The 2026 astronomical calendar once again treats us to one of its most powerful and symbolic moments of the year: the October full moon, which will occur next Monday the 26th at 5:11 a.m., just a few days before Halloween, in the Taurus constellation, as noted by the National Geographic Institute (IGN).
The full moon of this month will reach its peak at a very special moment: when autumn begins to unleash all its power and the days shorten, reminding us that the year is entering its final stretch. After a Harvest Moon that invited us to gather what has been sown during the rest of the year and take stock of our lives, without judging, the Hunter Moon invites us to be decisive and take action, deciding what will continue to accompany us and what must stay behind, and gathering strength before winter.
We tell you everything you need to know about the October full moon: what is the best moment to view it, how it affects us, and what rituals to perform to make the most of its energy.
A phenomenon with a double identity
The Hunter’s Moon, traditionally the name given to the October full moon, is sometimes referred to as the Harvest Moon depending on which is closer to the autumnal equinox. Other traditional names across different parts of the world have included the Moon of the Great Chestnuts, the Frost Moon, the Rut Moon, or the Leaves Falling Moon — all names that reference the arrival of the cold and the cycles of nature and preparation for the winter that begin with it. Its most widespread name, the Hunter’s Moon, refers to the hunting period that historically followed the harvest: under the light of this full moon, animals, lethargic from the cold and still well-fed from summer fruits, offered sturdy and easy prey.
Whatever name you prefer, the truth is that this October full moon invites us to pause, look at our lives with a discerning eye, and balance our abundances and our lacks, as well as what we need to shed to continue moving forward.
