October’s Full Moon Will Rise This Weekend – Here’s How To See It

Another month, another full moon. Though each glowing orb may look the same as the next, every month’s full moon has its own unique identity, named for the animals, plants, natural phenomena and practices that we associate with that time of year – from February’s Snow Room and March’s Worm Moon through to June’s Strawberry Moon and August’s Sturgeon Moon. October’s full moon, meanwhile, is typically known as the Hunter’s Moon. Here’s everything you need to know about the history and meaning behind the name, plus how, when and where to catch a glipse of the full moon.

Hunter’s Moon: History, Spirituality & How To See It

The Hunter’s Moon is the annual full moon that we see in October, taking its name from a Native American tradition. Also known as the blood moon or sanguine moon, the name can be traced back to hunting season, when the First Nations would track and kill deer under the bright full-moon light. Historically, October has been an ideal season for hunting. Following on from September’s harvest, the fields are clear and there are fewer places for animals to hide. This made it easy for hunters to spot deer, foxes, and other animals coming out to glean or hunt. With winter on its way, people would traditionally hunt as many animals as they could in October, storing their meat for the winter months when prey became more scarce. Hence the name Hunter’s Moon.

Is There A Spiritual Significance?

The Hunter’s Moon is imbued with meaning across cultures and belief systems. It’s an ideal time for manifestation: harvesting the abundance of the Hunter’s Moon and channelling it into your personal goals. Just as hunters focus on their pursuits, this time also encourages determination and clarity in achieving personal objectives – making it an apt time to set clear and actionable goals as well as manifesting them.

As the darker months and longer nights approach, many also view the Hunter’s Moon as a time to invoke protective energies, safeguarding yourself and loved ones as life gets a little tougher. But it’s also a time to embrace the dark: exploring the hidden aspects of yourself, also known as shadow work.

Away from spirituality, the Hunter’s Moon marks the transition from autumn to winter, and can be a welcome nudge to let go of the old and ready yourself for new beginnings.

When & How To See It

This year, the Hunter’s Moon will rise in the sky on Sunday 25 October and cast its glow across the land. For most, this will be the best time to see it as its starts rising in the sky. However the moment the moon reaches its fullest point is in the depths of the night: 4:12 am GMT on 26 Monday 26 October. The very best way to see the moon is always the same: high elevation and low light pollution. This means that countryside spots typically have the best view, but if you get yourself up a skyscraper, rooftop bar or high-rise for the evening, you should also be able to secure yourself a good spot for seeing the full moon.

In London, the skies are expected to partly cloudy on Sunday evening, but you should still be able to catch a glimpse of the full moon. Similar conditions are predicted across the country, will light drizzle and rain also expected in some part.

2026 Full Moon Calendar

There are 13 full moons in 2026, including May’s Blue Moon. They are:

• 3 January: Wolf Moon
• 1 February: Snow Moon
• 3 March: Worm Moon
• 2 April: Pink Moon
• 1 May: Flower Moon
• 31 May: Blue Moon
• 30 June: Strawberry Moon
• 29 July: Buck Moon
• 28 August: Sturgeon Moon
• 26 September: Harvest Moon
• 26 October: Hunter’s Moon
• 24 November: Beaver Moon
• 24 December: Cold Moon