What is the influence of the Full Moon?
We have all heard about the alleged effects of the full moon. Whether it is about our mood, our sleep, our hormones or our emotions... the beliefs are hard to resist! But what about the reality? What is the real influence of the Full Moon on our body and our moods? We tell you everything!
Definition: What is the full Moon?
The full Moon is an absolutely fascinating astrological phenomenon that occurs when the Moon is aligned with the Earth and the Sun. In other words, it is the moment when the visible side of the Moon is completely illuminated by the Sun's light rays.
This phase is therefore the opposite of the new Moon (lunar phase during which the star is invisible from the Earth).
Full Moons occur approximately every 29.5 days, when the Moon reaches the side of the Earth opposite the Sun. Observed for thousands of years by Man, the full Moon has been used in particular to follow the progress of the year and define a calendar for hunting, planting and harvesting.
What are the meanings of the full Moon?
Astrologically, the Full Moon is associated with a period of change, evolution and even revelation. It is regularly associated with strong emotions or awareness. Sometimes considered as a period of renewal or liberation, the Full Moon would be an ideal phase to get rid of negative energies or blockages. The writer Ariana Palmieri even talks about a "cosmic sigh"!
Moreover, you must have seen full Moon rituals on Internet sites or articles from lunology : proof that beliefs have a hard skin !
Full Moon: what are its effects?
On the emotional level, the full Moon is a period during which some people feel more emotional, on edge, even aggressive.
On the physical side, the full Moon can be associated with an increase in the level of melatonin, the hormone that regulates sleep. Some people find it difficult to sleep during the Full Moon, while others have the sensation of having more energy and motivation.
But it is on the hormonal level that the effects of the Full Moon are most often pointed out. True or false? It is difficult to say at the moment...
Full Moon and menstruation
Some popular beliefs (and very tough!) make a link between the phase of the full Moon and the menstrual cycle of women. However, there is no solid scientific evidence to date to confirm this idea. However, some women can observe subtle changes in their bodies and moods during the full moon.
It is difficult to say if these are individual factors and specific to the life of the person, or if the lunar star is involved in these variations...
Full Moon and childbirth
In the collective unconscious (and even among caregivers), the full moon phase is often associated with the idea that there are more deliveries. Some women, who reach the end of their pregnancy, would have (still according to these beliefs) more chances to give birth during the night of the full Moon. But the scientific evidence remains contradictory. A Japanese study has observed an increase in the number of births during the full moon in cows, while other studies have seen no correlation, and not an ounce of increase in births during the full moon.
Does the full Moon promote childbirth?
While there is some support for the idea that the full Moon promotes the onset of childbirth, there is currently no hard scientific evidence to indicate such an influence. It would thus seem that the increases observed during certain studies or by certain caregivers are only the fruit of coincidences.
How many full moons to give birth?
There are several ways to calculate the duration of pregnancy and therefore the potential date of delivery.
It is possible to count in terms of weeks of actual pregnancy, that is, from the date of fertilization. In this case, the pregnancy lasts about 9 months.
It is also possible to count in terms of weeks of amenorrhea, from the first day of the last period.
And finally, if we refer to the lunar calendar, these 40 weeks of absence of menstruation correspond to 10 lunar months, that is to say 10 full Moons.
Full Moon and sleep
As explained above, some people feel that their sleep is disturbed during the Full Moon phase. They would indeed have difficulties to sleep, and testify of insomnia two to three days before, and two to three days after the full Moon.
As for childbirth, there is no conclusive scientific evidence to support this idea. Some studies have shown that the full Moon could possibly affect sleep quality and sleep cycles, but these results remain highly controversial and would require further research!
Why does the full Moon prevent sleep?
The popular belief that the full Moon prevents sleep seems to be alive and well! However, there is no solid scientific evidence to support this claim.
Some people may be more sensitive to changes in the brightness of the full moon, but in general, there is no evidence that the full moon directly affects people's sleep.
Does the full Moon affect babies' sleep?
Again (you'll think we're repeating ourselves!), there is no established scientific evidence that the full Moon affects babies' sleep. Some parents may, of course, observe mood changes in babies and children during the full moon phase, but again, these changes are not necessarily related to the moon phase!
Babies' sleep cycles are really (yes, really!) unpredictable, and can be influenced by a multitude of factors, from diet, to light, to temperatures, to teething.
When will the next Full Moon arrive?
The date of the next Full Moon depends on the time zone where you live and your geographical location. You can check an online lunar calendar to find out the exact dates of the Moon phases. One thing is for sure, the Full Moon comes around every month!
What to do on a full Moon night?
If you like the idea of rituals and connecting with the stars, it may be worth dedicating your full Moon night to meditation and some form of reconnection. If some people prefer to go outside to observe and contemplate the beauty of the full Moon, others will be more tempted by a cocooning moment with a good book and a hot tea.
In the end, what matters most is to be aligned with your needs and desires, regardless of the beliefs and ideas that circulate around the Full Moon and lunology in general.
The FAQ of the Full Moon
How long does the full Moon last?
The full Moon lasts in reality only one precise moment, that is to say when the Moon is exactly 180 degrees in front of the Sun. But we consider that the phase of full Moon lasts approximately 3 days, with one day before and one day after when the Moon appears almost full.
Why the Moon is not always full?
The Moon cannot always be full, simply because as a satellite of the Earth, it orbits the planet (and precisely in a little over 27 days). It is therefore constantly changing phase. The full Moon phase occurs when the Moon is exactly 180 degrees in front of the Sun: a phase that lasts only an instant! Remember that the brightness of the Moon does not come from itself, but from the illumination of its surface by the Sun's rays. Thus, the illuminated lunar surface that can be observed from Earth varies according to the position of the Moon in relation to the Sun and the Earth.
How long do the effects of a full Moon last?
Although many popular beliefs continue to make headlines in magazines or blogs about astrology, there is no scientific evidence to support a causal link between the Full Moon and emotions, sleep, or childbirth. The Full Moon does, however, influence ocean tides due to the gravitational force it exerts on the Earth. But these effects last only temporarily, and have no long-term consequences.
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