Moon Lore

For thousands of years, ancient hunters, lovers, priests, farmers and wanderers
have watched the moon for signs of what would be. Repeating patterns in the natural
world were found to coincide with the changing phases and celestial position of the
moon. Once recognized, such repeating patterns became predictable, and moon lore
became common.
Weather was one of the most important concerns to the ancient people of our
planet. Sailors relied on lunar weather predictions to guide their travels, and farmers, to
time their planting and harvesting. Consider, for example, these old folk sayings:

A sallow moon,
Brings rain soon.

Shinning moon of red cast,

Calm seas will not last.

Warm days, cool nights,

A bright white moon,
And stars of light.

A full moonrise with a ring,

Clouds will rain and thunder sing.

When around the moon a ring does glow,

The clouds will rain, and the wind will blow.

A clear moon in spring or fall,

Soon will bring a frost to call.

A full moon overhead in clear sight,

Nice days will reign a full fortnight.

Full moon hidden by noon sun,

The coming skies will be uncertain.

Four days, no shadow is cast from the moon,

Four days of foul weather follows soon.

Within four days a new moon shadow is cast,

Good weather will last and last.

A blue moon in the month of May,

Severe weather is here to stay.
Another month with a blue moon,
Inclement weather follows soon.
An equinox moon, full in spring,
Stormy skies it quickly brings.

Flowers in May, when spring showers stay,

First harvest is late, when spring showers wait.

The crescent moon’s horns lost in the night,

Brings wet weather before full moon’s light.

When the moon’s obscure at her core,

The full moon doth rain more and more.

The moon surrounded by a ring,

A howling storm it will bring,
Count of stars the ring does hold,
The number of days of rain and cold.

The moon, a ring does surround,

Worry and trouble will soon be found.

Blood on the moon, cloudy red,

Nightmares on your dreams will tread.

An April full moon, so pretty and bright,

The ground will be frozen by first morning’s light.

A full moon in winter, no clouds in sight –

Short cold days, long cold nights.

A winter full moon, cold snaps are long;

New moon warming, rising at dawn.

Birth

Although some ancient cultures attributed masculine qualities to the moon, most
cultures consider the Sun masculine and the Moon feminine. The moon phases follow a
monthly cycle, similar to a woman’s menstrual cycle. Births seem to occur more often
around a full moon. From these observations, other correlations were added to the litany
of moon lore. These include lunar links with becoming pregnant, predetermining the sex
of a child, and a baby’s sleep cycle.

A maiden under a full moon lies,

Naked, praying to the skies.
On the new moon, a child will form,
And in nine months, she will be born.
The new moon sets with the sun,
The newborn’s mother’s work is done;
Sunset with the full moon rise,
All night long, the baby cries.

A newborn’s mother, soon to be,

And laying naked under an apple tree,
The full moon light,
On the baby doth shine,
And will be born in three days time.

New moon, sleep all night,

Baby will rest, mother’s delight.
Full moon, bright and clear,
Baby will dance and play and cheer.

Full moon,
Baby soon.

Full moon rise,

Baby no surprise.

The forth full moon, and from behind,

Pregnancy is a notable sign.
A girl will be born in half year,
The tenth full moon and birth is near.
The fourth full moon and from behind,
No baby is shown, a masculine sign.
The tenth full moon no water break,
A boy will be born and he will be late.

Planting

Ancient farmers considered the phases of the moon and the moon signs prior to
planting, weeding, or harvesting. Milk production was thought to increase on the full
moon, and the full moon nearest the Spring – Equinox meant the first fresh milk of the
season. Mating of farm animals was thought to be more productive under the full moon;
however the quality of the farm animals was considered the best when birthed under a
waxing moon.

Spring full moon, lactating ewes,

From the farmer spread the news,
Fresh milk doth come this night
And can be had at first dawn’s light.
Asparagus, broccoli, Brussels sprouts,
Leafy vegetables will grow stout,
When planted under the new moon’s light,
A bountiful harvest on full moon night.
Peppers, pumpkins, and peas will grow,
As will melons, garlic, squash and tomatoes,
Sow the bounty and reap the same,
And do so in the Goddess’ name.

Aries and Leo, barren and dry,

Sagittarius, Aquarius, and Gemini,
The Virgo moon is barren and moist,
Planting is not a very good choice.
Capricorn moon, Libra and Taurus,
Sow not the fruit trees nor the forest,
Root crops do well, and so with the vines,
But not as good as the water signs.
Cancer, Scorpio, and Pisces are best,
Lettuce, tomatoes, and all the rest,
Feminine and moist, what all plants need,
Yield voluminous fruit and plenty of seed.

Animals born under a water sign,

And a waxing moon, mature just fine,
Good breeding stock, they will be,
Healthy, and happy for all to see.

People

The moon was thought to have power over the human experience. The light of the
full moon was believed to make a person crazy. People became less inhibited under the
full moon, a condition that came to be known as lunacy. The manner in which we are
affected is determined by lunar astrology and the phase of the moon.

Under a full moon, do not sleep,

And your sanity you will keep.

Aries moon, heat and fire,

Set ablaze, what you desire;
Taurus noon, solid and stable,
Only complete what you are able;
Gemini moon, of two minds,
Will talk about the other signs;
Cancer noon, tears will fall,
Happiness, sadness, joy, and all;
Leo moon, center stage,
I don’t believe that I have ages;
Virgo moon, a magnifying glass,
Mine the details of your past;
Libra moon, balanced and fair,
Let the wind blow through your hair;
Scorpio moon, passion and sex,
The mind succumbs to the body’s hex;
Sagittarius moon, relaxed and free,
Do not tell me what will be;
Capricorn moon, when money counts,
All distractions do renounce;
Aquarius moon, hidden and pure,
Charisma enhances your behavior;
Pisces moon, compassionate, caring,
Always comes before the Aries.