The night sky offers extraordinary beauty and depth when it comes to understanding our relationship with time. We know the moon has several phases that are incredible to witness throughout the moon cycle. For many of us who like to observe her, we take special note of the full moon and new moon phases as special times to hold rituals, meditate, and manifest our desires.
What is a blood moon though? There is plenty of information out there seeking to explain this special phenomenon. Sometimes referred to as a total lunar eclipse, a blood moon eclipse is an event not to be missed. Below is a complete guide to understanding a blood moon including dates and rituals to do during this event.
What is the Definition of a Blood Moon Eclipse?
A blood moon is another name for a total lunar eclipse and is a very special and rare occurrence. It happens when the sunlight shining directly onto Earth passes through the atmosphere and is projected onto the moon. This gives it a rich reddish tone during the eclipse. Blood moons can occur during partial eclipses and total lunar eclipses.
When is the Next Blood Moon?
Earlier this year, we experienced the Super Flower Blood Moon which occurred on May 15-16, 2022. The partial eclipse began May 15 at 10:28 p.m. EDT and peaked at 12:11 a.m. EDT with the event ending at 1:55 a.m.
The full moon moved into the deep umbral shadow of the Earth and the total phase was visible from several parts of the Americas, Antarctica, Europe, Africa, and the East Pacific. According to scientist Fred Espenak, this past blood moon eclipse occurred on a supermoon, making it extra significant. A super moon marks the time of the month when the moon is closest to Earth.
If you missed the last lunar eclipse, don’t despair. While not a total lunar eclipse, the appearance of a red blood moon occurs about three times a year.
Catch the next blood moon eclipse later this year. The next total lunar eclipse is on Monday, November 7, and into Tuesday, November 8, 2022, and will be best seen from the west coast of North America. Those in parts of Australia and Southeast Asia were also in a good position.
Just like the events of May 15-16, this blood moon eclipse will last a total of 84 minutes turning the full Frosty or Beaver Moon into a spectacular reddish color.
Blood Moon Rituals
Eclipses represent a portal of expansion to a higher state of consciousness. Often, blood moons can stir up our emotions and force us to confront our shadows. If there is something you have been holding on to, this time can guide us to let go of things we may have outgrown.
Harness the power of the blood moon with a ritual to help you ground yourself and release anything weighing you down. For this ritual you will need:
- Palo Santo, sage, or incense
- A white candle
- A black candle
- A lighter or matches
- First, start by finding a quiet space under the moon. Use sage or Palo Santo to smudge the space.
- Light your black candle. Black candles help you release negative energy. As you light the candle, repeat the following:
I light this candle to help me release any limiting beliefs. I light this candle to see my shadow.
I light this candle to accept my past so I can move on with grace.
- Meditate in a comfortable position. Close your eyes and focus on your breathing. Observe any tension you may be feeling. Breathe into any stiff parts of your body and sit with the discomfort until you feel yourself fully relax.
- Envision a white light surrounding you, protecting you. In your sacred space, open your eyes.
- Light your white candle next to your black candle and repeat the following:
With this candle, I shine more light into my life. I welcome joy and unconditional love into my life. I am a magnet for miracles.
To close your ceremony, you may wish to meditate for a while. It is recommended that you leave the candles to burn out in a safe space. Letting the candle burn till the end is a powerful manifestation technique.
If you are looking to attract specific things into your life, you may want to switch up the color of candles you use. Candle magic can be very effective in focusing more energy on certain areas of your life. Read about how to use different candle colors in meditation for a complete guide.
