Full Moon at 3 deg37’ Aries, 17h49 BST, 26th September 2026

This is the Harvest Moon; so-named because, in the days before electricity, global warming and mechanisation, when our lives were more closely aligned to the rhythms of the earth, its light flooded the cornfields on late September nights as the crops were brought in.

Aries is the first sign of the Zodiac, passionate, fiery and brave. Being first entails a certain responsibility and a sense of leadership. Aries is a sign which is comfortable making its own decisions. Compromise and relationship don’t always come easily.

Across the sky in Libra, the airy, sociable, peace-loving Sun is all about relationship and would always prefer to negotiate rather than charge into battle. The Aries/Libra axis is about the ‘I’ becoming ‘We’. This is the Axis of Equilibrium where we seek balance between ‘what I want’ with ‘what we want’. This is where we learn to give and take and where we learn to share.

This courageous Full Moon has embraced the idealism and compassion of Neptune, and the power of Pluto. Within hours it will perfect a flowing connection with Uranus in Gemini, creating a network of ideas, conversations and friendship.

There is both hopefulness and uncertainty with this Full Moon, and a passion that might not quite know where to direct itself or what decisions to make. The outer planets (Uranus, Neptune and Pluto) are all retrograde right now, making it difficult to see how best to push forward. The energy is apparent but questions arise around how and where to engage it.

The Moon is ruled by Mars in the final degree of nurturing, family-oriented Cancer. These two planets are in mutual reception – a special relationship which means they understand each other and can work together.

So the fiery drive of Aries combines with the understanding and imagination of Cancer, creating an energy which is self-protective, loving and determined to fight carefully and cautiously for home, family and tribe.

Mars, however, is challenged by Chiron, which reminds us of our humanity and our vulnerability.

The key to this complicated lunation is the Sun in Libra, the release point for the powerful kite formation. That means Relationship, Compromise, Conversations.

The Sun is empowered by positive trines to Uranus and Pluto suggesting inspiration and commitment are available in equal measure.

This is not a time for diving into our cave and ignoring the world. This is a time for taking responsibility – of course – and for treating ourselves (and others) with understanding and compassion. For connecting with friends and the people we love best.

Situations and circumstances beyond our control may now be impacting our decisions, but engaging with the world and maintaining both an open mind and an open door are key.

Relationship is the thing. Balance between I and We. In the end, it’s what makes us human.

The Harvesters by Pieter Breugel, photo Yair Haklai, Wikimedia Commons; Full Moon by Gary Fultz, Unsplash.