Lunar Effect
Meditations on the Full Moon
The next full moon peaks in the early morning hours of July 21, 2024. It’s just one of 12 we’ll have this calendar year, as they occur every 29.5 days. Or rather, they appear to occur, because the moon itself doesn’t actually grow—it simply reflects different amounts of sunlight. It waxes and wanes in illumination and, for some reason, this process still holds a fascinates for most humans.
Ancient cultures marked different seasons by the phases of the moon and, at least for me, each full moon is an occasion to ponder my connection with generations past. For starters, there are an astonishing number of traditional names for all the full moons. The July full moon has been known as the Blessing Moon, Buck Moon, Hay Moon, Herb Moon, Horse Moon, Meadow Moon, Salmon Moon, Thunder Moon, and many others. Most of these names indicate a seasonal phenomenon in nature: a reminder to harvest, or a particular animal behavior. I’m rather fond of the Celtic name Claiming Moon—and its pagan prompt to reclaim your life’s calling—even though it likely references an early legal system.
If you’re even casually into astrology, full moons mark the end of a cycle and signal that it’s time to release the things and/or people in your life that no longer serve you. (Cue Floor Jansen’s version of “Let It Go” from Frozen) Something has reached its FULLfilment, if you will. This year the July full moon is in Capricorn and is supposed to bring with it some heightened emotions. (Really, in these unprecedented times? You don’t say…)
Of course, the lore and superstitions around the full moon would have you believe that every full moon makes people a little unhinged. I mean, it’s the root of the word “lunacy.” We may not believe in werewolves (or maybe we do!) but the mythology of the moon is deeply embedded in our culture, regardless of how scientific we think we’ve become. Research shows that the moon influences the tides and the migration of birds—but even academics haven’t fully debunked the idea that the full moon impacts humans in strange ways.
Studies have been largely inconclusive regarding whether the full moon has an impact on sleeping patterns, or fertility (ie, changing menstrual cycles or increasing the number of women giving birth). We are equally unsure whether the full moon corresponds to an increase in traffic accidents, aggression, or suicide. And yet, hospitals and police stations have been known to schedule additional staff for the full moon, and a huge percentage of first responders believe it has an effect. In fact, recent data from 40 health care systems showed a 9% increase in hospital staff use of “panic buttons” to call for help in potentially violent situations during full moons.
I don’t think of the full moon as a dangerous or unlucky time, per se. (But then again, as a fully remote worker in a small town, I don’t get out much.) I wouldn’t even say I’m superstitious, but that doesn’t mean I haven’t tried “charging” a jar of water or my moonstone jewelry with full moon energy by leaving it out all night, just to see.
Whenever possible, though, I prefer to spend full moon nights at the fire pit in our backyard, looking at the moon garden we planted with white and night-blooming flowers. I might even do a tarot reading. The next morning, I like to do some journaling to contemplate where I’ve been putting my energy, and asking if those activities are still worth pursuing. The frequency of the full moon makes it the perfect time to check in with yourself—and be reminded that we’re still just humans, marking the seasons of our short lives.
If you need a push to get in the mood, I even made a playlist to start the celebration.
Suggestions for further reading:
BBC article about a curious finding about the moon and bipolar disorder
Cleveland Clinic discussion of studies and potential causes for moon myth persistence
Scientific American on the Lunar Lunacy Effect
How do you like to spend the full moon? Tell us!
My mom always insists that cravings, especially for chocolate, are heightened around the full moon. Or she could just be looking for an excuse to eat a jar of Nutella with a spoon... I love looking at the moon, and our bed is positioned so we can look out the window at night. Falling asleep to the light of the full moon is magical.