What is the superstitions belief of the moon?

Wow! Such a simple question, and such a huge topic. The moon has fascinated, intrigued, frightened, and captivated humankind since we first looked up into the night sky.

There are as many creation myths concerning the moon as there have been story-tellers to tell them. As for superstitions concerning the moon, I have a minimum of 9 complete books on the subject and entire chapters in 6 more.

So, what I will do here is give you a general over view with a few of my favourite, and more obscure specific ones.

The markings on the observable face of the moon have been interpreted variously as the man in the moon, the old woman in the moon and the hare ion the moon, each with it's own tale for how the man/woman/hare got there.

Our language has many "moon" Words in it, most of them less than happy. One such example is:

Lunatic - madness was once thought a result of either the pull of the moon on weak minds or over exposure to the light of the moon.

Because the average woman's menstrual cycle is the length of a standard lunar cycle, in some circles menstruation is called "moon time", it is considered lucky for a woman's cycle to correspond to the full moon.

It is a well-known fact that the waters of the earth are influenced by the gravitational pull of the moon, causing the tides. It is also believed by some that as the human body is made up of a high percentage of water, that we too are influenced by that same gravitation pull, causing mood swings at high tides.

The phases of the moon have been explained by everything from a wolf taking bites out of it to her being shy and "hiding her face."

There are many who believe certain phases of the moon are better for specific acts and projects.

Here are a few examples:

~Planting in the dark of the moon will ensure a bountiful harvest. This applies to most crops, the exception being vine crops, which grow and twine in a counter-clockwise manner, and should be planted at the full moon.

~Starting a new project should be done at the new moon.

~It is best to first see the new moon rising by glancing at it over your right shoulder, and finding it in an open sky.

~It is not lucky to first see the new moon through glass (corrective lens excepted) or through the branches of a tree.

~Bowing to a new moon and turning the "silver" (coin) in your pockets will ensure a doubling of money in that lunar month.

~Magic done for increase should be done in the waxing of the moon.

~Proposing marriage and/or getting married at the new moon should ensure a long and happy marriage with lots of children.

~The full moon is a the best time to end projects. It is also a good time to give birth.

~Children were advised not to be caught by the full moon (have the moon shine on them) or they would become "moonstruck" and either give birth to "monsters" or become ungovernable, depending on their gender. To avoid this, they were to recite the poem: "I see the moon, and the moon sees me, god bless the moon, and god bless me."

~The full moon is supposed to be a dangerous time. Werewolves are believed to only be abroad in wolf form under the full moon.

~Emergency hospital workers and police will tell of higher incidences of personal crime (assaults, rapes, domestic violence, etc.) and injuries during the full moon.

~A weight loss program is best undertaken during the waning of the moon.

~The weaning of nursing children and domestic animals will be more successful if done in the waning moon.

~Cutting your hair in the waning moon will make it weak and encourage baldness, so it is best to cut hair (and finger nails) in the waxing moon.