June 18th, 2008, a Wednesday

Did you see the moon last night?  She was spectacular.  Yes, I said she.  The moon is a girl.  La Luna.  The Greeks call her Artemis, the ancient goddess of the hunt and the moon, protector of women and children.  And Selene, the moon goddess known for her countless affairs but not as many as her sister, Eos, the dawn (someone should look into their family history and what may have caused this promiscuity in the dawn and moon sisters).  Before Selene's journey across the night sky, she bathes in the sea. 

I just can't bring myself to talk about science in relation to the moon although I do like the sound of the whole waxing and waning thing.  I actually got kinda upset when I read the different theories of how the moon was formed.  And girls, beware of guys who, on a romantic night, look up at the moon and talk about craters and atmosphere and what they learned in science class.  That could be a sign of things to come.

There are many wonderful legends associated with the moon.  In Alaska, they believe that the man in the moon is the keeper of the souls of men and animals.  Shamen claim to have the power to ascend to the moon and converse with him.  The Norse legend tells the story of Jack and Jill who were kidnapped by the moon, making them forever fetch water for a well.  The "man" that can sometimes be seen is poor Jack with Jill way in the background.  (Well, I guess that one is not all that wonderful.)   

Folklore tells us that upon seeing a new moon, bowing to her and then turning over the coins in your pocket will bring you luck in all your affairs.  Or if you suffer from corns, cutting them during the waning moon will make them disappear forever.  (That one is pretty practical for a moon story, wouldn't you say?)

You know how people always say "it must be a full moon" when everything seems to be going haywire.  Some say a full moon makes for better parties and a higher booking rate at mental hospitals.  Scientists say there is no data to back up this notion.  (But why, then, do they call crazy people "lunatics".)  I think people just like saying that.  "Boy, things are crazy today, people are acting crazy today.  Must be a full moon."  It always brings a twinkle to their eye.  

I like the way you can see the moon in the daylight sometimes, like she is teasing you, and daring you to come out and see her when it is dark and she will be at her most beautiful and seductive.   I like the way on some evenings you can't see her at all.  Yes, she is elusive that way.  I like the way her entrances on the horizon are so bold and theatrical sometimes, a huge ball of light announcing her arrival into the sky.  Then she settles right down to her usual size.  And her colors range from orange to pure white to yellowish to grey and, of course, blue.  And depending on her mood, her shape can range from crescent to full and everything in between.  She is a queen, a goddess, a coquette, a romantic, a beauty, an impulsive dreamer, and a muse. 

I love the way the moon lights up a path across the ocean in the middle of the night.  I love to open the window and let the moon shine on me when I sleep. 

If we just paid more attention to the moon, and made it a point to stand under her every night for a few minutes, things would really improve.  If you have a friend who lives far away, it can be comforting to know that they are standing under the same moon.  You can allow yourself to imagine the enormity and complexity of the universe while contemplating the moon.  This slows you down and puts things in perspective.  But more than anything, she is such a beautiful, wondrous sight, shedder of such soft, healing light.  Go ahead, get moonstruck.  How can that be anything but good for what ails you. 

GR