Gorgeous, illuminated and glowing - no, we’re not talking about your skin, we’re talking about the last full moon in May. Traditionally dubbed the Flower Moon, its intense glow lights up the night sky, shining on all of the newly blooming Spring flowers. But this year, as the last full moon in May gets ready for its debut, it will be colliding with a total lunar eclipse. Here’s what you need to know to view it, and understand its spiritual effects on you and your skin.
First, what is a Super Moon?
Named ‘super’ because of its unusually large-looking size, a full moon or new moon gets this title when it comes as close as it can to the Earth in its elliptic orbit. The moon orbits the Earth in an ellipse, an oval shape that brings it close to Earth at some points, and further away at others. The closest point is called a perigee, and when a full moon happens to arrive at the same time the moon is at the perigee point, you get the brightest, largest glimpse of it, hence it looking a bit super-sized.
How is a Super Flower Blood Moon different?
This May, not only will we get to see a Flower Moon, but the timing has it crossing that perigee point, making it a Supermoon, and also combining with a total lunar eclipse. A total lunar eclipse happens when the Earth is directly between the moon and sun. The moon is resting in the Earth’s dark shadow, although some sunlight is able to pass through the Earth and light up the moon in varying colors (depending on how the light scatters and passes through the Earth). The end result is often the lunar disk appearing a deep, dark blood red-orange hue, nicknamed the blood moon.
When can I view the Super Flower Blood Moon?
It won’t be perfect, meaning the three orbs (moon, Earth and sun) won’t be exactly lined up, but for approximately 14+ minutes on May 26th at around 4:11 a.m. PDT (7:11 a.m. EDT) the totality of the eclipse will be visible (and safe to watch) with the naked eye (or telescope or binoculars). However, the entire process takes several hours - starting around 2:45 a.m. PDT (5:45 a.m. EDT) and ending close to 4:26 a.m. PST (7:26 a.m. EDT).
Can the moon affect your mood?
Just as the moon cycles through its many phases and changes, so do we emotionally, physically and spiritually through our own life cycles. Every full moon has symbolism attached to it because it’s in correlation with the zodiac signs that the sun and moon are traveling through at that moment when they’re directly opposite each other (with the Earth in between). If you’re a Gemini (pay attention to your relationships and partnerships), Virgo (create a peaceful home), Sagittarius (embrace spontaneity and changes) or Pisces (be open to career opportunities) then get ready to really feel a shift in your energy this month.
Should I care for my skin differently during a Super Moon?
There’s a reason it’s often said that strange or intense things happen during full moons - with the sun and moon located where they are, they naturally emit their own powerful frequencies that can influence not only the ocean’s waves and tides, but the water in our own bodies as well. Make the most of this time of reawakening to get your skin fully hydrated, balanced and refreshed by following a nightly skin-soothing ritual.
Step 1: Cleanse and polish
Try Pour Moi Skincare Clarifying Polish This jelly sugar balm instantly transforms into a milky skin-purifying cleanser that melts away makeup, dirt and bacteria from the surface of the skin. Massage it all over the face with circular motions then rinse off.
Step 2: Balance
Try Pour Moi Skincare Hydrating Balancer Keep your skin’s moisture and pH levels in balance with this liquid hydrater. Pump out a few drops of the Balancer and then blend over forehead, nose, cheeks and chin both morning and night.
Step 3: Treat
Try Pour Moi Skincare Serum (Black, White or Blue) These silky formulas deliver a concentrated dose of vitamins, antioxidants and anti-aging ingredients to the skin to keep it healthy, hydrated and youthful looking. Smooth a pea-sized amount over face and neck morning and night.
Step 4: Hydrate
Try Pour Moi Skincare Night Cream While you go to sleep your skin is actually hard at work rejuvenating and replenishing itself - especially during a full moon. Now is the time to give it a healthy dose of hydraters like squalane and shea butter, plus age-fighting ingredients like retinol and vitamins A and E. This May take a moment to visually take in the beauty of this rare Super Flower Blood Moon. Then mentally take a few minutes for yourself to unwind and refresh your senses, while treating your skin to a nightly skincare ritual that will keep it hydrated, balanced, soothed and rejuvenated through all of life’s (and the moon’s) many cycles.
