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The end of a truly terrible 2020 isn’t the only thing to be over the moon for this week.
Tonight, intergalactic viewers can glimpse the Cold Moon, the last celestial event of the year.
Astrologer Lisa Stardust predicts that the full moon will be a “big launch for all of us,” after 365 apocalyptic days that have seen everything from a global pandemic to an Asian invasion of Hornet.
As a service to stargazers, we have compiled a how-to guide that details everything you need to know about this rare lunar phenomenon.
What is a cold moon?
The Cold Moon is noted for its distinctive high trajectory across the sky, causing the moon to appear on the horizon for a longer period of time than its standard full moon, according to the “Old Farmer’s Almanac.”
According to NASA, this particular moon “will be in the sky for a total of 15 hours 27 minutes, with 14 hours 31 minutes of this when the sun is down, making Tuesday night and Wednesday morning of December 29-30, 2020, the longest full moon night of the year. “
Cold Moon names
Cold Moon’s name is derived from a Mohawk expression that describes the icy December conditions in which interstellar endings often occur, according to the “Old Farmer’s Almanac.” Other terms that refer to cold include Drift Clearing Moon (Cree), Frost Exploding Trees Moon (Cree), Moon of the Popping Trees (Oglala), Hoar Frost Moon (Cree), Snow Moon (Haida, Cherokee), and Winter Maker Moon (Western Abenaki). It is also known as the Cancer Moon because this year’s event coincides with the fourth sign of the zodiac, which is considered an omen of healing.
Perhaps the most appropriate nickname is the Long Night Moon (Mohican), as the Cold Moon rises during one of the “longest” nights of the year around the winter solstice.
Meanwhile, the pagans of ancient Europe called the lunar event “The Moon Before Yule”, in honor of the Christmas festival that celebrates the return of the longest days.
When and where can I see this year’s Cold Moon?
This year’s Cold Moon reaches maximum illumination on Tuesday, December 29, 2020 at 10:30 p.m. EST, which means New York-based sky watchers should start looking for it just before sunset when the moon begins to look over the horizon. Non-East Coast people can determine the exact time it will appear in their area by looking at the Moonrise Calculator in the “Old Farmer’s Almanac.”
What is the spiritual significance of the Cold Moon?
In astrological circles, the Cancer Moon “indicates that we will be able to go after what we value and start a new beginning after a period of life-altering experiences that have led to healing,” Well + Good reported. “This full moon, in particular, provides an opportunity to heal the challenges and old hurts that have resurfaced throughout the year.”
We hope this intergalactic diuretic removes the bitter taste of 2020 so we can start over.
When is the next full moon?
The next full moon, known as La Luna del Lobo, rises on January 28 at 2:16 p.m. EST.
