1 May 2014
THE SHORT ANSWER (TSA)
The new moon is always dark with no part of lunar disk reflecting any of the sun’s light. The new moon is the opposite of the full moon. The “black moon” refers to a new moon, but a special kind of new moon. Just as the term “blue moon” refers to the number of full moon’s in a calendar month or calendar season, so, the term “black moon” refers to the number of new moon’s in a calendar month or calendar season.
What makes a black moon?
First, a black moon is the second new moon in the same calendar month. (A rare event.)
Second, there are usually three new moons in each season of the year — spring, summer, fall or winter. But, in the rare event that there are four new moons in a particular season, the third new moon of the four is called a “black moon.”
Third, a black moon is a new moon in the month of February when there is no full moon in that same month. (This can only happen in the month of February.)
Fourth, when there is no new moon in the month of February, both January and March will have two new moons. So, the second new moon in January and the second new moon in March are both called black moons.
What’s so special about February?
The moon takes a little over 29 days to circle the earth. So, a lunar cycle, (new moon to the next new moon or full moon to the next full moon), always takes a little over 29 days. Every calendar month is longer than a full lunar cycle — except February. And February is the only month that is always shorter than a full lunar cycle. So, if a new moon (or full moon) falls on January 31st, the next new moon (or full moon) won’t happen until March 1st. February will be skipped completely.
Result: Every month must have, at least, one new and one full moon – except February. Also, every month can occasionally have two new moons or two full moons – except February.
I don’t know that the “black moon” is associated with anything other than the new moon. Several sources have suggested that the “black moon” has, sometimes, been given some special historical meaning or significance. But, I believe these comments are the result of confusing the “black moon” with “the dark of the moon.” “The dark of the moon” is a period of about 3 days before the new moon which, in folklore, was believed to be an especially unfavorable time to plant crops as well as begin or advance enterprises.
Note: My thanks to those readers who liked the “Blood Moon” post that appeared about three weeks ago. The positive comments couldn’t have come at a better time.
The week in which I posted “What is a “Blood Moon?” was the last week of my regular blog on WordPress. Although I had only planned to keep one specialty blog open for new posts, I’ve added this new blog “Lots of Moons” for lovers of lunar lore (and trivia). Again, thank you.
I moved my main blog because I’d been suffering, for some time, with a progressively more and more destructive cyber-vandal and stalker. I use neither term loosely. I found another location that provides more security in the blogging process. Sorry for the inconvenience.
M Grossmann of Hazelwood, Missouri & Belleville, Illinois
Lots of Moons & Music 