The Paschal Full Moon Rises This Weekend

The full moon in the month of April will rise on the evening of Saturday 16 April. It is the Paschal full moon and also the Pink moon. The full moon occurs when it is exactly on the opposite side of the earth from the sun and will appear full for two to three nights.

Why the Paschal full moon?

The Paschal full moon is the first full moon after the spring equinox and determines the date of Easter. This full moon can sometimes be in March or April.

‘Paschal’ comes from Pascha, the Greek and Latin word for Passover.



Why called the Pink Moon?

April's full moon is called the Pink moon heralding the appearance of the 'moss pink' or wild ground phlox - one of the first spring wild flowers which turn the meadows pink. Spiritually the Pink moon always signifies renewal and rebirth.

Regardless of its name April's full moon will not actually appear pink, as the moon never truly changes its colour and whatever shift of hue is visible at night is caused by atmospheric effects.

Other names for April’s full moon include the Sprouting Grass Moon, the Egg Moon and the Fish Moon.



How did the moon names originate?

Every month of the year there is a full moon which is given a different name. Many of these ancient moon names have been given based on the behaviour of the plants, animals, or weather during that month. It is said that they were the names given by Native American tribes and included into our modern calendar. However the full moon names we now use also have Anglo-Saxon and Germanic roots.



Why a full moon?

Full moons occur every 29.5 days or so as the moon moves to the side of Earth directly opposite the sun, reflecting the sun's rays off its full face and appearing as a brilliant, perfectly circular disk.

A full moon occurs when the moon's earth-facing side is completely illuminated by the sun. Scientists say that when you see the moon looking really large as it rises in the sky your brain is actually playing a trick on you.

There are many reasons as to why this is, but the main theory is that when the moon is low on the horizon it can be compared to earthly things, like buildings and trees, and this is why it seems huge.