Blue Moon on New Year's Eve

Blue Moon...

If you can take a break from all that New Year's Eve revelry on Thursday, take a look up in the sky. A second full moon in a calendar month will appear in the night sky, an occurrence known as a blue moon.

A blue moon comes every two-and-a-half years on average, but this will be the first time since 1990 that it will coincide with New Year's Eve. The event will not happen again till 2028. "While everyone's celebrating they should also take a moment and look up into the night sky," the Sydney Morning Herald quoted astronomer David Reneke, who is associated with the Australasian Science magazine, as saying. Instead of turning blue, Reneke said, the moon, if anything, could turn red when viewed from cities because of the filter effect of fireworks smoke. So, he said, the best way to view the moon in its pristine state was to get away from the city lights.

But, Reneke said, the eruption in 1883 of the Krakatoa--a volcanic island in the Sunda Strait between the islands of Java and Sumatra in Indonesia--spilled so much dust into the atmosphere that for two years afterwards, the moon took on a bluish hue.

'Blue moon' has become a metaphor for a rare event, as encapsulated in the phrase 'once in a blue moon'. The earliest record of the expression dates back to 1528. A pamphlet criticising the English clergy read: "If they say the moon is blue, we must believe that it is true." Another interpretation suggests 'blue moon' originates from the English meaning of 'belewe'--which can mean 'colour' or 'betrayer'.

Astrologically, a full moon indicates an eclipse, which is a turning point, and this one has some harrowing squares and oppositions to watch out for. Saturn in Libra still is square Pluto in Capricorn...indicating problems in relationships (over restictive/forced responsibilites) and a transformation and breakdown in the status quo...and Pluto indicates it is on a global level, not just personal. Add to that that the Sun & Venus are conjunct Pluto...giving it more power. Yikes! However, Venus has a soothing, protective quality to it...so that is good to somewhat calm those troubled waters. :D

And that is not all...Mars in Leo (strong position for Mars vital energy; must be acknowledged!) is moving into opposition to the Jupiter, Neptune, Chiron conjunction in Aquarius (Big spiritual growth emerging through painful lessons)...Mars/Jupiter matchups can indicate the life of the party that EVERYONE notices, and overdoing things in general, like partying too much, especially with Neptune (drinking) and Chiron (the painful hangover the next day). If you plan on going out, be sure to take your Vit B's and asprin early...drink lots of water, especially with the Blue Moon in Cancer.

Eclipses can bring sudden news, and in Cancer, it’s to do with security, family, and for Americans, our national identity. Everyone may be seeking comfort, a sense of intimate connection, hominess. This is the really important stuff...don't forget this in your celebrations.

Perhaps a better way to utilize this energy on New Year's Eve is to focus on how you want to grow spiritually in the coming new year...resolve to transform old restictive limitations you have placed on yourself...with love. (Thanks Venus!)