January 20, 2010
Fat Tuesday
Mardi Gras will be on February 16 this year. I continually struggle with this ambulatory date. Fat Tuesday can occur on any Tuesday between February 3 and March 9.This is all tied to Easter, which falls on the first Sunday after the full moon that follows the Spring Equinox. This year, spring begins on March 20 and the full moon that follows is on March 29, therefore, Easter Sunday will be on April 5. Another way to check this conundrum of dates is to count 47 days from Mardi Gras to Easter - 40 days of Lent plus 7 Sunday. I have so much difficulty remembering this little “riddle”. The Spring Equinox is always on March 20, this is a constant date I can remember. I just need to check the Almanac to see when the first full moon after the equinox is and then Easter is the following Sunday – there – simple!
p.s.
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