The connection made between the moon and its effects on human and animal behavior, has been coined with the term the “lunar effect”. While it is a subject which has remained relatively unstudied, it is something there is no denying is significant to us. There are numerous articles out there which detail how the moon effects certain animals and insects; however, with regards to human behavior it is really something science is only just starting to scratch the surface of; with that being said, there are countless police stations and emergency departments who all seem to vouch for some particularly odd behavior around a full moon, hence the term ‘lunatic’ which was derived from the latin word lunar, meaning moon.

If the phases of the moon are not something you’re about to bury your head in a book and read about, then there are at least two moon phases that are worth acknowledging; the new moon and of course the full moon. As we peer into the depth of the night sky, we see the moon overhead; you may look above and only see a sliver of a shimmer or a big beaming beacon, both of which are just different phases that you have caught the moon in.

The new moon comes around every 29 days and occurs when the earth comes between the moon and the sun creating a shadow; you can expect to see a very delicate cresent floating amongst the stars at this time. Traditionally, a new moon signifies new beginnings and emotionally you will generally feel more uplifted and motivated; therefore, it’s the perfect time to start planting seeds for a new project, idea, or vision. It is a time where you should stop and take a moment to consider your wants and your needs and to harvest that extra motivation to get things started.

While the focus of a new moon generally revolves around outward development, the focus of a full moon is usually more introspective, emotional, and personal. The full moon appears two weeks following the new moon and is in the opposite point of its orbit; hence, here on earth we get to see her beautiful face fully lit up. It is a time when you can expect to see all the ideas and visions you created around the time of the new moon, begin to blossom and flourish. Emotions around the full moon can frequently feel more exaggerated and overwhelming, this can be due to the sense of wrapping up of events that comes with a full moon. With every end there is an opportunity for a new beginning, so take time to compare what you consciously and subconsciously yearn for. Instead of letting yourself get too caught up in this transition, just allow yourself to flow with it and use this time to set new intentions that are on a more intimate level.

You possibly don’t believe the moon has any effect whatsoever on us earthlings, yet still regardless it can be a really nice reminder to acknowledge what it is we do want, on both a superficial and a personal level. Studying how the moon effects human behavior can be tricky with so many variables coming into play but it can be interesting to observe for yourself any common patterns that arise around these times.

All in all, it is hard to believe that something as great as the moon, which controls the tides of the ocean, doesn’t have something to do with our emotions.

Written by Nicole Ander