Luna
Luna
For millennia, the cycle of the moon has been a matter for serious academic discussion. Physicians and philosophers have long blamed behavioural changes on the moon’s pull and the very word “lunatic,” is derived from the idea that changes in people’s mental state are related to lunar cycles.
Classical philosophers such as Aristotle or Pliny the Elder believed that the moon had a powerful effect on the mind and that, at the time of full moon, it could even cause madness or epilepsy.
A well-known British jurist William Blackstone (1723 –1780) wrote a legal treatise alleging that people gained and lost their ability to reason according to the moon’s shifting phases. "A lunatic, or non-compos mentis, is one who hath ... lost the use of his reason and who hath lucid intervals, sometimes enjoying his senses and sometimes not, and that frequently depending upon the changes of the moon."
Blackstone also wrote a four-volume book “Commentaries on English Law” which was designed to provide a complete overview of English law. Despite his views on the effect of the moon on those with criminal tendencies, these volumes were republished several times and had particular influence in the United States where there is a statue to him. Alexander Hamilton, John Adams and Abraham Lincoln all studied his work which remains cited in Supreme Court decisions.
Today, the so-called “lunar effect” is still being studied. There are perhaps some bases for the belief that health and behaviour are altered during the specific stages of the lunar cycle. There are claims that the moon can affect everything from reproductive health to sleep quality because of the moon’s influence on the body’s “biological tides”. Even if we spend less time outside, there is still the possibility that we could be affected by lunar cycles because of the strength of the moon’s gravitational pull.
The most obvious sphere of the moon’s influence on planet earth is in the ocean tides and the UK has some of the most extreme tidal ranges. Spending holidays by the sea in Cornwall, I and my sisters were constantly aware of the tides if only for the benefit of very low tides to clamber further over the rocks to pick mussels. But science has shown it goes further and that several marine species have reproductive cycles that are approximately aligned to the lunar cycles.
One of the natural wonders of the world is the Great Barrier Reef in Australia. It is such a fragile, interrelated world in which spawning follows a full moon when water temperatures have risen sufficiently to stimulate the maturation of the egg and sperm bundles. The timing is also dependent on daylight hours, the tide and salinity levels in the water. It only happens at night and each species of coral spawn on different days to prevent cross-breeding. It must be amazing to see. Yesterday, July 20th, marks the anniversary of the first men on the moon when Apollo 11’s Commander Neil Armstrong and lunar module pilot Buzz Aldrin landed the lunar module Eagle at Tranquillity Base. Armstrong’s first steps on the lunar surface were broadcast on live TV to a worldwide audience and coined what was possibly the most famous phrase of the twentieth century when he spoke the words “one small step for (a) man, one giant leap for mankind.”
Going full circle, the Apollo spacecrafts were named for one of the gods of Pliny’s and Aristotle’s times. Apollo represented truth and prophecy, music and archery, the sun, light and poetry.
In terms of Highclere’s cycle, I publish my blog every “moon” day. In a surprising number of languages, the seven days of the week are named after the names of the planets in classical Hellenistic astronomy. These in turn were named after the gods, a system introduced by the Sumerians and later by the Babylonians from whom the Romans adopted their system. Thus Monday is ‘Lunedi or lundi’ ,‘Dé Luain’ or moon day.
31 Comments
Very interesting and quite fascinating! Have a lovely week Lady Carnarvon
Thank you
What a fascinating read! Thank you.
Lady Carnarvon,
Thank you for the beautiful start of the day with your musings on the past and its' ongoing effect on the present. As always, your illustrations and photos bring your tales to life. Have a lovely week.
Thank you
So. Interesting to read thank you
My husband is a retired U.S. police officer. There is definitely more criminal activity when there is a full moon. They were kept busy on calls all night long, month after month. I very much enjoy reading your posts each Monday morning.
Lady Carnarvon,
Thank you for a short lesson in the lunar cycle and man’s belief of its influence! Surely there is truth to much of them. I love the picture of the moon over Highclere Castle’s towers! Whoever thought fo waiting to that precise time had a very neat idea!
Some of the photos are simply luck!
Lady Carnarvon,
Your blog reminded me of the many songs using the word, moon: "Blue Moon," "Moonshadow," and my favorite, "Moon River."
Happy Moonday!
I love all those songs
I was wondering how you would bring the theme back to Highclere, very clever. Very clever indeed. Happy MOONday.
Thank you - Happy MoonDay!
That's an incredible pic! I love to learn and grow as a person so I feel like reading your blog is furthering my education.
I was married the weekend of the moon landing. Even though we held our reception at one of the nicest restaurants in the area, the attendees all crammed themselves into the bar area to view the small television there. Additionally it was one of the hottest days of the year, so hot it melted the frosting of our wedding cake!!
It was 1969 when the Apollo spacecraft first landed on the moon - 56 years ago. Those pictures of the moon behind Highclere are beautiful. Very interesting comment by Pam about the uptick of crime during a full moon.
Dear Lady Carnarvon:
Thank you. I read your article as the start to my day here in Canada. It is food for thought as I go about my tasks. I hope your day went well.
Cheers
Very kind - you too
I enjoy your blogs and the pictures as well.
We never forget the tension and excitement of July 20,1969. A very pregnant me was in bed watching the grainy black and white pictures on our very small TV screen. We were praying for our brave astronauts and their families also watching this historic occasion . Three weeks later our first daughter arrived .
What great and wonderful photographs, capturing the moon near Highclere—especially the rooftop one where it is centered as if it is a ball on a short spire! The one with all the stars might outrank it, though. Fascinating read. My restaurateur-brother reports the change in behavior of customers during full moons was quite noticeable.
Dear Lady Carnarvon:
When I was a student nurse in the Maternity Ward we could always (it seemed)! count on a delivery when it was a full moon.
Thank you for your inspiring blog, and love the pictures of Highclere.
Blessings to you and Lord Carnarvon.
Worked in a hospital ED for many years. If you don't believe there's a correlation between a full moon and Emergency Department activity it just means you haven't been doing it long!
Michael Breton, Roxbury, Maine, USA
Thank you for the mention of the Apollo 11 mission to the moon. My brother and I were there as teenagers for the lift off of the mission in 1969. My brother had just started to work for NASA as an Aerospace Engineer, He retired after 40+ years as a Deputy Director. He knew Neil Young well.
I taught middle school and high school and we educators know very well that behavior sways into the area of “lunatic “in some of those young people when there was a full moon.
Again another interesting read. Thank you Lady Carnarvon.
Unfortunately The Great Barrier Reef is under threat due to bleaching and changes
in the climate. Hopefully we will find a way through this problem.
PS: @Michael Breton …
There is a correlation between the full moon and us humans.
It definitely interferes with some during this period and is very evident in Accident and Emergency departments.
Have witnessed it many times. Sad but true.
Dear Lady Carnarvon:
As usual, this is a gem! I always learn something & am entertained at the same time! I remember the Moon Landing!
Cheers from Chicagoland,
Donna Guy
Thank you for the informative post and your lovely pictures of the moon over Highclere! Of course, we can't forget the Hollywood-invented "legend" that a man bitten by a wolf will turn into a werewolf when the moon is full! Happy Moonday.
Thanks for this interesting message. I live in New Brunswick in eastern Canada, and the tides between my province and neighbouring province of Nova Scotia can reach heights of 50 feet, some of the highest in the world. Fascinating!
Dear Lady Carnavon,
Greetings from Australia, and it was lovely to read your inclusion of Australia in your blog! I would like to say a quick thank you to your wonderful staff, if I may.
We – myself, husband and 2 children – visited Highclere a week or so back and needed to discuss something about our afternoon tea box with your staff,
and ended up being greeted by your vivacious butler, who generously assisted us. We had a delightful day and have memories of some kind and special treatment. My children also immensely enjoyed the Egyptian exhibition.
Thank you also for your thoughtful blogs. I share them sometimes with my 12 year old daughter who uses your thoughts to bounce off ideas for her school speeches. It's a lovely connection for her now that she has been to Highclere.
I am so pleased that you had a lovely visit. How lovely that you share the blogs with your daughter- thank you
My sincere apologies for skipping an 'r' in your title in my submission – I put it down to the jet lag after a long-haul flight. Thank you for your reply.
Thank you for yet another insightful and fun read! I look forward to every "moon" day.
Have a fantastic day! Hugs from Texas!
I have always so enjoyed visiting Texas - so best wishes in return
As others have said and will add my thank you for another wonderful, informative blog. Look forward to finding out what new and interesting facts I will learn each week. Our first born was 3 months old when the first moon landing occurred and placed her in front of the TV - not that she remembers that historical moment, but was something to observe. Blessings on your week from Charleston, SC
Dear Lady,
A lovely post and a lovely reminder of our history. Philosophy, science, Gods.... how fascinating!
Dear Lady Carnarvon,
Thank you for sharing this beautiful message! We are looking forward to joining you and Lord Carnarvon for the Weekend to Remember celebration coming up very soon.
Thank you for bringing your positive energy and light to all your endeavors!
Joseph and Jamie (Kansas City - USA)
Hello, Lady Carnarvon🌸
Greetings to you and your family, from Alberta Canada🇨🇦
We enjoy your beautiful and informative musings from the past and amazing historical information! Your writings are so interesting and your pictures we love!
Your blog adds color and entertainment! An enjoyable and relaxing read! Please continue to inspire each one of us to be knowledgeable about history and life! Your writing efforts are much appreciated!
Thank you, once again, for a fascinating and well-written blog post. As I have mentioned in the past, I always learn something when I read your writings. Today I learned how Monday came to be. Thank you. Many blessings. Nathalie
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Beautiful. Thank you.
My dearest Lady Fiona.
Good day for you. From Brazil.
Hier , it was a year since I learned that PAUL,
the head chef passed away...
I think lot about his wife and childrens.
how are they now?
Milady, do you have any information ?
Thank you very much.
Your new book in september ...lovely
in audio- book...TRÈS CHIC.
I have read yours books in english.
I remenber, august 2013 ,your 1° blog...
CONGRATULATIONS !!!! 12 YEARS.
Cheers.
Villa Alemã
Rio Claro- SP
BRAZIL
I have a cousin named LUNA