We’ve all been enjoying these bright full moons of summer, but a black moon is now on the rise.
Not an official astronomical term, a black moon refers to the second new moon in a single calendar month, or the third of four in one astronomical season. It’s essentially the dark side of a blue moon.
The Aug. 22 new moon will be the third one this summer, following new moons on June 25 and July 24. The final new moon of the season will officially occur the afternoon of Sept. 21, sneaking in about 24 hours before the astronomical beginning of fall, according to Time and Date.
Of course, a black moon is not something to actually see. All new moons, by definition, are invisible.
For stargazers, this year’s black moon means an extra opportunity for summertime dark skies, and offers a good chance to see the Perseid meteor shower, which started in mid-July and continues through Sept. 1, peaking now through Aug. 13. For those with lunar-oriented spiritual practices, including many modern Pagans, the black moon can be a powerful opportunity for ritual.
Like blue moons, black moons are not exactly rare. We get two new moons in one month about every 29 months, while a seasonal black moon happens about every 33 months, according to Time and Date.
The next black moon will be on Aug. 31, 2027.
If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. By using this site, you consent to our User Agreement and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy.
Source link
