The Rare Blue Moon in Pisces Is Bringing the Spiritual Healing You’ve Been Waiting For

Between evoking strong emotions to prompting swift action, full moons are known to up the ante on the theatrics in astrology. And the rare August 2023 full blue moon in dreamy Pisces is ending summertime with an added boost of cosmic drama, as Pisces is associated with daydreams, illusions, and intuition.

That said, the ultra-watery energy of August's full moon is opening your heart and mind to all the things bubbling up under the surface, forcing you to face your shadow self and lean into your spirituality. Sound intense? That's because it is, but only in the best of ways.

Whether you're daydreaming too close to the sun or need a little spiritual healing, the August 2023 full blue moon is here to guide you through the intensity. Here, POPSUGAR spoke with Erin River Sunday, lead astrologer for Birthdate Co., about how the zodiac signs will be impacted by August's tender full moon.

The origin of how the blue moon got its name isn't totally certain, but it's believed it has to do with an editorial blunder in an issue of Sky & Telescope magazine, per the Farmers Almanac. Writer James Hugh Pruett misinterpreted an article in the Maine Farmers' Almanac, dubbing this rare lunation a full blue moon.

According to NASA, there are two different types of blue moons: seasonal and monthly. The former occurs when there are four full moons in a single season, while the latter happens when there are two full moons in a single calendar month, like the one happening in August. Monthly blue moons occur about every two to three years.

The full blue moon arrives on Aug. 30, 2023.

The August 2023 full blue moon is in Pisces.

Because blue moons are so rare, astrologers believe it aligns with the spiritual nature of this lunation. Pisces is the sign of all things mystical, like spirituality, the subconscious, and our dreams. Since this lunation is stationed in this magical sign, this rare lunation is a powerful moment to tap into our own psychic abilities despite our own doubts or skepticism.

"Spiritually, this feels like a second opportunity for your emotions to come full circle," says Sunday. "While Pisces is typically known to go with the flow, this full moon will have a distinctly Saturnian energy," explains Sunday. That's due to an intense hookup between the blue moon and strict Saturn, meaning "emotions might be feeling a bit stifled," she adds. Ultimately, you're encouraged to unravel your deepest desires and hit full send on your biggest dreams.

Keep reading to find out how the Aug. 30 full blue moon in Pisces may affect your zodiac sign.

Who are you when nobody's looking, Aries? "This is an opportune time for independent soul searching and recognizing the physical importance of rest," explains Sunday. Spending time getting to know who you are and what you value and identifying those major dreams can help direct you to where you need to be in order to manifest your ideal life.

It's great to surround yourself with like-minded people, Taurus, but living in an echo chamber has its cons, too. "This lunation is a time to notice where groupthink could be feeling too restrictive," says Sunday. Speaking up even if it goes against the grain is valuable.

Your ego is on full display right now, Gemini, but don't be afraid to push the limits on what's possible in terms of your career. "This full moon will be a review period for practices at work that might've outlived their usefulness," says Sunday. Don't be afraid to put your foot down when necessary.

It might feel like you're on the precipice of something bigger and greater than yourself, Cancer, so explore all the nooks and crannies of your surroundings right now. However, Sunday explains you should embrace for impact. "Traveling — whether in emotional, physical, or spiritual realms — is never perfect," says Sunday. "This is a moment to embrace patience on the journey."

Letting go can feel bittersweet, Leo, but it's necessary to your spiritual growth. "This lunation will likely bring up some transformative conversations, and Leos will be challenged to respond with their authentic truth," explains Sunday. Take time to reevaluate what's been working in your social circle and how it's impacted you from moving forward.

Make time for romance, Virgo. This ultra-steamy full moon is reminding you that intimacy is part of self-care, too. But don't get too caught up in your fantasy — Sunday says this can pose plenty of issues in your relationships. "This lunation points to a serious review of partnerships and signals an opportunity to revisit the boundaries within them," she explains.

Boundaries, Libra — that's what this full moon is all about. Making time for yourself, spiritual maintenance, and your wellness routine is important, and it's OK to turn down some of your invites to get your head in the game. "While there could be some annoying reworking needed during their nine-to-five, it's meant to make routines more efficient in the long run," says Sunday.

The supportive full moon is here to encourage you to take a leap of faith in your passions, Scorpio. "It's an important time for Scorpios to dig deep and remember that their muses can evolve as they do," Sunday says. From finishing an art project to creating intimacy, this time is all about doing what feels good.

You're a no-boundaries type of sign, Sagittarius, but this lunation is bringing you back down to earth and connecting you to domestic matters. "Sagittarians should remember that building a nest takes time and patience, and putting in the work now will be worth it in the long run," explains Sunday. Now is a time to take action to make your home truly feel like a sanctuary.

Typically, staying grounded is your superpower, Capricorn. But the no-limit type of mindset is infiltrating your thoughts, so being gentle with other people's zany or unrealistic ideas can be a major strength, too. "While critical feedback can be a dime a dozen, knowing how to smooth things over tactfully is a communication art form," says Sunday.

This emotional lunation is having you seriously comb through your internal values, Aquarius. "Noticing the balance between what Aquarians are giving versus receiving will remind them of the importance of stable resources," Sunday explains. Consider reorienting where you put your energy in terms of how it serves your spiritual self.

Pause, Pisces — are you seeing yourself through a distorted lens? This lunation is a gentle reminder to honor your needs and not to over-compromise. "Pisceans could be feeling pulled in a few different directions," explains Sunday, "and this full moon is giving them the opportunity to recognize how personal boundaries can actually lead to freedom."