Astrology Glossary

Supermoon

A Supermoon occurs when a full moon coincides with the moon's closest approach to Earth, appearing larger and brighter than usual.

A Supermoon is a full moon that happens when the moon is at or near its closest point to Earth in its elliptical orbit, known as perigee. This makes the moon appear up to 14% larger and 30% brighter than a typical full moon. In astrology, the Supermoon amplifies the emotional and energetic themes of a regular full moon, often bringing heightened sensitivity, intense feelings, and significant culminations.

How it works

The moon's orbit is not a perfect circle; it's elliptical. When a full moon occurs within 90% of perigee, it's called a Supermoon. Astronomically, the term is relatively recent, but astrologers have long noted that lunar events near perigee feel more potent. In a natal chart, a Supermoon transit can trigger house and sign themes with extra force. For example, a Supermoon in Aries in your 7th house might bring relationship tensions to a head more dramatically than a standard full moon.

In practice

During a Supermoon, emotions run high, and events may feel fated or urgent. It's a powerful time for releasing what no longer serves you, but also for being mindful of overreactions. Because the moon governs our emotional body, a Supermoon can make you more aware of underlying patterns. Use the energy to set intentions for closure or completion, but avoid making impulsive decisions until the intensity passes.

For a personalized look at how the next Supermoon affects your chart, check your astro calendar for upcoming lunar events.

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Related terms

lunar-cyclespriority-p2glossarysupermoonfull-moonperigee