What Is a Black Moon?
A Black Moon is either the second new moon in a month or the third in a season with four. It’s not a scientific term, but part of folklore. As one source notes, “It’s not official astronomy; it’s folklore. It implies that we, the people, make the decisions.”
When Is the Next One?
The next Black Moon happens on August 22–23, 2025, depending on your location. The new moon peaks on August 23 at 6:06 UTC. Like all new moons, it won’t be visible, making skies darker and ideal for stargazing.
Origin of the Term
The term is newer and less defined than “Blue Moon.” One reader recalls, “I remember reading about Black Moons a few decades back in Sten Odenwald’s excellent site.
Fun Facts
- A monthly Black Moon (second new moon in a month) happens every 29 months.
- A seasonal Black Moon (third new moon in a four-new-moon season) occurs every 33 months.
- The last seasonal Black Moon was in May 2023; the next one will be in August 2028.
- “Blue Moon is a misleading name… the moniker Black Moon is a little more true for the night sky.”
