Blue Moon - What is it?

The catch phrase, 'Once in a Blue Moon' is used to express a rare and often special event. This is because a Blue Moon occurs just once every 2 1/2 years or so.

This special Moon occurs when a SECOND Full Moon falls in any ONE calendar month.

Usually months have only one Full Moon, but occasionally there can be a second one - named a Blue Moon.

Full Moons occur every 29 days, but most months are 30 or 31 days long; so it is possible to fit two full Moons in a single month. This happens rarely. The coming Blue Moon is December 31 2009, and you'll have to wait until August 31 2012 before the next one occurs.

The Moon phases are seen as important for many established and traditional religions, often marking special significant dates in the religious calendar.

Both the Islamic calendar and Jewish calendar are Lunar. Christianity sets its most important event of celebrating Easter on the first Sunday following the first Full Moon after the Spring Equinox. Buddhism, Sikhism, Hinduism and Jainism also follow the Moon cycles to mark significant festivals.

Pagans/Wiccans place significance on the Moon and its phases. Of particular importance are the Full Moons which are celebrated and honoured and known as 'Esbats'.

There are 13 Esbats per year (based upon the Full Moons) and 8 Sabbats (major festivals/holy days) per calendar year.

The full Moon, or Esbat, is seen as a potent and special time to celebrate, reflect, give thanks, and ask for change for any positive purpose - love, money, health and happiness for example. This rare Blue Moon event is considered an exceptionally potent time to focus these energies.

This year this special Blue Moon also coincides with the celebration of New Year's Eve, which is always seen as a time to bid the past farewell and look with hope, anticipation and optimism to a brighter and better New Year.

So do not miss out on this 'Once in a Blue Moon' opportunity to mark this special event and do something monumental.

Here are some fun "traditions" that some people do during this special time:

Magically Charge a Lucky Talisman

On the evening of the Blue Moon take any piece of silver jewelry or a silver coin, make a special wish and say it aloud 3 times. Place the jewelry or coin outside under the full Moon overnight. Silver is associated with the Moon and the Goddess and is the best material for use in a Blue Moon ritual.

Don't worry if you cannot physically see the Moon, as its special energy is still present. Once the jewelry or coin has been charged by the energy of the Blue Moon, some say it will act as a lucky talisman to allow your wishes to come true.

Wishing Well

Some say, on the evening of the Blue Moon, to take a silver coin, concentrate on the wish you want fulfilled, repeat aloud your wish and toss the coin into any body of water. This could be a wishing well, a river, the ocean or a lake.

The element of water is associated with the Moon and is utilized in directing positive energies.