This Sunday, 7 September, Europe will witness a total lunar eclipse, commonly called a “blood moon,” where the Earth’s shadow completely darkens the moon. Only red light, refracted through Earth’s atmosphere, will illuminate the lunar surface, creating the blood-red hue that has fascinated humanity for millennia. At around 82 minutes, it will be the longest total lunar eclipse since 2022.
Historically, blood moons have carried deep symbolic meaning. In ancient Babylon, China, and Central America, they were seen as harbingers of death, war, or natural disaster. Conversely, some African cultures, such as the Batammaliba in Togo and Benin, interpret them as symbols of renewal, resolving conflicts, and restoring harmony between the sun and the moon.
Today, opinions remain divided. Astronomers like Dr. Florian Freistetter emphasize the eclipse as a rare and aesthetically impressive natural phenomenon, with no scientific link to human events. In contrast, astrologers view the blood moon as a symbolic turning point, reflecting cycles and archetypes in human life, rather than a causal force. Some politicians, historically, have even consulted astrologers for state matters, including French President François Mitterrand.
While astrology and astronomy differ in approach—one interpretive, one empirical—both highlight humanity’s enduring fascination with the skies. Whatever your belief, the blood moon is an opportunity to witness one of nature’s most dramatic celestial events. Statistical evidence confirms: it is a spectacle, not a signal of disaster.
