March Skies Feature Two Full Moons: ‘Worm Moon’ and ‘Blue Moon’

"Once in a blue moon". Everyone knows that saying means only once in a great while.  What you might not realize is that the expression comes from the real occasion when there are two full moons in a month, the second is known as a "blue moon".

But that's not all. March's first full moon, Thursday, March 1, is the "Full Worm Moon'.  Named the worm moon by the Native Americans because, according to the Farmer's Almanac,  "At the time of this Moon, the ground begins to soften enough for earthworm casts to reappear, inviting the return of robins and migrating birds — a true sign of spring. Roots start to push their way up through the soil, and the Earth experiences a re-birth as it awakens from its winter slumber."

Personally, I was so hoping it was called the worm moon because, if you looked closely enough, you could actually see moon worms crawling out of their winter slumber. That would have been pretty cool, huh?

In South Jersey, the first full moon of March will be visible at 7:51 p.m Thursday, March 1. Unfortunately, we are expecting cold, rainy weather. The Blue Moon is March 31.

Source: Farmer's Almanac