A red moon, often called a blood moon, is a full moon that turns copper or deep red during a total lunar eclipse, when Earth passes directly between the sun and the moon. The red color comes from sunlight bending through Earth's atmosphere, the same effect that paints sunrises and sunsets. Spiritually, many practitioners see a blood moon as a powerful time for endings, release, and transformation, and cultures around the world have told stories about it for thousands of years. The moon can also look orange or reddish when it sits low on the horizon or shines through wildfire smoke, without any eclipse at all.
Why the Moon Turns Red
During a total lunar eclipse, Earth blocks the sun's direct light from reaching the moon. The moon doesn't go completely dark, though. A little sunlight still bends around Earth through our atmosphere, and the air scatters away the shorter blue wavelengths and lets the longer red ones through. That leftover red light lands on the moon and gives it a copper glow. In other words, a blood moon is lit by the light of every sunrise and sunset happening on Earth at that moment (Wikipedia).
A few things worth knowing:
- It only happens at a full moon. A lunar eclipse needs the sun, Earth, and moon lined up, which only happens when the moon is full.
- Every eclipse looks a little different. Astronomers rate the color on the Danjon scale, from a very dark eclipse where the moon almost disappears to a bright copper-orange one. Dust and volcanic ash in the air make the moon darker.
- It's safe to watch. Unlike a solar eclipse, you can look at a lunar eclipse with your bare eyes.
- Totality takes time. The red phase of a total eclipse can last from a few minutes to well over an hour.
Why the Moon Looks Red Without an Eclipse
If the moon looks orange or red on an ordinary night, it's usually low on the horizon. Near the horizon, moonlight travels through much more air to reach you, and the same scattering that colors a sunset tints the moon orange. Wildfire smoke and dust can turn it a deeper red. It's the same science on a smaller scale, and many people still call it a red moon.
What Does a Red Moon Mean Spiritually?
A red moon is widely seen as a time of endings, release, and transformation. Because a blood moon is always a full moon, it carries the full moon's themes of completion and culmination, and the eclipse adds a sense of something hidden being revealed. Many practitioners treat a blood moon as a turning point: a night to let go of what's finished, face what's been in shadow, and make room for change.
Here's how many practitioners read a red moon:
- Endings and release. The full moon is already a time for letting go, and an eclipse is often seen as a stronger, faster version of that.
- Revelation. As the light returns after totality, hidden things are said to come to the surface.
- Shadow work. The darkened, red moon invites honest reflection on the parts of yourself you usually keep out of sight.
- Transformation. The moon changes color and returns to itself, a picture of going through something and coming out changed.
Not everyone casts spells during an eclipse. Some practitioners prefer to rest, watch, and journal, treating eclipses as unpredictable times when it's best to observe rather than push. Both approaches are common, and you can follow whichever feels right to you.
Blood Moon Folklore Around the World
Before anyone understood eclipses, a moon turning red in the night sky was hard to ignore, and many cultures explained it with a story. Here are a few, from the Wikipedia article on lunar eclipses:
- Mesopotamia. The ancient Mesopotamians believed seven demons were attacking the moon. Because an eclipse was seen as a threat to the king, they sometimes placed a stand-in on the throne so the danger would fall on him instead of the real king.
- The Inca. The Inca believed a jaguar was attacking and eating the moon.
- China. People rang bells and made noise to drive away a dragon or other beast trying to bite the moon.
- India. Some Hindus bathe in the Ganges River after an eclipse, believing it can help them toward spiritual liberation.
- Ancient Greece. Greek thinkers noticed that Earth's shadow on the moon was always curved, and used it as evidence that Earth is round.
The Blood Moon in the Bible
The phrase "blood moon" also has a biblical history. The Book of Joel says the moon will turn "into blood" before the day of the Lord, and Revelation describes the moon becoming "as blood." In 2014 and 2015, a series of four total lunar eclipses, called a tetrad, led preachers John Hagee and Mark Biltz to tie the eclipses to these verses in what became known as the blood moon prophecy. The tetrad passed without the events some had predicted, but it's a big reason the term "blood moon" became so popular.
What to Do During a Blood Moon
A blood moon is a full moon with extra weight, so many full moon practices work beautifully on eclipse night. Here are a few ideas:
- Watch it. Step outside during totality and simply look. It's one of the most striking things the night sky does, and it costs nothing.
- Write what you're releasing. Write down a habit, fear, or situation you're ready to let go of, then safely burn or tear up the paper after totality.
- Journal the night. Note what you feel, see, and dream around the eclipse. Our moon journal guide has prompts and a free printable page.
- Light a red or black candle. Red ties to the eclipse's color and to courage, and black to banishing and protection. See our candle color meanings for more.
- Honor your ancestors. Set out a photo, a glass of water, and a candle, and spend a few quiet minutes with the people who came before you.
- Rest. If you'd rather not work magic during an eclipse, an early night and a calm mind are a perfectly good way to mark it.
Many practitioners skip charging moon water during the red phase and wait for the next full moon instead, but some do collect "eclipse water" for banishing work. If you'd like to make it, our moon water guide covers the basics.
A Simple Blood Moon Release Ritual
You'll need a slip of paper, a pen, a red or black candle, and a fireproof dish.
- Before totality, light the candle and write down what you're ready to release.
- As the moon turns red, hold the paper and say, "Red moon, take what I set free; as you return, so changed I'll be."
- Burn the paper in the fireproof dish, or tear it into small pieces if you can't use fire.
- When the light starts to return to the moon, blow out the candle. Bury the ashes or scraps, or throw them away outside your home.
For a full step-by-step ritual on any full moon, see our full moon ritual guide.
When Is the Next Blood Moon?
The last total lunar eclipse was the March 3, 2026 blood moon, visible across the Americas. The next total lunar eclipse is December 31, 2028. These are the upcoming lunar eclipses, from NASA's eclipse catalog:
| Date | Type | Length of the red phase | Where it's visible |
|---|---|---|---|
| February 20, 2027 | Penumbral (faint shading, no red) | None | Americas, Europe, Africa, Asia |
| January 12, 2028 | Partial | None | Americas, Europe, Africa |
| July 6, 2028 | Partial | None | Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia |
| December 31, 2028 | Total (blood moon) | 1 hour 11 minutes | Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia, Pacific |
| June 26, 2029 | Total (blood moon) | 1 hour 42 minutes | Americas, Europe, Africa, Middle East |
| December 20, 2029 | Total (blood moon) | 54 minutes | Americas, Europe, Africa, Asia |
For most of North America, the next chance to see a full blood moon is June 26, 2029. In the meantime, our moon calendar shows tonight's moon phase, and our guide to full moon names covers what each month's full moon is called.
Red Moon FAQ
What does it mean when the moon is red?
A red moon usually means a total lunar eclipse, when Earth's shadow covers the full moon and only red light reaches it. On an ordinary night, a moon low on the horizon or seen through smoke can also look orange or red.
Is a blood moon a bad omen?
Many ancient cultures saw it that way, from Mesopotamian demons to the Inca jaguar. Today, many practitioners see a blood moon as a time of release and transformation rather than danger.
What is the spiritual meaning of a blood moon?
A blood moon is linked to endings, release, revelation, and transformation. Because it's always a full moon, it carries full moon themes of completion, with the eclipse adding a sense of change.
Why is the moon red tonight?
If there's no eclipse, the moon is probably low on the horizon, where its light passes through more air, or it's shining through smoke or dust. Both scatter blue light and leave red and orange.
Can I look at a blood moon?
Yes. A lunar eclipse is completely safe to watch with your bare eyes, binoculars, or a telescope.
When is the next blood moon?
The next total lunar eclipse is December 31, 2028, visible from Europe, Africa, Asia, and Australia. The next one visible across the Americas is June 26, 2029.
Is a blood moon the same as a Hunter's Moon?
No. A blood moon is a total lunar eclipse, which can happen in any month. The Hunter's Moon is the name for the full moon after the Harvest Moon, usually in October.
Should I do magic during a lunar eclipse?
It's up to you. Some practitioners use eclipses for powerful release work, while others prefer to rest and observe. Both are common.
Featured photo: the March 3, 2026 total lunar eclipse over New Orleans, by NASA/Michael DeMocker, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.
