The Blood Moon total lunar eclipse 2022 coincides with May's Full Moon—everything to know and what causes its spooky red hue

The Blood Moon total lunar eclipse 2022, aka the Super Blood Flower Moon, will bring a huge, scarlet red lunation—but why does it turn red?

blood moon total lunar eclipse 2022: The Total Lunar Eclipse of the Moon is seen on May 26, 2021 in Auckland, New Zealand. It is the first total lunar eclipse in more than two years, which coincides with a supermoon. A super moon is a name given to a full (or new) moon that occurs when the moon is in perigee - or closest to the earth - and it is the moon's proximity to earth that results in its brighter and bigger appearance.
(Image credit: Phil Walter/Getty Images)

The Blood Moon total lunar eclipse 2022 sounds super apocalyptic and scary. However, understanding more about eclipses and the history of the stunning lunation shows you it's not scary at all. 

Perhaps Super Blood Flower Moon is the most intense of all the names for Full Moons in the Moon Calendar 2022. Yes, you read that right, the Full Moon May 2022 is known as the Super Blood Flower Moon. You may think that the name sounds ominous, but it's actually not a portent of bad things to come. 

The only 'bloody' thing about the event is the color that the Moon takes on, which is caused by the alignment of the planets. Considering the extra fact that a pretty epic Lunar Eclipse accompanies it, there's a lot of super-charged cosmic energy in the ethers. This is because the power of Eclipses in astrology is pretty epic.

A potential sting in the tail of this lunation is that it takes to the sky only days after Mercury retrograde May 2022 kicks off. 

What is the blood moon?

The Super Blood Flower Moon is the May Full Moon 2022, which is known as the Flower Moon. This particular lunation is known as a 'Blood Supermoon' as it coincides with a spectacular total Lunar Eclipse.

Blood Moons typically occur during a supermoon. A supermoon, according to Earthsky.org, is either a New or Full Moon when the moon is within 90% of perigee, its closest approach to Earth. On any other night, the Moon receives direct light from the Sun, but on this special night, the moon shifts into the Earth's darkest and most central part of its shadow. At this point, the sun, Earth, and Moon are almost completely aligned. You might think that this would cause the Moon to go completely dark, but instead, it's illuminated by indirect sunlight, which results in an eerie red color.


When is the Blood Moon total lunar eclipse 2022?

Mark your calendars and look to the sky on May 16, 2022 when the Super Blood Flower Moon will light up the sky. 

According to TimeandDate.com the partial eclipse phase begins May 15 at 10.28pm EDT (2.38am GMT on May 16). It will get to the red-hued Blood Moon peak on May 16 at 12.11am EDT (4.11am GMT). Then the event ends at 1.55am EDT (5.55am GMT).

Another great thing about this lunation is that, unlike a Solar eclipse, Lunar eclipses are completely safe to view without special filters, and won't damage your eyes. You can stare directly at it with binoculars, a telescope, or a telephoto lens, or bathe in all that celestial goodness with just your eyes. Did someone say Full Moon ritual?!

What's the spiritual meaning of the blood moon?

Super Blood Flower Moon: Bright image with orange full moon behind a black silhouette of a bare tree in autumn season. Blue, pink red orange sky with soft clouds texture.

(Image credit: NAPA74/Getty Images)

Supermoons are considered more powerful than any other Moons and the closer the Moon is to Earth, the more intense its pull is. This affects the tides, your instincts, feelings, and even complications in life. 

So, when you combine this Full Moon with a Lunar Eclipse, you get one powerful concoction of cosmic forces. This is why, of all the astrological events in 2022, eclipses are worth looking out for.

It's said that eclipses symbolize beginnings, endings, and clean slates. So if you've been wrestling over a big decision, now could be the time to make it. This could come in various forms, whether it's ending a relationship, quitting a job or professing your feelings to someone new. So it’s a point in our lives when we're supposed to prepare for new chapters by tying up any loose ends. 

As the April New Moon in Taurus coincided with a Solar Eclipse, destiny came to call. Solar Eclipses are all about manifesting and inviting abundance. Opening the door to the things you want.

Conversely, Lunar Eclipses are the time to let go of whatever is no longer serving the soul, to close doors, end chapters, and say goodbye to things that are stopping you from having an abundant life.

As the Blood Moon total lunar eclipse 2022 takes place in the sign of Scorpio, it’s going to be, in a word, intense. 

Scorpio is a Water sign that derives its strength from the psychic, emotional realm. Be prepared to dig deep as Fate may throw us some curveballs that require us to tap into our inner power reserves. 

According to Scorpio's position in your astrology birth chart, oitwill affect you in different ways. Scorpio is not afraid to plunge into the depths of darkness and taboo. This zodiac sign knows that everyone has their secrets and that by confronting our inner demons, we experience the greatest transformation in life.

Rylee Johnston

Rylee is a U.S. news writer who previously worked for woman&home and My Imperfect Life covering lifestyle, celebrity, and fashion news. Before joining woman&home and My Imperfect Life, Rylee studied journalism at Hofstra University where she explored her interests in world politics and magazine writing. From there, she dabbled in freelance writing covering fashion and beauty e-commerce for outlets such as the TODAY show, American Spa Magazine, First for Women, and Woman’s World.

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