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In March 2026, the world is set to experience a Blood Moon lunar eclipse. But what does this mean? Are we going to be visited by werewolves and vampires? Will our menstrual cycles or menopausal symptoms be affected?
Let’s dive in and see what all the ruckus about the Blood Moon lunar eclipse is.
What is a Blood Moon lunar eclipse?
Blood Moon refers to a total lunar eclipse, when Earth comes between the Sun and the Moon. The Earth’s shadow completely covers the Moon, giving it a reddish hue. This happens because sunlight passing through Earth’s atmosphere is scattered, and the red wavelengths of light are refracted toward the Moon, called “Rayleigh scattering”, making it appear red or copper-colored. Hence its name.
The term “Blood Moon” is often used in folklore and astronomy, sometimes associated with prophecy or significant celestial events. However, scientifically, it’s just a natural and predictable phenomenon.
What are some of the beliefs surrounding Blood Moon lunar eclipses in folklore?
Throughout history, Blood Moons and lunar eclipses have been imbued with various folkloric meanings across different civilisations.
In South America, the Incan Empire spanned centuries until its conquest in the 1530s by the Spanish. The Incas believed that a lunar eclipse signified that an animal (usually a jaguar) was devouring the Moon, known as the goddess Quilla. The reddish hue is the result of the animal attack. This belief led to rituals aimed at scaring away the jaguar to stop it from attacking the Moon or coming down to Earth and causing havoc.
A similar belief was held in Norse mythology, which explained lunar eclipses by the actions of the mythical wolves Sköll and Hati, who chased the Sun and the Moon across the sky. During an eclipse, it was believed that these wolves had caught the Moon. Similarly, in ancient Chinese culture, a dragon or a three-legged toad known as Chan Chan ate the moon. Even here in Australia! Several Indigenous groups interpret lunar eclipses as a sign that the Moon is being eaten or swallowed by a celestial being or spirit.
The Celts centred the Moon’s movements in their culture. The Moon was essential in many Celtic traditions and rituals, often associated with fertility. The earliest Celtic calendar, the Coligny calendar, is a lunisolar calendar, meaning it tracks both the phases of the moon and the solar year. It is designed to keep track of the moon’s phases, including the full moons and new moons and begins each month with a full moon.
The ancient Greeks interpreted lunar eclipses as signs of divine anger and portents of disaster or war. However, the Greek Philosopher Aristotle deduced the true reason behind lunar eclipses and proved the Earth was round while doing it!
How can I see the Blood Moon in Australia?
The last Blood Moon occurred in September 2025. But the next Blood moon will occur on the evening of Tuesday, March 3 and early into the morning of Wednesday, March 4, 2026, as per Time and Date.
However, the Blood Moon will only be completely visible in the eastern parts of Australia, with low visibility for residents in Western Australia.
The times below are from the start of totality to the end of totality, local time.
- Sydney: 10.04 pm to 11.02 pm (AEDT)
- Brisbane: 9.04 pm to 10.02 pm (AEST)
- Melbourne: 10.04 pm to 11.02 pm (AEDT)
- Adelaide: 9.34 pm to 10.32 pm (ACDT)
- Darwin: 8.34 pm to 9.32 pm (ACST)
- Perth: 7.04 pm to 8.02 pm (AWST)
You don’t need anything special to see the Blood Moon, just clear skies! So, if it’s clear skies, step outside and take a look.
What are the next Moon events?
This will be the only total lunar eclipse in 2026, with a second and partial eclipse occurring in August. However, there will be three key events in May, including a Super New Moon, a Blue Moon, and a Micro Full Moon.
In June, a Micro Full Moon and a Super New Moon will occur, followed by another Super Full Moon in December.
The Weekly discusses more about the 2026 lunar calendar here or click below.
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