Over the Moon

Hughes night with train of stars
Susan here, bringing images and thoughts about the moon in honor of the nearly total lunar eclipse that happened early this morning, Friday, November 19—depending on where you live. Maybe you were lucky enough to catch a glimpse of it (and if not, it’s surely available in photos online!).

The moon has always fascinated humankind — luminous, mystical, reliable in its phases, associated with myth and legends, attributed with magical properties, studied by science, its dust now holds our footprints. The moon will be there for as long as the earth exists, and its stories and magic will last forever. And what uncommon magic it is, accessible to anyone – we have the privilege of being able to step outside to gaze up at it whenever the clouds part of an evening.

Robert edward hughes  valkyrie


By long, old tradition, the moon is most often associated with goddesses and women, including the Greeks with Artemis and Selene, the Romans with Diana and Luna, and many others in many cultures. Some ancient societies connected male deities to the moon—the Egyptian Khonsu and Set, for instance, while the Hindu culture with some prophetic PC thinking gave the moon a dual male/female association. And of course, there is the man in the moon who gazes whimsically down at us in its fullest aspect. But overall, women and the moon are so closely connected in our cyclical natures that ancient cultures recognized its powerful and mysterious feminine energy, and that has stuck in most mythologies.

We can wish on the moon, too, so it is claimed. Its mysterious power gathers, say some astrologers, at the time of the full moon and the new moon. Wishes and dreams can come true at those times, if our wishes have clarity and purpose, and the moon is in a listening mood. So wherever you are, take a moment to wish on the full moon tonight – and may your fondest desires come true!

Scroll through the moon gallery below and enjoy! 

Artemis_Diana the Huntress, G. Seignac

Aim for the moon. If you miss, you may hit a star.  — W. Clement Stone

 

Van gogh  starry night

Yeah we all shine on, like the moon, and the stars, and the sun. 

John Lennon

Dicksee romeo and juliet

O, swear not by the moon, th' inconstant moon . . . 

— Shakespeare

Ogata Gekko-1895-1

Moonlight drowns out all but the brightest stars.

— J.R.R. Tolkien

 

Aivazofsky Ship on Calm Seas in Moonlight

The moon was a ghostly galleon tossed upon cloudy seas. 

— Alfred Noyes

Tell us your thoughts about the moon. Does it have a special meaning for you?

Would you wish upon the moon, and if you have, did that wish come true?

50 thoughts on “Over the Moon”

  1. When I was a very small child, I thought the full moon was a window to heaven and I could see all sorts of things when I looked at it.
    I love, love, love the art work you provided with this post.

    Reply
  2. When I was a very small child, I thought the full moon was a window to heaven and I could see all sorts of things when I looked at it.
    I love, love, love the art work you provided with this post.

    Reply
  3. When I was a very small child, I thought the full moon was a window to heaven and I could see all sorts of things when I looked at it.
    I love, love, love the art work you provided with this post.

    Reply
  4. When I was a very small child, I thought the full moon was a window to heaven and I could see all sorts of things when I looked at it.
    I love, love, love the art work you provided with this post.

    Reply
  5. When I was a very small child, I thought the full moon was a window to heaven and I could see all sorts of things when I looked at it.
    I love, love, love the art work you provided with this post.

    Reply
  6. Very enjoyable moon gallery …… Thanks!
    One might have thought that Newton and Einstein could have destroyed the magic by describing the motion with equations. But no! Watching the tides ebb and flow or a full moon in a cloudless sky, or an eclipse as you describe, brings thoughts of wonder and delight. To the mathematically inclined the equations have their own beauty, but nothing compares with seeing those equations enacted in beautiful natural phenomena.

    Reply
  7. Very enjoyable moon gallery …… Thanks!
    One might have thought that Newton and Einstein could have destroyed the magic by describing the motion with equations. But no! Watching the tides ebb and flow or a full moon in a cloudless sky, or an eclipse as you describe, brings thoughts of wonder and delight. To the mathematically inclined the equations have their own beauty, but nothing compares with seeing those equations enacted in beautiful natural phenomena.

    Reply
  8. Very enjoyable moon gallery …… Thanks!
    One might have thought that Newton and Einstein could have destroyed the magic by describing the motion with equations. But no! Watching the tides ebb and flow or a full moon in a cloudless sky, or an eclipse as you describe, brings thoughts of wonder and delight. To the mathematically inclined the equations have their own beauty, but nothing compares with seeing those equations enacted in beautiful natural phenomena.

    Reply
  9. Very enjoyable moon gallery …… Thanks!
    One might have thought that Newton and Einstein could have destroyed the magic by describing the motion with equations. But no! Watching the tides ebb and flow or a full moon in a cloudless sky, or an eclipse as you describe, brings thoughts of wonder and delight. To the mathematically inclined the equations have their own beauty, but nothing compares with seeing those equations enacted in beautiful natural phenomena.

    Reply
  10. Very enjoyable moon gallery …… Thanks!
    One might have thought that Newton and Einstein could have destroyed the magic by describing the motion with equations. But no! Watching the tides ebb and flow or a full moon in a cloudless sky, or an eclipse as you describe, brings thoughts of wonder and delight. To the mathematically inclined the equations have their own beauty, but nothing compares with seeing those equations enacted in beautiful natural phenomena.

    Reply
  11. When I was young the full moon was an invitation for a winter night hike. My dad and I would bundle up and walk in silence. The snow would scrunch under our booted feet. The wind would blow and the shadows shifted as we passed. We’d see wildlife we couldn’t see during the day, and owls would challenge us as we passed. “Who Cooks For You,” said the barred owl, “Mom does,” we answered. The owl let us continue on our path. Afterward, Dad would make hot chocolate and we’d share what we saw. Soon, Dad would take me up to bed after we cleaned up after our treat. I’d dream of the next moonlit hike.

    Reply
  12. When I was young the full moon was an invitation for a winter night hike. My dad and I would bundle up and walk in silence. The snow would scrunch under our booted feet. The wind would blow and the shadows shifted as we passed. We’d see wildlife we couldn’t see during the day, and owls would challenge us as we passed. “Who Cooks For You,” said the barred owl, “Mom does,” we answered. The owl let us continue on our path. Afterward, Dad would make hot chocolate and we’d share what we saw. Soon, Dad would take me up to bed after we cleaned up after our treat. I’d dream of the next moonlit hike.

    Reply
  13. When I was young the full moon was an invitation for a winter night hike. My dad and I would bundle up and walk in silence. The snow would scrunch under our booted feet. The wind would blow and the shadows shifted as we passed. We’d see wildlife we couldn’t see during the day, and owls would challenge us as we passed. “Who Cooks For You,” said the barred owl, “Mom does,” we answered. The owl let us continue on our path. Afterward, Dad would make hot chocolate and we’d share what we saw. Soon, Dad would take me up to bed after we cleaned up after our treat. I’d dream of the next moonlit hike.

    Reply
  14. When I was young the full moon was an invitation for a winter night hike. My dad and I would bundle up and walk in silence. The snow would scrunch under our booted feet. The wind would blow and the shadows shifted as we passed. We’d see wildlife we couldn’t see during the day, and owls would challenge us as we passed. “Who Cooks For You,” said the barred owl, “Mom does,” we answered. The owl let us continue on our path. Afterward, Dad would make hot chocolate and we’d share what we saw. Soon, Dad would take me up to bed after we cleaned up after our treat. I’d dream of the next moonlit hike.

    Reply
  15. When I was young the full moon was an invitation for a winter night hike. My dad and I would bundle up and walk in silence. The snow would scrunch under our booted feet. The wind would blow and the shadows shifted as we passed. We’d see wildlife we couldn’t see during the day, and owls would challenge us as we passed. “Who Cooks For You,” said the barred owl, “Mom does,” we answered. The owl let us continue on our path. Afterward, Dad would make hot chocolate and we’d share what we saw. Soon, Dad would take me up to bed after we cleaned up after our treat. I’d dream of the next moonlit hike.

    Reply
  16. Susan, I love the illustrations, especially the last two. There’s something about staring at the moon, from any angle or circumstance. Van Gogh’s Starry Night is a favorite for me. (I even have Starry Night socks.) For anyone else who loves that one and has an iPhone or iPad (don’t know about Android), there’s an iStore app called Starry Night Interactive that lets you move the sky around, like a fidget spinner for the brain. Not just a toy, good thing to keep your body occupied while you contemplate where your characters want to go next.

    Reply
  17. Susan, I love the illustrations, especially the last two. There’s something about staring at the moon, from any angle or circumstance. Van Gogh’s Starry Night is a favorite for me. (I even have Starry Night socks.) For anyone else who loves that one and has an iPhone or iPad (don’t know about Android), there’s an iStore app called Starry Night Interactive that lets you move the sky around, like a fidget spinner for the brain. Not just a toy, good thing to keep your body occupied while you contemplate where your characters want to go next.

    Reply
  18. Susan, I love the illustrations, especially the last two. There’s something about staring at the moon, from any angle or circumstance. Van Gogh’s Starry Night is a favorite for me. (I even have Starry Night socks.) For anyone else who loves that one and has an iPhone or iPad (don’t know about Android), there’s an iStore app called Starry Night Interactive that lets you move the sky around, like a fidget spinner for the brain. Not just a toy, good thing to keep your body occupied while you contemplate where your characters want to go next.

    Reply
  19. Susan, I love the illustrations, especially the last two. There’s something about staring at the moon, from any angle or circumstance. Van Gogh’s Starry Night is a favorite for me. (I even have Starry Night socks.) For anyone else who loves that one and has an iPhone or iPad (don’t know about Android), there’s an iStore app called Starry Night Interactive that lets you move the sky around, like a fidget spinner for the brain. Not just a toy, good thing to keep your body occupied while you contemplate where your characters want to go next.

    Reply
  20. Susan, I love the illustrations, especially the last two. There’s something about staring at the moon, from any angle or circumstance. Van Gogh’s Starry Night is a favorite for me. (I even have Starry Night socks.) For anyone else who loves that one and has an iPhone or iPad (don’t know about Android), there’s an iStore app called Starry Night Interactive that lets you move the sky around, like a fidget spinner for the brain. Not just a toy, good thing to keep your body occupied while you contemplate where your characters want to go next.

    Reply
  21. The moon and I have a good relationship. I admire his beauty and he continues to share it with me.
    I hope everyone is safe and well and happy.

    Reply
  22. The moon and I have a good relationship. I admire his beauty and he continues to share it with me.
    I hope everyone is safe and well and happy.

    Reply
  23. The moon and I have a good relationship. I admire his beauty and he continues to share it with me.
    I hope everyone is safe and well and happy.

    Reply
  24. The moon and I have a good relationship. I admire his beauty and he continues to share it with me.
    I hope everyone is safe and well and happy.

    Reply
  25. The moon and I have a good relationship. I admire his beauty and he continues to share it with me.
    I hope everyone is safe and well and happy.

    Reply
  26. Fabulous, fabulous pictures here. I LOVE them!!
    I live in Ireland and we are a people who believe in all sorts of stuff so the moon would be special. I always wish on a full moon.

    Reply
  27. Fabulous, fabulous pictures here. I LOVE them!!
    I live in Ireland and we are a people who believe in all sorts of stuff so the moon would be special. I always wish on a full moon.

    Reply
  28. Fabulous, fabulous pictures here. I LOVE them!!
    I live in Ireland and we are a people who believe in all sorts of stuff so the moon would be special. I always wish on a full moon.

    Reply
  29. Fabulous, fabulous pictures here. I LOVE them!!
    I live in Ireland and we are a people who believe in all sorts of stuff so the moon would be special. I always wish on a full moon.

    Reply
  30. Fabulous, fabulous pictures here. I LOVE them!!
    I live in Ireland and we are a people who believe in all sorts of stuff so the moon would be special. I always wish on a full moon.

    Reply
  31. I love the moon – it is so special for me – especially the crescent moon. I love all the pictures above. I was outside to watch the lunar eclipse which was phenomenal. Earlier in the evening the moon was low in the sky and huge and in a few short hours had risen high in the sky. It was a wow event.

    Reply
  32. I love the moon – it is so special for me – especially the crescent moon. I love all the pictures above. I was outside to watch the lunar eclipse which was phenomenal. Earlier in the evening the moon was low in the sky and huge and in a few short hours had risen high in the sky. It was a wow event.

    Reply
  33. I love the moon – it is so special for me – especially the crescent moon. I love all the pictures above. I was outside to watch the lunar eclipse which was phenomenal. Earlier in the evening the moon was low in the sky and huge and in a few short hours had risen high in the sky. It was a wow event.

    Reply
  34. I love the moon – it is so special for me – especially the crescent moon. I love all the pictures above. I was outside to watch the lunar eclipse which was phenomenal. Earlier in the evening the moon was low in the sky and huge and in a few short hours had risen high in the sky. It was a wow event.

    Reply
  35. I love the moon – it is so special for me – especially the crescent moon. I love all the pictures above. I was outside to watch the lunar eclipse which was phenomenal. Earlier in the evening the moon was low in the sky and huge and in a few short hours had risen high in the sky. It was a wow event.

    Reply

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