This is an article published in the New Haven Register January 18, 2019 about the blue moon/total lunar eclipse that happened that year.

A total eclipse this weekend will have Wiccans across the world celebrating, but each, one local witch said, in their own way. “It’s special because of an eclipse, it is the Wolf Moon, and in the first degree of Leo,” said Rev. Alicia L. Folberth, president of the Panthean Temple of Connecticut. “Some do not like to do spellwork or ritual work during an eclipse. I am one of the ones who do, I see everything as an energy to be worked with.”

“Some see an eclipse as negative energy,” she said. “As a witch, I do not see myself afraid of anything negative. I’m more on the old school side of things.” Folberth will be celebrating the eclipse alone, though she expects many of her fellow Wiccans will be gathering together.

“I will be practicing solo for the moon. I will be doing ritual in my living room in front of my altar, releasing old energies,” she said. “There is a theme of rebirth going on in my life and the eclipse is the perfect time to do it.”

This will be the only lunar eclipse of 2019, and “a pretty big one,” according to Dan Wright, a member of the Westport Astronomical Society board of directors. Super blood moon or not, Wiccans and Pagans often view full lunar eclipses differently.

All full moons are celebrated, though esbats, as they are called, are lesser holidays than sabbats, one of which is coming up in two weeks. “I am more concerned with the upcoming sabbat of Imbolc the beginning of February,” Folberth said. The dome at the Westport Astronomical Society will open up for a lunar viewing Sunday night, though Wright said to plan for brutal cold.