Monday is Moon Day
I've revised my resolution to write on here every day. More about that in another post, but I've decided to write about the moon on Mondays. I'm not sure how long it will last, but it will be interesting to see how long I will be able to find new things to say about La Luna.
The moon will next be full on Thursday, so that's what I've been thinking about today.
The moon will next be full on Thursday, so that's what I've been thinking about today.
Full Moon Names
Each full moon has a name, derived from Native American mythology.
February's full moon is listed in the Farmer's Almanac as the Snow Moon, although sometimes is is also known as the Hunger Moon:
"Since the heaviest snow usually falls during this month, native tribes of the north and east most often called February's full Moon the Full Snow Moon. Some tribes also referred to this Moon as the Full Hunger Moon, since harsh weather conditions in their areas made hunting very difficult."
April's full moon is known as the Pink Moon.
More about full moon names and meanings from around the world.
Lunacy and the Lunar Effect
The full moon has long been associated with madness.
The word 'lunatic' is derived from the Latin lunaticus, with the root luna meaning 'moon' and the Roman Moon Goddess, Luna.
The lunar effect, a theory encompassing sociology, psychology and physiology, suggests a correlation between phases of the moon and human behaviour. The lunar effect is reflected in folklore around the world, but recent scientific studies have suggested it has no basis in truth.
However, there have been studies supporting anecdotal evidence of the lunar effect, both in
humans and in nature.
Stockmarket returns have been linked to behaviour during the phases of the moon: "The findings indicate that stock returns are lower on the days around a full moon than on the days around a new moon."
Marine Biologists studying the Barrier Reef have observed that the coral spawns just after a full moon.
Rises in alcohol consumption, admittances to A&E departments, suicide rates and violent crimes have all been linked to the full moon phase.
Airline crews have reported that passengers' behaviour is more difficult and that there are more incidents during the full moon.
The movements of certain migratory animals, for example marine invertebrates (such as the palolo worm), have a monthly pattern influenced by the phases of the moon.
Neuroscience for Kids has an extensive list of links to scientific reports into the lunar effect on humans.
:o)
