What is the meaning of the blood moon? Why lunar eclipse has sparked prophecies and tradition since ancient times

JUST weeks after an amazing solar eclipse, Brits are fortunate enough to have another sky spectacle. The Blood Moon will happen in the early hours of Friday, August 28. A Blood Moon is a partial lunar eclipse, one will be visible in the early hours of Friday, August 28 Credit: Getty The Blood Moon has been the centre of many ancient prophecies Credit: AFP Over 90% of the Moon will be visible as it turns a phenomenal red hue. Unlike the solar eclipse, you will not need any special gear, the Blood Moon is safe to view with the naked eye. Sign up for The Sun newsletter Thank you! What is a Blood Moon? A Blood Moon is a partial lunar eclipse. It looks almost identical to a total lunar eclipse but with an eerie red glow. Read more in science news The red hue comes from the Sun’s shorter blue wavelengths scattering as they are blocked by the Earth, while the longer red light wavelengths reach the Moon. What’s Blood Moon’s astrological significance? Astrologers attribute special significance to the event – but not all appear to agree on what the significance is. Astrologer Lisa Stardust told Bustle: “The lunar eclipse serves to bring deeper understanding within ourselves, elevating our minds to the highest power.” She revealed that star signs Pisces, Gemini, Virgo and Sagittarius will be least affected by the phenomenon. Most read in The Sun However in 2018, Catherine Goshen of Goshen Astrology had warned: “With Mars retrograde and Uranus strongly in the mix at this special full moon, emotions can run high and you may act rashly before you have time to think. “The call is to use this time as an emotional reset period, a time of reflection, rather than one of high activity.” Why does the Blood Moon inspire prophecies? Daniel Brown, an astronomy expert, deems the term ‘Blood Moon’ as a major thorn in his side “which is not at all accurate.” Brown wrote in BBC’s Science Focus: “As a communicator of astronomy, the term ‘Blood Moon’ is a major thorn in my side, since it suggests something other than a lunar eclipse and conjures images of a moon shimmering in crimson red colours, which is not at all accurate. “But as a cultural astronomer, the phrase displays some of the interesting ways in which modern society creates its sky stories.” The red hue is what gives it the nickname of the Blood Moon and could be a reason why it is often portrayed as an omen. Comment now