Astronomical Information The Moon is the closest celestial body to the Earth, its average distances is 384,500 kilometres from the earth, and it is only 3,476 kilometres in diameter.During its orbit around the Earth the Moon's distance varies:
At its closest point (called perigee), the Moon is 356,000 kilometres away, while at its farthest (apogee), the Moon is 407,000 kilometres distant.
Earth's orbit is also elliptical around the Sun and at its (perihelion) closest point the Earth is 147,100,000 kilometres away, while at its (aphelion) farthest point it is some 152,102,000 kilometres distant.
The lunar cycles are a product of the Sun and Moon and Earth at different points in time. The Moon's orbit around the Earth is not circular, but rather oval or elliptical.
The Moon's rotational speed is equal to its orbital movement, so we only ever see one side of the Moon's face.
The Moon's average daily travel through the zodiac is 13 degrees 10', so about every 2½ days the Moon changes zodiac sign.The Moon has a number of cycles the first is the completion of the sidereal month, which the Moon's cycle is measured against the back ground of the stars. In a sidereal month it takes the Moon 27:3 days to return to the same point as marked against the fixed stars.
The next cycle is the synodic month, in which the Moon completes one full lunar phase. This takes 29:5 days, two days longer than the sidereal return. From New Moon to New Moon phase it takes longer, due to Earth's orbit around the Sun.
It takes 365.25 days for the earth to complete one return around the Sun, which is divided into 12 months, then this is divided into four seasons.
The Moon's 12 synodic returns or months are equal to 354 days, which is 11 days 8hrs shorter than an Earth year.
Astrological Information
The Moon is the nurturer and protector of life. The Moon is the mother, the regulator and is also the reflector of light, emotional, habitual and moist.The Moon is swift in motion, the fastest of 7 visual planets, this is one reason why it is found at one end of the Chaldean order of the planets. Saturn is the slowest at the other end.
The Moon in the natal chart shows us how we respond to our emotional needs. The Moon is also a representation of our Mother, or how we would like to be mothered.
The sign the Moon is in can give us an insight into how we may behave in a stressful situation.
The Sign and house the Moon is in gives us information on our memory and mind and is the key to our metal state, along with Mercury and Saturn.
The house the Moon occupies can give us information on how we may deal with the matters that arise from it.
The aspects the Moon makes to the planets and points in the chart, will modify our desires according to the nature of them.
Have you ever noticed how the mood changes every couple of days, well if you remember to pay attention to the Moon, you will soon become aware of this fluctuation.
The phases of the Moon will give you the timing for what ever task you are undertaking.
The New Moon phase is a great time to start a new project, go on a journey, plant seedlings in the garden or go fishing, as fish love the New Moon. The sign the New Moon is in will have a big influence on the out come of the task you are undertaken.
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© Gregory Clare
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