The word “lunacy” stems from the root “lunar”, which describes the moon. The most common myth surrounding the full moon is that it evokes madness. From old stories of werewolves to myths about a higher rate of insanity homicide, and suicide, lunacy affected by the full moon appears frequently in old folklore. Because the moon is such a powerful astronomical force that affects the earth’s tides and allows humans to track their lives according to a lunar monthly cycle, superstitions about the full moon are still popular today. There have been studies to try and link these behaviors with the full moon occurring, but as of now, there is no statistically significant relationship between the full moon and insane or anti-social behavior.
Here are some folklore and superstitions that weave themselves around lunar eclipses.
- Avoid eating during an eclipse- it is a strong believes that in India people avoid eating during an eclipse. Cooking, eating, drinking is avoided during the eclipse period as the food goes ‘bad’ during the eclipse.
- Sun and the Moon are siblings- The Kalina of Suriname believed that the Sun and the Moon are siblings and an eclipse meant that one of them knocked the other out.
- Sky wolves Hati and Skoll would chase the Sun and the Moon- In Norse Mythology the eclipses were seen as near misses at Ragnarok. Sky wolves Hati and Skoll would chase the Sun and the Moon, waiting for Ragnarok. When they would swallow their prey- the sun or the moon, it would mean the destruction of the Viking gods and an eternal darkness on Earth.
- Solar eclipse, earthquake and destruction of the world- The Aztecs predicted that if a solar eclipse was accompanied by an earthquake, the world would come to an end. Every year, a ritual human sacrifice would take place to appease the gods and stop the world from ending.
- An attack on the moon by a jaguar- It was believed that after the moon was attacked, the jaguar would descend down on Earth to unleash its wrath. The Inca would make a lot of noise and force their dogs to howl and bark to drive away the eclipse. The Inca saw an eclipse as an attack on the moon by a jaguar.
- Dark moon will curse the unborn child- all around the world pregnant women are advised to stay indoors as it is believed that the dark moon will curse the unborn child. They are also not supposed to use knives or sharp metal objects fearing that it will leave a birthmark on the body of the unborn child.
- If you cut yourself during an eclipse, you bleed for a longer time- In India; it is a strong belief that if you cut any part of your body during an eclipse then you will bleed for a longer time and it can leave you a very visible scar for a lifetime.
- Good and bad deeds are multiplied during an eclipse- this one came from the Tibet. They believe that if something bad is going to happen if an eclipse is coming. So they try not to see the eclipse and hide themselves in their houses to be affected with its bad rays.
Eclipses have caused fear, inspired curiosity, and have been associated with myths, legends and superstitions throughout history and across cultures.
