Astrologically, things are messy AF thanks to Mercury retrograde… and it’s about to get even more dramatic with the full moon in Aquarius on August 19, 2024 at 2:26 p.m. EDT. With the sun moving through dramatic Leo and the moon sitting across the sky in boundary-breaking Aquarius, the cosmic tension is palpable.

Aquarius is a fixed air sign, which puts you in a more cerebral mood under these moonbeams. You may find yourself reflecting on Aquarius-related topics like your ideals, the future, the collective, and your community. Aquarius is ruled by Saturn, the planet of limitations, time, and responsibility—making a full moon in this sign a good time to have a conversation about your boundaries. Saturn is also the farthest visible planet in the sky and, as such, it’s associated with the margins and boundaries of the Universe. This energy may make you feel more called to speak up for important people and causes.

People are feeling emotionally distant, cautious, and reserved under this full moon. But this energy can be productive for having uncomfortable (but necessary!) boundary-setting conversations.

On a macro level, the sun in Leo urges you to reflect on what makes you stand out. What are your gifts? How can you leverage your talent and star power to effect change for the community and great good—as prompted by this full moon in Aquarius? In your personal life, you may experience a change in a friendship, find a new community that gives you a deeper sense of belonging, or have one of your goals and dreams start to manifest.

When is the next full moon in Aquarius?

The full moon in Aquarius takes over the skies at 2:26 p.m. EDT on August 19. This full moon will bring up topics that were emerging around the new moon in Aquarius on February 9. According to NASA, this will also be a “supermoon” (meaning that the moon is super close in its orbit to the Earth), so it will also be particularly big, bright, and easy to see.

What is the astrological meaning of a full moon?

When a full moon occurs, the sun and the moon are on opposite sides of the Earth. They also sit in opposite zodiac signs, across the sky from each other. The moon appears at its brightest, which is why astrologers associate this part of the moon’s cycle with illuminating topics or pieces of information that were previously obscured.

A full moon also marks the halfway point of the monthly lunar cycle. In astrology, it symbolizes a turning point, moment of culmination or celebration, or point of release and letting go. While a new moon is a time to set new intentions, a full moon is typically associated with those intentions materializing or coming to light.

What can you expect from the August 2024 full moon in Aquarius?

This year’s full moon in Aquarius is tough and shocking, and surrounded by some other tense planetary pairings. The full moon (which is also called the Sturgeon full moon) takes place a day after the Mercury cazimi—when the sun and Mercury retrograde meet at the same point in the sky—and it marks the halfway point of your personal Mercury retrograde story. This full moon will form a nearly exact opposition with Mercury retrograde and the sun, highlighting any major conversations or ideas that emerged the day prior. Expect some revelations or ah-ha moments.

The full moon also occurs a few hours after Mercury and the sun formed a tense square to Uranus in Taurus. Uranus’ energy will be front and center in this lunation, which can feel like an electric shock to our nervous system. This planet is unpredictable, but given the other planetary tension in the sky, it’s likely that you learn something that causes upset or experience a surprising emotional breakthrough. All the more reason to be proactive in regulating your nervous system and engaging in grounding exercises.

Uranus’ energy will be front and center in this lunation, which can feel like an electric shock to our nervous system.

The planetary ruler of this full moon is Saturn and, at the time of the full moon, Saturn in Pisces will sit across the sky from Venus in Virgo. This will add a layer of disappointment or even rejection in some of your closest relationships. This isn’t the time to profess your undying love to someone. People are feeling emotionally distant, cautious, and reserved. But this energy can be productive to have uncomfortable (but necessary!) boundary-setting conversations.

On the same day, Jupiter in Gemini rams into Saturn in Pisces. Jupiter is a planet of support and expansion, while Saturn is more restrictive and challenging. These opposing energies can deliver a reality check, especially regarding your plans and dreams. Are these dreams actually sustainable, and will they be fulfilling in the long-term? And are you taking actionable steps toward your goals, or repeating patterns that keep you stuck and stagnant? Something’s got to give and, one thing’s for sure: This full moon will force the change you’ve avoided.

To get a better idea of how this shocking full moon in Aquarius will affect you, read on for your sun, moon, and rising signs. Then, pick up a unique self-care practice to help you move through this lunation with a greater sense of ease and balance.

What will the August 2024 full moon in Aquarius bring for every zodiac sign?

Aries

You’re craving community, Aries. The full moon lands in your 11th house of friendship, support, and future hopes or dreams—helping you recognize where you’ve been feeling lonely in your life or stressed out and worn thin by obligations and responsibilities that fall on your shoulders. Cultivating extra time for fun and play into your daily life will help alleviate some of this tension. Sign up for a group class or weekly workshop that connects you with people who share similar interests. It’s also possible that one of your goals begins to manifest in the tangible world, and you’re ready to make a daily commitment to help it reach its next form and level.

Your full moon self-care practice: Go through some of your old journals or vision boards and reflect on your past desires and intentions. How many of those dreams have come to fruition? Visualize a bright light starting at your head and running through your feet to feel the gratitude and embody how far you’ve come.

Taurus

You’re ready to be taken more seriously, Taurus. The full moon activates your 10th house of honors, attention, and life path. You might be ready to take a hobby or passion project and turn it into your livelihood. Or perhaps you’re finally gaining more recognition for your talents or ready to go after a more creatively fulfilling job or career path. This part of your chart can also usher in grand sweeping changes in your personal life. You may experience ebbs and flows with your chosen family, living situation, or feel like sharing a more vulnerable side of yourself with others. Whatever you choose to share may even shock you!

Your full moon self-care practice: Celebrate yourself! You’ve come so far and worked so hard to reach this point. Whether it’s sharing your progress on social media or booking yourself a self-care treatment, take the time out of your day to acknowledge your own effort and how much you’ve moved the needle toward your personal goals.

Gemini

You’re coming to terms with an uncomfortable truth, Gemini. The full moon lands in your ninth house of information, education, perspective, and possibility. Conversations can feel a little jarring today, as you’re learning or sharing information that’s been ignored. You might experience a moment of clarity regarding your family’s past, or feel exhausted by the pressure you feel from your personal and professional responsibilities. Your mind is tender today, so allow yourself time to slow down. You may also feel like your outlook or perspective changes because of news you learn today.

Your full moon self-care practice: Have that tough conversation with someone in your personal life. Sharing your truth out loud can feel unsettling, but doing so will help you establish a more solid foundation for your future and show the important people in your life that you truly want to invest in your connection—the good, the bad, and the ugly.

Cancer

You’re no stranger to feeling your feelings, Cancer, but vulnerable conversations have never felt so challenging! The full moon illuminates your eighth house of fears, worries, your psyche, and shared resources. You may have to get honest with yourself or others about topics like trust and intimacy, or share some of the fears you’ve kept to yourself that you haven’t wanted to voice. This is a day for setting boundaries and acknowledging the parts of your shadow side that you often choose to ignore. You could also experience a change in your finances, work commitments, or with debts.

Your full moon self-care practice: Take a bath or shower. Before you hop in, say out loud the change you desire in your life, or share the truth or part of your reality that you’re scared to share with someone else. As you rinse yourself off, visualize all resistance and fear being cleansed from your body.

Leo

You’re renegotiating the terms in your important relationships, Leo. The full moon activates your seventh house of one-on-one commitments, contracts, and client work. It may be necessary to share some of your frustrations with a romantic or business partner if you’ve reached your limit with resentment. Perhaps a work project is also wrapping up, or maybe you’re committing to a new job that can help you create more stability and security in your life, but know it will require much more responsibility on a daily basis.

Your full moon self-care practice: Make an extra effort to do a conscious check-in with the important people in your life. How are they feeling about your relationship? Whether it’s a BFF or lover, take the time to nurture your connection, even if it involves discussing topics you’ve avoided in the past.

Virgo

You’re ready to recommit to yourself, Virgo! The full moon activates your sixth house of daily routine, habits, hard work, and responsibilities. There may be a personal goal that you’ve been working toward, but been faltering on putting in the daily work needed to reach it. This is a permission slip from the Universe to prioritize your needs and go after what you want—and also a reminder that it won’t happen overnight! This energy is also incredibly helpful and productive for changing your habits or asking for help, especially if there is an obligation in your life that’s leaving you feeling resentful or worn down.

Your full moon self-care practice: Make a list of your morning and evening routines. Take an inventory of which habits are helpful and which ones are harmful, or prevent you from reaching your goals. Adjust accordingly.

Libra

Love is an amazing motivator, Libra, but even you have your limits! The full moon moves through your fifth house of romance, creativity, and play. You may feel like you’ve reached a breaking point with someone you’re dating, or need to have a serious conversation in a romantic relationship. The root of the issue may stem from a lack of balance or support in your daily life. It’s also possible a creative project you started reaches its final phase, or maybe you’re ready to commit more solo time to pursue things you actually enjoy.

Your full moon self-care practice: Pick up a hobby that you can do by yourself, even if it’s as simple as taking a morning walk around the neighborhood or cooking a delicious meal. Invest in something that interests you, and use that time to reconnect with yourself.

Scorpio

A personal or professional change affect your goals for the future, Scorpio. The full moon lands in your fourth house of your private life, home, family, and foundation. You may move around this time, do a career pivot, or experience a profound change in a personal relationship. Your past can also help you uncover clues about the next steps on your path. Take the time to process any big emotional changes or endings, and the influence they have on where you want to head next. These changes can also clue you into who and what you want to prioritize in the future.

Your full moon self-care practice: Look through old photos or go through any family heirlooms. Notice any memories that resurface as you spend time with these sentimental items. Your intuition is heightened under this full moon, so be curious about what information and feelings arise as you reflect on the past.

Sagittarius

You might get some harsh news, Sagittarius. The full moon activates your third house of communication, learning, and travel. Setting boundaries may be the focus of many of your conversations, as you feel pulled to share your limits with someone. These feelings may extend to your professional world, too—maybe you and your boss aren’t seeing eye-to-eye right now, or maybe you learn that a work contract is reaching an end. You may also reach a new level of proficiency in a skill that you’ve been pouring your energy into learning or decide to commit to learning something new that can benefit your long-term goals.

Your full moon self-care practice: Open the voice memo app on your phone and speak freely. Talk about your fears, your worries, and your dreams. Using your voice can help you refine your thoughts and how you feel, especially if you have to have any important conversations with someone in your life.

Capricorn

You’re focused on your relationship with security and abundance, Capricorn. The full moon lands in your second house of income, resources, possessions, and self-worth. You might find yourself brushing up against a scarcity mindset, or dealing with feelings of jealousy. You could also make an important purchase or decide to set new boundaries around your spending to help you get back on track with a financial goal. Emotionally, you may sort through some sort of imposter syndrome as it relates to your work or gifts you bring into this world. Push past your fears and the tiny voice in your head. Your talent is needed in this world.

Your full moon self-care practice: Try starting your day with a gratitude practice, such as jotting down a list of five to 10 things for which you’re grateful every morning. Take notice of how your energy shifts when you start off your day this way. With practice, it will make it easier to notice everything you do have and all that is going right in your life.

Aquarius

It’s time to show a more vulnerable side of yourself to the world, Aquarius. The full moon moves through your first house of identity, new beginnings, and sense of self. You may be grappling with a big personal change and figuring out how to share it with the important people in your life. This is a moment to stand up for your needs and desires in your close relationships as well. You may learn something particularly intimate about a partner that touches you, or finally feel safe enough to explore new levels of intimacy with someone you trust. A goal or manifestation you’ve been working toward may also come into fruition, and even pay off!

Your full moon self-care practice: Play dress up for your future. How would your future self get ready in the morning? How would they style their hair and what would they wear? It may seem trivial, but embodying that part of your future in your current reality now, however you can, may help bring you closer to the goals you desire.

Pisces

You’re tired of putting yourself second in your close relationships, Pisces, The full moon illuminates your 12th house of endings, closure, solitude, and spirituality. If you’re feeling overlooked or underappreciated, this moon helps you take your power back, and ask for the reciprocity you crave and deserve in your close relationships. This is powerful energy for changing your behaviors and belief system. You may also choose to walk away from people or situations that leave you feeling unworthy. You’re ready to own your worth and prioritize your needs in the process.

Your full moon self-care practice: Slow down! Take note throughout your day when you feel the pressure to perform, whether it’s at work or for someone in your personal life. Consciously take a few deep breaths or even step away from what you’re doing if possible and do a quick meditation or walk.