Turning Leaves Moon / Fruit Moon
Aug/Sep 2025
Hello All,
Happy New Moon to everyone once again! In my 2025 lunations calendars this lunar month is the Turning Leaves Moon in the North American version and the Fruit Moon the UK version. You may also have heard it called the Corn Moon, the Barley Moon, and the Wine Moon.
American History
For the Anishinaabeg, the Turning Leaves Moon is a pivotal moment in the year. It signals the shift from summer’s abundance to autumn’s preparation for winter, symbolizing change and transformation. Throughout this lunar month, as the very first leaves change color, it is a time for gathering late-season crops, hunting and fishing, and preparing this food to store for winter.
On a spiritual level, the Turning Leaves Moon also encourages reflection on change and balance, aligning with Anishinaabeg values of living in harmony with nature and respecting all beings. In the Anishinaabeg worldview, the turning leaves mirror life’s cyclical nature and remind us of nature’s need for balance. They are seen as a visual reminder of the Creator’s ongoing work in the world, with Grandmother Moon guiding the community through this transition.
The Anishinaabeg view the moon as a feminine spirit, often called Grandmother Moon, who influences natural rhythms, including women’s cycles, tides, and seasonal activities. The full moon is a time to honor her guidance, often through ceremonies, prayers, or offerings. Women, in particular, may hold moon ceremonies to connect with this spiritual energy, reflecting on personal and communal growth. These ceremonies may focus on healing, gratitude, or preparing for winter, reinforcing women’s roles as keepers of water and lunar knowledge.
British History
Reflecting the peak of fruit harvesting in late summer, the Fruit Moon is usually reserved for the August Full Moon. This year it is a bit late as it won’t reach its full phase until early September.
There are no written records of the Fruit Moon prior to the Victorian era. Those who compiled the Victorian almanacs took some of the moon names they used from the Anglo Saxon calendar (the Milk Moon, and the Yule moons) while others were taken from Native American tradition (Harvest moon, Hunter’s Moon) knowledge of which had by then been brought back to Europe. Still, some of the names’ origins are more difficult to pinpoint. Our Fruit Moon this month is one of these.
The Victorian era saw the rise of a romantic fascination with nature and folklore and a revival of pre-Christian and Anglo-Saxon traditions. The Fruit Moon evokes images of lush orchards and bountiful harvests, resonating with the era’s idealization of rural life. The name itself may very well be a Victorian invention, a bit of poetic embellishment drawing on the Anglo-Saxon and Native American traditions of tying months to seasonal activities.
On the other hand, pre-Victorian English folklore likely included informal names for full moons based on seasonal activities, but these were rarely written down. Oral traditions among rural communities may have used similar descriptors (e.g., a moon associated with fruit harvests), which the Victorian almanacs later formalized.
Lunar Science
The full moon on September 7th will bring with it a total lunar eclipse. This will be the longest total lunar eclipse since 2022, lasting for 5 hours and 27 minutes, with totality—the phase when the Moon is fully within Earth’s umbral shadow—lasting an impressive 82 minutes.
This eclipse will be fully visible across Asia, Western Australia, and eastern Africa, with partial phases observable in Europe and most of Africa. Unfortunately, it’s largely invisible from the Americas, except for a brief penumbral phase in western Alaska. In the UK, the eclipse peaks at 19:11 BST, but the Moon may be below the horizon, with maximum visibility slightly later at 19:33 BST as it rises.
Eclipses are significant in Anishinaabeg cosmology, often seen as a time of powerful spiritual energy or a message from the Creator. Some Native American cultures, particularly the Maya, had the astronomical sophistication to predict eclipses, including those not visible locally, using cyclical patterns. However, most tribes in North America likely relied on direct observation, meaning they wouldn’t typically know about eclipses occurring outside their region unless through rare cultural exchanges or advanced predictive systems. Their deep connection to the cosmos ensured eclipses were significant, but awareness of non-visible ones was likely limited to a few advanced societies.
Lunar Astrologyg
With Mercury Retrograde finally behind us (for now, it will be back in November) we can all finally get the ball rolling again - and there’s nothing like a new moon to help with forward momentum.
August 23rd’s new moon in Virgo roots our fresh beginnings in practicality and self-improvement. Virgo’s earthy energy encourages us to refine our routines, set realistic goals, and focus on the details that shape our daily lives. This is an ideal time to plant seeds for projects that require precision and discipline. Beware, though, of Virgo’s tendency toward perfectionism and self-criticism!
Following is the September 7th Full Moon in Pisces. The dreamy, intuitive energy of Pisces urges emotional release and spiritual reflection. Pisces, ruled by Neptune, amplifies our connection to creativity, compassion, and the subconscious, making this a potent time for artistic expression or deep emotional healing. Yet, Pisces’ boundless nature can blur boundaries, so stay grounded to avoid becoming overwhelmed by emotions or escapism.
The Virgo/Pisces axis creates a dynamic push-pull between structure and surrender. Virgo’s call to organize and refine complements Pisces’ willingness to trust intuition and release control. This lunar cycle invites you to mix practicality with emotion and spirituality, creating a holistic approach to growth.
This might look something like making plans —think budgets, schedules, wellness routines— during the Virgo New Moon. When the Pisces Full Moon arrives, reflect on what needs to be let go. Write down your fears and make a decision to say goodbye to one or two that are holding you back from realizing the plans you made under the new moon. Creative outlets like painting or music will help with this process.
All my best, and until the next lunar month,
Claire
