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Once in a Blue Moon
When something happens rarely we refer to it as occurring “once in a blue moon.” That’s because blue moons happen rarely.
Actually they occur more often than you might think or less often if you never think of them at all. A blue moon is nothing more than a full moon appearing twice in the same calendar month and has nothing to do with color.
I took this photo of the moon 7.1 miles south of the feed store in Dundee, Florida and 6.9 miles north of where I gas up my truck in Lake Wales. It is not a blue moon. What I found odd about it was that it looked very much like the moon I left behind years ago in Indiana nearly a thousand miles away. Somehow, I thought it should look different–cooler, more romantic, perhaps, not that additional romanticism would be of any value to me now. Maybe it’s the digital camera or global warming or something. But I digress.
There are 12 months in a year and one full moon in each month, except sometimes one month has two full moons. Whatever we do, let’s not fool with the calendar again. I have enough trouble doing the spring forward, fall back thing with the clock. Let’s just learn to live with the blue moon. It only happens every 2.7 years or so. That’s because each calendar year has 12 lunar cycles plus 11 extra days.
The first reference to a blue moon came back in the 16th century and had, you guessed it, religious connotations which I try to avoid on this site. Folklore tends to give all 12 moons individual names–most people are familiar with the harvest moon but there are 11 others–12 when Mr. Blue comes along. Some folks thought the moon could talk when it was blue. Some folks tippled. Much credence was and is given to the early editions of the Old Farmer’s Almanac which divided the year into four seasons, each with three full moons. When a season had a fourth full moon–voila–blue.
In case you’re looking for a theme for this year’s New Year’s Eve party may I offer this as a suggestion: a Blue Moon Party. Yep. The next blue moon will occur on December 31, 2009. A full moon will appear in the sky on December 2nd and again at the end of the month–the blue one. Don’t get tanked up and argue that the moon is still full on the first of the year…it isn’t . It looks like it but it’s already on the wane. The next blue moon won’t occur until August 21, 2013.
I like blue moons. I liked Bill Monroe’s song about it. I believe the moon talks to me when it’s blue.
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28 Comments
Yes. A Blue Moon Party sounds great as a theme. very creative piece.
Quite poetic account of the blue moon.For Ken’s sake I wish blue moon appears quite often..Thanks for sharing.
Very informative. It’s great to read about things like this even if it’s once in a blue moon. I loved it!
Frankly, I was thinking, moon will have sky’s shade and on those days it is called blue moon
A very interesting article about the Blue Moon.
That was a nice information to share. I enjoyed reading it.
What an incredibly interesting article – thanks for sharing!
Well, now I know! Interesting info, Ken!
nteresting information. I like the idea of a blue moon party.
Christine
‘I saw you standing alone….’, oh sorry! Got carried away then!! Blue Moon party…I like that idea! Makes a change from the New Year norm!
Nice and interesting… Blue Moon party would be great!
That’s a nice piece, and it’s well written.
Creative indeed! Like it!
Creative! Lke it!
Bravo! I love this article, and being that I am a moonchild, I enjoyed it a lot!
Ken, I didn’t know why it was called a blue moon. I thought it was because when the night is especially bright the moon seems to have a light blue tint. Now I have learned something else new.
Very good, educational and nice to read too.
A very well researched worth reading article and I liked it.I like it.Learned something new likes Bill Monroe to.
Very interesting and conveyed in your inimitable style.
I would be interested in the names for the other full moons too!
totoally original link!
Vwery interesting. Will have to watch out for it.
You told the origin of the phrase well my friend. Speaking about the blue moon in 2013, I suppose that was just the night I have come to write that poem on my “timejumps” escapade. With the gravity and style of your writing I suppose there’s more than clink of coins as you hear cash pouring in, lol.
Anovel one.Enjoyed reading it.
I love the moon!! *kisses Ken on the cheek* Thanks for this!
Outstanding piece, Ken. I love to dance to ” Blue Moon” to bad I will have to work on the 31th and will miss a good blue moon New Years Eve Party. I really enjoyed this one and you are on the Hot Content List. Check it out.
I’d like to know the 11 other names of full moons!
That’s the kind of trivia that really appeals to me.
Is that the song that goes “Blue Moon, I saw you standing alone?”
Its a lovely number
I agree. nice article maybe I should have checked the double full moon during the times I got married and divorced. Wonder if I could blame on the “blue moon”… I’m being silly on purpose.
take care.
Awesome article! A very interesting read!
I would also like to know the names of the other moons.