The Hunter's Moon is October's full moon, and in 2026 it lands in Taurus while the Sun sits in Scorpio. Here are the exact times, why it has that name, and a grounded way to use the night.
Hunter's Moon 2026: Exact Date and Time
The full moon peaks on Monday, October 26, 2026 at 04:11-04:12 UTC (sources round it slightly differently). That is 12:11 a.m. EDT in New York, 4:11 a.m. in London and 5:11 a.m. in Tunis. On the US West Coast it is still the evening of Sunday, October 25 (about 9:11 p.m. PDT). The moon sits around 2°46' Taurus, opposite the Sun at 2°46' Scorpio.
| City | Local time |
|---|---|
| New York | 12:11 a.m. EDT, Oct 26 |
| Los Angeles | 9:11 p.m. PDT, Oct 25 |
| London | 4:11 a.m. GMT, Oct 26 |
| Tokyo | 1:11 p.m. JST, Oct 26 |
Why Is It Called the Hunter's Moon?
It is the first full moon after the Harvest Moon (September 26, 2026). By then fields were reaped, so hunters could spot game and prepare food for winter by moonlight, according to the Old Farmer's Almanac. The moon rises close to sunset for several evenings, so Sunday and Monday evenings are the best viewing nights.
The Astrology: A Taurus Full Moon Across the Scorpio Axis
In Western astrology, Taurus is tied to stability, resources, the body and what you keep. Scorpio is tied to shared resources, depth and transformation. A full moon highlights the contrast between the two. Many astrologers also point to this moon's tight links with Pluto and the retrograde Venus and Mercury of this season, which they read as a time to review money, values and attachments. This is symbolism and tradition, not a prediction or a scientific effect; research has found little evidence that the moon measurably affects human behaviour.
A Simple Taurus Full Moon Ritual
- Ground: go outside for ten minutes and just look at the moon.
- Review: write three things you own, pay for or commit to that no longer serve you.
- Release one: pick one and decide a small concrete step (cancel, donate, tidy, say no).
- Keep: write one thing worth protecting and how you will care for it this month.
What Comes Next
The season builds toward Venus turning direct on November 14, and the retrograde theme is covered in our Mercury retrograde in Scorpio guide. Our Scorpio season overview adds context for the Sun's side of this axis. The next full moon is the Beaver Moon on November 24.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Hunter's Moon a supermoon?
No. It is at about 368,900 km from Earth, near the average distance, so it will look ordinary in size.
What sign is the October 2026 full moon in?
Taurus in the tropical zodiac used by most Western astrologers.
Is it the same as the Harvest Moon?
No. The Harvest Moon is the full moon nearest the autumn equinox; this year it was September 26. The Hunter's Moon follows it.
When should I look?
Sunday evening, October 25, and Monday evening, October 26, shortly after sunset.
Times are from timeanddate.com, Space.com and the Old Farmer's Almanac; sources differ by a minute.