From the eternal and mysterious allure of the moon lighting up starry nights, to the way its phases influence tides, culture and popular beliefs, our natural satellite has always played a central role in human history.
Have you ever been curious about exactly when to admire a full moon or when to look for the subtle crescent of a new moon in the sky of 2024?
If the answer is yes, you are in the right place.
In this article, we will guide you through a month-by-month journey, revealing every single lunar phase of 2024. Every detail is carefully drawn from my book on the phases of the moon, the result of years of observation and study.
Get caught up in the lunar magic and discover how this wonderful calendar can become a valuable companion in your daily life!
Since time immemorial, the Moon has captivated mankind with its constant and rhythmic cycle, manifesting itself in different forms in the night sky. These manifestations, known as “lunar phases,” are the result of the dynamic relationship between the Earth, Moon and Sun, and the variable illumination of the Moon’s visible surface by the Sun.
The main phases of the Moon are:
Between these main phases are gradual variations called rising and waning, representing the transition between phases.
The tradition of Wicca, a neopagan religion, deeply recognizes the importance of the phases of the moon, particularly the Full Moon. Esbats are Wiccan ceremonies or rituals that take place during the Full Moon. These rituals celebrate the lunar goddess and are a time to practice magic, meditate and make divinations. Each Esbat is unique and can vary by tradition, coven or solo practitioner.
In the context of Wicca, the Full Moon is not just an astronomical phenomenon, but a sacred time of divine connection, reflection and celebration of lunar energies.
On Thursday, January 25, 2024, at 12:54 p.m. EST (17:54 UTC), the Full Wolf Moon will rise, marking the second full moon of the 2023-2024 winter season. This moon, named after the howling of wolves at this time of year, will be in Leo. The Wolf Full Moon is also known by various other names, such as Ice Moon, Old Moon, Moon after Yule, and Snow Moon.
On Saturday, February 24, 2024, the Full Snow Moon will occur at 7:30 a.m. EST (12:30 UTC). Named for the frequent snowfall typical of February, this moon, placed in Virgo, represents the third full moon of the winter season. Other names include Hunger Moon, Chaste Moon and Storm Moon.
As spring dawns, the Full Worm Moon graces the sky on Monday, March 25, 2024, at 3:00 AM EDT (7:00 AM UTC). Located in Libra, this moon is named after the reappearing earthworms, signaling the end of winter. This moon also has several alternative names, including Sap Moon, Raven Moon, Sugar Moon and others. This date also coincides with a penumbral lunar eclipse, which occurs only 13 minutes before the moon reaches its peak.
On Tuesday, April 23, 2024, at 7:49 p.m. EDT (23:49 UTC), the Pink Full Moon will be visible. This moon, located in Scorpio, is named after the pink moss flowers typical of April. Other nicknames for this moon are Egg Moon, Sprouting Grass Moon, and Fish Moon.
On Thursday, May 23, 2024, at 9:53 AM EDT (1:53 PM UTC) the Full Flower Moon occurs in the constellation Sagittarius. Named for the May flowers, this moon is also known by the names Corn Sowing Moon and Milk Moon.
The Full Strawberry Moon rises on Friday, June 21, 2024, at 9:08 p.m. EDT (June 22, 1:08 a.m. UTC). This moon, located in Capricorn, is so named for the strawberry picking season. Other titles for this moon are Moon of Roses, Moon of Mead, and Moon of Honey.
On Sunday, July 21, 2024, at 6:17 AM EDT (10:17 AM UTC), the Full Deer Moon rises in Aquarius. Named for the growth of deer antlers at this time, this moon is also called the Thunder Moon and the Hay Moon.
The Super Sturgeon Moon, a supermoon, will occur on Monday, August 19, 2024 at 2:26 p.m. EDT (18:26 UTC) in the sign of Aquarius. It is named after the sturgeon fish, commonly caught in this month. This moon has many alternative names, including Green Corn Moon, Red Moon and others.
On Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024, the Super Harvest Moon will light up the night at 10:34 p.m. EDT (Sept. 18, 2:34 UTC), positioned in Pisces. This supermoon is named after the harvest season and also coincides with a penumbral lunar eclipse.
The Hunter’s Supermoon will rise on Thursday, October 17, 2024 at 7:26 AM EDT (11:26 AM UTC). Located in Aries, this supermoon is named after the hunting preparations that indigenous communities made for the winter.
On Friday, November 15, 2024, the Beaver Supermoon will rise at 4:29 p.m. EST (21:29 UTC) in Taurus. It is named after the beaver trapping season and indicates the time when we were preparing for winter.
The last full moon of 2024, the Cold Full Moon, is scheduled for Sunday, December 15 at 4:02 a.m. EST (9:02 UTC) in Gemini. The name of this moon is appropriate for the cold weather, and it is also known as the Long Nights Moon and Oak Moon.
A seasonal blue moon will occur in 2024 on Monday, August 19 at 14:26 EDT (19:26 UTC) due to the presence of four full moons during the 2024 summer season. In contrast, there will be no monthly blue moon in 2024, as each month will feature only one full moon.
For clarity, there are two definitions of a blue moon:
The widely recognized one in which two full moons appear in a single month, which is called a blue moon.
A less common definition is one in which a season witnesses four full moons; in this case, the third full moon is designated a seasonal blue moon.
To find out more about the blue moon,
read this article -> the esoteric meaning of the blue moon
The year 2024 will see four supermoons on the following dates:
August 19
Sept. 18
Oct. 17 (the closest of all)
November 15
A supermoon occurs when the full moon is near the closest approach to Earth, called perigee, making the moon appear larger. The distinguishing distance for a supermoon is about 360,000 kilometers from Earth or even closer, although there is no universally accepted range.
Here are the equinoxes and solstices for 2024:
Christmas Equinox: March 19, 11:07 PM EDT (March 20, 3:07 AM UTC)
Summer solstice: June 20, 4:51 PM EDT (8:51 PM UTC)
Autumnal equinox: September 22, 8:44 AM EDT (12:44 PM UTC)
Winter solstice: December 21, 4:20 AM EST (9:20 AM UTC)
First full moons after each change of season in 2024:
After the spring equinox: March 25, 3:00 AM EDT (7:00 AM UTC) – known as a Worm Full Moon.
After the summer solstice: June 21, 9:08 PM EDT (June 22, 1:08 AM UTC) – known as the Strawberry Full Moon.
After the autumnal equinox: Oct. 17, 7:26 AM EDT (11:26 PM UTC) – called the Hunter’s Full Moon.
After the winter solstice: Will not be observed until 2025, Jan. 13 at 5:27 p.m. EST (22:27 UTC). The December 2024 Wolf Full Moon precedes the Winter Solstice, so the next Full Moon falls in January 2025, marking the beginning of the 2024-2025 winter season.
Eclipse in 2024:
March 25: penumbral lunar eclipse
April 08: total solar eclipse
Sept. 18: partial lunar eclipse
October 02: annular solar eclipse.
if you want to find out more about the meaning of each eclipse read these articles:
lunar eclipse meaning
meaning of the solar eclipse
The lunar calendar of 2024 gives us a fascinating overview of the various phases of the moon and their traditional names, which are often linked to natural phenomena or agricultural activities typical of each month. These names remind us of the close connection that exists between nature, traditions, and lunar cycles. Each full moon brings with it stories, beliefs and myths that enrich our understanding of time and the seasons.
Be sure to observe the sky during these key moments to admire the moon’s beauty and reflect on its role in our lives and culture. Whether it is a super moon or an eclipse, 2024 promises to be a year full of celestial spectacles. Equip yourself with a good telescope or simply a quiet place to observe from, and be enchanted by the moon’s dance in the night sky.