On the nights of October 6 and October 7, 2025, skywatchers around the world will be treated to a stunning celestial spectacle: the first Supermoon of the year, a treat for October also known as the Hunter’s Moon, one of the most atmospheric full moons of the year.
Reaching full illumination at 03:49 UTC on October 7, this full moon will appear larger and brighter than usual as it reaches one of its closest points to Earth in its orbit, an event we now refer to as a Supermoon. It will rise in the crisp autumn sky glowing with warm tones of orange and red, lighting up fields, forests, and city skylines with an otherworldly brilliance.
Traditionally known as the Hunter’s Moon by some Native American tribes and early European settlers, this full moon follows the Harvest Moon and signifies a time of preparation, when the land changes, animals are on the move, and fall firmly settles in.
Also called the Travel Moon and the Blood Moon, October’s full moon invites us to pause, reflect, and marvel at the natural world in transition.
🌕 What is a Supermoon?
Let’s start with the science.
A Supermoon occurs when the Moon reaches its full phase near perigee, meaning the point in its elliptical orbit where it is closest to Earth. While the difference in distance may seem small (around 14% closer than at its farthest point), the result is a noticeable enhancement:
The Moon can appear up to 14% larger and 30% brighter than a typical full moon.
When it’s rising or setting near the horizon, this effect is amplified by the Moon illusion, making it look huge and dramatic.
On October 7, 2025, the Moon will be at perigee just hours before reaching its full phase, making this the first of three Supermoons in 2025, with others following in November and December.
For many observers, this moon will look especially brilliant, low, and golden-orange as it ascends into the evening sky. This is an unforgettable sight set against the darkening backdrop of early fall.
🌒 The Hunter’s Moon: A Time of Preparation
The name Hunter’s Moon comes from Native American traditions and was later adopted by early settlers in Europe and North America. Unlike other full moon names that relate to crops or natural growth, the Hunter’s Moon is rooted in seasonal behavior and survival.
Why “Hunter’s”?
By October, the fields had been cleared after harvest, making it easier to spot deer and other animals grazing in open spaces.
Leaves were falling, allowing hunters to move more quietly.
Game was fattened for the winter, having spent the summer feeding and growing.
The bright moonlight enabled hunters to track game at night, extending hunting hours in preparation for winter food stores.
The Hunter’s Moon was practical, tied to real seasonal activity. But it also carried symbolic weight: the land was changing, the air was crisp, and nature’s energy was shifting inward.
Today, even if we no longer rely on the hunt for survival, we can feel that same instinct to prepare, to reflect, and to gather during this moon.
🩸 Also Called: The Blood Moon and Travel Moon
This moon has carried other names throughout history:
Blood Moon: This name might refer to a reddish hue the moon often takes on in October, especially when low on the horizon. More possibly, it also connects to hunting season and the symbolic end of life cycles in nature.
Travel Moon: A name used by the English and Celtic traditions to mark the start of seasonal migrations, both for wildlife and people preparing for winter journeys. Birds, animals, and humans choose to migrate south at this time, and the full moon offers ample evening light.
Each of these names tells a story about movement, change, and transformation. These are all fitting themes for October, when autumn deepens and the Earth begins to quiet itself.
🍂 Fall Is in the Air: The Mood of October
The Hunter’s Supermoon arrives at a time when many people begin to feel the full embrace of fall. The equinox has passed, the days are growing shorter, and there’s a change in the air bringing cooler mornings, longer shadows, and the scent of leaves turning.
What We Feel in Autumn:
A desire to nest and spend more time at home
A call to harvest and prepare, both practically and emotionally
A reflective mood, looking back on the year and planning for what’s ahead
The October Supermoon amplifies this atmosphere. Its brilliance in the early evening sky seems to pause time, drawing our gaze and grounding us in the present moment.
🕯️ Ideas for Celebrating the October Supermoon
Whether you live in a city or countryside, the October Supermoon is an opportunity to connect with the sky and the season. Here are ways to celebrate and reflect:
1. Supermoon Walks
Bundle up in cozy sweaters and take a walk at moonrise. Look for open areas like parks, fields, or lakesides where you can fully appreciate the moon’s low, glowing ascent.
2. Harvest Dinner by Moonlight
Cook a meal with seasonal ingredients like roasted root vegetables, squash soup, and warm apple pie. Your family can either eat outside to enjoy the final warmth of the season, or by a window where the moon is visible.
3. Moonlit Bonfire
If local regulations allow, gather friends or family for a safe outdoor fire. Tell stories, roast marshmallows, and welcome the season together under the moon.
4. Photography Excursion
Grab your camera and find a scenic location. Include barns, trees, or silhouettes of people in the foreground. A rising Supermoon makes for unforgettable shots.
5. Supermoon Stargazing
Once the moon is higher in the sky, observe nearby constellations like Pegasus, Pisces, and Andromeda. With a telescope or good binoculars, you may even catch Saturn and Jupiter shining nearby.
📷 Supermoon Photography Tips
Capturing a Supermoon is a must for night photographers. Here’s how to make the most of it:
Shoot at moonrise: Catch it when it’s low for more dramatic size and color.
Use a tripod: Essential for sharp, long exposures.
Settings for DSLR: ISO 100–200, f/8 to f/11, 1/125 shutter speed to retain moon detail.
Smartphone tips: Use night mode, tap to lower exposure, and use manual focus if available.
Foreground matters: Silhouettes of trees, buildings, or people add scale and emotion.
🌕 Supermoons and the Human Imagination
While Supermoons are entirely natural phenomena, they often spark deeper emotional and symbolic responses in people. The brighter, larger moon can stir feelings of awe, nostalgia, or inspiration.
Artists, poets, and storytellers have long drawn from the full moon’s power. In October especially, that mystical light seems to whisper of hidden things conjuring up thoughts of memories, myths, and transitions yet to come.
🍁 Family-Friendly Autumn Fun Inspired by the Hunter’s Moon
Looking for ways to bring the whole family into the spirit of this Supermoon? Here are some ideas that combine learning, adventure, and fun:
1. Create a Moon Journal
Each family member can record what they see, feel, or learn about the moon. Include drawings, poems, and photographs. Do this each month for a full lunar year.
2. Visit a Pumpkin Patch by Moonlight
Find a farm offering evening hours. Let kids explore fields, hayrides, and corn mazes under the glow of the full moon. It’t a gret way to capture the fun of the Halloween season ahead.
3. DIY Moon Phases Craft
Use paper plates or black and white construction paper to teach kids about lunar phases. The October Supermoon makes a great launch point.
4. Supermoon Scavenger Hunt
Before moonrise, set up a backyard or park scavenger hunt themed around “harvest,” “animals,” or “autumn changes.”
5. Storytelling Around the Fire
Tell legends about the moon from different cultures. Include tales of the hunter’s moon, the moon rabbit, or Native American stories. For the spooky season, age appropriate ghost stories can be thrilling this time of year.
🔮 Symbolic Meaning of the October Moon
The October Supermoon is more than a light in the sky—it’s a seasonal mirror for our inner world.
Themes of the Hunter’s Supermoon:
Preparation: Get ready for the coming winter.
Gratitude: Celebrate what has been gathered.
Transition: Accept that change is part of life.
Strength: Like the hunter or the ancient oak, stand strong and focused.
Many people use this moon to engage in rituals, meditations, or journaling focused on closure and intention-setting for the months ahead.
🌍 The Hunter’s Moon Around the World
This full moon may be called the Hunter’s Moon in North America, but other cultures observe it too:
In China, it coincides with the Mid-Autumn Festival, a time for mooncakes and family gatherings.
In India, the October full moon coincides with Sharad Purnima, a celebration of prosperity and blessings.
In Europe, it was long recognized as the final moon before winter’s preparation began.
These shared traditions show how the moon unites humanity across cultures, seasons, and generations.
🌕 Final Reflections: Let the Supermoon Guide You
The October 6-7, 2025 Hunter’s Supermoon is like a spectacular gift from the universe. See it as a reminder to pause and appreciate what the year has given us, to prepare for what’s ahead, and to marvel at the beauty above.
Whether you spend the night walking under moonlight, taking photos, telling stories, or simply gazing out your window, take a moment to let the moon speak to you. Its quiet light holds wisdom for all of us.
Autumn has arrived. The air is cooler, the shadows longer, and the moon brighter. Step into the new season with a sense of purpose, wonder, and gratitude.
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