What Is a Blue Moon 2026? Date, Meaning, and How to Use Its Power

A Blue Moon is an extra full moon in a single calendar month or season. In 2026, a Blue Moon rises on May 31st at 4:45 a.m. EST.

This “bonus” full moon builds on May’s Flower Moon themes of pleasure, sensuality, and the joy of Spring in full swing. This Blue Moon is asking you to take a second look at how you’re spending your energy. Who are you connecting with? What do you want to pursue more intentionally?

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What is a Blue Moon?

A Blue Moon is when two full moons occur within a calendar month or seasonal cycle. It usually refers to the second full moon in one month, but it can also be the third full moon in a season with four.

They happen about every two to three years, which is why they’re a rare and magical moment. Unfortunately, they are not actually the color blue.

Since a full moon rises approximately every 29.5 days, the moon’s cycle doesn’t match our calendar or seasonal system perfectly. So over time, an extra full moon appears, and we call that a Blue Moon!

I’ll break down the two different types of Blue Moons below!

Seasonal Blue Moon

A Seasonal Blue Moon occurs when there is an extra full Moon in a season, determined by the equinoxes and solstices. Anytime there are four full Moons in a season, the third Full Moon is considered a Blue Moon.

Calendrical Blue Moon

A Calendrical Blue Moon occurs when two full Moons appear in the same calendar month. Nowadays, a calendrical is the most commonly known type of Blue Moon, but the seasonal definition was actually used first.

On average, a blue moon occurs once every 33 months or full moons, 41 times per century, or about seven times every 19 years.

An even rarer event is when two blue moons happen in the same calendar year, which happens about four times per century.

Britannica – Blue Moon Astronomy

When is the next Blue Moon in 2026?

The next Blue Moon occurs on May 31st, 2026, at 4:45 a.m. EST. This is a calendrical full moon since it’s the second full moon in May.

Why is It Called a Blue Moon?

There are some instances of the term Blue Moon being used as far back as the 16th century, but its definition didn’t have anything to do with the moon phase we know today. Instead, it was a term to define something ridiculous or untrue.

The earliest references to a blue moon are in a phrase remarkably like early references to the moon’s “green cheese.” Both phrases were used as examples of obvious absurdities about which there could be no argument.

Four hundred years ago, if someone said, “He would argue the moon was blue,” the average sixteenth-century man would take it the way we understand, “He’d argue that black is white.” This understanding of a blue moon being absurd (the first meaning) led eventually to a second meaning, that of “never.”

Philip Hiscock – Folklore of the “Blue Moon”

Modern Blue Moon Meaning and Origins

So, where did the modern Blue Moon meaning come from? It likely originated from the March 1946 issue of Sky and Telescope magazine, which included an article from James Hugh Pruett titled Once in a Blue Moon.

He was citing a little-known essay from the 1937 Maine Farmer’s Almanac, but his interpretation was unintentionally incorrect. In the magazine article, James Hugh Pruett said –

Seven times in 19 years there were – and still are – 13 full moons in a year. This gives 11 months with one full moon each and one with two. This second in a month, so I interpret it, was called Blue Moon.

However, his mistake gave life to a new characterization and definition of a Blue Moon!

Here is a fantastic timeline of how the term Blue Moon was used and its progression. I sourced from Sky and Telescope –

[Timeline of the tradition of referring to the second full Moon in a month as a Blue Moon]

1937. Some full Moons are referred to as Blue Moons in a Maine Farmers’ Almanac (although not referencing the second one in a calendar month).

1943. In a trivia article for Sky & Telescope, L. J. Lafleur uses the Maine almanac as a source.

1946. J. Hugh Pruett in Sky & Telescope provides the second-full Moon explanation, using Lafleur’s article and the almanac.

January 1980. The term Blue Moon was later used by Deborah Byrd in her National Public Radio program, Star Date, giving the new definition its greatest exposure to date.

1985. A children’s “Facts and Records” book, published in 1985, spread the meaning even further.

1986. Trivial Pursuit places the Blue Moon in their game, and uses the children’s “Facts and Records” book as a source.

May 1988. Public curiosity is sparked by international press coverage, which gives the phrase the most exposure yet.

How Rare is a Blue Moon?

A Blue Moon rises about once every two to three years. It’s not extremely rare, but they don’t occur every year. Calendrical Blue Moons tend to happen a bit more often than seasonal ones.

Is a Blue Moon really Blue?

No, the date of a Full Moon does not affect its color.

There is some confusion around this idea because, in 1883, the Indonesian volcano Krakatoa erupted, and all the ash in the air gave the Moon a blueish-green color. Ash from other volcanoes and forest fires has created a similar effect, but remember it’s from the dust particles and not the actual color of the Moon.

Most Blue Moon photographs are created using a filter or later edited to look blue.

The Atmosphere can sometimes cause the Harvest Moon to take on a reddish-orange color and appear much more prominent than usual when it is just over the horizon.

What is the Spiritual Meaning of a Blue Moon?

In 2026, May’s Blue Moon enhances the energy of the Flower Moon, whose spiritual meaning embodies a flirtatious, wild, joyful, and open-hearted energy during the season of Beltane.

Late Spring is a time of growth and creation, and this Blue Moon is sitting on the edge of summer. This year’s Blue Moon encourages you to begin building what you’ve been dreaming about. This can be a project, a relationship, a lifestyle change, or even a new creative interest.

A Blue Moon always brings an extra bit of luck, too! Many spiritual practitioners believe the intentions you set during this time are so powerful and intense, they can continue until the next Blue Moon!

Blue Moon Correspondences

The spiritual correspondences and intentions associated with a Blue Moon vary depending on the spiritual or cultural traditions being referenced. However, here are some general themes and correspondences often associated with this celestial event to help get you started!

Blue Moon Spiritual Intentions

• Second chances
• Knowledge
• Divination
• Love
• Protection
• Fertility
• Abundance
• Spirit communication

Crystals Associated with a Blue Moon

• Clear Quartz (to help amplify the energy)
• Moonstone (great for connecting with the divine feminine)
• Tigers Eye (protection)
• Lapis Lazuli (wisdom)
• Rose Quartz (love)
• Aquamarine (communication)
• Any other crystals relating to the spiritual intentions above

How to Use the Blue Moon’s Energy

Blue Moon rituals can be as unique as each spiritual practitioner. Here are some ideas for celebrating this beautiful moon phase!

For an even bigger and more detailed list of ideas, check out Full Moon Rituals: Manifest Insane Energy!

Create A Sacred Space

Embrace the Blue Moon’s spiritual meaning by creating a meditation or sacred space and utilizing the color blue. Blue candles, cloth, crystals, food, fabric, lighting, or try infused Moon water by adding blue herbs or berries.

Don’t feel this is necessary, though! You can use anything that resonates with you! White and black are also some good color options right now as well!

Manifestation and Intention Setting

This is a rare moment of deep spirituality and a heightened connectedness to the universe. As I mentioned above, many spiritual practitioners believe the goals and intentions you set now will last until the next Blue Moon.

1. Remember to focus on long-term goals you would like to see come to fruition by the next Blue Moon (you can choose seasonal or calendrical). Attract your intentions by doing a manifestation ritual to bring your desires to fruition. Even goals you may have previously thought were unattainable.
2. Write out a letter to the universe expressing your gratitude as if it’s already happened. Be very detailed and use all five senses for your descriptions. Imagine telling a loved one of your manifestation and visualize their excitement for you.
3. Remember, when manifesting, it’s essential to feel what you’re trying to manifest. Put on headphones and listen to music that makes you feel positive and happy while writing your letter.
4. When you’re finished, you can either store it somewhere safe or burn it so the intentions will go out into the universe. There are differing beliefs on this, so the choice is up to you.
5. Some people believe burning allows the energy to flow out into the universe and represents your open and trusting intentions. Others think it’s important to date it and store it somewhere safe for reflections later.

Stroll In The Moonlight

Think about it; you charge water beneath the Moon. Why not do the same with your own body? Let that magickal moonlight energy fill you up!

Make sure and keep this moment calm and serene. Relax and enjoy this moment. Think about what you are grateful for. Bonus points for a walk in the woods, on the beach, or in a secluded place out in Nature.

Seek Knowledge and Wisdom

Some connect the Blue Moon with wisdom and knowledge or the Crone phase of life. Use this time to learn something new! You can seek knowledge from a relative or loved one, especially an elder you respect.

Read a book on a topic or hobby you’ve always wanted to know more about (this is why I always say the library is one of the most magical places). Listen to a podcast or watch a documentary. Y

ou can also speak to someone of a different religion or heritage so you can see things from another point of view. You are never too young or old to learn more! Don’t forget to add your knowledge to your Grimoire, Book of Shadows, or journal!

More Blue Moon Ritual Ideas

A Blue Moon is an excellent time for setting powerful intentions and doing spiritual work! Feel free to develop and create your own, but here are a few ideas to get you started.

Love is a big spiritual intention during a Blue Moon. Find a way to connect with your partner right now. Especially something that gets you outdoors in Nature or gets your creative juices flowing! Maybe take a pottery class together, get a massage, take a cooking class, or try something you’ve always wanted to learn. My hubby and I enjoy hiking or driving together and taking photos. We also love to snuggle and stargaze! The choice is completely up to you!

Spend some time in the bath or shower. I know this is recommended frequently, but this can truly be a wonderful way to connect spiritually. It’s a time when you can be left alone (hopefully) and can focus on your own thoughts, intentions, and breathwork. Make a whole ritual out of the process! Clean your bath/shower beforehand with natural cleaners (maybe you made some out of Moon Water).

Depending on what you’d like to focus on, Runes would be a wonderful ritual to incorporate during a Blue Moon. Feel free to create your own set, create a unique bind rune, utilize them for divination work, or add protection runes (like Algiz) around your home.

2026 Full Moon Schedule

I hope this answers all your Blue Moon spiritual meaning questions! Lots of love to you, and remember, as always…

Sources

Long, Kim. “blue moon”. Encyclopedia Britannica, 9 Dec. 2019, https://www.britannica.com/science/blue-moon-astronomy.