CHAPTERXXIIILUNAR INFLUENCE
The average notion of the Moon’s action is that it affects the tides and lunatics. Beyond this the popular encyclopedia does not go, and the average man himself is not observant of anything in Nature except the way of his fellow-man.
A little study, however, will show that the Moon, while influencing the tides, affects also all fluidic life on the globe. It appreciably affects the sap-cells of plants and trees. It exerts a direct influence on blood pressure in the animal body, and consequently affects the brain and nervous system of human beings, and excites a variety of passions and impulses which are but remotely connected with the lunar orb itself.
It may even be a fact that on account of the observed influence of the Moon upon the physical system of man, the ancients said that it ruled “the populace,” and made of it a common significator of public affairs. For it must be remembered that the belief in lunar influence in mundane affairs, ordinarily presumed to be of human origination and under human control, was prevalent before the days of printing and encyclopædic knowledge, possiblybefore the art of writing was invented, and men then depended entirely on their powers of observation for whatever knowledge they had. As many of the ancient astronomical statements will show, their powers of observation were almost the equal of our scientific instruments. Thus Dr. Pouchet rightly says: “Hipparchus and Ptolemy had no instruments to scrutinize the heavens with. The astronomers of the Renaissance, such as Regiomontanus, Copernicus, Tycho Brahe, and Kepler, were scarcely more favoured, and yet how many immortal discoveries do we owe to them! They seem with their lynx eyes to have seen or divined everything!”
They observed not only the courses of the stars and planets as well as those of the luminaries, but what is of more human interest, they watched the effects that these bodies had upon the course of human events and upon nations and persons. That the Moon influenced the weather was the logical deduction from the fact of its influence upon the waters of the earth. For obviously the Moon must not only be water-lifter, but also a cloud-lifter, and its effects upon the atmosphere itself must be in proportion to the saturation point of the air from hour to hour according to the incidence of its rays. Only when all meteorological methods have failed to indicate the kind of weather we are likely to have, to predict the kind of summer we shall have, or even to explain such as we have, then men throw about for new ideas, and frequently manage to seize upon old ones. This of the Moon’s influence on the weather is one such.
I have this following note of intelligence from theDaily Mailof the14thAugust last: “The tides follow the Moon; local weather conditions are indisputably affected by the tides. Scientific meteorologists no doubt laugh the belief to scorn, but observers who are not scientific can produce sufficient data to prove that a change of weather coinciding with a change of the Moon is usually lasting.” TheDaily Mailis right. But unfortunately the theory of the Moon’s influence on the weather has been badly distorted since the learned and observant Dr. Clark took the matter in hand and formulated a theory based on observations conducted over a very long period.
His theory goes to show that the Moon does not act directly upon the weather, but by a tidal action upon the Earth’s atmospheric envelope, which accordingly depends upon the time of the Moon’s syzygies and quadratures. It is this time-factor that has been overlooked and neglected. Reduced to a single sentence, the lunar theory may be stated as follows:—The nearer to midnight any phase of the Moon may occur, the finer will be the weather during the ensuing week, and consequently the nearer to midday it may occur, the more humid will be the weather. The barometer which shows the atmospheric pressure at a mean altitude will consequently be affected in terms of the above statements, and as it ranges from 28° to 30° over these islands, we may also indicate the state of the barometer from the Moon’s phases. For it will be seen that, so long as there is but moderate wind, the barometer will answer to the Moon’sphases in harmony with the weather. Very strong winds without rainfall will affect the barometer and register a fall. I have endeavoured to embody the whole of this theory of the Moon’s action on the weather in a single diagram.
Figure 26.Figure 26.
Figure 26.
Figure 26.
In attempting to account for a very wet summer in the year 1912, and a record downfall of rain in the month of August, I shall have to refer to the times of the phases of the Moon since the solstice. Here are the dates and times, taken from the Ephemeris of Greenwich.
Here there are indications of plenty of variable and changeable weather, with splashes of very wet and stormy weather, and just a suspicion of fair in the whole period.
But this class of observation does not help us much, for there are other factors in the cosmos beside the Moon, which, although nearest the earth and exerting much influence of its own kind upon mundane things, is not a very considerable factor when regarded in its cosmic relations to other great bodies in the system. The idea that the Moon is the only body capable of affecting the weather is hardly to be sustained by reference to the facts. It is thoroughly well established that the phases of any of the planets, that is to say, their conjunctions, oppositions and quadratures with the Sun, as seen from the Earth, are accompanied by marked effects upon the weather. Dr. Clark’s theory seems to suggest that fine weather follows the Moon, or at all events that the weather will be finest in those places whereat the Moon is nearest the meridian at the time of one of its phases. There is a great deal to be said for this theory if we distinguish between the syzygies and quadratures.
But if the Moon has any action on the Earth’s atmosphere, the planets also must exert an appreciable effect, and it may lead to some well-established theory if we include the positions of certain of the planets at the quadratures and syzygies. In such case it is reasonable to presume that those planets which are near the meridian and horizon at the times of the equinoxes and solstices are likely to give us some indication of the probable weather during the following season, and similarly, such as are near these angles at the syzygy may show the modifications likely to occur during the ensuing month. A series of observations such as these would probably lead to the association of certain features of the weather with the various planets. Astrologers have already completed their observations, but that should not prevent an independent series of observations being made by those who wish to come to independent conclusions in the matter, and the subject is one that deserves attention at the hands of scientific men.
But lunar action does not begin and end with its effects on the weather. There are other and even more important effects to be noted, and although they are more recondite in their nature, and not so well grounded in reasons which would appeal to any but Occultists, they nevertheless deserve attention. One of these is the effect of the Moon in human affairs. We can all appreciate the effects that the Moon has on the waters, for we can see the rise and fall of the tides, but that more subtle influence that the luminary has upon the finer statesof matter in and about the earth is not so readily appreciated. But it will be found none the less a fact if put to the test.
What we may call the tidal point is that point midway between the Sun and Moon at any time. Suppose it to be a new moon to-day, at the hour of noon. The Sun and Moon will then come to the meridian at the same time that they are conjoined in the same longitude. To-morrow they will be about 12° apart when they come to the meridian, and the next day they will be 24° apart. Now as one degree passes the meridian every four minutes, the daily difference of Tide-time will be (12 × 4)/2, or 24 minutes. Local conditions affect the time at which high tide occurs, and also the effect of the joint action of the Sun and Moon will take time to produce. Consequently we do not see that the tides exactly synchronize with the transit of the Tide-point.
But there is a great difference between ether and water, and between mind and matter. What we know as the Astral Tide occurs exactly at the time of the transit of the Tide-point, and this fact is of the highest importance to those who would avail themselves of celestial influences and take that tide at the flood which “leads to fortune.” There is an old adage which says: Who takes the Tide takes all. If, therefore, we take the difference in longitude between the Sun and Moon at any time, which distance is called the Moon’s elongation, and divide this by two, we shall obtain a point which passes the meridian at a time represented by thisquantity multiplied by four minutes, before or after the Sun’s transit of the meridian, according as the Moon is increasing or decreasing in light. Thus, I would find the time of the Astral Tide on the21stAugust, 1912.
Moon increasing in light,i. e.going to the Full.Sun’s longitude at noon, Leo 28° 2´.Moon’s longitude at noon, Sagittarius, 18° 33´.Distance between them, 110° 33´.Half this equals 55° 15½´.Multiply by four—221m.2s., or 2h.41m.2s.Diurnal elongation of Moon, 11° 8´, or 28´ per hour.
Moon increasing in light,i. e.going to the Full.Sun’s longitude at noon, Leo 28° 2´.Moon’s longitude at noon, Sagittarius, 18° 33´.Distance between them, 110° 33´.Half this equals 55° 15½´.Multiply by four—221m.2s., or 2h.41m.2s.Diurnal elongation of Moon, 11° 8´, or 28´ per hour.
Moon increasing in light,i. e.going to the Full.Sun’s longitude at noon, Leo 28° 2´.Moon’s longitude at noon, Sagittarius, 18° 33´.Distance between them, 110° 33´.Half this equals 55° 15½´.Multiply by four—221m.2s., or 2h.41m.2s.Diurnal elongation of Moon, 11° 8´, or 28´ per hour.
Moon increasing in light,i. e.going to the Full.
Sun’s longitude at noon, Leo 28° 2´.
Moon’s longitude at noon, Sagittarius, 18° 33´.
Distance between them, 110° 33´.
Half this equals 55° 15½´.
Multiply by four—221m.2s., or 2h.41m.2s.
Diurnal elongation of Moon, 11° 8´, or 28´ per hour.
This for 3hrs.41min.2sec.amounts to about 1° 42´, which multiplied by four gives 6min.48sec., and this added to the above first time of Tide, brings us to 3hrs.47min.50sec., which is the time after the meridian transit of the Sun at which the Astral Tide will occur.
Reference to the almanac will show that on the21stAugust the Sun passes the meridian at about four minutes after noon, and therefore the Greenwich mean time of the Astral Tide will be 3.52p.m.
Now if you would float an idea, of whatever nature, let it go out upon the full tide, not when the tide is flowing in, and not when it is going out, but at the point of time when the tide is at the full and about to turn. But reflect that what you send out will come back to you laden with its burden of consequence. It is important, therefore, that the nature of your flotation should be scrutinized.
Astrologers the world over have always considered that the Moon exerts a great influence over human generation. We know that it plays a most important part in the normal functions of the human body, more especially as affecting the blood pressure. This may be the reason for its marked influence upon persons in certain forms of insanity. In myManual of AstrologyI have shown beyond all doubt that it exerts a powerful influence in the matter of sex, and also that there is an astronomical relation between the Moon’s motion and the process of generation culminating in birth. The ancients have said that the various months of parturition are under the successive influence of the planets, Saturn, Jupiter, etc., thus—
1stmonth under Saturn: Plasmic basis.2ndmonth under Jupiter: Amnionic development.3rdmonth under Mars: Limbal growth.4thmonth under Sun: Quickening.5thmonth under Venus: Sex distinction.6thmonth under Mercury: Brain development.7thmonth under Moon: Precocious birth.8thmonth under Saturn: Abortive birth.9thmonth under Jupiter: Normal birth.
1stmonth under Saturn: Plasmic basis.2ndmonth under Jupiter: Amnionic development.3rdmonth under Mars: Limbal growth.4thmonth under Sun: Quickening.5thmonth under Venus: Sex distinction.6thmonth under Mercury: Brain development.7thmonth under Moon: Precocious birth.8thmonth under Saturn: Abortive birth.9thmonth under Jupiter: Normal birth.
1stmonth under Saturn: Plasmic basis.2ndmonth under Jupiter: Amnionic development.3rdmonth under Mars: Limbal growth.4thmonth under Sun: Quickening.5thmonth under Venus: Sex distinction.6thmonth under Mercury: Brain development.7thmonth under Moon: Precocious birth.8thmonth under Saturn: Abortive birth.9thmonth under Jupiter: Normal birth.
1stmonth under Saturn: Plasmic basis.
2ndmonth under Jupiter: Amnionic development.
3rdmonth under Mars: Limbal growth.
4thmonth under Sun: Quickening.
5thmonth under Venus: Sex distinction.
6thmonth under Mercury: Brain development.
7thmonth under Moon: Precocious birth.
8thmonth under Saturn: Abortive birth.
9thmonth under Jupiter: Normal birth.
Swedenborg has said that all children come from the Moon. There is a Greek legend which associates Selene and Selinon, confounding the Moon with the parsley plant, and old women to-day tell their inquisitive grandchildren that they were brought from the parsley bed. In the Greek Mysteries thesoul passes through the sphere of the Moon in its descent to the Earth, taking upon itself a silver vestment, which is the astral or lunar body, as distinguished from the imperishable solar body proper to the incarnating ego.
The Hindus, as has been shown elsewhere, make all their astrological calculations from the place of the Moon, and the horoscope of birth is converted into terms of the Moon’s position at the moment of that event. Also they reckon the periodic effects from the same position. It is therefore obvious that the astrologer at all events has not overlooked the enormous influence that this orb is believed to exert upon mundane affairs and human life. As we have seen, the ancients, with whom these beliefs arose, were keen observers of natural operations, and depended entirely on their unaided and unprejudiced observations for whatever knowledge they possessed. They regarded the Moon as the purveyor or carrier of astral influence. Life and energy were generated from the Sun, the vital centre of our system. This life was modified by reflection of rays from the various planets, which transmitted the Sun’s rays to this Earth in altered electrical and magnetic conditions, and the Moon, circling round the Earth at great velocity, collected and distributed these influences upon our nether sphere. The notion is at least cosmical and coherent. If it also be true it is of the utmost importance to us as terrestrials.
The Moon, then, in Cosmic Symbolism represents the element of functional variability, and is thesymbol of Change, of ebb and flow, of increase and decrease, of rise and fall. It is associated with the human soul subject tosamsara, or the law of cyclic rebirth. It is the Mercabah or vehicle by which the light and heat of the Sun is distributed, the Great Conveyancer and the Universal Purveyor of celestial influences. Like the human soul it is subject to phases, now waxing and now waning, and sometimes suffering eclipse, having no light of its own but deriving all from the Universal Sun.
It has two aspects, a nether and a higher. That which is above represents the side that, at the time of conjunction, is turned towards the Sun, and the lower is that which is always towards the Earth. When the Moon-Soul is between the Sun and Earth it is in correct cosmic relations, but when the Earth interposes its dark orb, there is an ascendancy of the material over the human, and the spiritual light is in danger of being shut out. The Moon-body suffers death, like the physical body, but it persists after the death of the physical, and may endure for upwards of one hundred and twenty years, according to its inherent vitality.
It may be regarded as the Purgatorial vestment in which the Human Soul manifests until its liberation to the Spiritual world. One of the initiations teaches that this same Moon-Body may, without suffering dissolution, be again carried to earth and incarnated. But this is not the normal case, as those who have witnessed the dissolution of the Moon-Body well know. As a cosmic symbol theMoon is replete with the deepest mysteries concerning the birth, evolution, and dissolution of all that is commonly called human. Its influence in mundane affairs gains an additional signification from this fact.