What Does a Blue Moon Mean in Astrology?

Co-authored by Stina Garbis and Hannah Madden

Last Updated: April 4, 2022

If you’ve ever heard the phrase “once in a blue moon,” then you’ve heard of this astrological phenomenon. A blue moon doesn’t happen very often (only once every few years or so), so when it comes around, it tends to be a big deal in the astrological world. In this article, we’ll tell you all about what the blue moon means in astrology and how you can use it to your advantage the next time one happens.

Question 1 of 4:

What is a blue moon?

A blue moon is the third full moon within an astronomical season. However, it doesn’t happen every season—only during ones that have at least 4 full moons. The astronomical season begins and ends at the equinoxes, which is when the count resets.^{[1]
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- The winter season starts at winter solstice and ends at the spring equinox.
- The spring season starts at spring equinox and ends at summer solstice.

Question 2 of 4:

How often does a blue moon happen?

Blue moons usually happen every 2 to 3 years. Unfortunately, blue moons don’t happen every year, because not every astrological season has 4 full moons. If you missed the last blue moon, don’t worry—it will come back around in just a few years!^{[2]
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- The next blue moon is going to happen on August 31st, 2023.^{[3]
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Question 3 of 4:

How does the blue moon affect you spiritually?

1
You may be able to make connections from your past to your present. The moon is very clarifying, and it can often help you see how your past, present, and future are connected. If you’ve been struggling to recognize why something happened in your past, try to ponder it during a blue moon. You might just be able to understand it a little more clearly.^{[4]
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You might be able to make faster, clearer decisions. Just like a blue moon can help you analyze past decisions, it can also help you make new ones. If you’ve been having a tough time figuring out something important in your life, try dissecting it during a blue moon. You may find that you’re able to think about it more clearly and make a more informed decision than at other times during the year.^{[5]
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3
You may feel amplified effects of the current zodiac phase. Whenever a blue moon happens, take note of what astrological phase we’re currently in. For instance, if the blue moon happens in August, it will amplify the aspects of a Leo: drama, passion, and creativity. You might have already been channeling this energy, but during a blue moon, you’ll feel it even more.

Question 4 of 4:

How to Channel Energy from a Blue Moon

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Practice yoga to embrace change. Yoga poses like the sukhasana, the tadasana, and the virasana are thought to bring you closer to the moon and embrace the change within yourself. Try doing these poses during a blue moon, and do them outside or close to a window so you can bathe in the moonlight.
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Meditate to channel your own energy. You can focus your mind on the moon and any specific decisions you’d like to make in the near future. To practice meditation, sit down in a comfortable spot and do your best to clear your mind. Focus on your breathing, and think about anything that you want to channel toward the moon: decision-making, clear-thinking, or even good health. Try to do this for at least 10 to 15 minutes underneath a blue moon to get the full benefits out of this astrological phenomena.
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Keep a journal to record your inner thoughts. As the blue moon approaches, treat it as a new beginning and draw a line in the sand from the last moon. Try writing down your goals for the next moon phase, and keep them in a journal to look back on. The more you record your thoughts, the easier time you’ll have channeling them during the blue moon.
4
Charge your crystals in the moonlight. If you’re also a lover of crystals, you can bathe them in the blue moon’s light to channel its energy. Simply set your crystals outside or beneath your window overnight, then bring them back in when morning comes. Charging your crystals in the moonlight exposes them to powerful healing and clarifying energy, so it’s a good idea to take advantage of it when it comes around.