Tonight’s rare ‘Blue Moon’ is not to be missed – and according to some beliefs, it may even have lasting spiritual consequences.
Skies across the across the world will be illuminated by the lunar event in a spectacle that marks the end of August.
Stargazers are in for a treat as the third supermoon of the year is set to rise on the eve of August 30 at 9:36pm EDT and at 2.35am BST (in the early hours of August 31).
Despite its name, the Moon will retain its usual shade of grey during the event, but may appear up to 14 per cent larger and 30 per cent brighter than normal.
Instead, the ‘blue’ actually refers to the fact that it’s the second Full Moon of the month, following the ‘Sturgeon Moon’ which rose on August 1.
Superstitions from all around the world have seen the moon symbolise everything from fertility to betrayal – so be on your guard.
In some instances, it could bring love, beauty and fortune. But gaze at it wrong, and you could be facing a month of misfortune plagued by betrayal.
Here, FEMAIL outlines the lore and old wives’ tales to be aware of…
DON’T STARE AT THE BLUE MOON – OR YOU’LL LGET PREGNANT1
Not ready for kids? Keep your gaze away from the moon! Lunar cycles have long been associated with childbearing, and if you listen to some, a Blue Moon will make you more fertile.
According to Romper, this one may even have some truth to it – while the probability of having a human baby is not likely to be affected by the moon, some animals synchronise their breeding schedules to its cycles.
PICK FLOWERS UNDER BLUE MOON FOR LUCK
If you’re feeling restless at night, why not enjoy a summery midnight stroll, picking flowers and berries?
This is thought to bring beauty and good fortune.
AVOID GAZING AT THE MOON THROUGH GLASS
If you want to avoid bad luck for a whole 30 days, don’t look at the moon through any kid of glass.
This includes reading glasses as well as windows, so beware!
DON’T SLEEP WITH THE MOON ON YOUR FACE – OR YOU’LL FEEL CRAZY!
Some superstitions claim that Blue Moons can lead to ‘total lunacy’.
Full moon are already thought to bring chaos – and a Blue Moon is no exception.
BE WARY OF BETRAYAL
In some cultures, the mystical Blue Moon brings warnings of traitors with it. While the origins of the term ‘blue moon’ are not certain, according to MoonCraterTycho some believe it comes from the Old English word ‘belewe’ – which means betrayal.
The blog says a few also suggest that this comes from the fact that it has been called a ‘betrayer moon’ – due to its disrupting the usual lunar cycle which would have been utilised to configure when religious festivals would be.
WHEN THE MOON HITS YOUR EYE… THAT’S AMORE!
The moonlight has always been a romantic setting so it’s no wonder that many people believe that you’re more likely to fall in love during a Blue Moon.
According to Luxnomade, this could also be because the Blue Moon is associated with the truth and secrets coming up – which hence has the power to both strengthen or weaken a relationship.
BLUE MOON DEATHS COME IN FOURS
A Welsh superstition morbidly forecasts that if a loved one dies during a Blue Moon, three more are to follow.
