Hunter's Moon: October Full Moon Magic

BY NICOLE LAU

The Hunter's Moon: October's Full Moon

The Hunter's Moon is the full moon following the Harvest Moon (usually in October), named for the time when hunters traditionally tracked and hunted game to prepare for winter. Rising bright and early like the Harvest Moon, this moon carries the energy of preparation, protection, gathering resources, hunting what you need, and readying for winter's approach. The Hunter's Moon appears when leaves fall, when animals prepare for cold, and when we must gather what we need to survive. It's a moon of provision, pursuit, and protective preparation.

This full moon illuminates autumn's deepening—leaves falling in brilliant colors, harvest stored, animals fattening for winter, hunters tracking game, and nature preparing for dormancy. October is the month of autumn's peak, when we must actively prepare for winter, gather resources, and protect what we have. The Hunter's Moon invites us to hunt for what we need, to gather our resources, to protect our provisions, and to prepare thoroughly. Like hunters who tracked game by this moon's light, we too can pursue our goals and gather what sustains us.

Why "Hunter's Moon"? The Name and Origins

Traditional Meaning

Named for hunting season: Follows Harvest Moon, Fields cleared make game visible, Hunters tracked by moonlight, Time to hunt and gather meat, Preparing protein for winter, Traditional survival practice

Other traditional names: Travel Moon, Dying Grass Moon, Blood Moon (sometimes), Sanguine Moon

The Symbolism of Hunting

Hunting represents powerful spiritual themes: Pursuing what you need, Tracking your goals, Providing for yourself, Protection and provision, Survival skills, Focus and patience, Respect for nature, Taking only what's needed

Hunter's Moon Themes and Energy

Core Themes

Preparation and Provision: Preparing for winter, Gathering resources, Stocking supplies, Providing for needs, Planning ahead, Ensuring survival, Protective preparation

Hunting and Pursuit: Pursuing goals, Tracking what you want, Focused intention, Patient stalking, Strategic action, Going after what you need, Claiming your prey

Protection and Security: Protecting resources, Securing provisions, Defending what's yours, Creating safety, Building security, Guarding abundance, Protective magic

Gratitude and Respect: Thanking what provides, Respecting nature, Honoring sacrifice, Taking only what's needed, Grateful provision, Acknowledging gifts

Transition and Letting Go: Autumn deepening, Leaves falling, Summer dying, Preparing for darkness, Releasing what's done, Accepting change

Hunter's Moon Rituals and Practices

1. Preparation and Provision Ritual

Purpose: Prepare for winter and gather resources

What you'll need: Orange or brown candle, Carnelian or smoky quartz, Paper and pen, Storage container or basket

The ritual: Light candle under Hunter's Moon. Hold crystal. Write what you need for winter (practical and spiritual). Say: "Hunter's Moon of preparation wise, I gather what I need, I organize. Like hunters who provide and store, I ready myself for what's in store." Place crystal with list. Take action on each item. Gather resources. Prepare thoroughly. Check off as completed.

2. Hunting and Pursuit Spell

Purpose: Hunt for and pursue your goals

What you'll need: Red or orange candle, Tiger's eye or carnelian, Arrow or symbol of pursuit, Paper and pen

The ritual: Light candle. Hold crystal. Write your goal (your "prey"). Visualize tracking and claiming it. Say: "Hunter's Moon of focused might, I track my goal with laser sight. Like hunters who pursue with skill, I claim my goal through focused will." Place arrow pointing at goal. Carry crystal. Take strategic action. Pursue relentlessly.

3. Protection and Security Meditation

Purpose: Protect resources and create security

What you'll need: Brown candle, Smoky quartz or black tourmaline, Salt, Quiet space

The practice: Light brown candle under Hunter's Moon. Create circle of salt around you. Hold crystal. Visualize protective shield around yourself and your resources. See yourself safe and secure through winter. Say: "I am protected. My resources are secure. I am safe." Sit in this energy for 15 minutes. Carry crystal for ongoing protection.

4. Gratitude and Respect Offering

Purpose: Honor what provides and give thanks

What you'll need: Offering plate, Food or natural items, Orange candle, Gratitude

The ritual: Arrange offerings on plate. Light orange candle. Reflect on what provides for you. Say: "Hunter's Moon, I give thanks for all that provides. I honor nature's gifts. I respect what sustains me. I take only what I need. I am grateful." Leave offerings outside. Give thanks to earth, to providers, to abundance.

Hunter's Moon Correspondences

At a Glance

Timing: October full moon (follows Harvest Moon)

Themes: Preparation, hunting/pursuit, protection, gratitude, transition

Colors: Orange, brown, red, deep autumn colors

Symbols: Arrows, bows, falling leaves, hunters, stored provisions

Crystals: Carnelian, smoky quartz, tiger's eye, red jasper, obsidian

Herbs: Sage, rosemary, cedar, pine, protective herbs

Deities: Artemis, Diana, Herne, Cernunnos, hunting deities

Element: Earth (provision), Fire (pursuit)

Activities: Preparing, goal pursuit, protection magic, gratitude

Hunter's Moon Magic and Spells

Goal Pursuit Spell

Hunt your goal: Write goal on paper. Charge carnelian under Hunter's Moon. Place crystal on goal. Say: "I pursue this with focus and skill." Take action daily. Track progress.

Protection Spell

Secure resources: Charge smoky quartz under Hunter's Moon. Place where you store resources. Say: "My provisions are protected and secure." Renew monthly.

Preparation Spell

Ready yourself: Make preparation list. Charge under Hunter's Moon. Say: "I prepare wisely and well." Complete each item. Check off. Feel ready.

Working with Hunter Energy

Hunter as Archetype

Hunter energy teaches: Focus on what you need, Track your goals patiently, Take strategic action, Respect what provides, Take only what's necessary, Provide for yourself, Protect your resources, Prepare thoroughly

Hunter Wisdom

Hunter medicine: Pursue with purpose, Prepare with wisdom, Protect what's yours, Respect what sustains, Give thanks always, Take responsibility, Provide for needs, Honor the hunt

Practical Hunter's Moon Activities

For Solitary Practitioners

Stock winter supplies, Pursue important goal, Protection spell for home, Gratitude for providers, Charge protection crystals, Prepare thoroughly, Honor autumn's gifts

For Groups

Group preparation planning, Collective goal pursuit, Share resources, Protection ritual together, Give thanks as community, Support each other's readiness

For Beginners

Make winter preparation list, Set one goal to pursue, Cast simple protection spell, Give thanks for what provides, Notice autumn's changes, Prepare one thing

Hunter's Moon Journaling Prompts

What do I need to prepare? What goal am I hunting? How can I protect my resources? What am I grateful for? What provides for me? How can I prepare for winter? What do I need to pursue? What sustains me?

Final Thoughts: Hunt, Prepare, Protect

The Hunter's Moon rises in autumn's depth, inviting us to pursue what we need, to prepare for winter's approach, and to protect what sustains us. Like hunters who tracked game by this moon's light to provide for their people, we too can focus on our goals, gather our resources, and ready ourselves for what's ahead. Autumn is deepening. Winter is coming. Preparation is wise.

When you see the Hunter's Moon, remember: pursuing your goals is natural, preparation is productive, protection is necessary, and gratitude honors what provides. Hunt your goals. Prepare thoroughly. Protect your resources. Give thanks. The Hunter's Moon blesses those who provide and prepare.

Blessed Hunter's Moon. May you hunt wisely and prepare well. 🏹🌕✨