Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Once In A Blue Moon



Have you ever heard of the expression 'once in a blue moon?'

You probably have. Tomorrow night on New Year's Eve there will be a 'blue moon.'

According to popular definition, a blue moon is the second full moon in a month. A full moon also occurred on Dec 2. But don't expect it to be blue - the name has nothing to do with the moon's color.

New Year's Eve blue moons are rare, occurring every 19 years. The last time was in 1990, the next one won't come again until 2028.

Historically, each full moon throughout the year was given a folk name to help people remember to prepare for the upcoming season. The 'harvest moon' is the full moon that occurred closest to the autumn equinox. It occurred at the peak of harvest and the light of the full moon allowed farmers to work late into the night.

Some folktales say when there is a full blue moon, the moon had a face and talked to those in it's light.

So, even if you can't stay up to watch the new year come in tomorrow night, go out and look up at the blue moon. It will be a while before you see one again. All full moons are beautiful, may it inspire us to do good in the following new year.

Grab your telescopes and hope for a cloudless sky.

11 comments:

  1. I enjoyed this post, Janet! I love going out to look at the full moon and always find it very neat when there's a 'blue' moon. (Now I'm singing that song-'Once in a Blue Moon', LOL!

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  2. I didn't know that. I suspose you will be taking a picture of the blue moon also. I'm sure I won't be around to see it in 2028, so I'd better get a look at this one and maybe snap a photo if the clouds permit. Thanks for sharing that information, Sis.

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  3. I'm hoping to get a shot of the moon before the crazies come back from the New Year's celebration at the Harbor. A girl's gotta be careful here at night.

    Happy New Year Janet! Hope it's better than the last one for all of us. xxoo

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  4. Hey Janet!

    How cool would it be if the moon really would be blue tomorrow night!

    Happy New Year!
    Angela

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  5. What a neat story! I will think of you tomorrow night. Happy New Year!

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  6. Blue moon only for New year's eve....well really i am so excited.

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  7. I understand that this is a rarity indeed. I've been looking forward to it all week. The weather might block her tonight, but I'm hoping for a peak at least.

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  8. I had heard about the blue moon and had to google it to find out what it meant. Great post... can't wait to see our blue moon tonight!

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  9. I have heard the expression"once in a blue moon" but I did'nt know there was a blue moon. I guess we never get too old to learn!!

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  10. Interesting post! It was too cloudy to see the Blue Moon here-I for sure stayed up late enough to see it-but you just couldn't get a peek here.

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  11. great post and i am waiting for mine next blue moon evening..

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