As we settle into steamy, sunny August, making the most of Leo season means bonding with your nearest and dearest, following your heart’s boldest desires and nurturing what makes you unique. And as the moon moves into the sign that sits opposite Leo — fixed air sign Aquarius — you’ll be challenged to work through the push-pull of celebrating your individuality, sense of self and pride versus being a team player and prioritizing community over self.
Falling on Saturday, August 9 at 3:55 a.m. ET/12:55 a.m. PT, the full moon in Aquarius is co-ruled by taskmaster Saturn, the planet of boundaries, and electrifying Uranus, the planet of rebellion and innovation. In turn, this is a full moon that encourages you to do the work to strike out on your own, defy convention, embrace your inner contrarian and take stock of your platonic bonds. And in 2025, the astrological weather around this lunar event fuels confusion and frustration while also serving as fruitful ground for romance and creativity. Here, all you need to know about this intense lunar event so you can make the most of it, based on your zodiac sign.
What is a full moon?
Full moons occur once — less frequently, twice — per month when the moon and the sun are positioned opposite one another in the sky and in the zodiac. Because they’re sitting opposite one another, the sun’s light reflects off the moon, leading to a spectacle in the night sky. During a full moon, the moon illuminates the sky brighter than any other time in the lunar cycle. For that reason, astrologically speaking, it is a time during which it feels like your most dramatic emotions have been cranked up to the nth degree. And as the sun opposite moon dynamic also mirrors an amplified focus on partnerships, full moons are made for reflecting — and acting — on matters of the heart.
You can work with this energy for four days before and after the event occurs. In astrology, the moon rules our emotions, intuition and nurturing style. And when it’s full, all aspects of our inner life are heightened. You could feel particularly sensitive, empathic, fired up or even burned out if an emotional situation has become exhausting.
Full moons also present the chance to see how far you’ve come since planting seeds during the new moon that occurred either two weeks (in this case, the new moon in Leo that occurred on July 24) or six months prior (think back to the January 29 new moon in Aquarius).
What is the full moon in Aquarius?
No matter what sign it falls in, every full moon invites you to reflect on where you’ve been and what you need to release and move on from in order to prepare for what lies ahead. Full moons encourage the acknowledgment and processing of deep-rooted emotions. Because this full moon —a.k.a the Sturgeon Moon, referred to as such because Indigenous Americans in the Great Lakes area caught an abundant supply of the freshwater fish in late summer — is happening in rational, science-minded and resolute as well as often obstinate Aquarius, you could be inspired to let go with a surge of rebellious energy. And as aloof as Aquarius can be, there might also be the urge to steer clear of challenging emotions altogether in an effort to stick to facts over feelings—even when they’re bubbling over.
The good news is that facing whatever’s coming up for you head-on could lead to setting up structures and laying productive, healthy groundwork for your future, because this full moon is ruled by Saturn, the planet of maturity and responsibility. And given that Aquarius is associated with the Eleventh House of Friendships, you can also take advantage of Aquarius’s penchant for nurturing platonic bonds and being an integral part of any community, team or group and lean on friends, colleagues and neighbors to address any issues that arise now.
You can make the most of the 2025 Aquarius full moon by leaning on self-care and your community to stay grounded
The full moon occurs at the same time that Mars, the planet of war and aggression, in balance-seeking Libra opposes not one but two outer planets: limitation-ruling Saturn and confusing-causing Neptune in hotheaded Aries. There’s potential for a surge of frustration, disappointment, low energy and underhanded attacks. The best ways to deal: Take a step back from your everyday hustle to rest, recharge and wait for the dust to settle or burn off restless energy through your favorite form of movement or an artistic outlet. With the full moon falling in people-oriented Aquarius, you could find that leaning on like minded friends, colleagues or community members is also a beneficial way to go.
And you can lighten your emotional load ahead of one of the luckiest days for love
This full moon also happens just ahead of one of the most fortunate, buoyant, heartfelt days for romance, relationships, beauty, earning and love. On August 11 (PT)/August 12 (ET), Venus, the planet of pleasure, will join up with Jupiter, the planet of fortune and abundance, in sweet, sentimental, emotionally intelligent cardinal water sign Cancer. When these two benefics (aka lucky planets) get together, you can expect optimism, harmony, lighthearted, playful romance and creativity to soar. If you’re in love, you have the chance to deepen your bond, and if you’re single, you could fall head over heels for someone new. And because this alignment is happening in the family-oriented sign of the Crab, the stage is set for plenty of sweet bonding time at home with your nearest and dearest.
Here, how the 2025 Aquarius full moon will affect you based on your sign. (Be sure to read both your sun and your rising sign if you know it. If you don’t, you can find it in your birth chart or by using this CafeAstrology calculator.)
Aries
The independent vibes of this full moon empower you to make bold moves to pursue long-term wishes, and you’ll do well to lean on friends or colleagues along the way, because your groups and teams sector is activated now. In fact, you’ll be itching to feel like a part of something bigger than yourself, like a team, group or community. Just know that because your ruling planet, go-getter Mars in your partnership zone is opposing illusion-spurring Neptune and taskmaster Saturn in your sign, part of your full moon work is to address frustrations that have been arising within your one-on-one bonds.
Click through for more on Aries.
Taurus
Stepping onstage and claiming a position of authority might come more naturally than usual now, because the full moon is lighting up your career zone. Whether you’re tasked with taking the reins on a big picture project or you’re eager to call a meeting with higher-ups to discuss opportunities for advancement, you’ll shine. It also helps that Venus, your ruling planet, will be linking up with fortunate Jupiter in your communication sector. You could find that friends, colleagues and even neighbors are instrumental in supporting your move into the spotlight.
Click through for more on Taurus.
Gemini
You’re no stranger to feeling restless, but that vibe could be amplified now, because the full moon falls in your adventure zone. This season has been especially frenetic, and you could be itching to break free of your mundane routine. With your ruler, messenger Mercury, retrograde in your communication sector, actually going on a trip you’ve been dreaming of or signing up for that tutorial with a mentor could be trickier than you anticipate, but at least getting the research done could prove gratifying. And with go-getter Mars opposing imaginative Neptune in your friendships sector, talking through your game plan with friends can also lay the groundwork for turning your vision into reality.
Click through for more on Gemini.
Cancer
You can’t help but be extra cognizant of your deepest-rooted emotions and compelled to reflect on your comfort level within your bonds because this full moon falls in your intimacy sector. It may also be time to check in on your progress around a shared financial goal, given that this sector also oversees joint resources. And because the go-getter Mars in your home zone is opposing taskmaster Saturn and confusion-causing Neptune in your career sector, you’ll be feeling the toll of imbalances between your work and home lives. A time-out to center yourself and reprioritize benefits your well-being.
Click through for more on Cancer.
Leo
With your season in full swing, you’ve been zeroed in on how you can independently build momentum on passion projects, but this full moon, falling in your partnership sector, serves as a reminder that there are some things you’re best working on as part of a pair, perhaps with a business partner, significant other or dear friend. Meditate on themes like reciprocity and how you can overhaul your game plan for scoring a win as a team. With Mercury retrograde in your sign until August 11, you’ll do best if you prepare yourself to move slowly and steadily toward the finish line.
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Virgo
With this full moon activating your wellness and daily routine zone, it’s time to let go of habits that might not be serving you as well as you thought. It could be as simple as letting go of an old belief or narrative that’s been holding you back from feeling truly vital or more confident in your skin. Or you might want to move on from a fitness plan that feels more like a dead end lately. With your ruling planet, Mercury, moving backward through your spirituality zone until August 11, you can best navigate this moment by tuning into and trusting your inner voice.
Click through for more on Virgo.
Libra
If you’ve been putting your nose to the grindstone with colleagues and hitting pause on fun, creativity and pleasure lately — which is very likely, given that the sun is in your teamwork zone — this full moon serves a reminder that you deserve a break to kick back and follow your heart. You could feel downright aggravated or blue that you haven’t been able to enjoy the lighter side of life, because aggressive Mars in your sign is moving through such challenging transits. Be sure to hold space for these emotions and potentially even work through them by moving your body (cue the impromptu dance party or head to a yoga class) or pouring emotions into another healthy outlet. Join forces with a friend or loved one for even greater benefit.
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Scorpio
Drama on the homefront could be inevitable, because this full moon falls in your family life zone, potentially triggering unexpected head butting with loved ones or issues you’ll have no choice but to address around the home. At the same time, we’re moving into a sweet link-up between romantic Venus and lucky Jupiter in your adventure sector. Handle what you need to handle with family members, and then be sure to listen to that soaring desire to satisfy your wanderlust or to take a leap of faith. Getting out into the world, ideally with friends, can boost your mood and well-being in a remarkable way.
Click through for more on Scorpio.
Sagittarius
Your social life is off-the-charts dynamic — and potentially also a bit stressful — now that the full moon is in your communication zone. It may feel like there’s not even the tiniest moment to catch your breath between all the get-togethers, brainstorms, meetings and other to-dos on your packed calendar. That said, you’ll benefit from a time-out to reflect on how you might streamline your efforts. And with sweet Venus pairing up with lucky Jupiter in your intimacy zone, getting cozy — physically, emotionally and spiritually — with someone special could be the ideal way to manage stress.
Click here for more on Sagittarius.
Capricorn
Falling in your money zone, this full moon is an opportunity to reflect on and shake up your income-boosting game plan. You’ll be gaining more awareness around how your self-worth and values are linked to your bottom line. This is a bold, assertive and forward-thinking full moon in which you could be inspired to stand up for what you deserve. You’ll need to also think about how you might tackle any challenges related to your work-life balance, given that industrious Mars in your career zone opposes dreamy Neptune and taskmaster Saturn, your ruling planet, in your home zone now.
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Aquarius
Welcome to your annual full moon, Aquarius! With this full moon falling in your sign and self sector, your sensitivity is on a level that you might not be the most comfortable with. When this occurs, it’s a sign that you need to take a step back and acknowledge that you’re depleted and deserve to rest, recharge and rejuvenate yourself emotionally. Spending time with friends could be the ticket, but you may also do well to get out of your comfort zone by prioritizing a day trip or another horizon-broadening experience, given that go-getter Mars is in your adventure sector opposing taskmaster Saturn, your co-ruler, and dreamy Neptune in your communication zone.
Click through for more on Aquarius.
Pisces
With this full moon falling in your spirituality zone, your imagination runs rampant as you’re urged to dive into deeper self-work. You can anticipate even more vivid dreams than usual. Tap into whatever is coming up for you as a hint of what you might need to acknowledge, process and heal in order to feel more centered moving into what’s bound to be a change-laden, transformative season next month. You can also look forward to relationship-oriented Venus and lucky Jupiter linking up in your romance zone, setting the stage for sweet sparks to fly with your significant other or a potential partner.
Click through for more on Pisces.
