and how they are doing now at the end of the lunar cycle and how you can celebrate your success and adjust the future for even greater success. Whether you do it thru meditation, shadow work, or divination like tarot; below is a list of prompts and topics to connect with the energy of the Aries hunters full moon.

Full moon Prayers and affirmations

Some prayers or affirmations you can state with the full moon are:

Some prayers or affirmations you can state with Aries are:

Ritual To Connect To Your Anger

Working with our anger can be a powerful, potent, and liberating experience. Anger in and of itself is not a negative thing to experience. No emotion is negative since every emotion serves a function and is sending us a message. How we use our anger is what determines whether it’s constructive or destructive. As the Aries full moon summons your inner warrior, think of your anger as a battle cry to pay attention to your boundaries, your passions, and your unmet needs and/or desires. If you’ve been letting someone push you around, it’s time to address the unworkable behavior and create a new way of interacting. Don’t be afraid to simply just let some pent up anger out as well by just letting a scream, yell, shout, or cry out to mother nature and the cosmos.

Use the journal prompts below to connect to your anger in a quiet sacred container. You can amplify the affect right now by having a red, orange, or white candle burning next to you as you do this work. The candle will help you connect to the element of fire, the planet mars, and the energy of Aries. Once you have completed the prompts below, you can than take the answers and burn the list in your candle flame to release any of the unwanted and negative affects of the anger you have been harnessing during this session. Don’t forget to visualize you harnessing your anger in a productive and constructive way in the future to manifest it into you life as you are also releasing the unwanted affects. To add some more potent energy to connect to the hunter’s moon you can add some bay leaves in the fire as well for releasing, cleansing, and banishing properties.

Wrap up

When the Full Moon aligns with Aries, it amplifies the energy of this dynamic fire sign, creating a perfect time for bold action and fearless self-expression. Aries’ fiery spirit can fuel our emotions, instilling us with the courage and motivation to manifest our desires. Aries the bold and assertive fire sign of the zodiac, encourages you to look back on your recent actions and decisions. Aries invites you to step into your power, confront challenges head-on, and take decisive action toward your goals. Under the light of the Aries Full Moon, it’s time to assess what needs to truly be released. It’s a time to embrace your unique path, trust your instincts, and move forward with confidence. Let go of any impulsive habits or unfinished business that no longer serves your highest good, clearing the way for a more focused, unique and intentional path forward. It’s a time to be proactive, to take charge, and to let our intuition lead us forward without hesitation.

Don’t forget to make preparations for your full moon hangover you may experience after this lumination. If you don’t know what a full moon hangover is or how to deal with one you can read all about it in my previous blog post here!

Come join me and divination academy to celebrate the next moon and connect with its energy in sacred container and community. Click the link to join us on Thursday October 17th @ 8:00pm CST.