Welcome back Stargazers!
This week we’ll explore the Astronomy and Folklore of the Moon…. our Moon. We’ve started this month off with a majestic display of the Full Moon on Sunday, February 1 – the Snow Moon. How fortuitous that this bright, beautiful Moon should appear during one of the coldest weather events in recent history…wind, clouds, Arctic chill and Snow!
So let’s get going – the Astronomy of the Moon
The astronomy of the Moon involves its physical characteristics: origin, unique orbit and rotation around the Earth, and interactions with the Earth-Sun system (which causes events like phases, tides, and eclipses). The Moon is Earth’s only natural satellite and the fifth largest satellite in the Solar System. It’s a rocky, airless world with a
heavily-cratered surface. This Lunar surface is covered by a layer of fine, powdery dust and rocky debris formed by billions of years of impacts from meteoroids. Its surface is also extensively populated by “Marias” (Latin for ‘seas’) which are large, dark, smooth plains primarily on the near side of the Moon. The Moon has Highlands too, which are lighter-colored, elevated, and again, heavily-cratered regions of the Lunar surface.
The internal surface of our faithful celestial companion is similar to Earth – made up of a core, mantle and crust. The crust is thicker on the far side than on the near side, and its small, rich core is at least partly molten. The atmosphere, or ‘exosphere,’ is extremely thin and insufficient to support life or even to protect the surface from impacts and solar radiation. Trace amounts of water ice have been discovered in permanently shadowed craters at the lunar poles.
As we know, the Moon orbits the Earth and rotates on its axis at the exact same rate as it orbits Earth. This is why we only ever see the same “near side” of the Moon from Earth. The “far side” isn’t always dark, as it gets sunlight during the new moon phase. The time it takes to complete one orbit around Earth is about 27.3 days. However, the time the Moon takes to return to the same position relative to the Sun and Earth is about 29.5 days. This difference between the two time frames is due to the Earth – Moon system also moving in its orbit around the Sun.
It’s been discovered (and is being monitored closely) that the Moon is gradually moving farther from Earth, at the rate of 1.5″ per year, as a result of friction between the Earth and the tides it creates. This process also slightly slows Earth’s rotation, making our days longer over time. Tides are a constant due to the Moon’s gravitational pull, the primary cause of Earth’s ocean tides. As the Earth rotates, this results in two high tides and two low tides each day across Earth.
Through their observations of the heavens, our Ancient Ones noticed the Moon go through eight primary phases that occur in a continuous shape every 29.5 days: New Moon, Waxing Crescent, First Quarter, Waxing Gibbous, Full Moon, Waning Gibbous, Last Quarter and Waning Crescent.
And finally, let’s not forget the Eclipses that occur when the Sun, Earth, and Moon align: Solar Eclipses and Lunar Eclipses. Due to the Earth’s orbit around the Sun, these alignments don’t happen every month.
Moon Folklore:
While the Ancient Ones watched the heavens, they developed stories, myths and legends surrounding our companion Moon. Folklore regarding the Moon spans nearly every culture, often representing it as a deity or explaining its phases and markings through fanciful myths.
Many traditions see specific figures in the Moon’s surface:
“The Man in the Moon” – is based on European lore and “he” is often a man banished there for a crime, such as stealing or working on the Sabbath.
“The Moon Rabbit” – common in East Asian (Chinese, Japanese, Korean) and Aztec folklore, a rabbit is seen pounding a mortar and pestle, often making a concoction of immortality.
“The Moon Goddess” – many ancient myths personify the Moon as feminine, such as Artemis or Selene (Greek), and Mama Quilla revered by the Inca, said to be the source of silver because she wept silver tears.
“The Moon God” – in contrast, other cultures view the Moon as masculine, including Mini (Norse) or Chances (Hindu).
In Inuit and other Norse myths, the Moon is a brother trying to catch up with his sister, the Sun, as both race across the sky.
The Lunar eclipses were often interpreted as the Moon being attacked or swallowed by a celestial beast – a Jaguar (Inca) or Demon Rahi (Hindu).
And of course, the Green Cheese myth, which was very popular in European countries. It suggests the Moon is made of green (fresh or young) cheese. This is based on a story of a simpleton mistaking the Moon’s reflection in a pond.
The cycles of the Moon are also involved in folklore:
The Moon’s 29.5 cycle of days has long been used to time the planting and harvesting of crops.
“Lunacy” is the term derived from the Roman Goddess Luna and reflects the ancient belief that the Full Moon triggers insanity, seizures, or violent behavior. And let’s not forget the Full Moon is also the legendary catalyst for human transformation into werewolves.
Native American folklore regarding the Moon is plentiful and diverse, often portraying it as a sacred ancestor, a living deity or a guide for seasonal cycles:
The Navajo (Dine’) refer to the Moon as “Grandmother.” She is seen as a female energy that watches over the waters and governs the cycles of life, particularly for women.
The Great Sioux Nation believes the Goddess Hanwi is the wife of the Sun, Wi. Their Legend says she hides her face with a shawl out of shame after being forgotten by her husband, which explains all of the Moon’s phases; she only reveals her full face when he is farthest away.
And eclipses carry their own folklore:
The Navajo (Dine’) view Moon eclipses as a ” cosmic embrace” or a time of renewal between the Sun and Moon. During an eclipse, Navajo tradition dictates staying inside, remaining still, and refraining from eating or drinking out of deep respect for the celestial interaction.
The Cherokee name for both the Sun and Moon is Nunda. And they pray during the eclipses as a means of controlling the weather.
Many Native American cultures use the Moon to track the year, often based on a 13-Moon calendar.
Fun fact: Ravens hold a special place in many Native American legends. Along the Northwest Coast, their myth tells how the Trickster Raven stole the Moon (and the Sun) from a hidden box to bring light to a dark world.
Whew! There are many, many stories, myths and legends surrounding our closest companion, the Moon. Enjoy the stories; there are more to be found in any culture you care to explore. Look up and enjoy the Moon rays, which are said to be great for the skin.
Later this month, we’ll explore together how the Moon affects Astrology.
Keep looking to the Heavens and enjoy their beautiful light displays with a continued sense of awe and wonder!
Happy Stargazing until next time.
Yours in the Stars,
Astrid