The August Full Moon, known as the Sturgeon Moon, will peak at 10:19 PM, MDT, on August 27th. Like other full moons, the name comes from Native American fishing traditions of the Great Lakes, when lake sturgeon were abundant during late summer. Across Europe, however, the Moon was more closely associated with the harvest and was known by names such as the Grain Moon, Corn Moon, Barley Moon, and Fruit Moon, each reflecting the crops that ripened during this season. Some traditions also referred to it as the Herb Moon, marking one of the final opportunities to gather medicinal and culinary plants before autumn arrived. Although the names differ from one culture to another, they all share a common theme: the recognition that the season of abundance has reached its height and that preparations for the darker months must now begin.
These large fish would be dried and served as a critical food source during the winter months. August’s full moon is also known as the Green Corn Moon, the Red Moon, and the Dispute Moon. Additionally, the Ojibwe called the August full moon the Blueberry Moon, while the Dakota Sioux knew it as The Moon When All Things Ripen.
The August Full Moon rises at a point in the year when summer has begun to loosen its grip. The first harvest is underway, the nights are slowly lengthening, and the land is beginning its turn toward autumn. This Moon carries the weight of abundance, but it also carries the knowledge that nothing remains at its fullest forever.
The Sturgeon Moon is the moon of last stores, meaning that time was running out to put food away for the winter. It is also a fitting time for cleansing away what has accumulated through the busy months of summer. Old frustrations, stagnant emotions, unfinished thoughts, and burdens that no longer deserve space can be acknowledged and released. What remains should be what is useful, strong, and worth carrying into the darker portion of the year.
<Any section of this ritual that appears like this, should be taken as instructions and not to be spoken>
Preparing for Our Full Sturgeon Moon Ritual
A white candle
Sage for cleansing
A small bowl of salt
Paper and pencils
Ritual bonfire
<Arrange the altar beneath the open sky if possible. Place the white candle to one side and the black candle to the other. Set the bowl of water between them. Place the salt and cleansing herbs nearby.>
Opening the Ritual
<Stand quietly before the altar. Take several slow breaths. Allow the sounds of the night to settle around you before speaking.>
We have gathered under the light of the Full Sturgeon Moon, leaving behind the noise of the day. The season is turning. What has reached its end may now be released.
Opening the Circle
<Walk the circle clockwise, beginning in the East. Carry the bowl of salt and sprinkle a small amount as you walk.>
By earth beneath my feet, by sky above my head, by the Moon that watches over this night, I consecrate this ground.
Negativity be banished, let what is true enter freely, may this circle hold until the work is done.
Calling the Directions
East
Turn with me first to the East, where the first light of morning quietly announces another day. Every dawn reminds us that no matter what burdens we carried yesterday, we are always given another opportunity to begin again. As summer slowly yields to autumn, may the East clear our thoughts and help us recognize what deserves to continue and what has reached its natural end.
South
Now we turn to the South, where the warmth of late summer still lingers across field and forest. The harvest did not appear in a single day, but through countless days of steady sun, gentle rain, and patient growth. May the South remind us that meaningful change is rarely sudden. It is earned through persistence, honesty, and faithful effort.
West
Turn now to the West, where evening approaches and the waters continue their endless course. Rivers do not cling to what lies behind them, nor do they fear the miles still ahead. May the West teach us to release the burdens that have served their purpose and to carry forward only the wisdom they have left behind.
North
Finally, we face the North, where earth quietly bears the weight of every season without complaint. The fields now begin to surrender their harvest, trusting that what is gathered today will sustain tomorrow. May the North grant us the wisdom to recognize true abundance, the strength to preserve what matters, and the humility to return our gratitude to the land that has sustained us.
Spirit
The Full Sturgeon Moon reminds us that every season carries both a beginning and an ending. Tonight we gather not simply to celebrate abundance, but to release what has become unnecessary, to give thanks for what remains, and to step forward with lighter hearts into the turning season.
<Light the white candle on the altar>
Our circle is cast – the night belongs to those who are gathered here.
Cleansing and Clearing Negativity
The Full Moon is a time to bring what has been hidden into the light. Before anything can be released, it must first be recognized. Take a few quiet moments and consider where negativity has been entering your life. It may come from another person, a difficult situation, an obligation that has become unhealthy, resentment you continue to carry, fear about something you cannot control, or even your own habits and thoughts.
<Light the sage and move the smoke around you as you begin this work>
Do not simply think about what has been bothering you. Try to identify its source. Ask yourself what has been consuming your attention, disturbing your peace, creating anger or resentment, or leaving you feeling drained. Some things will be obvious. Others may take a little longer to recognize.
Now separate those things in your mind. There are problems you can change, situations you can leave, boundaries you can establish, and actions you can take. There are also things completely outside your control. Recognizing the difference is part of the cleansing.
For those things you can change, decide what action you are willing to take. For those you cannot change, decide whether continuing to carry them serves any purpose. Write each source of negativity on a piece of paper. Take your time. When you are finished, read through what you have written.
Consider each one separately. What created it? Why have you continued carrying it? Does it require action, acceptance, forgiveness, distance, or simply an end to the attention you have been giving it?
As it is with all things that matter, some decisions are harder than others. Some cords are difficult to cut. Some relationships are toxic but also strong enough to withstand almost anything. Every action is a choice. If the choice to cut that cord means your life will improve, then it’s probably a worthy decision.
<Give time for the group to meditate and think about the choices they need to make>
Repeat after me:
I recognize the influences in my life for what they are.
I acknowledge the place they have held
Whether good, bad, or neutral
Difficulties must be confronted
What requires change, must be changed
My energy is my own
What has ended will remain in the past
I choose to freely release that which no longer serves me
I have carried many of these things long enough
Tonight, in full control, I choose to release them
Let the fire burn away their connection to me
Let the smoke carry them away
<As the papers burn, instruct everyone to consciously release the hold that particular source of negativity has over them>
Releasing something does not mean pretending it never happened, forgiving someone who does not deserve forgiveness, or convincing yourself that a difficult situation does not matter. It means deciding that it will no longer occupy more of your thoughts, emotions, or energy than it deserves.
Remember that what is yours has always been yours – your energy, your thoughts, your choices – none of them can be taken away from you. They can however be guided, covered, or coerced but only when you allow it. If you’ve let someone or something else control you, now is the time to reclaim that power.
<Remain quietly before the fire for a few moments. Let the act of cleansing be complete before continuing with the ritual>
Closing the Directions
Spirit
The work of this Full Moon now comes to its end. What has been released no longer belongs to us, and what has been accepted into our hearts will continue long after this night has passed. May the peace each one of us has found within this circle remain with us as we return to the ordinary world.
North
Let us look again to the North. We offer our gratitude to the North for its quiet strength and enduring wisdom. May we leave this place carrying the patience of the earth and the resolve to remain firmly rooted in all that truly matters.
West
Now turn to the West. We thank the West for its cleansing waters and gentle reminder that every journey is made one step at a time. May that which has been released tonight never weigh upon us again.
South
Turn together to the South. We thank the South for the warmth that brought the harvest to maturity and for the strength that continues to guide our hands. May its fire remain within us as determination, purpose, and courage.
East
Finally, we look again to the East. Tomorrow is another day, and we thank the East for the gift of clarity and new beginnings. As another dawn will surely follow this night, may we walk forward with renewed purpose, carrying only what serves our highest good.
Closing the Circle
The sacred work of this evening is complete. Though the boundary of our circle now fades, the blessings received, the wisdom gained, and the peace discovered within it remain with each of us. May we walk from this place with grateful hearts, remembering that every ending quietly prepares the way for another beginning.
<Walk the circle counterclockwise, gathering its energy back into the altar before returning to the center.>
The circle is open but never broken.
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- Full Sturgeon Moon Ritual – The Moon of Last Stores - August 20, 2026
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