This Sunday, 7 September, Europe will witness a total lunar eclipse—the so-called “blood moon”—the longest since 2022, lasting around 82 minutes. During the event, the Earth will pass directly between the sun and the moon, casting a shadow that darkens the lunar surface. Only red light filtered through Earth’s atmosphere will reach the moon, giving it its striking hue.
Throughout history, blood moons have carried profound symbolic weight. In cultures from Babylon to China and Central America, they were often seen as omens of doom, signaling wars, natural disasters, or the death of rulers. Conversely, some African traditions, such as those of the Batammaliba in Togo and Benin, interpret the eclipse as a symbol of renewal, representing a celestial reconciliation between the sun and the moon.
Today, interpretations diverge sharply. Astronomers like Dr Florian Freistetter focus on the event’s rarity and aesthetic beauty, dismissing astrological claims as “esoteric nonsense.” Astrologers, however, view the blood moon as an opportunity for turning points in personal and collective life, reflecting rhythms and cycles rather than causing events directly. Psychologists and astrologers argue that astrology operates as a structured interpretive system, using precise planetary data to discern symbolic meaning rather than physical causality.
Notably, astrology and astronomy share a historical connection, once intertwined in medicine, philosophy, and politics, with famous figures such as French President François Mitterrand consulting astrologers for both personal and state matters.
Whether seen as a symbol of change, an omen, or simply a natural spectacle, this blood moon is a reminder of humanity’s enduring fascination with the skies. As Freistetter notes, “we are lucky to live on a planet where we can observe something like this.” For Europeans, the night sky will offer both science and story, history and myth, bathed in red light.
The bottom line: relax, look up, and enjoy a rare and beautiful natural event—no catastrophes included.
