A black moon will make a rare appearance in our skies this week.
Sometimes referred to as a new moon, the lunar event occurs when there are two new moons within the space of a month.
As well as being an impressive astronomical phenomenon, a black moon also holds special significance for astrologists and certain religions and cultures.
Here’s everything you need to know about the return of the black moon this month:
What is a black moon?
A black moon is the term used to describe the second new moon of a month.
A typical lunar cycle takes around 29 days to complete, so there is usually one full moon and one new moon with each month. Because our months can be longer, sometimes – about every 32 months – we get two full moons or two new moons. A second full moon in a single calendar month is sometimes called a blue moon. The second new moon is called a black moon.
When is the next black moon?
For most of the Western Hemisphere, the next black moon will occur on Wednesday, July 31. In the UK, it officially appears at 3:13am on Thursday, August 1.
Will I be able to see it?
Unfortunately, a black moon is just that – which means it will be hardly visible to the naked eye.
A black moon happen at the time of the month when the moon passes through the same part of the sky as the sun, resulting in the moon’s dark side facing the Earth. So, if you head out in the hope of witnessing a celestial event, you will most likely be disappointed.
Why is a black moon significant?
For astrologists, the black moon brings forth a cleansing energy and represents a time to start anew with fresh goals in mind. Others believe the moon will bring all our darkest feelings to the surface and help with the purging process.
A black moon can also signal the start of festivities and new beginnings. A black moon that fell on September 30, 2016, was followed by a waxing crescent moon on Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, and by a crescent that marked the beginning of Muharram, the Islamic New Year.
In certain forms of Pagan religions, black moons hold special significance with followers believing that some actions become more potent when performed on the night of black moon.
