BLACK MOON (HILO MUKU)
A rare Black Moon occurred on November 30, 2024 only in the western time zones of the US and Canada. One month later, on December 31, 2024, the rest of the world will experience the same thing, but nobody will see it. Black Moons aren't visible in the night sky because they are New Moons.
Did you know The Hawaiian word Hilo has three meanings: Hilo was a famous Hawaiian navigator, Hilo can mean “twisted” or “braided,”and Hilo is the “first night of the new moon.”
Muku • This final lunar phase ends the moon rising completely in the earth’s shadow. Excellent for all kinds of fishing, including diving for squid and octopus. The tides are low, which makes trapping fish in tide pools and loko i‘a (fishponds) easy. Hawaiian Marriages were often performed on this day.
**Thanks to The Kohala Center is a community-based nonprofit focused on research, education, and ‘āina stewardship for healthier Hawaiian ecosystems for the information on the Hawaiian moon calendar and meanings.**
What is a Black Moon?
A Black Moon is a special kind of New Moon, just as a Blue Moon is a special kind of Full Moon. Neither are astronomical terms; both are catch phrases for an unusual lunar calendar occurrence. For this reason, the definition of a Black Moon can vary and may refer to…
- …the second new Moon in a month. This is the definition of Black Moon that’s used most often, and it’s the most common (once every 29 months).
- …the third new Moon in a season of four New Moons. Every season (spring, summer, fall, winter) has 3 months and 3 new Moons. However, occasionally (every 33 months), there is a season with 4 new Moons. In this case, the third New Moon is called a Black Moon.
- …when there are NO new Moons in a month (February). This can only happen in February since it’s the only calendar month that is shorter (28 days) than the lunar month. When there is not a new Moon in February, there will be two new Moons for both January and March. It’s a rare occurrence (every 19 years or so) and the next one isn’t until 2033.
- …a Black Moon could refer to every new Moon, since when we look at a new moon we are seeing the Moon’s darkside or black side.
Did You Know:
►The new Moon always rises near sunrise, and crosses the sky with the Sun during the day, so the glare of the Sun is too strong.
►A day or two after the new Moon, you’ll see the slim crescent Moon in the west after sunset. This is such a magical moment. Often you’ll not only see the crescent but also the darkened area of the Moon’s disk shining dimly. The reflected light is called "Earthshine"
►The Tides Are Stronger because of the gravitational influence of the Moon creates the tides. When it’s the new Moon or full Moon, there is even more of an effect on tides.
►It is invisible in the sky. This is because the Moon is between Earth and the Sun in its orbit at this phase of the moon. Its unilluminated side faces Earth, and only the far side is illuminated.
►Another reason the New Moon can’t be seen is that it occurs at the place in the Moon’s orbit when it passes through the same part of the sky as the Sun and is lost in the glare of the sunlight.
►Black Moons are Rare. Monthly Black Moons are the most common and happen about once every 29 months, while seasonal Black Moons happen around every 33 months.
►A rare occurrence with either no New Moon or no Full Moon in February is sometimes called a Black Moon. These can only happen about once every 19 years.
The next Black Moon will occur on August 23rd 2025
*Credit to The Farmers Almanac and the Kohalo Center for the above information