astrology
5 lunar myths and what’s really true about them
© zoff / Shutterstock
There are quite a few myths about the moon, the mysterious companion of the earth. But which lunar rules can really be scientifically confirmed – and which are more of a superstition? You can read the answer here.
There are actually around 12 million moons, but only one of them is “ours”. This moon has always had a fascinating effect on us, and in many cultures it is ascribed a magical effect because of this. Even the Maya spoke of a moon goddess, and the moon was also worshiped in ancient times.
On the one hand, this is probably due to its inaccessibility, namely, the moon is 384,400 kilometers from Earth. By plane, that would be a journey of 17 days. Although it can be seen with the naked eye, it is far away and therefore unfathomable.
On the other hand, the moon has forces that influence life on earth – every day. With its attraction, for example, it ensures the movement of the oceans and thus creates ebb and flow. Nowadays some believe that the moon could have a similar effect on us humans. This is at least the origin of the innumerable myths that revolve around the magic of the moon. But which of them are really true?
Our top 5 lunar myths
1. The moon influences the female cycle
A connection between the menstrual cycle and the moon is so close because the cycles are of roughly the same duration. The moon orbits the earth in 29.5 days, which is roughly the same as the average cycle for women. Even so, studies on the subject do not confirm that there is a connection. Some are convinced that their period is weaker with the waning moon, while others report the opposite. If the cycle of menstruating persons is synchronized with the moon, this would mean that ovulation always follows with the full moon and the period begins with the waning moon. That’s not the case.
2. We sleep worse when the moon is full
There is also no clear opinion among experts regarding the influence of the moon on our sleep. A study from 2013 showed a shortened sleep duration (of approx. 20 minutes) among the participants during a full moon, and on average they also fell asleep five minutes later. In addition, a changed level of our sleep hormone melatonin was found. But the number of test subjects was too small to make a solid thesis. Further studies followed, but these did not show any significant results either. This full moon theory can therefore not be confirmed with certainty, but neither can it be completely refuted.
3. The brightness of the moon comes from the sun
That’s right. The moon itself has no luminosity, but is still the second brightest celestial body after the sun. It only reflects sunlight and only seven percent of it. In fact, we only ever see that part of the moon that is illuminated by the sun. Since the moon moves – it circles the earth – we never see the same section. In English usage, the side of the moon that is not visible from the earth is called the “dark side of the moon”. But there is not only one dark side, because in the course of a month the sun illuminates all parts of the moon.
4. The murder rate rises when the moon is full
The full moon killer is a popular character in crime and horror stories. And even in hospital surveys, employees confirm that the manslaughter rate is higher on nights with a full moon. It is said that the power of the moon influences our propensity for violence. A Finnish university researched over 6,800 violent crimes against this myth. However, the study did not lead to any significant result. It was only found that there had been 15 percent fewer murders under the full moon. But whether that is really enough to draw conclusions is questionable. Scientists tend not to assume that there is a connection between the moon phase and crime.
5. The lunar calendar dictates what we should do and when
Esotericism is convinced that many things are best done with the correct moonlight exposure. This ranges from gardening under a full moon, as the plants then grow better, to feeding the moon, which is one-to-one in line with the cycle of the moon. There is no strong scientific basis for such beliefs, but some people swear by them. Of course, lunar calendars with all their myths can fascinate us and inspire us, but they shouldn’t dictate specific recommendations for action.
Sources: geo.de, deutschlandfunk.de, swr.de, zdf.de