Over the Moon

Susan here, bringing images and thoughts about the moon in honor of the recent full moon and lunar eclipse. Maybe you were lucky enough to catch a glimpse of it.

The moon has always fascinated humankind -- luminous, mystical, reliable in its phases, associated with myth and legends, attributed with magical properties, studied by science, its dust now holds our footprints. The moon will be there for as long as the earth exists, and its stories and magic will last forever. And what uncommon magic it is, accessible to anyone – we have the privilege of being able to step outside to gaze up at it whenever the clouds part of an evening.

By long, old tradition, the moon is most often associated with goddesses and women, including the Greeks with Artemis and Selene, the Romans with Diana and Luna, and many others in many cultures. Some ancient societies connected male deities to the moon—the Egyptian Khonsu and Set, for instance, while the Hindu culture with some prophetic PC thinking gave the moon a dual male/female association. And of course, there is the man in the moon who gazes whimsically down at us in its fullest aspect. But overall, women and the moon are so closely connected in our cyclical natures that ancient cultures recognized its powerful and mysterious feminine energy, and that has stuck in most mythologies.

We can wish on the moon, too, so it is claimed. Its mysterious power gathers, say some astrologers, at the time of the full moon and the new moon. Wishes and dreams can come true at those times, if our wishes have clarity and purpose, and the moon is in a listening mood. So wherever you are, take a moment to wish on the full moon tonight – and may your fondest desires come true!

Scroll through the moon gallery below and enjoy! 

Aim for the moon. If you miss, you may hit a star.  -- W. Clement Stone

 

Yeah we all shine on, like the moon, and the stars, and the sun. 

-- John Lennon

O, swear not by the moon, th' inconstant moon . . . 

-- Shakespeare

Moonlight drowns out all but the brightest stars.

— J.R.R. Tolkien

 

The moon was a ghostly galleon tossed upon cloudy seas. 

-- Alfred Noyes

Tell us your thoughts about the moon. Does it have a special meaning for you?

Would you wish upon the moon, and if you have, did that wish come true?

Comments

[Mary T]

When I was a very small child, I thought the full moon was a window to heaven and I could see all sorts of things when I looked at it.

I love, love, love the art work you provided with this post.

[Quantum]

Very enjoyable moon gallery ...... Thanks!

One might have thought that Newton and Einstein could have destroyed the magic by describing the motion with equations. But no! Watching the tides ebb and flow or a full moon in a cloudless sky, or an eclipse as you describe, brings thoughts of wonder and delight. To the mathematically inclined the equations have their own beauty, but nothing compares with seeing those equations enacted in beautiful natural phenomena.

[Pamela DG]

When I was young the full moon was an invitation for a winter night hike. My dad and I would bundle up and walk in silence. The snow would scrunch under our booted feet. The wind would blow and the shadows shifted as we passed. We'd see wildlife we couldn't see during the day, and owls would challenge us as we passed. "Who Cooks For You," said the barred owl, "Mom does," we answered. The owl let us continue on our path. Afterward, Dad would make hot chocolate and we'd share what we saw. Soon, Dad would take me up to bed after we cleaned up after our treat. I'd dream of the next moonlit hike.

[Kareni]

What a lovely memory, Pamela DG; thanks for sharing! I'm reminded of the children's book Owl Moon by Jane Yolen.

[Kareni]

Thank you for the wonderful pictures and quotes, Susan!

[Mary M.]

Susan, I love the illustrations, especially the last two. There's something about staring at the moon, from any angle or circumstance. Van Gogh's Starry Night is a favorite for me. (I even have Starry Night socks.) For anyone else who loves that one and has an iPhone or iPad (don't know about Android), there's an iStore app called Starry Night Interactive that lets you move the sky around, like a fidget spinner for the brain. Not just a toy, good thing to keep your body occupied while you contemplate where your characters want to go next.

[Christina Courtenay]

So many beautiful images, Susan, love it!

[Annette N]

The moon and I have a good relationship. I admire his beauty and he continues to share it with me.

I hope everyone is safe and well and happy.

[Teresa Broderick]

Fabulous, fabulous pictures here. I LOVE them!!
I live in Ireland and we are a people who believe in all sorts of stuff so the moon would be special. I always wish on a full moon.

[Jeanne Behnke]

I love the moon - it is so special for me - especially the crescent moon. I love all the pictures above. I was outside to watch the lunar eclipse which was phenomenal. Earlier in the evening the moon was low in the sky and huge and in a few short hours had risen high in the sky. It was a wow event.

[Lillian Marek]

There's definitely something magical about the moon. It's not just that it's beautiful. It's also mysterious and powerful.

And on lighter note, there's the Gilbert and Sullivan song, The Moon and I, from the Mikado:

The Sun whose rays are all ablaze with ever living glory
Does not deny his majesty, he scorns to tell a story
He don't exclaim "I blush for shame" so kindly be indulgent
But fierce and bold in fiery gold, he glories all effulgent

I mean to rule the earth as he the sky
We really know our worth, the Sun and I
I mean to rule the earth as he the sky
We really know our worth, the Sun and I

Observe her flame that placid dame the Moon's Celestial Highness
There's not a trace upon her face of diffidence or shyness
She borrows light that through the night, mankind may all acclaim her
And truth to tell, she lights up well so I for one don't blame her

Ah pray make no mistake, we are not shy
We're very wide awake, the Moon and I
Ah pray make no mistake, we are not shy
We're very wide awake, the Moon and I

[Susan King]

Wow, thank you, Lillian! That's wonderful. I haven't heard that song for years (not since a high school stage production!) and now it's playing in my head ... ;)

[Al Merkrebs]

Lovely images and ideas!

Thank you Susan.

[Lillian Marek]

G&S are ways fun. Pity they aren't put on very much these days.