2023's Extremely Rare Super Blue Moon Is Almost Here
The night sky holds so many gorgeous wonders, and the moon is one of them. We obviously have the moon’s changing phases down to a science now, but that doesn’t make rarities like Blue Moons any less interesting. And a moon that coined its own phrase—“once in a blue moon”—definitely deserves our attention, especially in August 2023.
While we know what a Blue Moon is, do you know when the next one is happening? Or if they come every year? What will this Blue Moon bring you and what does it mean, astrologically? Here’s everything you need to know about 2023’s Blue Moon.
Related: When Is the Next Full Moon?
What is a Blue Moon?
A Blue Moon is the term for the second full moon in a month. Typically full moons come once a month (every 30 or so days), but in the event of a Blue Moon, it happens twice. The Farmer’s Almanac notes that “Blue Moon” does not refer to its color; most of the time this full moon is the regular color of the moon. Instead, the term “Blue Moon” was first most notably used by William Shakespeare, but it came about before him.
They report that two Greenwich friars, William Roy and Jerome Barlow, wrote a religious pamphlet in the early 1500s, during The Protestant Reformation. They “criticized Roman clergy” for expecting people to hang on their every word, writing that if they told them the moon was blue, people were expected to believe them. This euphemism meant that something was unique, rare or outrageous, and it’s still somewhat used that way today.
A Blue Moon not only refers to the second full moon in the same month but can also refer to the third full moon out of four in a season (since there are usually only three). This is called a seasonal Blue Moon and it’s a definition of Blue Moon that isn’t as well known.
When is the next Blue Moon in 2023?
As for when the next Blue Moon is going to happen, it’s soon! This year’s Blue Moon takes place on Wednesday, August 30, 2023. According to CNN, this full moon will hit its peak at 9:36 p.m. ET and you should be able to see it fully into Aug. 31.
Not only is this a Blue Moon, but it’s the third supermoon to happen this year as well. This Super Blue Moon is even rarer, with the last one happening in December 2009 and the next one not happening until August 2032, according to Time and Date.
Is there a Blue Moon every year?
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As NASA has explained, Blue Moons happen about every two and a half years; the last Blue Moon was in 2020. The last seasonal Blue Moon was in 2021, though, according to Space.
With that said, when will the next Blue Moon take place? As Space reported, after Aug. 30, 2023's Blue Moon, the next seasonal Blue Moon is around Aug. 19, 2024. But the next time a monthly Blue Moon will take place is at the end of May 2026, according to Moon Giant.
Related: What August’s Blue Supermoon in Pisces Means for Your Zodiac Sign
What does astrology say about the 2023 Blue Moon?
As The Farmer’s Almanac has shared, a Blue Moon was thought to bring prosperity and good fortune if you go out and view it. Some cultures believe that the Blue Moon is a good time to talk to ancestors or those beyond the human world.
Astrologically, the Super Blue Moon on August 30, 2023, is in Pisces. This means that the lines between dreams and reality will thin and you’ll be in a better place to achieve your dreams. People reported that because this full moon is in Pisces, expect a lot of that particular water sign’s traits to come into your life. Since Virgo is involved thanks to its polarity with Pisces, both signs’ traits actually come into play, which “grounds us in the practical, while also opening us up to the divine.” Again, dreams and reality come together.
Next up, here are 20 full moon rituals you can do to take full advantage of the moon's power.
