Moon Phases, SLEEP and PETS

People go to bed later and sleep less on nights before a full moon, study reveals

On the nights leading up to a full moon, people go to bed later and sleep for shorter periods of time, a new study reveals.

Sleep cycles generally change during the 29.5-day lunar cycle, as the moon gradually goes from being practically invisible new moon to a bright full moon and back again. 

Nights leading up to the full moon resulted in less sleep and going to sleep later, the experts found, while nights leading to the new moon led to longer sleeps and going to bed earlier.

Okay, we know the effect the full moon has on werewolves, but what about cats and dogs?

There have been plenty of studies suggesting that pets get into more mischief and are injured more often when the moon is fullest, but is lunar activity the reason?

The study, authored by Raegan Wells, DVM, and her colleagues at Colorado State University's College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, said there seemed to be a correlation between an increase in emergency room visits for dogs and cats  when there was a full moon.

The study, titled "Canine and feline emergency room visits and the lunar cycle,” appears in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association.

The data, compiled from case histories of 11,940 dogs and cats treated at the university's Veterinary Medical Center, indicates that the risk of emergencies on fuller moon days was 23 percent greater in cats and 28 percent greater in dogs when compared with other days. 

The types of emergencies ranged from cardiac arrest to epileptic seizures and trauma, and the increase was most pronounced during the moon's three fullest stages—waxing gibbous, full and waning gibbous.

"If you talk to any person, from kennel help, nurse, front-desk person to doctor, you frequently hear the comment on a busy night, 'Gee is it a full moon?'" said Wells. "There is the belief that things are busier on full-moon nights."

We realize that folklore alone does not make for good science, but the research indicates that this folklore may indeed be based in fact. 

Modern studies have associated the full Moon with insanity, traffic accidents, increased aggression, unintentional poisonings and absenteeism, and the female menstrual cycle, but many of the studies are a mixed bag of results. 

"While the results of our retrospective study indicate that there is an increased likelihood of emergency room visits on the days surrounding a full moon, it is difficult to interpret the clinical significance of these findings," Wells writes.

There has always been the belief that a full moon can effect people and animals causing them to act strangely. In fact, the word ‘Lunatic’ came about due to the belief that the Moon can make one mad.

We have a lot of cats, we have dogs as well, and regardless of what the opponents say, we see that our 4 legged family members are affected to some degree during the full moon.

Because we have some knowledge of ours own cats behavior, we know when things are different.

As a result we get a lot of questions from cat owners about their cats and the full moon! 

“Can a full moon cause cats to act weird?,” “cat meowing more," “cat more crazy than usual during the full moon?,” “cat temperament changes around full moon,” “why are my cats more aggressive during a full moon?"

It's obvious people see something is different with their pets when the full moon is out.

So, we believe there is a full moon behavior having an effect on the feline's circadian rhythm, that is, physiological and metabolic processes that are based on a passage of time, change of season, tidal variations, gravitational cycles and amount of light or darkness. This variation in circadian rhythm presented by the completion of the lunar cycle to full moon, thereby leading to changes in night-time light and gravity, affects the behavior of felines. 

It is not only felines that get affected, as the same variations of behavior associated with full moon affect dogs and even people in much the same way.

So, what does all this mean for pet owners?

"It serves as a good reminder to remain cognizant of your pet's environment and overall health status, and to avoid situations that would put them in harm's way," Wells said.

This advice includes keeping a closer eye on them near the full moon, when their likelihood of injury explicable peaks.

New Moon and Moon Phases

When the sun and the moon are on the same side of earth the moon is in the “New Moon” phase. During this phase the moon is invisible because the side of the moon we are seeing is not being illuminated by the sun. 

The New Moon is also called the Seed Moon. 

It is a time of sprouting and new beginnings. 

The moon phases can affect our mind, body and emotions in the following ways:

• Body– We tend to sleep less during the new moon phase and rise early. Our appetite tends to increase and we tend to experience spurts of energy.

• Mind– This is a time we usually experience sudden insights and develop new ideas. It is a great time to be creative and participate in writing, painting or anything else that allows the mind to be inspired.

• Emotions– During this time it is common to feel shy and experience sensitive feelings. It is a good time to stay away from crowds and to keep the focus on the ourselves.

Moon Phases

As the New Moon approaches here’s a reminder of the Moon phases and the opportunities offered to us...

Moon Phase Review

 

Moon Phases

No matter where you are,

you can check the moon phase for your exact location.

CLICK HERE

The New Moon and Full Moon are times for Cleansing and Charging your Crystals

First things first: Crystals pick up outside energy.
Before your crystal was yours, it was touched by many hands and likely came into contact with some unsavory energies you wouldn’t necessarily invite into your home or space. So, crystals need to be cleared and aligned with your own personal brand of energy, approximately once a month or after encountering negative or intense energies.

As a result, sometimes your crystals that you are strongly attached to just don't  feel the same as before.

The stone crystal may need to be cleared. Clearing is necessary before using any stone for healing. The clearer the energy of a healing stone, the more powerful it is.

When you purchase Crystals they need to be cleared as soon as you get them, and after every healing. 

A cleared, charged crystal feels positive and cold to the touch. A crystal that needs clearing may feel hot, heavy or drained.

You should then charge the crystal in sunlight or moonlight. (preferably that of a full or a new moon) Here in the Pagan Kitchen we prefer the full or new moon for our crystals.

It is not recommended to utilize water or salt when cleansing crystals. Also it is not recommended to put crystals in the sunlight, as this tends to fade their colors in the sun. Also internal fractures may cause your stone to crack or break if placed in the sun.

 MOONLIGHT

Moonlight is another way of clearing your crystals. Simply place outside from the Full to the New Moon. Waning Moons are good times to clear crystals, to dispel old energies, but any time works. 

Herbs

 Burying your crystal in a cupful of dried herbs will also clear it. Suggested herbs for this are rose petals, sage, frankincense, myrrh, and sandalwood. This is a gentle way to clear crystals, and smells great too.

Earth

Crystals may also be buried into the Earth. This is especially helpful when you feel deep cleansing is needed. Outdoors, simply dig a hole the size of your crystal into the Earth, place your crystal again point down, and cover with soil. The amount of time needed is personal choice.

In an earlier post we discussed using rice as a way cleaning your crystals. (Our preferred method)

Each New Moon and Full Moon holds a unique Frequency for your crystals, the moons influence will be of great benefit for you and your life and to those around you.