MOON-OLOGY

Written 8/8/25

On July 10^th, I looked at it closely or as close as I could with my naked eye. The ordinary thing became extraordinary. The moon, the buck moon, was full. On August 9^th at 7:55 AM CST the moon (Sturgeon moon) will once again be full… which means the side of the moon facing earth is 100% illuminated. This moon of ours has held my attention for almost thirty days and is showing no signs of waning.

I found the buck moon from the west corner of my back porch around 4:30 AM. Each morning, I looked at the waning gibbous moon (bulging outward) and the waning crescent (conclave) around the same time from the driveway. By the time the last quarter moon arrived, viewing was in the front yard. I was back on the east corner of the porch as the new moon approached. Then one day I couldn’t see it all – the new moon had arrived. I was in Napa, California when the waxing crescent became visible to earth. Returning home, the porch was no longer an option for seeing the waxing crescent, waxing gibbous or the full moon. It was driveway or front yard only.

Waxing or waning phases are what earthlings observe of the moon almost exclusively. A full moon doesn’t linger… one day only. The last quarter moon doesn’t hang on for dear life. The new moon recognizes that its darkest hour is temporary, and the first quarter moon is eager to run on to see what it’s like to be full.

You already know that this intellectual pursuit of moon science led me to a deeper understanding of myself. Nature does that.

A memory from my childhood emerged. My father and his farming buddies planned crop plantings based on the moon’s cycle. I would roll my eyes when I heard their discussions. Crops that produced their bounty above the ground were planted between the new and full moon. Crops that produced their bounty beneath the ground between the full moon and the new moon. (There is no scientific proof to support this theory.)

Full moons remind me of periods when I have shone my brightest. The world took notice. It is a place of great success – inwardly and outwardly. The moment is short lived. As the moment is happening, it is also passing. Waning starts. If I am wise, I will gradually release and surrender the brightness in preparation for the darkness. I can do this when I am aware that darkness is a phase as necessary for growth as light. Darkness prepares me for the waxing phase… the phase of expansion.

The cyclic nature of the moon offers understanding of what the cycle of personal growth might look like. Waning times are for rest and reflection in preparation for the new thing that is sure to come. Waxing times help to fortify one for the full exposure of a gift or talent.

One thing is for sure; everything is temporary - change will come.

 Genesis 8:22

PONDER THIS THOUGHT---Every cycle of my day, month or year has its intended purpose for my life.

THE BUCK MOON