What is a blue moon? Here's what one is and what the stars have to say about it.

The Moon follows a cycle of eight phases, spanning a month − more precisely 29.5 days . Beyond its sheer size and glow, the full moon can hold deep spiritual significance, depending on the season or month.

From the " flower moon " to the " buck moon ," each version has a distinct cultural and astrological meaning. Maybe you've heard the saying, "Once in a blue moon." The colloquialism refers to the rare nature of the actual blue moon.

The blue moon doesn't actually have a cerulean hue, but you will be able to see one soon. Here's how the lunar phenomena could affect your life.

What is a blue moon?

The full moon is the culmination of a lunar cycle, and typically, there is one per month, equating to 12 full moons a year. A "blue moon" refers to a second full moon that falls within the same month span.

"A blue moon is really a rare phenomenon," explains Lisa Stardust , astrologer and author. "A blue moon occurs every 33 months, 41 times per century, and about seven times in 19 years."

The next blue moon will be Monday, Aug. 19.

"The Blue Moon will be in Aquarius , and that will be more or less a time of really understanding how we can help humanity as a whole," Stardust says. "Every time we have a blue moon, we have to see what sign the moon is in, and it gives us the information that we're working with (astrologically)."

What does a blue moon mean in astrology?

Traditionally, full moons were a time of illumination and reflection, Stardust explains. "It was a time when people on Earth could really see things clearly."

Before electricity, people used the moonlight to guide them when hunting and performing rituals at night. "They could really lean into their intuition," she adds.

The lunar cycle is shorter whenever a blue moon occurs, so it signals an acceleration of life, Stardust shares. "It's really chopping out things and letting things go. We look at this as a time of healing and a time of breath."

"I always say that every new beginning comes from some other beginning's end," Stardust says. "Once we're releasing the past, we have really embraced the new."

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What emotions does the blue moon bring?

Your birth chart helps determine how the blue moon affects you, Stardust notes. "You can see the houses that it's activating."

Since this blue moon is in Aquarius, see where that sign conjuncts with your chart and decide what is best for your astrological growth from there.

"Maybe it's time for me to check in with my friends. Maybe it's time to do some positive affirmations. Maybe it's time for me to treat myself," Stardust advises. "I think that the moon highlights different (areas) every month that we need to (work in). The full moon and the Blue Moon, they heighten different parts of our chart."

Whether it be advancing your romantic relationships or asking for a raise at work, the blue moon calls for activation. "Now is the time to do so ... because the light is opening," says Stardust. Manifestations tend to come to fruition during the blue moon so you can begin to level up.

Blue moons are also a time of introspection. "They really can accelerate our emotional responses to things because the moon is our emotion," Stardust adds. "If you're going to express yourself, the full moon would be a good time to say how you feel because people will want to understand and hear it at that moment."

As for individual growth, don't be afraid to ask yourself questions. "'How can we evolve?' 'How can we change what's no longer serving us?' 'What do we need to be a better person?'" Stardust recommends.

The blue moon also calls us to be more mindful. "We can see all the little things in our life that need some changing, and it's our time to set these intentions so we can live our best life and be happier," Stardust says.

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: What is a blue moon? Here's what one is and what the stars have to say about it.