On April 29, We’re Going to See a “Pink Moon”. Here’s What That Means

Look up in the sky on a nice, clear night, and you won’t be surprised by the reason poets are in love with the moon. That big, bright, mysterious light in the night sky: what’s not to love?

One other thing’s for sure: our view of the moon is always changing. You know all about the moon’s phases – the full, half, crescent – as it waxes and wanes. You’ve probably heard of a “new moon,” “blue moon,” and maybe even a “blood moon” or “harvest moon.” But what about a “pink moon”?

Well, a “pink moon” is exactly what we’re going to experience on April 29 of this year. What’s it all about? First things first: don’t get too excited, because the moon isn’t going to actually turn pink. (Though that would be really cool if it did.)

What we will experience is a full moon, one that’s only called “pink” because flowers known as the wild ground phlox (or pink moss) will be some of the first flowers to bloom during that time. If you feel a little disappointed, keep in mind that after a long winter, spring really can be something to celebrate all by itself! (And it’s the perfect time to try those pink lemonade thumbprint cookies.)

 

The Old Farmer’s Almanac says that the idea of the “pink moon” has a long history. It dates back to Native American tribes, many of which kept time based on the phases of the moon, rather than by the solar cycle, like we do now. They also called the coincidence of the full moon and pink flowers the “sprouting grass moon,” “egg moon,” and “fish moon.”

Colonial American settlers learned about these names, but “pink moon” stuck. It’s a good thing, too, because this type of moon has become associated with love and romance. It would be kinda hard to feel romantic during a “fish moon” or “sprouting grass moon,” right?

Why the association with love and romance? For one thing, the April moon appears during the time of the Taurus zodiac sign. Taurus is “governed” by the planet Venus, a.k.a. Aphrodite, a.k.a. the goddess of love. I bet the connection probably also has something to do with the fact that the pink moon occurs in the spring, which is the season of birth and rebirth — the perfect time for starting a new romance or rekindling an old one.

Astrologers say that the pink moon is sure to impact your life. Virgos, for instance, are supposed to meet their romantic “match.” Aries, similarly, are advised to take a romantic risk. If you’re into astrology, check up on the predictions for your life during the time of the pink moon. Things could get interesting!

Even if you’re not into astrology, The Weather Channel tells us that April is going to be full of “heavenly” events, and not just the pink moon. Venus (the planet, not the goddess!) will become close to the Pleiades star cluster on April 24, for instance. That will make it one of the brightest spots in the night sky, visible even in areas with significant light pollution. We’ve also got the Lyrid Meteor shower in late April, that will be visible in some areas.

So, whether the pink moon influences your love life, or is just a part of the many natural wonders April’s night skies will share, it looks to be an eventful month! What do you think about the “pink moon”? Are you a believer in astrology?

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