Sources: 
May features two notable lunar events: a full 'Flower Moon' on May 1 and a 'Blue Moon' on May 31. The
Flower Moon, named for the blooming flowers, will be visible shortly before 12:30 p.m. EDT, marking a significant moment in many cultures, including those referred to by the Cree as the
Budding Moon.
The
Blue Moon, a rare occurrence of two full moons in a calendar month, happens next on May 31, 2023, not to be repeated until 2027. Known colloquially as 'once in a blue moon', it reflects the moon's 29-day orbit around Earth, leading to such extraordinary coincidences approximately every two and a half years. The previous blue moon was in August 2023, with the next expected in December 2028.
In conjunction with these moons, the
eta Aquariids meteor shower will be active until May 28, contributing to the month's celestial spectacles.
"May, called the Month of Flowers by Jonathan Carver in 1778, symbolizes a time of blooming and renewal," noted cultural experts, tying the significance of the full moon to the vibrant life that characterizes spring.
Sources: May features a full 'Flower Moon' on May 1, coinciding with International Workers' Day, followed by a 'Blue Moon' on May 31, occurring only every two and a half years. The Flower Moon symbolizes spring blooms, while the Blue Moon marks a rare celestial event of two full moons in a month.
