The Effects of the Moon | “Drawing Closer to the Earth”

A luminous beauty, unmatched in her mysterious grace.

For some, she is a celestial muse — or a focal point for manifestation.

Long respected as guidepost for weary travellers and a touchstone for hopeless romantics, the moon possesses a draw for all life on Earth. Down to the tiniest microorganism, we all respond to the prevailing energy of lunar cycles.

Ask most mental health professionals, if they believe the full moon effects our emotional and mental states and you can bet they will have a story for you.

Peculiar and unexpected circumstances seem to occur under the spell of the full moon. An otherwise peaceful emergency room can be suddenly transformed. Inundated with patients finding their anxiety heightened, perhaps presenting with unusual symptoms.

While there may not be a flood of clinical studies backing up this well observed phenomenon, science has made a note of several biological correlations.

The rise and fall of the ocean’s tides do synchronize with the lunar phases — effecting animal, plant and marine life.

For example: some fish, species of coral and a variety of sea-dwelling worms have displayed reproductive cycles that are roughly timed to the phases of the moon.

This is no surprise, shifty sea-dwelling worms have long been suspected privy to the most fantastic secretes of the universe.

Speaking of reproduction, it seems what affects the wee critters affects humans, as well. One study entitled The lunar cycle: effects on human and animal behaviour and physiology claims that, “The lunar cycle has been found to impact human reproduction — in particular fertility, mensuration and birth rate”.

A correlation was also made between the moon and melatonin levels (a hormone released by the pineal gland, at night, which governs our sleep-wake cycle).

As it stands, the clinical powers that be do seem fairly supportive of the concept that the moon impacts on our sleep cycles.

Studies have found that men and women may respond differently to the full moon. Females sleep less and have less rapid eye movement when the full phase is near — alternatively, as we draw closer to a full moon, male REM sleep cycles actually increase.

Approximately once a month, as the Earth and Moon rendezvous, there is a change in the gravitation pull that the moon exerts upon the Earth. The Earth’s oceans, rivers and water-ways respond with higher tides, as a result.

Since the human body is comprised mostly of water, it has a comparatively similar reaction. Scientists speculate that this changing gravitation pull might affect the behaviour of fluids within our bodies, as well.

….A clinical observation chock full of imagery and ripe with potential metaphor.

Our internal rising tides can be observed in a number of ways. From a cardiovascular standpoint, blood pressure and heart rate can be affected during new and full moon phases.

The researchers in this study noted that humans tend to be more ‘physically efficient’ and infinitely more productive during full and new moons.

So, if you find yourself wide-eyed at 3 am with a pulsing urge to create some magnificent — check the moon’s cycle. It may be a transitional phase and your sudden passion might be luneristic in nature.

Some symptoms of the full moon can include headaches, joint pain and fuzzy thinking. According to the Farmer’s Almanac, it affects our kidneys and may, potentially, decrease seizure activity in epileptic patients.

Researchers suggest the remedial aspect, in relation to seizures, may be connected to the brightness of the moon, rather than its phase. They attribute this to melatonin levels, which are naturally secreted when the Sun goes down.

From a metaphorical perspective, the rise and fall of the oceanic tides are very similar to the ebb and flow of our emotional states. It is, perhaps, for this reason that the moon is such a focal point for the projection of wants and desires.

Since the dawn of time, lunar energy has been used for manifestation — a word which literally means: ‘to make apparent to the senses’.

In the self-help book, Be Guided by The Moon: How to Heal in Order to Manifest the Life You Deserve author Marian Ryan says the key features for manifestation are: a clear intention, inspired action, a feeling of gratitude and a willingness to release the parts of your life that are no longer doing you any favours.

Spiritually speaking, this illustrates a great parallel between all manner of cycles. From the celestial body, to the earthly realm, down to our own evolutionary growth.

A refreshing way to look at any ending, or new beginning.

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