Corn moon heralds lunar lore

According to the Old Farmer’s Almanac, relied on by North Americans since the first issue in 1818, tonight’s full moon is rather special. If you gaze skyward at 10:23 p.m., you’ll see the full Corn Moon.

(Cue the song from Disney’s Pocahontas and listen for that wolf cry.)

Why the Corn Moon? Full moon names were taken from Native American traditions of naming full moons to mark seasonal events. In some places, this is when corn was harvested. In others the same moon was called the Barley Moon, the Moon When Plums are Scarlet, the Moon When Deer Paw Earth or When Calves Grow Hair.

What’s weird this year (apropos of 2020) is that September’s isn’t a “Harvest Moon” – the full moon closest to the autumn equinox on Sept. 22. Since September’s full moon is so early this year, the Harvest Moon will be in October.

October’s also a two full-moon month, on the first and 31st. Halloween will be extra fun with a full moon above. Watch out for those werewolves!

Lunar lore is a fun topic to explore.

Long ago the moon was personified as a deity in several cultures. Even today full moons are believed to affect behavior. Beyond Middle Age superstitions generating the term “lun-acy” and anecdotes from ER nurses or 9-1-1 operators, dozens of studies from 1978 to 2019 examined the moon’s impact on man and beast.

Some correlations were found with vehicle accidents (multiple studies with mixed results), animal bites (also mixed), aneurysms, doctor visits a few days later, unintentional poisonings, crisis center calls (mixed), and hospital admissions for schizophrenia.

Plus hamsters spin their wheels more.

However, while two studies in the '70s indicated an increase in violent crimes, subsequent studies have shown no conclusive relationship between violence and full moons. Nor have many other things studied despite persistent myths to the contrary, including suicide, homicide, psychiatric admissions, trauma-related ER visits, or surgical complications.

Not that science stops us from perceiving a connection. Dr. Jekyll’s alter ego just tops the iceberg of full-moon folklore. Full moons have also been credited with predicting bad weather, increasing passion and conception, opening a window to the dead, fortune-telling, and facilitating magic.

Whatever you believe, a full moon certainly has an aura of mystery and beauty. Tonight’s should be a good viewing.

Sholeh Patrick is a columnist for the Hagadone News Network. Contact her at Sholeh@cdapress.com.