Last updated on September 16th, 2023
How the Moon Influences Earth and Its Inhabitants
51. There are a few influences from the moon that may have a significant impact on the Earth and its inhabitants. Many animals, particularly birds, use the moon to navigate and migrate to other areas on time, while the moon also impacts their mating rituals.
52. While the moon’s gravitational pull is much weaker than Earth’s, it still impacts our days. According to studies, the moon’s gravitational pull is actually increasing the length of days on Earth. Many years ago, the days on Earth were much shorter.
53. Scientists believe that the moon steadies the Earth’s spin to provide stable seasonal systems. Without the moon to control the spin of the Earth on its axis, the Earth would wobble far more erratically, causing irregular seasons.
54. Due to the gravitational pull between the Earth and the moon, the parts of the ocean closest to the moon bulge outward. These bulges can be seen in the high and low tides, called spring tides, in the world’s oceans.
55. In many cultures, the moon is associated with healing, growth, and even fertility. Moon gazing therapy is one of the many treatments people worldwide use to improve many different things, like anxiety and more. There is no conclusive proof that it works.
56. Scientists and researchers believe that our biological clock and rhythms can be linked to the moon’s cycles. According to some of these scientists, humans react to the magnetic fluctuations caused by the moon. They theorize that since humans consist of 70 percent water, it makes sense that the moon may impact them.
Ancient Names of the Moon
57. The Earth’s moon actually doesn’t have a name and is simply known as the moon since ancient times. Interestingly, many cultures had their own names for the moon; some named it after animals and plants.
58. The ancient Greek name for the moon is Selene, who, according to their mythology, pulled the moon across the sky in her chariot. Two white horses pulled the chariot, which happened every day at dusk.
59. The name Luna was given to the moon by the Romans, who believed she was the goddess of the moon. The Latin word simply means moon; this name is often associated with the female embodiment of the sun.
60. In old Norse or Germanic mythology, the moon was named after Mani, the sister of Sol. According to the belief, the boy, Mani, was forced to guide the moon on its path through the sky every night for eternity.
61. The Arabic name for the moon was Merenda, which is also where the female name Miranda comes from. The modern name for the moon in Arabic is Qamar which means beauty and more. It is also a human name.
62. In ancient China, the moon is named after the moon spirit, Chang’e. They believed the moon represented femininity, so they considered the moon yin or female. Only women were allowed to participate in these moon festivals on the night of the full moon while offerings were made.
Names For the Full Moon
63. The many interesting names for the full moon are a tradition that started long ago in many different countries worldwide. Many originated from Native American tribes, while others come from European tribes like the Celtic, Neo-Pagan, and Anglo-Saxon.
64. The very first full moon in January, also known as the Wolf Moon, is named for the howling wolves. According to the Anglo-Saxon tradition, it is also known as the moon after Yule or the winter moon in Alaska.
65. During February, the Snow Moon is the second of the full moon in the year cycle. Some of the native North American tribes know it as the Hungry Moon due to the food scarcity in mid-winter. Snow Moon originated among the old English and Celtic tribes.
66. Third in the lineup of full moons is the Worm Moon, which occurs in March during the winter. It is named after the earthworms that emerge when the weather gets warmer. Some Native American tribes call it the Crow Moon for the returning crows.
67. The Pink Moon is the April Full moon and appears when the pink phlox wildflowers bloom in early spring in North America. Other Native American names for this full moon are the Breaking Ice Moon and the Moon of the Red Grass.
68. All the flowers bloom during the month of May, so this full moon is known as the Pink Flower Moon. It is known as the Budding Moon, the Planting Moon, and the Egg Laying Moon among Native Americans. Anglo-Saxons call it Milking Moon, while old English tribes call it Mother Moon.
69. A very interesting name for the full moon of June is Strawberry Moon. This was an exciting time for Native American tribes when these red berries ripened. Other Native names are Green Corn Moon, Hot Moon, and Berries Ripen Moon.
70. July is the Month of Buck Moon and is the time when new antlers emerge from the foreheads of deer. Other American Tribe names for this full moon are Salmon Moon, Raspberry Moon, and Thunder Moon.
71. The Celtic tribes called the August full moon the Lynx Moon or the Dispute Moon. Because of the large numbers of lake sturgeons, American tribes called it the Sturgeon Moon. With the Anglo-Saxons, it was known as the Grain Moon.
72. The Harvest Moon or the Corn Moon was the name for September full moon among Native American tribes. It was also known by that name among the Anglo-Saxons and the Wine Moon, the Song Moon, and Barley Moon with old English tribes.
73. People from the Northern Hemisphere traditionally prepare for the winter at this time of the year. So it was hunting season. Therefore October’s full moon was known as the Hunting Moon. Native Americans named it the Drying Rice Moon or Falling Leaves Moon.
74. November is the month beavers are preparing for the winter, so this full moon was known as Beaver Moon. American Natives also called this the Freezing Moon or the Frost Moon. Darkest Depths Moon and Mourning Moon was the name for the November full moon among Celtic people.
75. The December full moon is known as the Cold Moon in the Northern Hemisphere. Old English and Anglo-Saxons know this full moon as Long Night Moon or Moon Before Yule. Oak Moon or Full Cold Moon was the name Celtics gave to this full moon.
76. A full moon is known in Sri Lanka as Poya, and every full moon in this country has a holiday dedicated to it. Every full moon in this country has a unique name that means something special with significant value.
77. The Chinese have playful names for the full moons of every Lunar cycle. Because there are many different regions in China, there are just as many names for the full moon in China. Some of the known ones are Sleepy Moon in March and Dragon Moon in May.
78. Most Celtic Traditional names for the different full moons are named after food and seasonal events. This may include animal mating seasons, hunting, and planting seasons. It may also refer to essential food gathering times and festivals of that time.
79. Many times romantic meanings are connected to the names of the full moons of the year. Most of the time, they have meaningful names to remind people of important events or stories that explain nature and its forces.
80. The Maori, an ethnic group in New Zealand, also have a lunar calendar with different names from the full Moons. The Difference is that their lunar cycle, the Ramathaka, which means both month and moon, starts in May. Each name of the Maori month has relevance to the seasons.