| Revision as of 21:30, 26 August 2005 edit62.252.128.18 (talk) →The 'lunar effect' in religion, folklore, and superstition← Previous edit | Revision as of 17:40, 19 September 2005 edit undoPharos (talk | contribs)Administrators57,844 editsm Category:Moon mythsNext edit → | ||
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Revision as of 17:40, 19 September 2005
The lunar effect is the supposed influence of the moon, and its various phases, on human behaviour.
The origins of this belief are probably prehistoric and one reason for the global ubiquity of moon worship.
One theory is that the moon has a perceived relationship to fertility due to its 28 day month corresponding to the human menstrual cycle.
This is certainly reflected in such phenomena as the harvest moon, and the known lunar-determined mating cycles of some animals.
The 'lunar effect' in religion, folklore, and superstition
Human sanity is popularly supposed to be affected by the phases of the moon, which is the origin of the word lunatic.
Werewolves are supposed to be transformed by the full moon.
Upon seeing the new moon some say you should turn over whatever silver you have in your pockets or handbag, which supposedly ensures prosperity for the following month.
Buddhism forbids sports from being played under the light of the full moon .
The 'lunar effect' in the news
It has been alleged that the full moon may have influenced voter behaviour in the US 2000 presidential election .
Police in Toledo record that crime rises by five per cent during nights with a full moon .
Police in Kentucky have also blamed temporary rises in crime on the full moon .
A survey in the UK finds that car accidents rise by up to 50 per cent during full moons .