Once in a Blue Moon - August 2012

What is a Blue Moon?

August 2012 features two full moons. The full moon occurs once every 29.5 days. This
essentially means that there is one full moon every month, however, as we know,
every month but February has at least 30 days in it, which occasionally
presents the potential for two moons in a month.


There are two definitions for a blue moon. According to modern folklore a blue moon
is the second full moon in a calendar month. February is the only month that
can never have a blue moon.

The full moon that you will see this evening looks like an ordinary full moon, but it is actually a bit extraordinary – it is also a blue moon. This month we get two full moons in August. The first was on Aug.1 (Sturgeon Moon) and the second full moon falls on today, Aug. 31.
Barring clouds, tonight’s full moon should be easy to spot. The blue moon is not a serious subject, it’s not even really blue. Our calendar is a tool devised by humanity and it happens that two full moons fall within that given monthly space.

“Once in a blue moon”: This saying is in reference to the rarity of the blue moon. The famous 1934 love ballad “Blue Moon” by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart was also likely inspired by this uncommon event.

Today offers the last chance to see a so-called "blue moon" for nearly three years. Stargazers won't be able to see two full moons in a single month again until July 2015.

Blue Moons come along once every 2.7 years on average, and sometimes much more frequently.
Blue Moon myths run wild – Today’s Blue Moon definition come from old editions of the Maine
Farmer’s Almanac. Ancient cultures around the world considered the second full moon to be spiritually significant.

The Blue Moon’s conjunction to Chiron will give us the opportunity to expose and heal any
psychological complexes. With this Blue Moon we are giving the opportunity to
let our body speak to us and tell us about the state of our mind.

Being passive and letting things slide around you is just as spiritually irresponsible as willfully
provoking fights. The message of this moon then is to be vigilant, be a watcher
over your own behavior and that of others.

So, heads up - enjoy this gift from Mother Nature tonight.

peacesojourner

Full Moon of May - The Full Flower Moon

"Rocky Shoals Spider Lily - Full flower Moon" by Ted Borg, South Carolina

This evening, May 5, you will be able to view the full moon of May: --This moon is known by several names: Full Flower Moon or Budding Moon because flowers are now abundant everywhere. It was also known as the Full Corn Planting Moon or the Milk Moon

Each full moon has several names related to the natural or planting cycles, the former being more popular with Native Americans and the latter with the early colonists. Full moon names go back hundreds of years to Native Americans of the northern and eastern United States who kept track of the seasons by giving names to each full moon based on natural occurrences.

For the colonists and the tribes that planted, May was often called the month of the Corn Planting Moon.

Those that believe that the gravitational force that pulls the tides and pulls a horseshoe crab ashore to mate, also causes crops (particularly those that bear fruit above ground) to sprout faster from the earth during the full moon.

Believers would also say to plant nothing when the moon is “dark.” That’s when plants rest and the gardener should kill weeds because they won’t grow back. The full and waning moon is a good time to plant root crops, or transplanting seedlings with wide root systems.

Variations of the Native American moon names come from the European settlers who created their own versions. Native Americans did not domesticate cows, so it was the settlers who named the May full moon the Milk Moon. During May cows, goats, and sheep enjoy the abundance of sprouting weeds, grasses, and herbs in the pastures and produce lots of rich milk, full of vitamins.

The full moon is the perfect time to sweep the heart, mind and home clean of any clutter - this is guaranteed to raise your spirit.

So, this evening, raise your eyes to the sky and enjoy the beautiful gift that Mother Nature has given us.

*****

"When I admire the wonder of a sunset or the beauty of the moon, my soul expands in worship of the Creator"
(Mahatma Gandhi)

*****

peacesojourner

Full Moon of November 2010 - Another Blue Moon

In the Native American culture this evening’s full moon is known as the Beaver Moon. This indicates that it is time to set beaver traps before the swamps freeze to ensure a supply of warm winter furs. Another interpretation is that the name comes from the fact that the beavers are now active in their preparation for winter.

This moon has also been called Mourning Moon and the Hunters' Moon. With the leaves falling and the deer fattened, it is time to hunt. Since the fields have been reaped, hunters can ride over the stubble, and can more easily see the fox, also other animals, which have come out to glean and can be caught for a thanksgiving banquet after the harvest.

The full moon that you will see this evening looks like an ordinary full moon, but it is actually a bit extraordinary—it is also a blue moon.

What is a Blue Moon?

There are two definitions for a blue moon. According to modern folklore, a blue moon is the second full moon in a calendar month. February is the only month that can never have a blue moon.

Here are the facts. Generally, there are only three full moons in any one season. Three in summer, three in autumn … you get the idea. So today’s full moon is a Blue Moon. It’s the third of the season’s four full moons.

Almanac makers like to give each full moon a name, depending on where the full moon falls relative to the year’s two equinoxes and two solstices. But when a single season presents four full moons, the extra full moon complicates the otherwise ordered nomenclature of full moons. It is easier for almanac makers to call the third – rather than the fourth – full moon a Blue Moon.

When you hear someone say "Once in a blue moon" you know that they are usually talking about something rare or unusual.

The term 'blue moon' dates back at least 400 years. Does the blue moon actually turn blue? No. Blue moons are rare, and that's where the phrase "once in a blue moon" comes from. There are occasions though when pollution in the Earth's atmosphere can make the moon look particularly bluish. The extra dust scatters blue light.

How Often Does a Blue Moon Occur? - Over the next 20 years there will be about 15 blue moons, with an almost equal number of both types of blue moons occurring. No blue moon of any kind will occur in the years 2011, 2014, and 2017.

Blue moon myths runs wild - Today’s Blue Moon definition comes from old editions of the Maine Farmer’s Almanac.

Ancient cultures around the world considered the second full moon to be spiritually significant.

Today’s November full moon is a Blue Moon. It isn’t blue in color. It’s only blue in name – at least, by one definition. Tonight’s moon is the third of four full moons in a season.

Just relax and enjoy. Watch as this November Blue Moon – the third of the season’s four full moons – shines boldly from dusk until dawn!

Yes. Tonight’s November full moon is a Blue Moon. It isn’t blue in color. It’s only blue in name – at least, by one definition.

So, heads up - enjoy this gift of Mother Nature tonight.

peacesojourner

Blue Moon - December 31, 2009

New Year's Eve 'blue moon' to ring in the 2010 celebrations.

Partygoers ringing in 2010 this evening will be treated to the unusual sight of a blue moon. According to popular definition, a blue moon is the second full moon in a month. Ancient cultures around the world considered the second full moon to be spiritually significant.

A full moon occurred on Dec. 2 and it will appear again this evening in time for the New Year's countdown. If you're in Times Square, you'll see the full moon right above you.

The New Year's Eve blue moon will be visible in the United States, Canada, Europe, South America and Africa. In Australia and Asia, the full moon does not show up until New Year's Day, making January a blue moon month for them.

A full moon occurs every 29.5 days, and most years have 12. On average, an extra full moon in a month — a blue moon — occurs every 2 1/2 years. The last time this happened was in May 2007.

The popular definition of blue moon came about after a writer for Sky & Telescope magazine in 1946 misinterpreted the Maine Farmer's Almanac and labeled a blue moon as the second full moon in a month. In fact, the almanac defined a blue moon as the third full moon in a season with four full moons, not the usual three. Though Sky & Telescope corrected the error decades later, the definition caught on.

For purists, however, this New Year's Eve full moon doesn't even qualify as a blue moon. It's just the first full moon of the winter season.

When you hear someone say "Once in a blue moon" you know that they are usually talking about something rare or unusual.

The term 'blue moon' dates back at least 400 years. According to modern folklore, a blue moon is the second full moon in a calendar month. February is the only month that can never have a blue moon.

Does the blue moon actually turn blue? No. Blue moons are rare, and that's where the phrase "once in a blue moon" comes from. There are occasions though when pollution in the Earth's atmosphere can make the moon look particularly bluish. The extra dust scatters blue light.

The moon appeared blue across the entire Earth for about two years after the eruption of Krakatoa in 1883. There were also reports of blue moons caused by Mount St Helen's in 1980 and Mount Pinatubo in 1991.

A New Year's Eve like this year's really does come around once in a blue moon. For the first time since 1990, we will be able to ring in the New Year under the light of a blue moon. The next blue moon to occur on New Year's Eve will not be until 2028.

As for me, I plan to be at the ‘dropping of the ball’ this evening at midnight. Yes, we have the same event as New York City right here in Buffalo, New York. It is a great community event with an alcohol free party at the local convention center for several hours before midnight. Everyone is invited, especially families with children and at midnight they will have a firework display.

I feel excited and I agree with the ancient astronomers that the blue moon is definitely spiritually significant.

So, eyes upward this evening and take a look at Mother Nature’s gift to us.

photo from Astronomy picture of the day archives