With one of the earliest Easter dates happening as is possible this year, many of us are looking forward to weather that does not include snow and frozen precipitation. The temperatures are predicted to be fairly chilly over the next ten days with evening temperatures at or below freezing consistently here in the great Sebago Maine Lakes Region, with daytime highs ranging from the upper 30’s to into the 50’s a day or two.
The reason Easter came literally as early as Easter can happen, has everything to do with the Full Moon. This weekend there was a Blue moon, which happens only once on average every two to three years. A Blue moon happens when two consecutive full moons, take place within the same calendar month. March 31st marks such an event.
How many of you know how it is determined, exactly when Easter will fall each spring? Here is the official definition of when Easter Sunday will come up on the calendar. You will need to know the phases of the moon and when they will occur each Spring.
Easter Sunday will take place:
“On the First Sunday After the First full moon After the Spring Equinox.”
This is why Easter Sunday can vary so much on the calendar from year to year. So let’s break this down. The one constant is March 20th or 21st always being the first day of Spring, annually. The next thing that has to take place is to find out when will be the first full moon, After March 21st that year. And then, you look at the calendar for the Sunday that follows that first Full Moon after the Spring Equinox, and that will be the Sunday for Easter that year.
Why is this? This link will help!
https://www.timeanddate.com/calendar/determining-easter-date.html
Make it a great week!