Moon
Facts
Diameter:
2,160 miles / 3,476 kilometers
Circumference: 6,790 miles / 10,930 kilometers
The moon rises around sunset when it's a full Moon, and sunrise when it's
a new moon.
Our
months are linked to the movements of the moon. The moon passes between
the earth and the sun every 29½ days - then there is a new moon. In Jewish
and Muslim calendars a new month begins - all the months have 29 or 30 days.
The
June full moon was called the Mead or Honey moon. The name derives from
the hives being full of honey at this time of the year. The honey would
have been fermented and made into mead. Traditionally, a honey drink was
taken after wedding ceremonies held on the Summer Solstice. This is the
derivation of 'honeymoon'.
Due
to the moon's cycle being 29½ days, there are occasionally - as in July
2004 - two full moons in one month (only happens on average every 2.7 years).
Then the second moon of the month is called a 'blue moon'.
There will be two blue moons in 2018.
When
two new moons occur in a month, the second is called a 'dark moon'.
The new moon is also sometimes called the dark moon - at this phase there
is no illumination on the earth's side.
The
full moon nearest to the Autumn Equinox is called the 'Harvest moon'.
This is because for several nights it appears large and bright in the
early evening, bringing farmers valuable extra time to gather in their
harvest.
The Celtic year was once divided into 13 months - one for each moon occuring
during the year.
A
lunar eclipse occurs when the Earth passes between the Moon and the Sun.
Because full Moons occur when the Sun and Moon are on opposite sides of
the Earth - Lunar eclipses can only happen when the Moon is full. Though
not as thrilling as a solar eclipse, the Moon can be seen to magically
change colour, becoming coppery or even red - this is due to light being
reflected from the Earth onto the Moon's surface (known as 'earthshine').
During the eclipse you can see the Earth’s shadow slowly reach across
the surface of the Moon.
If you want to find past moon phases try this site - Real
magick
Many
gardeners believe that planting during specific phases of the moon
brings good results. Many
calendars and almanacs carry moon phase planting guides.
Plants gain energy for growth from the sun, but they are
also affected by the moon's changing phases. The moon controls tides,
influences the groundwater tables beneath the earth and affects the movement
of fluids within plants.
New moon -
farmers and gardeners should prepare to sow seeds now. During the
first quarter of the waxing moon phase
the moisture level in the soil is at it's highest, so this
is when you should plant seeds, repot plants, sow lawns. This brings rapid
germination and growth.
Full moon - farmers
should transplant now, when the lunar flowering force is strong. The
moisture content becomes low during the waning moon phase and
less sap is rising in the trees and shrubs, so it's a good time to do
your pruning and attack weeds.
According to lunar planting folklore root plants should go into the ground
during a waning moon. It is also the best time to turn over soil.
Work from home
Yoga
The
Moon Salutation
(chandra namaskar) gives reverence to the strength and importance
of the moon, and includes the poses :
Crescent moon and Half moon.
The
Crescent moon is often used as the symbol of yoga.
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Pranayama
is the
yogic practise of regulating your breathing to gain energy control
and is used during the postures and in preparation for meditation.
New moon energy brings calmness and is likened to the end of exhalation
when the force of apana is greatest.
Full moon energy brings energy and heightened emotions, and is likened
to the end of inhalation when the force of prana is greatest. |
This
beautiful, white, fragrant flower - ipomoea
alba - opens
at dusk from midsummer. This tender perennial climber with large,
rounded leaves with heart-shaped bases, can reach 15 feet in a season.
Scented, white 5-inch-wide flowers attract night-flying moths.
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The
period
of a waning moon
leading up to a new moon is the best time for detoxifying the body
- release all your toxins and refresh.
This is the optimum time to exfoliate, use cleansing face packs,
sea-salt baths, seaweed wraps, have facials and sweat it out in
the sauna.
The phase when
the moon is waxing
up to
a full moon is the time to replenish, regenerate and repair your
skin with moisturisers and
essential oil massages.
Give your hair a deep conditioning treatment too, as it's believed
that the skin and hair are more absorbent at this time.
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Moon
Myths
The
best time to marry to achieve happiness and prosperity ,according
to folklore tradition, is during a waxing moon. A full moon in June
is the luckiest marriage time.
Superstition
tells that if you stand in a fairy ring under a full moon and make
a wish, it will come true.
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The
new moon occurs when the sun and moon are in conjunction, occupying
the same part of the sky from the viewpoint of earth. During this
time the moon doesn't reflect the light of the sun, and so cannot
be seen (except during a solar eclipse). The moon's un-illuminated
side is facing the earth.
The new moon phase is the time of new beginnings - like the Maiden
form of the Goddess and the season of Spring. The appearance of
the new crescent moon was celebrated as a return of the moon from
the dead.
This is a time of growing energy, newness, rejuvenation, growth,
renewal and hope. It is a good point to make changes in your life,
such as ending bad habits or relationships.
The
full moon occurs between 14 and 15 days after the new moon,
and is shaped like a complete disc. The moon's illuminated side
is facing the earth. The full moon reflects the maximum light
from the sun.
This moon phase is the time of abundance, ripening and completeness
- fertile and shining with the full power of feminine secrets
and mysteries - like the Mother form of the Goddess,
and the season of Summer - pregnant with life.
A child born during a full moon should live a long and healthy
life. This is the time when the moon's energy is strongest and
full of magick power.
Legendary werewolves supposedly only emerge at the full moon.
Waxing
- the moon is growing larger in the sky, moving from a narrow
crescent just after the new moon towards the full moon.
The waxing moon grows from right to left and is called the 'right-hand
moon' - the crescent is like the curve between the right-hand's
index finger and thumb.
Waning - the moon is decreasing
in size, moving from the full moon back towards a crescent as
the new moon approaches.
The waning moon decreases from right to left and is called the
'left-hand moon' because of its similarity to the curve on the
left hand.
Energy is now waning with the moon herself, and is linked with
the Crone aspect of the Goddess.
Gibbous -
during the phases between the First Quarter and the full moon,
and between the full moon and the Last Quarter, when more than
half of the disc is illuminated.
A
popular moon goddess was Selene ( or Luna), sister to Helios
- the sun god. Greek mythology called Artemis a virgin
goddess of the moon. She rides her silver chariot across the sky
and shoots her arrows of silver moonlight to the earth below.
In ancient Egypt the sickle-shaped new moon signified the goddess
Isis, the Egyptian goddess of rebirth, and crescent
shaped jewellery was believed to protect infants.
The triple
moon is a Goddess symbol representing the Maiden, Mother, and
Crone aspects as the waxing, full, and waning moon. The triple
moon symbol is associated with feminine mystery, energy and psychic
skill, and often adorned jewellery worn by High Priestesses.
Monday
-
the name derives from the Latin
'dies lunae' meaning - moon's day.
The importance of the moon phases continues to be
recognised :
Ashangta
Yoga
- Full and new moon days are observed as yoga holidays, as the
energy force created by the moon and sun being in opposition and
conjunction affects emotions and energy, and respecting these
phases is believed to honour nature's rythms.
Buddhism
esp.Theravada
- monthly worship is regulated by the Moon - four times a month,
on the new moon, the full moon, and the days in the middle.
Chinese
Moon Festival -
last one was 3rd October 2009 - the Mid-Autumn Full Moon is celebrated.
It is a time for family reunions and exchanging of delicious Moon
cakes - a type of cookie with different fillings like: sesame,
walnut, lotus seed, bean paste, eggs or ham.
Diwali
-
the Hindu New Year festival, meaning 'rows of lighted lamps',
is often called the festival of lights due to the small
earthen oil lamps used, and is celebrated all over India,
by Hindus, Sikhs and Jains.
The lighting of lamps welcomes Lakshmi, goddess of wealth
and prosperity. Diwali celebrates the triumph of good over
evil and light over darkness.
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Like
the new moon, Diwali symbolises the renewal of life and
it is customary to wear new clothes at the festival. Diwali
also welcomes the approach of winter and the beginning
of the sowing season.
The Hindu calendar is based on the lunar cycle and the
movement of the moon, so festival dates change each year.
Diwali occurs on the new moon - a no-moon day - in fact
the darkest day of the year which begins the lunar month,
Karttika - usually Oct or Nov.
The illuminations, fireworks and festivities are to signify
the victory of divine forces over the dark powers.
The legend is that on Diwali or Deepavali
day triumphant Ram is said to have returned with Sita
to Ayodhya, after 14 years of exile, having defeating
Ravana - the king of Lanka.
When Ram and Sita returned it was a dark moonless night
so their people placed lamps outside their houses so that
the new king and queen could find their way. This is believed
to have begun the tradition of the festival of lights.
In Hindu mythology Soma represents the
god of the moon - depicted riding through the sky in a
chariot drawn by white horses. |
Passover
-
the Jewish Passover is celebrated at the full moon and over
the next eight days. This commemorates the flight and freedom
of the Israelites from Egypt and slavery - the angel of death
'passed over' them offering protection.
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According to myth the Wolf Spirit sang the moon up into
the sky, which is why wolves howl at the moon.
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Wicca
The
Goddess is believed to show three faces, or aspects
during the waxing, full and waning moon cycles: the
Maiden, the Mother and the Crone. These symbolize
renewal, creation and wisdom. Rituals are timed in
relation to the lunar cycle, as the phases of the
Moon are believed to affect magick.
'Drawing down the Moon', where the Moon Goddess
is invoked, is a well known Wiccan ceremony.
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The moon
controls the tides of the oceans. So, if two thirds of the human
body weight is water, then it is likely that the moon affects
our emotions and energy levels. Remember the word 'lunatic'
is derived from the Latin word for moon - luna!
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