A Partial Eclipse Is Combining With The Harvest Full Moon Tonight. Here’s How To See It
If you pick one night this month to do some stargazing, make it tonight. There will be a harvest moon, blood moon, and partial lunar eclipse happening all at once, creating a special astrological trifecta.
Each event is special on its own, but having the three happen at once is a pretty big deal. “This is rare. It’s very special,” says Donna Page, a certified astrologer in Atlanta.
So, what does it mean for all of these to happen at once? (And, asking for a friend here, what are blood and harvest moons anyway?) Here’s the deal.
Meet the expert: Donna Page, a certified astrologer in Atlanta.
What is a harvest moon and when does it occur?
A harvest moon has more to do with the time of year it happens. This moon gets its name because it happens closest to the fall equinox (which kicks off on September 22), according to the Old Farmer’s Almanac.
Why is it called a harvest moon?
This particular full moon rises around sunset for several evenings in a row, which gives farmers some extra nights of moonlight so they can finish their harvests before the fall frosts arrive. Because it’s a full moon, it gives off plenty of light to illuminate things on the ground.
What does the harvest moon mean spiritually?
“A harvest moon is about abundance and fulfillment in life,” Page says. When you throw in the other factors, “it makes the harvest moon even more full and intense,” according to Page.
This particular full moon eclipse is linked with Neptune, which brings a sense of longing, Page says. “The longing can be positive, but it can also be sorrowful,” she says. “It’s a longing for something that’s intangible.”
As a result, you may feel yourself thinking of an old ex or dreaming of a big career move.
What’s the difference between a harvest moon, a blood moon, and a lunar eclipse?
The harvest moon is more about the timing of the moon, as we explained above. A blood moon is when the earth blocks the sun from lighting up the moon, creating a filter that makes the moon look reddish. A partial lunar eclipse is when Earth moves between the sun and moon.
“It’s rare for all three of these to happen at once,” Page says.
How can I view the harvest moon and lunar eclipse?
To see the harvest moon and lunar eclipse, simply look at the night sky tonight. The moon will start to enter Earth’s shadow at 8:41 p.m. ET and the peak eclipse will be at 10:44 p.m., with the top eight percent of the moon in a shadow.
Happy stargazing!
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