Below you’ll see maple tree buds emerging in the light of yesterday morning’s (2:18 a.m.) virtually-full moon. That spring moon was at its fullest on April 6, but clouds obscured it until last night.
The April full moon traditionally is known in North America as the “pink full moon” due to its arrival near the time that flowers and trees begin to bloom, especially pink creeping phlox (Phlox subulate), a wildflower native to eastern North America.
However, this year, the April full moon is special: It is a “Paschal full moon.” “Paschal,” pronounced “PA-skl,” means “of or pertaining to Passover or Easter.” This moon arrived during Passover, the Jewish celebration of liberation and exodus, and its appearance determined that today would be Easter, the Christian celebration of resurrection and ascendance.
As you may know, Easter occurs on the first Sunday after the full moon that rises on or after the northern spring (vernal) equinox. (However, if that full moon rises on a Sunday, Easter will occur the following Sunday.) Passover also typically begins on the night of the full moon after the spring equinox (unless leap months change that time). (Images taken in Brooklin, Maine, on April 8, 2023.)