August’s Full Moon 2026
by Kathryn McMudie
The full moon of August (Friday, August 28) is called the Sturgeon Moon. This name originates from the giant lake sturgeon found in the Great Lakes and Lake Champlain. This native freshwater fish was traditionally caught during late summer and was an important food staple for the Native Americans who lived in the region. At one time, lake sturgeon were abundant in this season, though they are much rarer today.
On the spiritual side, the August full moon is a time for deep emotional cleansing, wisdom, and quiet resilience. It falls in the water sign of Pisces alongside a partial lunar eclipse, creating a powerful moment to soften, release long-held emotional baggage, and reconnect deeply with your inner, intuitive voice.
Moon Phases
- Last Quarter: August 5
- New Moon: August 12
- First Quarter: August 19
- Full Moon: August 28, 9:18 pm PST
Native American names for the August full moon:
- Flying Up Moon (Cree)
- Corn Moon (Algonquin, Ojibwe)
- Harvest Moon (Dakota)
- Wild Rice Moon (Anishinaabe)
- Black Cherries Moon (Assiniboine)
- Mountain Shadows Moon (Tlingit peoples of the Northwest)