| By Caren |
How many times have you heard someone they say, they “swear that strange things happen during a
full moon?” Throughout the beginning of time stories about full moons have been associated with
strange behavior, mental illness, accidents, fluctuation with ocean tides, earthquakes, increased
birthrates, changes in health status, unexplainable fluctuations and many other anomalies. Lunar
beliefs and myths are well established in folklore and stories about full moons are consistently past
down many generations. In modern times and throughout history many decisions have been based on
a full moon. Many primeval civilizations have implemented the meaning of life, studied astronomy and
formed religious beliefs in regard to full moons. Man has utilized full moons as a great source of light
before electricity was invented and ancient cultures made important decisions about their civilization
based on full moons.
full moon?” Throughout the beginning of time stories about full moons have been associated with
strange behavior, mental illness, accidents, fluctuation with ocean tides, earthquakes, increased
birthrates, changes in health status, unexplainable fluctuations and many other anomalies. Lunar
beliefs and myths are well established in folklore and stories about full moons are consistently past
down many generations. In modern times and throughout history many decisions have been based on
a full moon. Many primeval civilizations have implemented the meaning of life, studied astronomy and
formed religious beliefs in regard to full moons. Man has utilized full moons as a great source of light
before electricity was invented and ancient cultures made important decisions about their civilization
based on full moons.
A beautiful sight and a spender in life is a full moon illuminating in some
type of natural setting that may include, beyond an ocean, looming
through the forest above the pine trees, or a moon may signify a refuge
from a busy noisy city or radiate outside our back yard. Full moon’s have
also been ingrained in our folklore and past story telling linked with the
mystic or unexplained. Somehow a graveyard at night seems much more
magical and illuminating during a full moon as opposed to a half moon.
Throughout the ages related with folklore, there have been reports of
type of natural setting that may include, beyond an ocean, looming
through the forest above the pine trees, or a moon may signify a refuge
from a busy noisy city or radiate outside our back yard. Full moon’s have
also been ingrained in our folklore and past story telling linked with the
mystic or unexplained. Somehow a graveyard at night seems much more
magical and illuminating during a full moon as opposed to a half moon.
Throughout the ages related with folklore, there have been reports of
increased paranormal sightings during a full moon.
Naturally, with any unexplained belief system there will be debunkers. Various myths and legends may
never have any concrete explanations within our lifetime. Many scientific studies are inconclusive
reporting any findings with any significant correlation between the full moon and unexplained
phenomenon and events such as increased in crime rates, increased births and other anomalies.
Today, there are Scientists looking for any correlation on how a full moon may affect weather, animal
behavior, tidal waves and other unexplained phenomena. For example, some people believe that
since the moon affects the ocean tides, it must be powerful enough to affect the human body.
According to a study, the lunar force is really a weak tidal force, a mother holding a child “will exert 12
million times as much tidal force on her child as the moon.” (Kelly et al., 1996:25). According to
Astronomer George O. Abell, he states that a mosquito would exert more gravitational pull on a person’
s arm than the moon would. (Abell 1979).
Naturally, with any unexplained belief system there will be debunkers. Various myths and legends may
never have any concrete explanations within our lifetime. Many scientific studies are inconclusive
reporting any findings with any significant correlation between the full moon and unexplained
phenomenon and events such as increased in crime rates, increased births and other anomalies.
Today, there are Scientists looking for any correlation on how a full moon may affect weather, animal
behavior, tidal waves and other unexplained phenomena. For example, some people believe that
since the moon affects the ocean tides, it must be powerful enough to affect the human body.
According to a study, the lunar force is really a weak tidal force, a mother holding a child “will exert 12
million times as much tidal force on her child as the moon.” (Kelly et al., 1996:25). According to
Astronomer George O. Abell, he states that a mosquito would exert more gravitational pull on a person’
s arm than the moon would. (Abell 1979).
IIt is not uncommon to hear stories from the police force, healthcare
workers, social workers and other service personal sharing stories about
how full moons may cause difficult-working conditions. Many professionals
proclaim that they experience an increase in catastrophes, strange behavior
with patients and civilians and other occurrences out of the ordinary during
full moons; however, some debunkers and scientists claim that various
lunar myths are related to communal reinforcement. Consequently, the
workers can become sensitized to perceive any anomaly during a full moon
due to the acceptance of lunar influences. Some social scientists emphasize
that the media is at fault for perpetuating lunar myths. They argue that the
workers, social workers and other service personal sharing stories about
how full moons may cause difficult-working conditions. Many professionals
proclaim that they experience an increase in catastrophes, strange behavior
with patients and civilians and other occurrences out of the ordinary during
full moons; however, some debunkers and scientists claim that various
lunar myths are related to communal reinforcement. Consequently, the
workers can become sensitized to perceive any anomaly during a full moon
due to the acceptance of lunar influences. Some social scientists emphasize
that the media is at fault for perpetuating lunar myths. They argue that the
journalists frequently use sensationalism in their reporting tactics and they fail to report legitimate
scientific research findings from studies that debunk full moons associated with phenomenon. Often
times the media will rely on personal stories.
On the contrary, there are researchers who affirm there is a strong link with increased phenomena
during a full moon. According to the Journal of the Florida Medical Association, Dr. Edison J. Andrews
writes in a study of 1,000 tonsillectomies, eighty two percent of postoperative bleeding crises
occurred nearer the full moon than the new moon, despite the fact that fewer operations were
performed at this time. Legends and stories are passed down because they have some relevance in
history, if people claim that full moons have influenced their jobs for throughout the ages, may there
be some relevance of truth?
There are many opinions regarding how full moons affect the world and people although, one thing is
for sure, that there will continue to be debates on this subject. Perhaps someday there will be some
sort of scientific data that supports the correlation between full moons and phenomena. Until then,
we are on our own belief system.
For further readings on the subject of research on full moons in greater detail refer to
referenced cites below.
References and referenced sites:http://www.innerself.com/Astrology/full_moon.htm:
\http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2002/12/1218_021218_moon.html
http://skepdic.com/fullmoon.html
http://www.almanac.com/astronomy/moon/full/index.php -Farmers Almanac
http://www.space.com/fullmoonfever/
scientific research findings from studies that debunk full moons associated with phenomenon. Often
times the media will rely on personal stories.
On the contrary, there are researchers who affirm there is a strong link with increased phenomena
during a full moon. According to the Journal of the Florida Medical Association, Dr. Edison J. Andrews
writes in a study of 1,000 tonsillectomies, eighty two percent of postoperative bleeding crises
occurred nearer the full moon than the new moon, despite the fact that fewer operations were
performed at this time. Legends and stories are passed down because they have some relevance in
history, if people claim that full moons have influenced their jobs for throughout the ages, may there
be some relevance of truth?
There are many opinions regarding how full moons affect the world and people although, one thing is
for sure, that there will continue to be debates on this subject. Perhaps someday there will be some
sort of scientific data that supports the correlation between full moons and phenomena. Until then,
we are on our own belief system.
For further readings on the subject of research on full moons in greater detail refer to
referenced cites below.
References and referenced sites:http://www.innerself.com/Astrology/full_moon.htm:
\http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2002/12/1218_021218_moon.html
http://skepdic.com/fullmoon.html
http://www.almanac.com/astronomy/moon/full/index.php -Farmers Almanac
http://www.space.com/fullmoonfever/