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What Is a Black Moon?

black moon, once in a black moon, new moon in sky
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And When Is the Next Black Moon?

Written By: Bob Berman Astronomer

It’s a “Black Moon”! This sounds ominous, but it’s not. Find out what a Black Moon is, when the next Black Moon occurs, and special symbolism and folklore.

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…

  1. …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).
     
  2. …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.  
     
  3. …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.
     
  4. …every new Moon, since we’re then seeing the Moon’s dark or black side.

When is the Next Black Moon?

If we go by the most popular “two new Moons in a single month” definition, Black Moons are slightly rare, occurring once every 29 months (2 to 4 years). The next Black Moons are:

Read Next
YearDateType
2024December 30Second New Moon in a single calendar month
2025August 23Third New Moon in a season with four New Moons

Note: Black Moons vary by time zone. See the Moon phases for your location.

What Will You See During a Black Moon?

Black Moons are invisible, like all new Moons, so you won’t see the Moon itself!

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 to allow us to see the Moon.  See our handy chart on “When Will the Moon Rise Tonight?”

Remember, there are four quarters of the Moon—the Moon phases. There’s usually a new Moon and a full Moon about once a month, because the Moon takes about a month to orbit Earth.

  • With the “full Moon,” the entire disk of the Moon is illuminated by the Sun (because the two celestial objects are on opposite sides of the sky).
  • In contrast, the “new Moon” has its dark side facing us. It’s not reflecting any of the Sun’s light because the Moon is lined up between the Earth and Sun. Only the far side of the Moon is illuminated, and we can’t see this side from Earth.

See the Moon phases for your location here.

Stars Look Brighter

Although you can’t see the Black Moon, the good news is that a moonless sky is excellent for stargazing (since the Moon’s light won’t drown out the stars). 

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. 

Earthshine
Earthshine. Credit: NASA/Zolt Levay

The Tides Are Stronger

The gravitational influence of the Moon creates tides. And when it’s the new Moon or full Moon, there is even more of an effect on tides. 

This happens because the Sun and Earth are in alignment at the times of the new Moon or full Moon. This creates extra-high high tides as well as extra-low low tides—both commonly called spring tides. 

Moon reflected in water

Black Moon Influence

As the Black Moon is a new Moon, there are some special practices and folklore associated with this time of the lunar cycle.

  • For example, according to the age-old practice of Gardening by the Moon, one should plant vegetables that bear crops above ground during the light: from the day the Moon is new to the day it is full.
     
  • There is also folklore about the new Moon and good luck. Some folks considered this to be a special time when any activities are more powerful and effective, while others believe this is a time when activities should not be conducted!
     
  • Of course, there are also religions which follow a lunar calendar and pay special attention to the new Moon. After the Moon’s absence for a few days, it’s kind of a lunar rebirth. Thus, some cultures revolved ceremonies around that first appearance of the new Moon. 

Now learn more about the Blue Moon!

Moon phase
About The Author
Bob Berman

Bob Berman

Astronomer

Bob Berman is an astronomer, author, and science communicator with decades of experience making the wonders of the universe accessible and engaging. Known for his wit and insight, Bob has captivated a...
Read More from Bob Berman

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Comments

<span>Melissa</span> Wed, 08/20/2025 - 11:32
August 20, 2025 Perfect this year as I've just learned for harvesting pole wood and willow which are to be harvested after dormancy and only every couple of years. The tradition is to wait until the black moon. There are a few different kinds, but I think it means his year's which occurs every couple of years and is the fall of this year. It's not really possible to do some of this in December in my area, such as moving a blueberry bush or moving other plants in dormancy as the ground is frozen solid by then. This far north, August sounds perfect! Going to get my bushes in shape for producing canes this year and looking forward to it.
<span>Paula Corrette</span> Mon, 12/30/2024 - 13:49
Absolutely fascinating
<span>Thomas</span> Mon, 12/30/2024 - 09:22
excellent article
<span>Nicole Hills</span> Fri, 07/29/2022 - 18:49
You left out the black moon for July 28 and July 29 2022 the 4th black moon of the year. Thank you.
<span>Yusuf</span> Wed, 07/31/2019 - 18:09
This is very special to me as a Muslim. It coincides with the onset of the month of hajj, the pilgrimage to Makka to perform hajj. With the sighting of this moon, the first day of the month of hajj commences. Praise the Lord, Allahu Akbar!
<span>Rononpi</span> Wed, 07/31/2019 - 15:53
One of the fishing methods frequently used by the old time native Floridians (I don’t think that most of the transplants know about it) is spear fishing for flounder. The technique consists of wading at night in the shallow water of bays, where there is not a lot of wave action, with a lantern and a spear. When you see a flounder dug into the sand on the bottom, you spear it. Flounder are very hard to see because the partially bury themselves in the sand and they change color to mach their surroundings. The only time that they cone close enough to shore where the water is shallow (less than knee deep) enough so that you can spot them is during the new moon. The new moon sets at about the same time as the sun so you have a low tide, which is lower than normal, just as it is getting dark. Two nights before, the night of and two nights after the new moon are the prime times to go flounder gigging.
<span>Ariel</span> Sun, 01/23/2022 - 21:27
Thank you for this inspiring story, Ron. One day, I hope to gig some flounder, myself. Perhaps on one of these three black moons this year, I will finally get to go flounder gigging.
<span>Chris</span> Wed, 07/31/2019 - 09:35
I'm fine with Moon names from folklore, like Blue Moon or Black Moon. It's a quick way to refer to a more complex astronomical term. Sure, the media catches on, creating hype, but it does make astronomy more relatable. And supermoons have real effects from tides to people.
<span>Paula</span> Mon, 07/08/2019 - 07:27
Nothing to see here. Moving on...
<span>Ariel</span> Sun, 01/23/2022 - 21:29
See ya on the flipside, Paula!