Gravity In Spandex La Luna
Don't you love it when the moon looks really humungous - like about twice its normal full-moon size? Sometimes 'harvest' moons are like that but every once in a while - roughly every 20 years -the moon actually comes closer to earth than usual and this year it is due to happen on the night of May 5th/6th. That's right - this weekend. There are all sorts of folk beliefs about our pock-marked satellite companion but none more potent than those surrounding the phenomenon of known as Perigee. Think back to school lessons on planetary orbits. Remember what Apogee is? That's the furthest point in the orbit of a planet or satellite. It's kind of like gravity in spandex - it stretches to its utmost limit without escaping gravity altogether. So if Apogee is the farthest an orbiting body can travel, that must mean Perigee is the opposite. Our moon, Luna, as she is more properly called is usually more than 357,000 km away from Gaia our little home planet. This weekend however we have a rendezvous at 356, 953 km distance and Luna will fulfill her promise of inspiration as well as illumination as she briefly draws near her sister. One of the most beautiful and inspiring places to be when Luna attains perigee is Glastonbury Tor, England. To see AP photographer Ben Birchall's magnificent full size photo of the perigee moon in 2010, go HERE.
Gravity In Spandex La Divina Luna
One of the qualities I associate with Luna in her Goddess aspect is peace. Yes, I 
know that full phases of the moon bring higher tides and being 70% water ourselves we are affected by the magnetic pull she exerts. But tidal effects aside, it is the vision of Luna occupying such a prominent position in the sky and reflecting the light of the sun for us that brings me a feeling of deep peace as well as sheer awe, both of which have been captured by AP photographer Matt Stanley HERE
know that full phases of the moon bring higher tides and being 70% water ourselves we are affected by the magnetic pull she exerts. But tidal effects aside, it is the vision of Luna occupying such a prominent position in the sky and reflecting the light of the sun for us that brings me a feeling of deep peace as well as sheer awe, both of which have been captured by AP photographer Matt Stanley HERE
Is it any wonder that our ancestors worshipped this glorious beacon? Her comings and goings affected human culture from the get-go. Dates for planting and harvesting could be calculated based on Luna's aspects. Women's menstrual cycles share the 28 day Lunar pattern and it is thought that this is the origin of the many Moon Goddesses in world cultures, from Metra the Persian moon goddess to Hina of the Polynesians to Selene/Artemis of the Greeks pictured at left in Susan Seddon Boulet's magnificent artwork! Ancient Tartars saw her as the Queen of Life and Death because she seemed to die and be re-born each month. Although many cultures worshipped moon gods, it is the myth of the Moon Goddess that has come down to the present day as the archetypal version of the Divina Luna.
If you are inspired by the moon why not watch a romantic film inspired by the magic
of a full moon, Moonstruck,starring Cher and Nicholas Cage. It's wonderfully funny, OTT in an Italian family kind of way, and a delightful love story for moon gazers. I have my copy ready to load into the DVD player in case it rains when La Luna comes to visit on Saturday night, 5th of May. To rent or buy a copy of Moonstruck or order Susan Seddon Boulet's Goddess Collection go HERE.
© Delia O' Riordan 2012
