Sunday, April 1, 2007

Full Moon Madness

There's a word for bad astronomy, it's called astrology.  And I really wish it weren't so, because I'd love to believe all the ages-old stories about what a full moon can do, the havoc it can wreck, the changes in humans it can inflict.  You ask any policeman or nurse and they'll swear that crime and violence goes up during the full moon.  Strange happenings, too.  How we love our werewolves.  Let's not forget the tides of the oceans - and the fact that we humans are 80% water.  That would draw one into the conclusion that the full moon affects our behaviors.  I want this to be scientifically true, so much so that I can talk myself into thinking it is.

But it's not.

With science as our ever-neutral, always objective guide, we find no rise in homicides, births, deaths, or vampire sightings.  The truth is a bit more plebeian.  The moon does pull on the ocean and create tides, but that's because of the emmense size of our seas.  The oceans have tides because they're so big - now take us little humans, with our pittance of water in our bodies in comparison.  Not enough to measure, no less affect our behavior.  I know, it's a let down, and I feel that same sense of the loss of something we always saw as mysterious in its ways.  

Mostly, the reason things go awry during the full moon is because it's so noticeable, people tend to gaze at it more, becoming distracted and almost hypnotized by watching it.  Another "ancestral memory" perhaps?  Either way, if no one were to notice it, the full moon would lose its mystery and penchant for creating werewolves and serial killers. 

Believe me, this is not an idea I embrace.  But it is true. 

Scientific studies for years back it up.  Record keeping in hospitals and police stations over the globe do as well.  And let's not forget the all-seeing human eye:  how many times have you seen a traffic accident and not seen a full moon?  But if you did see one, you tend to correlate the two.  We forget all that happens under a clear sky.  We're romantics at heart who once saw this bright orb as a god, and paid it homage at the very risk of our lives, so we thought.

Oh fear not, Luna Maria still holds untold mystery, or we wouldn't have spent billions getting to her.  She can tell us about the earth's earliest beginnings, having once been part of it.  She has the power to block out our view of the night constellations just by her refracted light.  And she can also infuse the night air with a soft light only lovers can truly understand.  Luna will never lose her mystery, facts or no.  

I will always examine those facts, and dismiss the fantasies if I want the truth.  And at the same time, I know I will always be in awe of her.  

With help from author Phil Plait, see also www.badastronomy.com   

           

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

Astronomy has always been fascinating to me, but my knowledge is very limited, for me looking at the stars from different countries I have visited and viewing the Moon or shooting stars  is what consists of my knowledge, but looking at this I know there is so much mystery also in this and the bottom line is God has given us so much beauty even in the hours of the night, one of the most beautiful times one can spend is looking at the stars and moon while camping out, there is nothing like it. That is very simple and I thank him for the beauty he gives us and the mystery behind it.  I am in total awe of you Luddie, you know so much about this and I enjoy reading your entries it helps me to understand a bit more about this fascinating world.  Thank you.

Anonymous said...

But werewolves do exist.
I used to be one, but I'm alright nooooooooooowww.

That was a werewolf noise.

::snigger::

:o)

Anonymous said...

The scientists have never been married to my Pete for 23 years.  He goes wild on a full moon.  Batton down the hatches and hold on!!!!  -  Barbara

Anonymous said...

Sometimes, she takes my breath away.

Anonymous said...

The fullness of the moon is beautiful....and we do tend to gaze at it in awe.  Love how it lights up the night sky.

Anonymous said...

Serial killers still make the headlines, but we don't hear much about werewolves these days. I for one would love them to make a comeback. They would keep the kids off the streets during spring break.
http://journals.aol.co.uk/acoward15/andy-the-bastard/

Anonymous said...

The return of warewolfs is just what our society needs! LOL
Shadie

Anonymous said...

Cath, The full moon stuff is true for sure!  The rest, I agree with some but not all. But you wouldn't like me if I did.  (Do you now? LOL)  

I have had the unfortunate experience to be in the pyshciatiric ward of the hsopital when the moon was full.  Heck, I was so normal compared to most, they almost made me a nurse.  LOL
xoxo
Merry

Anonymous said...

Cathy 2 Merry:  I would like you even more no matter WHAT you believed, because you gave me your honest beliefs, and how ELSE would I learn anything?  That's why I love comments, I get an education.