18 – Moon *

Special thanks to Robin (MaidinSun Photography) for providing the photographs. I encourage readers to visit her at Breezes at Dawn and tell her that I sent you. All photos are copyrighted by MaidinSun Photography.

Click the video above for 2 minutes of background waves while reading.

I like walking on the beach. It’s good for the mind, body, and soul – and refreshing on my feet.

Looking above, the sky is blue and the sun is bright. A closer look reveals the moon appearing as a dim second light.

We typically think of the moon as the second light – the light illuminating the night sky – but now it’s by day. Probably having risen when I slumbered.

The moon – one of the two great lights in the sky appearing as almost the same size as the sun – something we notice during a total solar eclipse. The moon – so close yet so far – but its distance is relative.

The moon – whose orbit is synchronized with Earth’s – meaning we always see the same side – that dry, dusty, rocky surface of mountains, valleys, and impact craters holding evidence of past volcanoes that now lie dormant. And yet, we wonder about the dark side of the moon – that far side lacking sunlight – the side about stories, legends, and secrets.

The moon – Earth’s only natural satellite that influences ocean tides with its gravitational force allowing tides to come and go.

The moon – whose full face appears as a porcelain figurine in the dark sky – yet we also think of the man on the moon or it being made of cheese.

The moon has always been a desired destination for humanity – actually first achieved by the Soviets with an unmanned mission in the late 1950s – but ultimately conquered with one giant leap for mankind by the Apollo 11 crew in July 1969.

The moon, whose natural presence, phases, and immortally has influenced cultures through the ages. Humanity has seen the moon as a goddess forming an eternal celestial couple with the sun god.

As the goddess of the night sky, the moon is the matron of childbirth and the defender of children while also being a symbol for passionate lovers and their desires. No wonder we associate the moon with fertility.

We link the moon to craziness – especially when it is full. Violence and werewolves link lunacy and lunatics – all derivatives from luna, the Latin word for moon. Yes, the moon is the ruler of emotions, moods, and impulses.

We ask for the moon, occasionally bark at the moon, be over the moon, or cry for the moon many moons ago. We promise the moon once every blue moon. On a moonlit night, we may even dance by the light of the silvery moon over Miami as its beams bounce across the waters of the sea.

Although a few people question if humans ever went to the moon, nobody denies the blue moon, blood moon, new moon, full moon, and harvest moon – yet we laugh at being at the receiving end of moon the verb.

The moon – that primary light in the night sky that doesn’t emit its light, but rather reflects the sun’s light.

The moon- that primary light in the night sky inspiring wonder, balance, and renewal while remaining mysterious.

The moon – that night light symbolizing love, dreams, loneliness, and more. Nobody can deny its magical power because the moon doesn’t yell – it whispers – it kisses lightly – it illuminates our hearts.

Whether the moon is crescent, half, or full, I look forward to the next time I see it over the water in the dark sky. Meanwhile, I enjoy seeing it above in the bright blue sky and thinking about it today. After all, I like walking on the beach because it is good for the mind, body, and soul – and refreshing on my feet.

See what other bloggers have posted about the moon

• Full Moon (poem with a stunning image)
• A collection of moon photos
• Moon or Star? (poem)
• The Moon (an essay of hope)
• A moon shadow on a planet (science)
• A late addition photo by one of my visitors (Peggy)

Next Post: Snowbirds – Tuesday 8th December @ 1 AM (Eastern US)

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