August has already been a month full of amazing astronomical events [1], and even as we're coming close to the end of the month, the stars are aligned for even more celestial wonders. This Sunday, a full moon [2] will light up the night sky, and this one differs from just any full moon. Known as the Sturgeon Moon or as a "blue moon," it'll be at its fullest at 8:02 a.m. ET on August 22, and will shine bright on both Saturday and Sunday night. The name "Sturgeon Moon" [3] has Native American origins [4], occurring during the late summer when it was easier to catch sturgeon in the Great Lakes area.
As for why it's called a blue moon, this full moon is the second full moon in Leo season — making it an astrological "blue moon." There are usually only three full moons in each season of the year, but because full moons occur every 29.53 days, there are times when a season will have four full moons as opposed to the typical three. Since blue moons only occur once every 2.7 years, this is where the phrase "once in a blue moon" comes from.
Wondering how this moon will affect your zodiac [5]? Since the full moon will be in Aquarius [6], this means your emotions might be more complicated than usual as this sign is known to be one in its feelings. Be sure to take a minute to connect with how you feel, and don't let fear, anger, or jealousy ruin your weekend. This moon will inspire you to embrace your individuality and make adjustments to your life that'll support your personal intentions, so take advantage! Use this time to reflect on what you want, and come up with ways to get it. Looking for more? You can learn about the rest of 2021's solar events right here [7].
