Living in the Outdoors

Jimmy Williams

The lunar cycle has many influences

The lunar cycle is one of the oldest timing gauges used by man. For centuries it was used by civilizations such as the ancient Babylonians, Egyptians, Greeks, Romans and Native Americans on calendars they created and closely lived by. Even today some religious holidays (such as Easter) are established by a particular moon phase.

The Chinese calendar, which is also a lunar calendar, has been in use since before 2500 B.C. and is based on 12 lunar months of either 29 or 30 days. Fact is, numerous civilizations marked time by the moon phases and they even named each of the full moons during the year according to the weather, animal activities, or natural events.

From new moon to new moon, the total lunar cycle is 29 days and this cycle is further divided into phases or quarters: new moon, first quarter, full moon, and last quarter. The first and last quarters mark the halfway points between each new moon and full moon as they come in alternating sequence. So what we observe when looking at the moon at various times of the month goes like this: new moon, first quarter, full moon, and finally last quarter. Then the cycle repeats itself.

Years ago, when I played solo trumpet with the high school dance band (The Moderns), I really enjoyed playing that old familiar tune “Blue Moon.” I don't know what the similarity is but a really true blue moon only occurs when we have a second full moon within the same month.

The sun is many, many times larger than the moon but it has less than half the gravitational force on the earth compared to that of the moon which indicates how much more effective the moon is on the earth and the various forms of life. For years, scientists have studied different forms of marine life such as crabs and oysters and they have shown that the gravitational effects of the moon cause them to respond even if they are nowhere near an ocean but they still don't know quite how to explain this phenomenon.

About all that can be determined from their research is marine animals act in response to tidal activity which is governed by the moon.

We've all heard that people are affected by the moon and I'm still not quite sure that there are no such things as werewolves and vampires! But I do believe the strong moon phases cause certain people to react in different ways. I remember working in the maternity ward while serving as a medic with the Air Force and we always seemed to deliver more babies at the full moon or new moon phases. Surgeons also reported more bleeding in their patients during these times.

When it came to using the calendar as a fishing guide, my dad always liked to fish on the quarters and then either a few days before or after a full or new moon.

When the moon was the brightest, he didn't like to fish at all if he could avoid it. But I think this is a matter of personal preference as some people claim to do well during these times.

Most good calendars will show poor, fair, or good times to fish and they are my personal guide whether I'm fishing or hunting. I also pay attention to the particular times of day when fish or game are most apt to be active.

This might sound like a bunch of baloney to some people but most of the biggest deer I've shot were all taken at just about the same time of day and within a day or two of each other in the same month from year to year. I've kept close records that substantiate my findings.

From cutting hair, mowing the lawn, or planting vegetables, many people act according to the moon. They've done it for years and will continue to do so.

After all, if there wasn't any truth to what has been documented, people probably would have stopped following certain moon phases long ago.

Some of the stuff we hear about is plain malarkey but a lot of it has some merit. As an example, the next time you're at the beach trying to get into the trout, pay attention to what's caught at low tide and then at high tide. If the fish are running at all, you'll see the difference that the tides make. And when you consider that tidal activity is governed by the moon, you can put two and two together which will show just how effective the moon is on fish.

The next time you dig a hole in order to plant a new bush or shrub, see whether or not you have enough dirt to re-fill the hole. You might be surprised. Depending on the time of the month you are planting it, you just might not have enough dirt to pack around the new addition to your yard Š or you might have some left over.

Whatever occurs, check the moon phase and make a note of it for future reference. This could make a big difference if you are putting in as many as 10 or 15 new shrubs, etc.

So, for all of you moon watchers, don't let the boogey man get you the next time there is a full moon! And as a werewolf might say, I'll leave you with a big “Arf, arf, ARROOOOOoooo !!!”