The Harvest Moon in Aries
What Our Animals Teach Us About Fire, Release, and the Courage to Move Through Cycles
Before I dive into the moon, I want to pause in gratitude. Thursday night marked the start of my first Conscious Cat Parent class, and my heart is still so full. Gathering with people who are eager to deepen their bond with their cats reminds me why I love this work. It feels like a beautiful way to step into the energy of this season…where cycles, connection, and wisdom come alive.
Because this Monday night, we’ll be under the Harvest Moon in Aries.
The Harvest Moon and Our Ancestors
The Harvest Moon is the full moon closest to the autumn equinox. For our ancestors, its extra light carried urgency. It was their last chance to gather food before the frost, to finish what was unfinished, to prepare for the darker months ahead. It was a time of clarity and decisiveness. What do we need to carry with us into winter, and what must we leave behind?
We may not be harvesting fields of grain, but the questions are still relevant. What projects, habits, or emotions need to be finished or released? What strength do we want to carry forward?
Aries Energy in the Mix
This year, the Harvest Moon rises in Aries, the fiery sign of courage, instinct, and initiation. Aries energy stirs restlessness, old anger, and a pressure to stop waiting for “someday” and act now. It’s a moon of urgency, not procrastination. A moon that says: Be bold. Move forward. Trust your fire.
And if that sounds intense, that’s because Aries doesn’t whisper. It demands honesty, courage, and motion.
Astrology Spotlight
At 14° Aries, this moon asks us to move from hesitation into action, from avoidance into truth.
The Harvest Moon reaches its peak at 11:47 p.m. ET on Monday, October 6, shining bright across the northern hemisphere. As the Moon in Aries faces the Sun in Libra, it highlights the delicate balance between independence and connection. Between caring for the self and caring for those we love.
Aries brings fire, drive, and clarity. It urges us to release stagnation and take inspired action, while Libra reminds us to move with grace and awareness of the relationships that shape our lives.
For you and the animal companions who share your energy, this lunation may bring heightened sensitivity, bursts of energy, or moments of reflection. Your animal may become more alert or restless, mirroring what’s moving within you. You’re asked to listen to instinct, honor movement, and allow the cycle of clearing to unfold.
The Wisdom of Animals in Cycles
Animals know these rhythms better than we do.
In the wild, squirrels are caching acorns. Bears are bulking up for hibernation (who else enjoyed Alaska’s Fat Bear Week this year). Birds are beginning their migrations. Even insects shift…the crickets and spiders tell us the season is turning. They don’t resist; they prepare, guided by instinct.
Our pets, though they live in comfort with us, still mirror these shifts. Dogs become more alert under the full moon, cats more restless or vocal. Seasonal transitions can stir up sensitivities too, like itchy skin, digestive changes, restless energy.
Yesterday, I started all of my animals (and myself) on our fall parasite cleanses. It felt like the perfect reflection of this same rhythm. Clearing out what doesn’t belong, making space for strength, and supporting the body as the seasons turn. In the wild, animals do this instinctively, grazing on bitter herbs and roots that naturally help purge parasites. It’s part of nature’s rhythm of cleansing before rest, something our modern world often forgets.
Lessons for Us
Our animals remind us of something we often forget: we are creatures of nature, too. We’re meant to live in rhythm with cycles, not fight against them.
This Harvest Moon asks:
What part of your life is asking for more courage?
What needs to be gathered, finished, or released before winter?
What do you want to carry with you into the darker months?
Just like our animals, we can respond simply and honestly. Move when the energy is restless, release what weighs us down, rest when it’s time, and then return to presence.
A Harvest Moon Ritual with Your Pet
On Monday night, take a few minutes with your animal under the glow of the moon:
Go for a moonlit walk and let both of you release what you’ve been carrying.
Sit by the window with your animal companion, naming aloud what you’re ready to finish or let go of.
Write it down. Take a small piece of paper and jot down what you’re ready to release (habits, emotions, or old fears). Fold it gently and choose your way of letting it go.
This Harvest Moon in Aries is about fire, courage, and preparation. Our ancestors understood it, the wild animals embody it, and our pets mirror it back to us.
Because Aries is a fire sign, I like to honor that energy through flame. I’ll be creating a small, safe fire outside, and when I’m ready, I’ll burn my paper, watching the smoke carry those old weights away.
If you can’t safely have a fire, you can still work with the same energy:
Light a candle and visualize the flame transforming what you’ve written.
Place your paper in a fire-safe dish or cauldron and burn it carefully.
Or bury it in the earth, returning it to the soil to be transformed into something new.
However you do it, the ritual is less about the fire itself and more about release, letting energy move the way it wants to move. Our animals do this naturally. They shake, sigh, stretch, and then move on. We’re just remembering how to do the same.
Monday night, I’ll be standing outside barefoot in the grass, my dogs close by, watching the moon rise. I’ll whisper my gratitude, release what no longer serves, and listen closely to the quiet wisdom of the animals around me.
Maybe you will, too.
Thank you so much for reading this post!
My name is Melissa, and I’m an animal communicator, energy healer, and holistic pet health coach. I live on a little farm sanctuary where I’m happily outnumbered by animals: seven dogs, three cats, and a mix of other furry, feathered, and hooved friends who keep life interesting. You can learn more about my work at calmingcreek.com
I’d love to hear from you! Whether you have stories to share or questions to ask, don’t hesitate to join the conversation in the comments section below.
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Disclaimer: The information shared in this blog is for educational and informational purposes only. I am not a veterinarian, and my services are intended as a complementary practice to support your pet’s overall well-being. They are not a substitute for professional veterinary care, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your veterinarian regarding any medical concerns, conditions, or treatments your pet may require.