Every year brings with it a new lunar calendar, which promises to provide spectacular nights for all those who like to gaze out the window and admire the bright satellite. 2022 has several full moons that will allow you to contemplate its luminous magic in all its glory, and what better place to do so than in Portugal with clear skies. What moon is it today in Portugal? What about the pink moon? Join us as we find out all about the moon phases in 2022 in Portugal, including the lunar eclipses you'll not want to miss, a summary of the first 6 months of the year and what the moon has in store for the rest of 2022.
Brief history of the lunar calendar
From the earliest times, mankind has always wanted to count the passing of days and divide time into logical systems. This need to represent the passage of time led to the creation of the first calendars, one of which was the lunar calendar.
The phases of the moon depend on the position of the moon, the sun and planet Earth, which determine how we see the satellite from our homes. We can identify the new moon and the full moon, separated into the crescent and waning phases and divided into two quarters.
As well as serving to count days and months, the phases of the moon have a significant impact on our daily lives, being able to influence behaviour and ways of being. If you have a garden at home with various plants and flowers and want to follow the traditions of cultivation, the lunar calendar is an indispensable tool.
Moon phases between January and June 2022
Moon Phases January 2022
Although we're already halfway through the year, here's a quick summary of what the moon has already been up to. Did you know that the first full moon of the year, i.e. the January full moon, is called the Wolf Moon? This is because the native people of North America used to hear the intense howling of the wolf packs during this time.
- 1st January 2022: New Moon
- 9th January 2022: First Quarter Moon
- 18th January 2022: Full Moon (Wolf's Moon)
- 25th January 2022: Waning Gibbous Moon
Moon Phases February 2022
February also saw a full moon in the middle of the month, often known as the Snow Moon in Native American tradition, while another one of its more bizarre names is the Bone Moon, related to the Cherokee tribe, who would have to limit their population by performing cannibalistic practices.
- 1st February 2022: New Moon
- 8th February 2022: First Quarter Moon
- 16th February 2022: Full Moon (Snow Moon)
- 23rd February 2022: Waning Gibbous Moon
Moon Phases March 2022
The heat starts in March, meaning that the worms begin to come out of the ground, giving their name to the Full Moon of March, called the Worm's Full Moon by the people of North America.
- 2nd March 2022: New Moon
- 10th March 2022: First Quarter
- 18th March 2022: Full Moon (Worm Moon)
- 25th March 2022: Waning Quarter
Moon Phases April 2022
April was an unusual month in the phases of the moon, as it is the only month of the year with 5 lunar phases. April's full moon is popularly known as the Pink Moon, named after the abundance of the creeping pink flower during spring.
- 1st April 2022: New Moon
- 9th April 2022: First Quarter
- 16th April 2022: Full Moon (Pink Moon)
- 23rd April 2022: Waning Gibbous Moon
- 30th April 2022: New Moon
Moon Phases May 2022
The full moon in May was known as the Flower Moon, as this is the month when most flowers bloom in the northern hemisphere and garden beds are covered with the most colourful leaves.
- 9th May 2022: First Quarter
- 16th May 2022: Full Moon (Flower Moon)
- 22nd May 2022: Waning Gibbous Moon
- 30th May 2022: New Moon
Moon Phases June 2022
The full moon in June also gave way to being the first Supermoon of the year, known by some as the Strawberry Moon, due to the harvest of this fruit. For others it is called the Honey Moon, because it is at the time when many couples decide to take a trip for two, i.e. their honeymoon.
- 7th June 2022: First Quarter
- 14th June 2022: Full Moon (Supermoon and Strawberry Moon)
- 21st June 2022: Waning Gibbous Moon
- 29th June 2022: New Moon
Moon phases between July and September 2022
What does the moon have in store for the rest of 2022? These are the remaining moon phases that may be observed in Portugal and beyond.
Moon Phases July 2022
Once again American tradition influences the naming of the lunar phases. July is the proud owner of the Deer Moon, because the new antlers of these animals appear at this time. This moon in July is another Supermoon worth photographing, when the satellite will be only 357,418km away from Earth.
- 7th July 2022: First Quarter
- 13th July 2022: Full Moon (Supermoon and Deer Moon)
- 20th July 2022: Waning Gibbous Moon
- 28th July 2022: New Moon
Waning Gibbous Phase: 14th-27th July
Waxing Crescent Phase: 1st-12th and 29th-31st July
Moon Phases August 2022
Sturgeons are one of the oldest freshwater fish on our planet, very present in the Great Lakes of the USA, and the August full moon is attributed to them. Sometimes it is also nicknamed the Barley Moon, not only for its yellowish tones, but because it is a time of harvest and this is the moon that influences some decisions for the autumn.
- 5th August 2022: First Quarter
- 12th August 2022: Full Moon (Sturgeon Moon)
- 19th August 2022: Waning Gibbous Moon
- 27th August 2022: New Moon
Waning Gibbous Phase: 13th-26th August
Waxing Crescent Phase: 1st-11th and 28th-31st August
Moon Phases September 2022
The last full moon of summer represents the harvest, and therefore is frequently known as the "Harvest Moon", to symbolise the ploughing of corn, beans and pumpkins.
- 3rd September 2022: First Quarter
- 10th September 2022: Full Moon (Harvest Moon)
- 17th September 2022: Waning Quarter Moon
- 25th September 2022: New Moon
Waning Gibbous Phase: 11th-24th September
Waxing Crescent Phase: 1st-9th and 26th-30th September
Moon Phases October 2022
October is a fundamental month for hunting, an activity much appreciated in Portugal. In this way, the full moon of October is referred to as the Hunter's Moon and its light can be appreciated over several days, with a robust and shimmering appearance.
- 3rd October 2022: First Quarter
- 9th October 2022: Full Moon (Hunter's Moon)
- 17th October 2022: Waning Quarter
- 25th October 2022: New Moon
Waning Gibbous Phase: 1st-8th and 26th-31st October
Waxing Crescent Phase: 10th-24th October
Moon Phases November 2022
Perhaps the most peculiar name in the entire lunar calendar, the Beaver Moon refers to the time of year when these animals prepare for hibernation. The cold months arrive and so does one of the most famous celebrations around the world: Halloween, which this year will have a crescent moon.
- 1st November 2022: First Quarter Moon
- 8th November 2022: Full Moon (Beaver Moon)
- 16th November 2022: Waning Gibbous Moon
- 23rd November 2022: New Moon
- 30th November 2022: First Quarter
Waning Gibbous Phase: 1st-7th and 24th-30st November
Waxing Crescent Phase: 9th-22nd November
Moon Phases December 2022
The last month of the year will allow you to contemplate a completely black sky on 23rd December, the last new moon of 2022. But before that, on the day of the Feast of the Immaculate Conception in Portugal, 8th December, you will be able to contemplate the famous Cold Full Moon, which confirms the arrival of the astronomical winter in which the nights get longer, darker and colder.
- 8th December 2022: Full Moon (Cold Moon)
- 16th December 2022: Waning Gibbous Moon
- 23rd December 2022: New Moon
- 30th December 2022: First Quarter
Waning Gibbous Phase: 1st-7th and 24th-31st December
Waxing Crescent Phase: 9th-22nd December
Calendar of lunar eclipses in Portugal in 2022
In addition to the phases of the moon, many also want to know when the lunar eclipses in Portugal in 2022 are, the perfect opportunity to contemplate the red moon.
For the phenomenon to occur, a number of conditions are necessary. Firstly, the sun, the Earth and the moon must be aligned and secondly, the moon must be full and gradually pass through the Earth's shadow.
The first total lunar eclipse of 2022 took place on the evening of 15th April. If you missed the chance to marvel at this red moon, the second total lunar eclipse of 2022 will take place on 8th November but can be seen from Australia and some Asian countries.
On 30th April there was another opportunity to watch the partial solar eclipse, a phenomenon that will be repeated on 25th October 2022.