Herbdoc has some “moon musings:”
I have always been fascinated with the moon, its phases and the myths associated with it. This month we have a “blue moon” to look forward to on New Year’s Eve.
There are actually two definitions for a blue moon, and the most recent definition is two full moons in the same month. For this to occur, the first full moon must fall early in the month since the average span between full moons is 29.5 days. Our last full moon was December 2nd.
The other definition of blue moon was published in early editions of the Maine Farmer’s Almanac. According to this source, a blue moon is the third full moon in a season that has four full moons. Since moons were named, a fourth moon would upset the balance. For instance the first full moon of summer is called the early summer moon, the second is the midsummer moon and the last is the late summer moon. By naming the third full moon in that season, the blue moon, the last moon could continue to be the late summer moon. Because some years have 13 moons instead of 12, an extra moon would also upset the Christian Ecclesiastical calendar since there were only names for 12. By naming the 13th moon as the blue moon, the calendar stayed on track.
In folklore, full moons were given names so that people could prepare for weather conditions and crop needs. Names vary with locale and culture, but most gardeners are familiar with the Harvest Moon in October which warns us to get our crops in prior to damaging frost. December was called the Full Cold Moon or Full Long Nights Moon because nights are at their longest and darkest. Next month is the Full Wolf Moon which was named by Indian tribes who would see and hear hungry wolf packs prowling in the snow around their villages.
There will be about 15 blue moons in the next 20 years, but no blue moons of any kind will occur in the years 2011, 2014, and 2017. Using the Farmer’s Almanac definition, that type of blue moon will next occur on November 21, 2010.
Digging RI 
Stunning photos and great information.
I’m curious about the moon names. Do Blue Moons always go nameless, as in Wolf Moon, Corn Moon, etc.? I’ve become a bit confused about whether this Blue Moon is the Wolf Moon or not. January’s full moon is really the Wolf Moon, right?
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Yes, January’s full moon is the Full Wolf Moon and will occur on January 30th, 2010. Every month has a named full moon, but when an extra one pops up in the month, we call it a blue moon. December 2nd was the Full
Cold Moon (or sometimes it’s called the Full Long Nights Moon) so our full moon tonight is the Blue Moon.
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Breathtaking photos, the one with the tree is hypnotic. Thanks for the info. Now we know. 😉
Frances
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Yes, they are both beautiful, and thanks to Dirtynailz for including them!
I’m sure they were taken with a blue filter but like you, Frances, I was so enthralled that I printed them out for framing!
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So cool!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Thanks for checking us out, and for reading!
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The one last night was STUNNING! Too bad it wasn’t blue. BUT it PURE white! VERY beautiful!
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Yes, and watch for the full lunar eclipse starting a half hour after midnight on Tuesday! This is the first time in nearly 400 years that we’ve had a lunar eclipse in concert with the Winter Solstice. I hope it’s a clear night!
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I heard that the best viewing (given that it’s not cloudy) will be between 1 am and 5 am. I don’t think I can stay up that late or get up that early!
(And why does it always seem that important celestial events occur during these hours? Is it just me?)
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That photo is unattributed, so I guess you’re free to use it. Thanks for visiting the blog.
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very sad moon
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