July's Buck Full Moon in Aquarius will light up the sky

Our next Full Moon comes in the waning moment of July. Landing in the early morning hours of 30 July (12:35am AEST), this Moon will either be one of the smallest or one of the largest of the whole year. It depends on which hemisphere you're in. Those in the North will see a big, bold summer Moon close to the horizon, but those in the South will see a glassy orb that is smaller and higher in the sky.

This particular Full Moon is known as the Buck Full Moon, a name that comes from a mix of Native American, Colonial American and European sources. Full Moons signal the seasons, and act as an important tell-tale for farmers over the centuries. This Moon was the time that the antlers on male deer were growing, indicating a time of abundance: fish plentiful in rivers, wild game and fruit crops ready for harvest. It's worth noting that the name is at odds with the experience of those in the Southern Hemisphere who are currently in the blustery depths of a cold winter.

Falling in Aquarius, this moment is set to light up our inner humanitarian. Everything you need to know, including you best times to see the July Full Moon is below.

When is the best time to see the July Full Moon?

Since the Full Moon peaks at 12:35am 30 July, the best time to see it will actually be on Wednesday 29 July. As a general rule, it's always best to pick the dusk closest to the peak of the Moon. Since this peak is only just after midnight, the closest dusk would be the day before on 29 rather than dusk on Thursday 3o – which is more than 15 hours after the Moon reaches its fullest point.

As for specific times, the best viewing time is always around sunset, as it begins to get dark and the Moon is still low in the sky. Here are the sunset and moonrise times in your city.

Sydney – sunset 5:13 pm, moonrise 4:46 pm AEST
Melbourne – sunset 5:30 pm, moonrise 4:46 pm AEST
Brisbane – sunset 5:23 pm, moonrise 4:50 pm AEST
Canberra – sunset 5:18 pm, moonrise 4:42 pm AEST
Adelaide – sunset 5:34 pm, moonrise 4:48 pm ACST
Perth – sunset 5:39 pm, moonrise 5:00 pm AWST
Hobart – sunset 5:14 pm, moonrise 4:38 pm AEST
Darwin – sunset 6:31 pm, moonrise 5:58 pm ACST

What to expect from the July Full Moon astrologically?

We know that Full Moons are high energy, deeply sensitive and fiercely intense. This point is the energetic peak of the Moon Cycle and it lights up our inner and emotional selves. Sometimes this happens in a way that makes us feel raw and abraded, and other times we can feel empowered to take on the world. There is also a renewed sense of understanding and illumination that can arrive with a Full Moon, allowing us to see our circumstances more clearly.

Here, just past the midpoint of the year and finally free from the clutches of what was an emotionally challenging Mercury Retrograde, we greet a Full Moon in Aquarius. This placement is all about seeing the big picture. Here, the Full Moon will light up the path around you to let you see the destination, and the road you have to take to get there. Aquarius is an innovator and an out-of-the-box thinker. This sign is not just comfortable with change, it is the architect of it. Consider this a crossroad where you will be given the opportunity to dispassionately review your surroundings and actively encouraged to change them if they don't work for you. Do not hold yourself back if you need to step down a different path than the one you thought you were on for the long haul. It may be what is needed for you to heal.

This Moon also invigorates our humanitarian inclinations, shifting our thoughts from the self to the collective. Aquarius asks us to send our thoughts further, understanding that we are just one piece of a bigger puzzle. Self actualisation can be found in working towards a greater goal, and one that is community-minded. Take this as a call out to connect with the community around you. People won't often telegraph when they're in need of a helping hand. Now is the time to find out if they do.

Elsewhere in the sky, Venus in Virgo is squaring off against Mars in Gemini, adding a layer of volatile desire into the mix. The sexual tension in your romantic relationships is set to hit a peak. This particular aspect is one of intense magnetism. Prepare to feel wildly 'pulled' towards any prospective love interest, whether this was part of any carefully laid plans or not.