Home Seasonal Musings Full Moon in Aries September 2026 | Southern Hemisphere Guide

September 26, 2026

Full Moon in Aries September 2026 | Southern Hemisphere Guide

Full Moon in Aries, September 2026: A Southern Hemisphere Spring Moon of Courage and Balance

Written by Michelle Ringin, Western Medicinal Herbalist & Weight Management Practitioner (NHAA 155639) l Date Published: 26 September 2026 l Last reviewed: 26 September 2026 l Reading time: 10 minutes

TL;DR

The September 2026 Full Moon is in Aries and peaks at 2:49am AEST on Sunday 27 September. The best view is the evening before- Saturday 26 September- as the Moon rises in the east around sunset. In the Southern Hemisphere this is our first Full Moon of spring, arriving just four days after the spring equinox. Astrologically, it is traditionally associated with courage, fresh starts and finding a healthy balance between your own needs and the needs of the people you love.

There is something about the first Full Moon of spring. The evenings are stretching out, the wattle has done its golden work, and the blossom trees along the streets are starting to open. After a long, cold Central Tablelands winter, many of us feel a stirring- a quiet “it’s time”, even if we are not yet sure what it is time for.

This month, that stirring has a name: the Full Moon in Aries. It is a fiery, honest, get-up-and-go kind of Moon. And because the Sun is sitting opposite in gentle, relationship-focused Libra, it also asks a tender question: how do I honour myself without losing my connection to others?

In this post, we’ll walk through the timing and astrology of this Full Moon, six herbal allies to keep close, a Brave Heart Spring Moon Tea, and a simple ritual you can do at your kitchen table- plus a note for your four-legged family.

When Is the September 2026 Full Moon in Australia?

The Moon reaches exact fullness on the afternoon of Saturday 26 September in Universal Time, which falls in the early hours of Sunday morning here in Australia:

Location	Exact Full Moon
NSW, ACT, VIC, TAS, QLD	2:49am AEST, Sunday 27 September 2026
SA & NT	2:19am ACST, Sunday 27 September 2026
WA	12:49am AWST, Sunday 27 September 2026
Best viewing	Saturday evening 26 September, as the Moon rises in the east around sunset

A quick note on clocks: daylight saving in NSW, the ACT, Victoria and Tasmania doesn’t begin until Sunday 4 October 2026, so these times are all in standard time.

Why does the Moon look so big when it rises? It’s a lovely optical illusion. When the Moon sits low on the horizon, next to trees and rooftops, our brains read it as larger than when it is high in the sky. Head outside just after sunset on Saturday to catch it at its most golden.

Harvest Moon or Spring Moon? A Southern Hemisphere Perspective

You may see this Full Moon called the Harvest Moon online. That name comes from the Northern Hemisphere, where it describes the Full Moon closest to the autumn equinox, when farmers worked late into the evening by moonlight to bring in the crops.

Here in the south, the seasons are turned the other way around. Our spring equinox arrived on 23 September, so this is our first Full Moon of spring- a time of planting, not harvesting. Some Southern Hemisphere practitioners use seasonal names such as the Seed Moon or Planting Moon. There is no single official name, so feel free to choose what feels true to where you live.

If you follow the Wheel of the Year, this Moon also sits in the glow of Ostara, the spring equinox festival of balance and new growth- when day and night are briefly equal before the light begins to win out. It’s a beautiful echo of this Moon’s Aries- Libra theme: balance first, then growth.

The Astrology of the Aries Full Moon

A gentle note: astrology is a symbolic language for reflection, not a science, and it isn’t a substitute for health care. Many of us simply enjoy the Moon as a monthly invitation to slow down and check in with ourselves- and that’s exactly how we use it here.

The astrological phase at a glance

Placement	What it traditionally represents
Full Moon in Aries (≈3°)	Courage, initiative, honesty, independence, the spark of new beginnings
Sun in Libra	Balance, relationships, fairness, beauty, cooperation
Aries ruler - Mars	Drive, energy, action, healthy anger and protective boundaries
Libra ruler - Venus	Harmony, love, pleasure, connection
Element and mode	Fire (Aries) opposite Air (Libra); both cardinal signs- the energy of beginnings
Notable aspect	Moon conjunct Neptune- adding softness, intuition, dreaminess and a need for gentle discernment
Traditional body association	Aries is traditionally linked with the head and face in medical astrology

What the Aries Full Moon asks of you

Aries is the first sign of the zodiac- the spark, the seedling pushing through the soil, the lamb on wobbly new legs. A Full Moon here shines a bright light on where you want to begin something, and where fear or people-pleasing has been holding you back.

At the same time, a Full Moon is a moment of culmination and release. It is less about launching a big new plan tonight and more about seeing clearly: what is ready to go, and what is ready to grow?

Some themes you might notice rising to the surface this week:

• Courage: a conversation, decision or dream you’ve been putting off.

• Boundaries: noticing where you say yes when you mean no.

• Restlessness or irritability: Aries fire can flare when energy has nowhere to go.

• Self versus others: the Libra Sun reminds us that relationships need care too.

• Tender intuition: with Neptune close by, dreams and feelings may be louder than usual, so give yourself time before acting on big emotions.

The Aries–Libra see-saw

Every Full Moon is an opposition: the Sun on one side of the sky, the Moon on the other, and us in the middle. This month that see-saw runs between “me” (Aries) and “we” (Libra).

So many of the women I see in clinic are brilliant at the Libra side- caring, keeping the peace, holding everyone together- and quietly running out of fuel on the Aries side. If that sounds familiar, this Moon is your gentle permission slip to put yourself back on the list. Not instead of the people you love, but alongside them.

Aries fire in the body

Traditionally, Aries is associated with the head and Mars with heat, energy and the drive to act. In seasonal terms, spring can bring its own “fire” too: busier days, broken sleep as the light changes, hay fever, and tension that settles in the head, jaw and shoulders.

That’s why this month’s herbal allies are a thoughtful mix- a few warming, Mars-ruled herbs to support energy and circulation, balanced with cooling, calming herbs to keep the fire steady rather than scorching.

If you are experiencing frequent or severe headaches, ongoing fatigue, or symptoms that concern you, please see your GP. Herbal medicine works best alongside good medical care, never instead of it.

Herbal Allies for the Aries Full Moon

In his 1653 Complete Herbal, Nicholas Culpeper assigned each plant to a planet and sign- a system that shaped Western herbal tradition for centuries. We don’t use astrology to prescribe in clinic, but these old associations are a beautiful way to connect with the plants and the seasons.

Here are six herbal allies for this Full Moon: three fiery, Mars-and-Aries herbs, and three cooling, nourishing herbs to bring in that Libra balance.

Nettle (Urtica dioica)

Part used: Leaf (dried) | Evidence: Traditional use + emerging research

History and folklore. Few plants carry Aries energy as honestly as nettle. Brush past it and you feel it straight away- that sharp, fiery sting is the plant setting a boundary. In his 1653 herbal, Nicholas Culpeper placed nettle under Mars, the planet that rules Aries, and European folk healers have long gathered its young tops as one of the first green foods of spring. Nettle soup, nettle beer and nettle tea were the traditional “spring cleaning” after a long, heavy winter.

Traditionally used to support. Nettle leaf is traditionally used to support healthy nutrient intake, gentle elimination through the kidneys, and seasonal wellbeing during spring. A small pilot study in the 1990s explored freeze-dried nettle for seasonal allergy symptoms, and interest continues, though larger, well-designed trials are still needed.

Full Moon medicine. Nettle asks a very Aries question: where do you need a kinder, firmer boundary? It reminds us that being soft on the inside and protective on the outside can live together.

Safety note: Nettle leaf is generally well tolerated as a tea. Seek advice first if you take blood-thinning medication (the leaf contains vitamin K), diuretics, blood pressure or diabetes medication, or if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Always wear gloves when harvesting fresh plants.

Rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus (syn. Rosmarinus officinalis))

Part used: Leaf | Evidence: Traditional use + emerging research

History and folklore. Rosemary is the herb of remembrance- Ophelia hands it out in Hamlet, and Greek students were said to wear sprigs while studying. Culpeper wrote that rosemary is claimed by the Sun and sits “under the celestial Ram”- that is, under Aries itself. Because Aries traditionally governs the head and face, rosemary has long been the Aries herb for a clear, bright mind.

Traditionally used to support. Rosemary is traditionally used to support healthy circulation, digestion and mental clarity. Small studies have explored how the aroma of rosemary relates to memory and alertness, which is a lovely echo of its folklore, though the research is still early.

Full Moon medicine. Rosemary helps us remember who we are before the world tells us who to be- a gentle Aries teaching about purpose and direction.

Safety note: Culinary amounts, like the pinch in our tea, are considered safe for most people. Therapeutic doses are not recommended during pregnancy, and rosemary essential oil should never be taken internally. Seek advice if you have epilepsy or take blood-thinning medication.

Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna / C. laevigata)

Part used: Flowering tops, leaf and berry | Evidence: Traditional use + clinical research

History and folklore. Hawthorn is one of the great heart herbs of Western herbal medicine. Culpeper named it “a tree of Mars”, and in European folklore the thorny may-tree guarded the threshold between worlds. Here in the Southern Hemisphere, hawthorn hedgerows in the Central Tablelands and cooler parts of Australia begin to blossom in mid to late spring- so this Full Moon sits right at the start of its flowering story. The word courage shares its root with the Latin cor, the heart, and hawthorn has long been the herb of the brave, open heart.

Traditionally used to support. Hawthorn is traditionally used to support healthy heart function and circulation, and to support emotional wellbeing during times of heartache. It has been studied more than most herbs for cardiovascular support, which is exactly why it should be used with professional guidance if you have a heart condition.

Full Moon medicine. Hawthorn holds the Aries–Libra axis beautifully: protective thorns and tender blossoms on the same branch. Courage and kindness, together.

Safety note: Hawthorn can interact with heart medications (including digoxin, beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers and nitrates) and blood pressure medication. If you have any heart condition or take these medicines, please speak with your GP or a qualified Medical Herbalist before using hawthorn. It is not included in our tea recipe for this reason.

Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis)

Part used: Aerial parts | Evidence: Traditional use + clinical research

History and folklore. Melissa is Greek for honeybee, and bees adore this sunny, lemon-scented herb. The Carmelite nuns of seventeenth-century Paris made a famous “Carmelite water” with lemon balm, and the herbalist John Evelyn wrote that it was “sovereign for the brain”, strengthening memory and chasing away melancholy. Culpeper placed it under Jupiter and Cancer- a watery, cooling counterbalance to Aries fire.

Traditionally used to support. Lemon balm is traditionally used to support a calm mood, restful sleep and comfortable digestion, especially when tension settles in the stomach. Small human studies have explored lemon balm for calm and mood, with encouraging early results.

Full Moon medicine. When Aries fire burns a little too hot- irritability, racing thoughts, tension headaches after a big week- lemon balm is the friend who says, “sit down, love, have a cuppa.”

Safety note: Generally well tolerated as a tea. Lemon balm may add to the effect of sedative medications and may cause drowsiness in some people. Seek advice first if you have an underactive thyroid or take thyroid medication, or if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Rose (Rosa damascena / Rosa spp.)

Part used: Petals and buds | Evidence: Traditional use

History and folklore. Rose belongs to Venus, the ruler of Libra- the sign the Sun is travelling through during this Full Moon. Across Persian, Greek, Ayurvedic and European traditions, rose has been used for the heart and for grief, and rose water has cooled fevers and soothed skin for centuries. Where Aries says “me”, rose gently reminds us of “we”.

Traditionally used to support. Rose petals are traditionally used to support emotional wellbeing, a gentle, uplifted mood, and comfort during times of grief or heartache. Energetically, rose is cooling and softening- a lovely balance to fiery Aries.

Full Moon medicine. Rose invites self-compassion alongside self-assertion- the Libra medicine this Aries Full Moon asks us to carry.

Safety note: Rose petals are generally considered safe in food and tea amounts. Always use organic, culinary-grade rose- florist roses are often heavily sprayed.

Milky Oats (Avena sativa)

Part used: Green milky seed (and oat straw) | Evidence: Traditional use

History and folklore. Milky oats are harvested for a short window when the green seed releases a white, milky sap if you squeeze it. Nineteenth-century Eclectic physicians in North America valued oats as a restorative for “nervous exhaustion”, and folk herbalists still reach for them when someone has been running on empty for too long.

Traditionally used to support. Milky oats are traditionally used to support a depleted, frazzled nervous system, steady energy and resilience to everyday stress. It is a slow, nourishing herb- more like a warm blanket than a quick fix.

Full Moon medicine. Aries fire needs fuel. If you have been all spark and no rest, milky oats reminds us that Rest is Medicine- you cannot charge forward on an empty tank.

Safety note: Generally very well tolerated. If you have coeliac disease or gluten sensitivity, check with your practitioner about suitable, gluten-free sources, as cross-contamination is common.

Brave Heart Spring Moon Tea

This tea brings together fire and softness- green, mineral-rich nettle, a bright pinch of rosemary, calming lemon balm and heart-opening rose, finished with a little orange peel for sunshine. It’s gentle enough to enjoy on a spring evening and lovely to sip slowly during your ritual.

Ingredient	Amount (makes 2 cups)
Dried nettle leaf	2 teaspoons
Dried lemon balm	2 teaspoons
Dried organic rose petals or buds	1 teaspoon
Dried orange peel (or fresh zest, unwaxed)	½ teaspoon
Dried rosemary leaf	A small pinch (about ¼ teaspoon)
Freshly boiled water, just off the boil	500 mL
Optional	A teaspoon of local raw honey, stirred in once cooled slightly

Method

1. Warm your teapot or a large mug with a little hot water, then tip it out.

2. Add the herbs. As you do, hold one word in your mind for what you’d like to welcome this spring.

3. Pour over the just-boiled water and cover the pot or mug- this keeps the aromatic oils of the lemon balm and rosemary in your cup rather than in the air.

4. Steep for 8–10 minutes.

5. Strain, add honey if you like, and sip slowly while it is warm.

Tea safety: This blend is designed as a gentle, occasional seasonal tea for healthy adults. Please check with your GP or a qualified Medical Herbalist first if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, take blood-thinning, blood pressure, diabetes, sedative or thyroid medication, or have a known allergy to any of these plants. Not suitable for children or pets without professional advice.

Did you know that Inner Peace stocks a large range of dried herbs for tea use? Get in touch here for all your dried herb needs!

A Full Moon Ritual for Courage and Balance

You don’t need anything fancy for this ritual- a quiet 20 minutes, a candle, your cup of tea, and a piece of paper. Do it on Saturday evening as the Moon rises, or any night this weekend when you can find a little stillness.

You will need

• A red, orange or white candle (for Aries fire) in a safe holder

• Your Brave Heart Spring Moon Tea

• A sheet of paper and a pen

• A small sprig of rosemary or a few rose petals (optional)

The ritual

1. Arrive. Sit somewhere you can see the Moon, or simply face east. Take three slow breaths, letting each exhale be a little longer than the inhale. Light your candle.

2. Draw your see-saw. Draw a line down the middle of your page. Label one side “Me” (Aries) and the other “We” (Libra).

3. Tell the truth. On the “We” side, write the ways you’ve been giving to others lately. On the “Me” side, write what you need right now- rest, time, help, adventure, a hard conversation, a “no”. Sip your tea as you write.

4. Find one brave step. Look at your “Me” side and circle one small, doable, courageous action you can take in the next two weeks. Small is perfect. Aries rewards momentum, not perfection.

5. Release. Write one thing you are ready to let go of- a fear, an old story, a habit of over-giving- on a separate scrap of paper. Tear it up and pop it in your compost or garden bed, so it can become soil for something new.

6. Seal it. Hold your rosemary sprig or rose petals and say quietly: “I honour my fire. I honour my heart. I walk forward with courage and care.” Keep the sprig by your bed or tucked into your journal until the New Moon.

7. Close gently. Snuff out your candle (never leave it unattended) and finish your tea in the moonlight.

If a ritual stirs up big feelings, that’s okay. Be gentle with yourself, and reach out to someone you trust or a counsellor if you need support.

Including Your Dog in the Full Moon

Many dog owners tell me their furry companions seem more restless around the Full Moon. Whether that’s the brighter nights, more wildlife moving about, or simply our own energy rubbing off on them, a calm evening routine helps everyone settle.

• Take a slow, sniffy moonlit walk together on Saturday evening- sniffing is wonderfully calming for dogs.

• Keep dinner, walk and bedtime routines steady, and keep candles well out of reach of wagging tails.

• Please don’t share your herbal tea with your dog. Whilst herbal teas are generally very safe for dogs, some dogs can process herbs differently to us, and suitable herbs and doses vary widely. For herbals your dog can take, please reach out here.

Vet first, always: if your dog seems anxious, unsettled or unwell, please speak with your vet first. Once your vet has checked your dog over, a Medical Herbalist experienced with animals can work alongside them if gentle herbal support is appropriate.

Safety First: Using Herbs Wisely

Herbs are gentle, but they are also genuinely active medicines- which is exactly why they deserve respect. Please speak with your GP or a qualified Medical Herbalist before using herbs if you:

• are pregnant, trying to conceive or breastfeeding

• take any prescription medication, especially for your heart, blood pressure, blood sugar, thyroid, mood or sleep, or blood-thinning medication

• have a chronic health condition, kidney or liver concerns, or upcoming surgery

• have known plant allergies

• are choosing herbs for a child or an animal

The information in this article is general and educational. It is not a substitute for personalised advice from your healthcare practitioner.

Final Thoughts

This first Full Moon of spring asks us to be brave- not in a loud, bulldozing way, but in the quiet way of the seedling that decides, at last, to push up through the soil. With Aries lighting the way and Libra holding our hand, it is a Moon for honouring your own fire while keeping your heart open to the people you love.

The plants are here to help us hold that balance: nettle and hawthorn for boundaries and a brave heart, rosemary for clarity of purpose, and lemon balm, rose and milky oats to cool, soften and nourish us so our fire burns steady rather than burning out.

May this Aries Full Moon light the spark of courage within you, soften the places that have grown tired from carrying too much, and guide you gently toward the life that is quietly asking to begin. May you honour your fire and your heart in equal measure.

Blessed Full Moon.

Feeling like your spark has gone out?

If you’ve been giving and giving and running low on your own fire, you don’t have to find your way back alone. At Inner Peace, we take the time to listen, then create a personalised plan using herbal medicine, nutrition and lifestyle support- for you, and for your four-legged family too. Book a consultation here or visit innerpeacehealth.com.au or call 0490 335 602.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the September 2026 Full Moon in Australia?

The Full Moon peaks at 2:49am AEST on Sunday 27 September 2026 (2:19am ACST in South Australia and the Northern Territory, and 12:49am AWST in Western Australia). The best time to see it is on the evening of Saturday 26 September, as it rises in the east around sunset.

What star sign is the September 2026 Full Moon in?

The September 2026 Full Moon is in Aries, at about 3 degrees, opposite the Sun in Libra. The Aries–Libra axis is traditionally associated with the balance between self and others, independence and partnership.

Is the September Full Moon a Harvest Moon in Australia?

The name Harvest Moon comes from the Northern Hemisphere, where it describes the Full Moon closest to the autumn equinox. In the Southern Hemisphere we have just passed the spring equinox, so this is our first Full Moon of spring. Some southern practitioners use seasonal names such as Seed Moon or Planting Moon, though there is no single official name.

What does a Full Moon in Aries mean spiritually?

In astrology, an Aries Full Moon is traditionally associated with courage, fresh starts, independence and honest boundaries. With the Sun in Libra, it also invites us to balance our own needs with our relationships. Astrology is a symbolic framework for reflection rather than a science, and many people simply enjoy using the Moon as a monthly prompt to pause and check in.

Which herbs are associated with an Aries Full Moon?

Traditional herbals link Aries and its ruling planet Mars with warming, protective herbs such as nettle, rosemary and hawthorn. Balancing, cooling herbs such as lemon balm and rose (a Venus herb, ruler of Libra) are lovely companions for this particular Full Moon.

Can I drink the Full Moon tea if I am pregnant or taking medication?

Please check with your GP, midwife or a qualified Medical Herbalist first. Nettle, lemon balm and rosemary can interact with some medications and conditions, and herbal needs change during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Can I share the herbal tea with my dog?

Whilst herbs are generally very safe for dogs, it's best not to share human herbal teas with your dog. Some dogs can process herbs differently, and doses and suitable herbs vary widely. Please reach out for support with suitable herbals for your dog; Always speak with your vet first; a Medical Herbalist experienced with animals can then work alongside your vet if herbal support is appropriate.

Final Thoughts

Blessed Full Moon.

Feeling like your spark has gone out?If you’ve been giving and giving and running low on your own fire, you don’t have to find your way back alone. At Inner Peace, we take the time to listen, then create a personalised plan using herbal medicine, nutrition and lifestyle support- for you, and for your four-legged family too. Book a consultation at innerpeacehealth.com.au or call 0490 335 602.

About the Author

Michelle Ringin is a Medical Herbalist (NHAA Member #155639), Nutritionist and Weight Management Practitioner with over 14 years of clinical experience. She runs Inner Peace Holistic Herbal Therapy & Weight Management Clinic in Lithgow, NSW, where she supports people and their dogs with personalised herbal medicine, nutrition and lifestyle care. Healing, Naturally. Together.

Published: 26 September 2026 · Medically reviewed by: Michelle Ringin, Medical Herbalist

References and Further Reading

1. Bone, K. & Mills, S. (2013). Principles and Practice of Phytotherapy: Modern Herbal Medicine (2nd ed.). Churchill Livingstone.

2. Braun, L. & Cohen, M. (2015). Herbs and Natural Supplements: An Evidence-Based Guide (4th ed.). Elsevier Australia.

3. Culpeper, N. (1653). The Complete Herbal. London.

4. Hoffmann, D. (2003). Medical Herbalism: The Science and Practice of Herbal Medicine. Healing Arts Press.

5. Mills, S. & Bone, K. (2005). The Essential Guide to Herbal Safety. Churchill Livingstone.

6. Kennedy, D.O. et al. (2004). Attenuation of laboratory-induced stress in humans after acute administration of Melissa officinalis. Psychosomatic Medicine, 66(4), 607–613.

7. Mittman, P. (1990). Randomized, double-blind study of freeze-dried Urtica dioica in the treatment of allergic rhinitis. Planta Medica, 56(1), 44–47.

8. Moss, M. & Oliver, L. (2012). Plasma 1,8-cineole correlates with cognitive performance following exposure to rosemary essential oil aroma. Therapeutic Advances in Psychopharmacology, 2(3), 103–113.

9. Pittler, M.H., Guo, R. & Ernst, E. (2008). Hawthorn extract for treating chronic heart failure. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, CD005312.

10. Cafe Astrology (2026). Full Moon on September 26, 2026 — lunation degree and aspects.

11. Geoscience Australia. Astronomical information: Moon phases and times.

Disclaimer: This article is for general educational purposes and reflects traditional use and emerging research. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Always consult your healthcare practitioner before starting any herbal product, particularly if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking medication or caring for an animal.

Inner Peace Holistic Herbal Therapy

Healing, Naturally. Together.

Located Lithgow | 0490 335 602 | info@innerpeacehealth.com.au

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