“The moon is a friend for the lonesome to talk to.” – Carl Sandburg

One of the constants of our world during the day is the sun.  And during the night, it is the moon.  Both have been praised and worshiped in fable and song many many times over.  It was only a matter of time until I had to write about one of them as a part of the Wednesday’s Wondrous World.

I have many times found myself spellbound by the moon.  Her incredible light (which yes, I recognize is nothing more than a reflection of the sun) has been a guide and inspiration to me on many a night.

The moon has been considered a part of signs and portents throughout all recorded time.  The rise and fall of the moon and all of her phases have been an instrument for the marking of time before history was tracked.

Some personify the moon as a female, others male.  And I have no doubt that some simply see it as a giant ball or rock and soil in the sky.

But there is something magical and wondrous about the moon.

The moon brightens what might be an otherwise dark night, providing comfort where there might otherwise be none.

The size of the moon appears to be utterly inconstant.  Sometimes she’s just this speck in the sky.  Other times she fills the horizon.  It’s color can change due to clouds or atmospheric conditions or whatever.

“Moonlight drowns out all but the brightest stars.”  – JRR Tolkien.

There are an infinite number of things I could write about our moon.  And even beyond our own moon, in fiction a moon or moons often gets a fairly expanded role.  Many angles, many things have been said about the moon.

Songs, stories, fables and tales throughout history have led us to strive for the moon.  The only body mankind has visited outside of the Earth.  And yet we still dream of paying her a visit again, establishing a colony on her surface, or mining the moon for minerals.  The moon represents endless possibilities.

Guide or star-blocking light, friend or foe, omen of good or bad, the moon is an undeniable wonder of our world.  Look up and see her for more than a sun-reflecting rock in the sky, and feel the inspiration she often gives off.

 

 

I am MJ Blehart, author of”Wednesday’s Wondrous World”.  Every week I share a wonder of this amazing world, and I hope you will enjoy the journey with me!

Check out my blog, The Ramblings of a Titanium Don, for more of my work.

Also now available, Pathwalking: A 21st Century Philosophy in Book and Kindle form!