You’ve heard the term ‘supermoon’ but what is it exactly? What makes the moon actually SUPER sometimes? Does it exert some special power over us when it shows up “supersized” in the sky? We have answers.
There are a lot of myths about supermoons, especially since they’ve gained a lot of media attention in recent years. But why are people so fascinated by them? And what does a supermoon mean in astrology?
Here’s everything you need to know about what a supermoon really is (and isn’t).
The Astrology Advantage
Why a supermoon is ‘super’
A supermoon is a new or full moon that arrives at a closer-than-usual distance to Earth.
A supermoon can be a new or full moon.
The technical name for supermoon is perigee-syzgy moon. (Try THAT one at your next spelling bee!) At a perigee moon, the moon is at its closer than typical distance from Earth, therefore it can cause it to appear larger (and possibly brighter, but not necessarily).
In a nutshell: Perigee means that the moon is orbiting at a closer distance to the Earth. Syzgy means that the Earth, moon and Sun are aligned. Essentially, this is what happens at every new or full moon.
How often do supermoons happen?
Supermoons occur about three or four times a year, more often in some years. They’re not really that rare (even if they sound like it or you’ve read headlines that tout such). Back in 2016, there were six supermoons!
There are 5 supermoons in 2025
March 29, 6:58AM, Partial Solar Eclipse (New Moon) in Aries (9º00’)
April 27, 3:31PM, New Moon in Taurus (7º47’)
May 26, 11:02PM, New Moon in Gemini (6º06’)
November 5, 8:19AM, Full Moon in Taurus (13º23’)
December 4, 6:14PM, Full Moon in Gemini (13º04’)
All dates and times in Eastern Time Zone
What does a supermoon mean in astrology?
You may have read in your daily horoscope that a supermoon is coming and hoped that it would bring some special added bonus gifts. Maybe it will!
Depending on the zodiac sign that the moon is in, some astrologers believe that a supermoon can amplify the astrological traits of that sign.
Read all about: moon phases, and also new moons and full moons, and the full moon names used by the Old Farmer’s Almanac derived from the Algonquin people and adopted by colonial Americans.
There are also mini-moons—the opposite of a supermoon
Supermoons also have a cute little opposite (let’s call them mini-moons). Their technical term is apogee-syzgy. A mini-moons occurs when the moon is at a father-than-typical distance from Earth, which can cause it to appear smaller. (Awwww…so adorable!)
History of supermoons (they’re actually kinda new)
So where does the supermoon idea originate? Astrologer Richard Nolle cleverly created the term “supermoon” in 1979—the year after the modern Superman movie debuted in 1978, curiously.
Despite their recent hype in horoscopes, supermoons are not actually a new phenomenon. Some stargazers have observed that these closer moons have coincided with earthquakes, hurricanes and other natural disasters. However, the tides are pulled the strongest by any new or full moon, so it’s hard to say if the super-charged beams are to blame.
How is a supermoon different than an eclipse?
Well, sometimes it’s not different at all! Eclipses can also occur during a supermoon. Both supermoons and eclipses happen at new or full moons.
However, an eclipse is a unique phenomenon that occurs when the moon is exactly between the Sun and the earth (a solar eclipse) or the earth is exactly between the Sun and the moon (a lunar eclipse). They can happen whether the moon is far or close to the earth in distance, which make eclipses different from supermoons.
Does a supermoon always mean the full moon will be extra powerful? We believe the proximity of the moon can dial up the energy people receive—and if nothing else, a full supermoon can make a lovely sight, especially if you do a new or full moon ritual.
Much like the nurturing and creative powers it represents, the mystical moon has inspired awe for eons. And when the skies serve up a supermoon, we feel that connection more strongly, as the gravitational forces of this heavenly body come closer to those of our planet.
Image via Tumblr
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