Lunar effect

This project explores the idea that the Earth's Moon has an influence on human behavior. These beliefs have a very long history but there are few sources that give a good overview of the topic. Surveys have shown that this belief is still commonplace in contemporary society, despite studies which have found that there is no correlation between the Moon and many indicators of human behavior. One of the goals is to gather information which can be used to improve Lunar effect and perhaps also Medical astrology.

History


The term "lunatic" derives from the Latin word lunaticus ("moonstruck") which originally referred mainly to epilepsy and madness as diseases caused by the moon. By the fourth and fifth centuries astrologers were commonly using the term to refer to neurological and psychiatric diseases. Through at least 1700 it was also a common belief that the Moon influenced fevers, rheumatism, episodes of epilepsy and other diseases.

The nativity shown here is an historic example of the belief that lunacy was caused by the position of the Earth's Moon at the time of birth. This author describes how the positions of the planets Saturn and Mars (both of which are considered to be a malefic planet by astrologers) with respect to the Moon are the cause of "diseases of the mind." 

Literary references




Depictions in art
An insane man (Tom Rakewell) sits on the floor manically grasping at his head, whilst two attendants manacle his legs: his lover, Sarah Young, cries in distress, they are surrounded by lunatics at Bethlem hospital, London.

  

 

 



