A RARE “Pink Moon” will grace skies the world over tonight as our rocky neighbour makes a close pass with Earth.
Some peoples think the cosmic show is linked to the appearance of beautiful flowers in the US, while others say it signifies the end of the world as we know it.
What is a Pink Moon?
A Pink Moon is the rare result of several space phenomena occurring at once.
The name is slightly deceiving because the lunar surface will appear slightly orange rather than pink.
When is the 2020 Pink Moon?
Stargazers should be able to spot the 2020 version in the early hours of the morning on Wednesday April 8.
On a clear night, people in the UK, Europe and North America should be able to see it.
Why is it called a Pink Moon?
The phrase “Pink Moon” comes from Northern Native Americans, according to the Old Farmer’s Almanac.
They named it after a spring flower called Wild Ground Phlox, which is native to the eastern USA and one of the earliest widespread flowers of Spring.
It’s got a pink hue and blossoms around the same time as April’s full moon.
This natural phenomenon is always linked to the date of Easter because it appears after the spring equinox.
In other parts of the world, the celestial phenomenon is referred to as the Egg Moon, Full Sprouting Grass Moon, Growing Moon or the Full Fish Moon.
Ancient beliefs about the Pink Moon
Among Native Americans, the Pink Moon signifies rebirth and renewal, according to Elite Daily.
It flags that brighter times are ahead following the cold, dark months of winter.
The Pink Moon is a sign that life goes through cycles – bright flowers may die but they always come back again each year.
According to spiritualist Cherokee Billie, the Pink Moon “brings the stability and security to crystallise recent changes and make them permanent improvements.”
Other cultures view the Pink Moon differently.
In the Hebrew lunisolar calendar the months change with the new Moon and full Moons fall in the middle of the lunar months.
This full Moon is in the middle of Nisan.
According to one Rabbi, the Moon becoming as large as the Sun is an “injustice” to God.
“This injustice will be rectified in the end of days,” Rabbi Berger said, according to BreakingIsraelNews.
“In the end of days, the sun and the moon will be equally ‘great’.”
The full Moon – of which the Pink Moon is one form of – means different things to different religions.
According to Nasa: “There are a number of variations of the Hindu lunisolar calendar, but for many this full Moon corresponds with the Hanuman Jayanti festival celebrating the birth of Lord Sri Hanuman.
“Every full Moon is a holiday in Sri Lanka,” it continues.
“For Buddhists in Sri Lanka, this full Moon is Bak Poya, commemorating when the Buddha visited Sri Lanka and avoided a war by settling a dispute between chiefs.”
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Originally posted on TheSun.com