The Rare Full Halloween Hunter’s Blue Moon

And the last Blue Moon we’ll see until August 2023.

So, why is this Full Moon Blue? Because on average, a full moon occurs every 29.5 days and with 12 full moons appearing across a total of 354 days, that leaves 11 (or 12) days remaining in the year and as the years roll by these additional days catch up so that occasionally we get to experience 13 full moons in a calendar year, with one month containing two full moons.

It takes approx. 2.7 years for two full Moon to appear in the same calendar month, and 2020 is one of those years when we get to see 13 full moons in total.

Why is it called Hunter’s Moon? Because according to the Farmer’s Almanac that was the name given to the full moon that appears following the Harvest Moon – that full moon appeared on October 2. This moon is given the name Hunter’s Moon because, as the fields were traditionally reaped in late September or early October, hunters could then easily see their prey by the light of the full moon.

The Farmers’ Almanac is an annual American periodical that has been in continuous publication since 1818.

Why is it rare? Because this full moon fell on October 31 – All Hallows Eve – making it a Rare Full Halloween Hunter’s Blue Moon – phew, what a mouthful. This doesn’t happen often but we will see another (Rare) Full Halloween Hunter’s Blue Moon in 2039.

Actually, a full moon occurs on October 31 every 19 years, so we’ll see one again in 2058, 2077, and 2096 and so on.

– ⋅ o ♥ o ⋅ –

Did you see the full moon last night?

Here in Australia, we may not celebrate Halloween in the same fashion as is done so elsewhere in the world, but we certainly know about it, and participation in the spooky celebration is growing each year.