{"id":596,"date":"2012-08-15T08:19:02","date_gmt":"2012-08-15T12:19:02","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.massaudubon.org\/blogs\/yourgreatoutdoors\/?p=596"},"modified":"2015-07-30T13:51:54","modified_gmt":"2015-07-30T17:51:54","slug":"once-in-a-blue-moon","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/once-in-a-blue-moon\/","title":{"rendered":"Once in a Blue Moon"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>Ever wonder where the expression \u201cOnce in a Blue Moon\u201d comes from? First you need to imagine a world without calendars, one where you knew the time of year by keeping track of the phases of the moon. The Julian calendar only came into effect, in Europe, in 45 B.C., and Europeans didn\u2019t settle the New World until the 17th<\/sup> century.<\/p>\n

Prior to that, the Native Americans who populated Massachusetts lived by and with the seasons, always keeping an eye on the positions of the sun and moon in order to predict future weather patterns and put themselves in positions of safety and abundant food sources.<\/p>\n

Naming the Moons<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Each moon had a different meaning, and therefore a different name. The Wolf Moon, in January, for instance, signified the howling of hungry wolves in the snow-covered landscape, struggling to find food. The August full moon was known as the Sturgeon Moon, as Native Americans around the Great Lakes knew to move to the water\u2019s edge at that time to catch the Atlantic sturgeon, one of the oldest species in the world, and now one of the most endangered.<\/p>\n

Moon vs Sun<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The average time between new moons and full moons is 29 days, 12 hours, and 44 minutes. Multiple that by 12, or the number of months in today\u2019s Gregorian calendar (which replaced the Julian in most parts of the world) and you get 354 days, 8 hours, and 8 minutes.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s where it gets confusing. While the lunar calendar is based on the 354-day \u201cyear\u201d, our calendar year is based on the sun, since it crosses the equator at the same time each year, driving the seasons.<\/p>\n

Blue Moons<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Where are we going with this? Well, every three years or so, about a month of unaccounted-for lunar time passes, and we get an extra full moon on the calendar. When we get a fourth full moon in a season, which happens seven out of every 19 years, we call the third one a Blue Moon.<\/p>\n

Why the third? That had to do with Maine farmers and the famous Farmer\u2019s Almanac<\/em> of the late 19th<\/sup> century. The farmers called the seasonal moons early, mid- and late, and by naming the third moon as the Blue Moon, as the Almanac<\/em> did to aid the farmers, it kept the system in place.<\/p>\n

More recently, though, people have proclaimed that\u00a0the second full moon in a month is a Blue Moon. Since that is the way it\u2019s now perceived, it has become part of our culture\u2014and that\u2019s exactly how folklore begins.<\/p>\n

Photo by Gregory H. Revera via Wikimedia Commons<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Ever wonder where the expression \u201cOnce in a Blue Moon\u201d comes from? First you need to imagine a world without calendars, one where you knew the time of year by keeping track of the phases of the moon. The Julian calendar only came into effect, in Europe, in 45 B.C., and Europeans didn\u2019t settle the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[8,11],"tags":[69],"class_list":["post-596","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-get-outdoors","category-nature-notes","tag-moon"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p3t87A-9C","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":5917,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/blue-moon-this-friday\/","url_meta":{"origin":596,"position":0},"title":"Blue Moon This Friday","author":"Hillary T.","date":"July 30, 2015","format":false,"excerpt":"Every few years, one month has two full moons.\u00a0July 2015 is one of those months. This Friday, July 31, you can witness the month's second full moon, also now known as a Blue Moon. Don't be disappointed, though, if the sky isn't glowing in blue light. The name's origin has\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Get Outdoors"","block_context":{"text":"Get Outdoors","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/get-outdoors\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2015\/07\/copyrightMackenzieLannon.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2015\/07\/copyrightMackenzieLannon.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2015\/07\/copyrightMackenzieLannon.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":10441,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/take-5-blue-moon\/","url_meta":{"origin":596,"position":1},"title":"Take 5: Blue Moon","author":"Ryan D.","date":"January 29, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"There are few sights as breathtaking and awesome as a full, bright moon rising through the sky. The January 31 full moon is extra special: not only is it a Blue Moon (a second full moon in the same month\u2014the first fell on January 2), but just before sunrise, if\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Take 5"","block_context":{"text":"Take 5","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/take-5\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2018\/01\/1365MackenzieLannon4625_fi.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2018\/01\/1365MackenzieLannon4625_fi.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2018\/01\/1365MackenzieLannon4625_fi.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":1266,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/many-moons\/","url_meta":{"origin":596,"position":2},"title":"Many Moons","author":"Mass Audubon","date":"November 21, 2012","format":false,"excerpt":"Back in August, we delved into the world of astronomy with our Once in a Blue Moon post, which revealed the story behind the common phrase. But a blue moon is just the beginning. Each full moon has a colorful name and back story that we owe to the\u00a0Native Americans,\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Get Outdoors"","block_context":{"text":"Get Outdoors","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/get-outdoors\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2012\/11\/ID-10041295.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":9660,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/the-great-american-eclipse\/","url_meta":{"origin":596,"position":3},"title":"The Great American Eclipse","author":"Ryan D.","date":"August 17, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"On Monday, August 21, beginning at 1:30 pm, people in North America can witness a solar eclipse. While you won\u2019t see a total eclipse here in Massachusetts, you can expect to see 60-70 percent totality, Here, Stephanie Majeau, Education Coordinator at Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary, shares her\u00a0first experience witnessing an\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "General"","block_context":{"text":"General","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/general\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2017\/08\/Eclipse-Viewing-at-Arches_credit-NPS-Photo-by-Neal-Herbert_fi.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2017\/08\/Eclipse-Viewing-at-Arches_credit-NPS-Photo-by-Neal-Herbert_fi.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2017\/08\/Eclipse-Viewing-at-Arches_credit-NPS-Photo-by-Neal-Herbert_fi.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":12780,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/take-5-seeing-stars\/","url_meta":{"origin":596,"position":4},"title":"Take 5: Seeing Stars","author":"Ryan D.","date":"August 12, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"Summer is such a fantastic time of year for stargazing. True, you'll have to stay up later for it to get dark, but at least you can comfortably enjoy the majesty of the night sky without a wool hat, gloves, heavy boots, parka, and half a dozen base layers. Typically\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Take 5"","block_context":{"text":"Take 5","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/take-5\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Starry sky behind an illuminated lighthouse","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2019\/06\/4937Jason_Taylor22932.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2019\/06\/4937Jason_Taylor22932.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2019\/06\/4937Jason_Taylor22932.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2019\/06\/4937Jason_Taylor22932.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":10190,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/let-us-help-with-your-holiday-shopping\/","url_meta":{"origin":596,"position":5},"title":"Let Us Help With Your Holiday Shopping","author":"Ryan D.","date":"December 5, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"To help you get a jump on your holiday shopping, we've curated our favorite nature-themed holiday gifts from the Audubon Shop into a handy Holiday Gift Guide. There's a little something for everyone in there, from the Entertainer to the Young Explorer, so poke around and find the perfect gifts\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Shop"","block_context":{"text":"Shop","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/shop\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Mass Audubon T-Shirt with Spring Peeper Frog","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2017\/12\/Mass-Audubon-T-Shirt_fi.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2017\/12\/Mass-Audubon-T-Shirt_fi.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2017\/12\/Mass-Audubon-T-Shirt_fi.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/596","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=596"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/596\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5918,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/596\/revisions\/5918"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=596"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=596"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=596"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}