It’s officially the season of the witch, which means every cosmic phenomenon is seemingly cloaked in a veil of mysticism, and tonight’s Full Hunter’s Moon is no exception. Setting an appropriately spooky scene ahead of Halloween festivities later this week, the moon will rise from 3:11pm AEDT, reaching its most luminous appearance after nightfall.
Historically, October’s Hunter’s Moon takes its name from Northern Hemisphere traditions, when its bright light guided hunters in pursuit of their prey, allowing communities to gather food in preparation for the long, unforgiving winter months ahead.
This year, the Hunter’s Moon falls in the sensual sign of Taurus, bringing our desires for comfort, stability and indulgence into sharper focus.
Hedonistic in nature, Taurus encourages us to lay solid foundations and cultivate a greater sense of security, while reminding us that stability and indulgence need not be mutually exclusive. After all, who says we can’t have our financial ducks in a row and still enjoy the finer things in life?
Throw Venus retrograde in Libra and Mercury retrograde in Scorpio into the mix, alongside Saturn, Uranus and Neptune also in retrograde, and we have a sky practically begging us to turn our attention inward and focus on self-improvement, particularly when it comes to love, money, security and our creature comforts.
Is It A Full Moon Tonight?
Yes, the moon will officially reach its fullest phase at 3:11pm AEDT, although it will be at its most luminous shortly after sunset.
| City | Sunset time |
|---|---|
| Sydney | 7:17pm AEDT |
| Melbourne | 7:48pm AEDT |
| Brisbane | 6:02pm AEST |
| Canberra | 7:27pm AEDT |
| Adelaide | 7:39pm ACDT |
| Perth | 6:36pm AWST |
| Hobart | 7:46pm AEDT |
| Darwin | 6:45pm ACST |
What Is Special About The Full Hunter’s Moon?
October’s Hunter’s Moon marks the 11th full moon (out of 13) in 2026 and will be the final lunation before a spectacular run of four consecutive supermoons.
This month’s full moon falls in the sensual, practical sign of Taurus, serving as a much-needed reminder that sometimes we need to raise our standards and savour life’s little luxuries. Perhaps that long-overdue catch-up with friends turns into the most indulgent long lunch of the year. And that is perfectly fine. Life is short, so please, stop and smell the roses!
But Taurus is about more than simply indulging our earthly desires. The steadfast earth sign also champions patience, perseverance and commitment, making this lunation particularly potent for manifestation and setting intentions around long-term stability and security.
If you’ve been feeling a little lost lately, consider this a celestial invitation to course-correct. Rather than clinging to creature comforts that no longer serve you, this is the time to confront what needs to change and make room for something better.
Sometimes, the very things that make us feel secure are the ones holding us back, so embrace a shake up, because the universe might just have something better waiting in the wings.
Waxing Gibbous Moon Meaning
A gibbous moon occurs either just before the moon reaches its fullest phase, known as waxing, or immediately afterwards, when it begins to wane.
In astrology, the waxing gibbous moon is associated with a period of refinement, momentum and preparation, encouraging us to make any necessary adjustments as we approach the full moon. This month, the moon was waxing from October 11 to October 25.
