Maine Farmers' Almanac Blue Moons
In the 19th and early 20th centuries, the Maine Farmers' Almanac listed blue moon dates for farmers. These correspond to the third full moon in a quarter of the year when there were four full moons (normally a quarter year has three full moons). Full moon names are given to each moon in a season: For example, the English called the first moon of summer Hay Moon, the second is called Corn Moon, and the last is called Harvest Moon. When a season has four moons the third is called the blue moon so that the last can continue to be called with the proper name for that season.
The division of the year into quarters starts with the nominal vernal equinox on or around March 21 . This is close to the astronomical season but follows the Christian computus used for calculations of Easter, which places the equinox at a fixed date in the (Gregorian) calendar.
Read more about this topic: Blue Moon
Famous quotes containing the words blue and/or moons:
“Sometimes we see a cloud that’s dragonish,
A vapor sometimes like a bear or lion,
A towered citadel, a pendant rock,
A forked mountain, or blue promontory
With trees upon ‘t that nod unto the world
And mock our eyes with air. Thou hast seen these signs;
They are black vesper’s pageants.”
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616)
“Since moons decay and suns decline,
How else should end this life of mine?”
—John Masefield (1878–1967)