What is a “Dead Moon”?

26 June 2014

The Short Answer (TSA)

            “Dead Moon” is a relatively unpleasant name for a particular phase of the Moon – the “New Moon.”  There are other names for the “New Moon” such as “Dark Moon.”  And certain “New Moons” are called “Black Moons.”  But you don’t, often, hear people use the word “dead” to describe a phase of the Moon anymore.  But, the name “Dead Moon” is an old one and, there is a logic to it.   

 The New Moon, The Dark Moon, or the Dead Moon

              In the regular cycle of the phases of the Moon, the “New Moon” is that part of the cycle in which the Moon disappears.  Or, at least, the reflected light of the Sun on the Moon’s face disappears completely from the night sky.  So, you look up in the sky at night and . . . no Moon.  

 

             It makes sense that this phase would get the name “Dark Moon."  And it, also, makes as much sense that some Dark Moons are called “Black Moons.” But what’s with “dead” Moon?

            Well, just before the “New Years” holiday, on January 1st of every year, we see some symbolic images – often of the old year depicted an old man and the new year as a baby.    Likewise, each cycle of the Moon’s phases used to be compared to the lifespan of a human being.  

             After the Full Moon, as the light reflected by the Moon’s face shrunk, the Moon was said to be getting older.  When the last light disappeared from the Moon’s face, the life of the Moon belonging to that cycle of phases was said to have “died.”  Then, after one and one-half (1 1/2) to three and one-half (3 1/2) days of darkness, the Moon would be “reborn” -- as the first sliver of reflected light appeared on its face in the night sky.