I grew up in the country and spent most of my summers outdoors. I rode horses with my friends in the surrounding woods (fighting orcs, of course, with the elven army), waded through creeks to catch crawdads, splashed in the secret neighborhood swimming hole until my toes wrinkled worse than grandpa’s patooty. Sure, I miss all those childhood activities, especially when I’m holed up in an office all day, but what I miss the most are the summer evenings. We’d sleep out under the open sky, roughing it without wimpy tents or air mattresses, and stay up until that time of night when deep quiet creeps in and an otherworldly element charges the air. Without street lamps and house lights, the cosmos hold a hypnotizing brilliance. I’d stare up at the landscape of stars for hours and wonder how far away Luke Skywalker was at that very moment. Light years, I guessed. Maybe I was his other long-lost Jedi sister and somewhere in the heavens my light saber awaited…
The moon was just as mysterious, although I never really trusted the man in the moon. Too pale. Ate too much Swiss cheese. But the moon still fascinates me, so I thought I’d share a few fun moon facts.
Full moons have specific names, thanks to the Native Americans. August is the Full Sturgeon Moon. Great month to fish, apparently. Is also called the Full Red Moon, the Green Corn Moon, or the Grain Moon. The Neo Pagans pegged August’s full moon as the Lightening Moon, Colonial Americans, the Dog Day’s Moon, and the Celts named it the ominous Dispute Moon.
You can schedule life according to the moon. Here are some helpful dates provided by the Farmer’s Almanac (sorry we’ve missed out on some opportunities in earlier August to gain weight, have dental care, or castrate animals):
Don’t miss out – harvest hay and destroy weeds today, August 24! Snip that hair to discourage growth on August 25, 26, or 27. August 26 is a great day to start that diet and/or quit smoking. Breed animals on the 30 or 31st (I’ll just leave it at that).
According to a study at Bradford Royal Infirmary, the chances of being bitten by a dog are twice as high during a full moon. No wonder I’m a cat person.
It’s unlucky to look at the moon over your shoulder.
The word “lunatic” came to describe someone who was moon mad as a result of sleeping under the moonlight, or being overexposed to it.
A study by Tübingen University, Germany, claimed that police reports for 50 new and full moon cycles showed that the moon is responsible for binge drinking. See? You can blame that empty wine jug on the full moon.
Did you know “honeymoon” came from the full moon in June? Since June lands in between the planting and harvesting season, it was a fine month to get hitched. And white flowers are thought to be inhabited by Moon spirits, who appear at full moon, especially in July, August, and September, so if you want to attract love, use Jasmine.
Don’t sleep under moonlight. Hippocrates claims you’ll have nightmares. Sorry I have to disagree with you on that one, big H.
Any full moon stories, facts, or fallacies you want to share? When was the last time you took a moment to gaze up at the moon and stars?
Sadly, no stories–when it comes to actual roughing it, I’m a bit of a ninny. But I do love the moon, no matter what shape it’s shining down on me from. There’s something about it, maybe the color, that just magical.
It must be the hypnotic silver glow, huh? Or maybe it’s a dormant werewolf gene…
Interesting post! Thanks for sharing all these “moon” facts.
Oh, I could go on and on about moon myths, facts and superstitions. Fascinating stuff. Thanks for dropping in!
So what I’m gathering from all of this is that you are a lunatic (The word “lunatic” came to describe someone who was moon mad as a result of sleeping under the moonlight, or being overexposed to it.) who suffers from nightmares (Don’t sleep under moonlight. Hippocrates claims you’ll have nightmares.) because you often slept outside on those long summer nights.
Nothing wrong with that in my book, I’m just speculating here about the true nature of your character, especially since you are a cat person. That says so much.
And does it make sense – really – that the season to breed animals follows the season to castrate them? How’s that gonna work?
All kidding aside, this was an interesting post. Thanks for sharing. But, unlike you, I did not miss the season to gain weight, because I am now, as we speak, trying to lose the weight that found me. When is the season to shed pounds?
Patricia Rickrode
w/a Jansen Schmidt
You guessed it, Patricia – I’m a closet lunatic. Never trust what you see on the outside alone! But I thought dogs had more of an affinity for the moon than cats, considering all the werewolf stories. Perhaps my secret Jedi powers protected me from the full effects of moonlight…and according to the Farmer’s Almanac, August 26 is the day to start that diet. My scale definitely claims early August is a great time to gain extra poundage. Thanks for visiting!
Don’t forget that all teachers know the full moon wreaks children’s cycles. (And I had to look up how to spell “wreak” because I am not a word smith like CJ.
Okay, can I delete that and start over? Suppose to say wreaks havoc on children’s cycles. But spelling all those hard words made me leave out havoc. LOL
Ha! There’s always room for do-overs here, Twila! You would know, having all those years of experience as a teacher. Do kids turn into little mischievous monsters at the full moon? I’m pretty sure that’s what happens to me. 🙂
Yes, kids = monsters! But you, maybe a mischievous elf or pixie. (And yes, I had to look at your post to spell mischievous.)
Drat! My secret identity is out! 🙂
great article, Coleen. Interesting fact about all the moons. I’m actually using a version of it, in Blaéz’s story, all made up of course. 🙂
Ooh, adding some moon magic to your writing sounds awesome – can’t wait to read Blaez’s story!
Hmmmmmmmmmmm, Lunatic does apply. Knowing this person for some time, the mischievous side of pranks, impromptu photos and terrorizing her two sisters all while pretending to be sweet and innocent does apply. She is the character in her books and far as I know there have been no restraining orders issued by Alex Scarsguard yet:)
That’s a new way to spell Skarsgard…. Just so you know, there’s only pieces of me in my characters–writing about myself would be boring. I’ll admit to pranks, candid photos and terrorizing certain siblings, however.
Hmmmmmmmmm, Your pure as the driven snow alright:)
Indeed, H.L. Not to mention sweet as sunshine. Except in the mornings, prior to first mocha.