This September’s full moon will occur on Saturday, September 26. In Novato, the full moon rises at 6:54 pm in the east and sets at 7:02 am in the west. Because it
is the full moon closest to the autumnal equinox (which falls on September 22), this lunar event is traditionally known as the Harvest Moon or Corn Moon. It rises shortly after sunset for several nights in
a row, helping farmers extend their workdays before the advent of electricity.
Major moon phases — September 2026
Third Quarter • September 4
New Moon • September 11
First Quarter • September 18
Full Moon • September 26
During September 2026, the moon will be waxing (appearing illuminated on the right side and increasing in size) from September 12–25. It will be waning (appearing illuminated on the left side
and decreasing in size) from September 1–10 and September 27–30.
Other names for September’s full moon: Autumn Moon (Cree), Moon When Rice Is Laid Up to Dry (Dakota), Falling Leaves Moon (Ojibwe), Leaves Turning Moon (Anishinaabe), Moon of Brown Leaves (Lakota), Yellow Leaf Moon (Assiniboine), Child Moon (Tlingit), and Mating Moon and Rutting Moon (Cree terms describing the time when certain animals, such as moose, are ready to mate).
Kathryn McMudie