Moon Phases

People often attribute depression to the New Moon, and when unable to sleep, blame the Full Moon. But do the phases of the Moon really have such an influence on a person’s state and mood?

This question is of interest not only to astrologers but also to renowned scientists. For example, in Switzerland, doctors observed patients with cardiovascular diseases for an extended period. They found that more than thirty percent of heart attacks occurred precisely when a thin crescent of the Moon appeared in the night sky.

All Moon Phases:

	New Moon
	Full Moon
	First Lunar phase
	Second Lunar Phase
	Third Lunar Phase
	Fourth Lunar Phase
	Waxing (Young) Moon
	Waning (Aging) Moon

Employees of the investment bank Macquarie Securities (USA) studied the rise and fall of stock market indices for eleven years. After analyzing all available data, they concluded that the highest profits occur two days before the New Moon and for the same period after.

Interestingly, the results were almost identical for all countries and market participants. Numerous studies have been conducted on this topic, but what are the explanations for this phenomenon?

Since ancient times, people have known that ocean tides depend on the Moon’s phase. Based on these facts, Dr. Arnold Lieber from the United States proposed the concept of a so-called “biological tide.” Similar phenomena are observed in the human body, though, of course, on a much smaller scale. The permeability of each cell membrane and its water balance change. The levels of melatonin and serotonin in nerve tissues also fluctuate.

The American scientist Robert Becker put forward another theory regarding the influence of lunar phases on the person. He believes that the Earth’s satellite has a strong effect on its magnetic field, which in turn alters the body’s electric impulses.

Moon phases are recognized by scientists as biological rhythms that help the organism adapt to changing environmental conditions. These phases belong to the so-called infradian rhythm, lasting more than twenty-four hours. Scientists from St. Petersburg State University and Moscow State Pedagogical University conducted experiments on the influence of tidal forces on men. These studies lasted several months. As a result, it was found that their logical thinking shifted toward the intuitive. Men lost some of their rationality and foresight and found it rather difficult to communicate with colleagues.

Women are more susceptible to the influence of the Moon than men. As is well known, the menstrual cycle lasts about 28 days, which completely mirrors the lunar cycle. Scientists do not consider this a mere coincidence, since everything in nature is interconnected. A cycle of studies has shown that being exposed to constant artificial light at night, which overrides the Moon’s illumination, is extremely detrimental to health.  It has been proven that the menstrual cycle can be disrupted even by the light of a streetlamp shining through a bedroom window. If such artificial lighting is absent, the cycle is restored (some have noticed this effect when moving from a metropolis to a rural area). A group of scientists believes that in the past, especially in villages, the menstrual cycle was synchronized with the phases of the Moon: ovulation coincided with the Full Moon, and menstruation with the New Moon (this view was also held by the founder of Darwinism). However, this hypothesis has yet to be confirmed.

So, should humanity adapt to the nocturnal luminary? Researchers from Chelyabinsk are convinced that it is necessary. When developing training schedules for athletes, it is important to consider the gravitational processes that occur in different lunar phases. Russian professor V. Sivakov claims that the human body is sensitive to any such influence.

The group led by Sivakov studied the results of the Russian national biathlon team at world championships from 2001 to 2004 and found that gravity has a significant effect on the neuro-muscular and neuroendocrine systems. The athletes’ highest performance results were demonstrated after the New Moon.

According to homeopaths, the human body possesses excellent adaptability, and a person may simply not notice minor fluctuations in well-being. Chronic illnesses also tend to worsen after the New Moon, especially in those with low blood pressure.

Doctors at the Bradford Royal Infirmary in Britain noted that during the Full Moon, people are bitten by dogs twice as often. Researchers have yet to determine whether it is the Full Moon influencing the dogs, or if people themselves become more aggressive and provoke the animals.

Anyone can observe how their own well-being corresponds to the phases of the Moon. Studying one’s biorhythm will help to timely adjust the alternation of activity and rest. During the Full Moon, there is also an increase in various offenses and suicides. The renowned psychologist Raphael Lasser studied Swiss court records over a quarter of a century. Her conclusions are supported by forensic experts who analyzed criminal data in the American state of Ohio: the growth of offenses is cyclical and matches lunar cycles.

Nearly all living organisms are synchronized with the phases of the Moon. In the Netherlands, researchers studied plankton and discovered that it rises to the surface or descends to the depths depending on the Moon’s phase. This phenomenon was observed even at great depths, where no light can penetrate.

To find out what phase the Moon is in today, use our online Lunar Calendar. ✓