Sunday 14 April 2013
L as in LUNACY (A-Z CHALLENGE)
The word "luna" comes from the Latin word for "moon." Hence lunacy describes those who are, supposedly, under the influence of the moon. As in people who go crazy when there is full moon, or at other times. It is often also used to describe people who have peculiar thoughts — thoughts which are not accepted publicly.
There is a notion in medical circles that when the moon is full, things get much busier in a hospital Emergency Department. That has been disproven by research, but continues to be a working myth. It may be that there are no more people, but the ones who show up may be peculiar, meaning harder to handle and treat.
But is this so strange? The moon's gravitational effect causes a change to the water which covers about three-quartrs of the earth's surface. It creates High Tides and Low Tides. People on the sea need to understand those as they go about their work. So, if the moon can shift lots of water around on Earth, maybe it can have an effect on people, too. It may not make them lycanthropes (werewolves, werebears, etc.), as was thought in the past. But it could certainly have an effect on our bodies, which are about 70 percent water. It may also effect the complex Human brain.
But what does a Bear really know about anything?
L is also for lunch, launch, limits, liking, and Lakota.
Blessings and Bear hugs, friends.
36 comments:
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When my kids were little and I volunteered a lot at the school, some of the teachers subscribed to the belief that the full moon affected the kids' behaviour. But more noticeable, across the board was that the kids seemed to go berserk on very windy days. Maybe you can explore that one when you get to W. ;)
ReplyDeleteWeird as in Windy. Hmmmm. That's worth pursuing. Thanks, Hilary.
DeleteBlessings and Bear hugs!
Bears Noting
This is fascinating! People do seem to blame the moon for crazy things. Awesome post!
ReplyDeleteKathy
http://gigglingtruckerswife.blogspot.com
Glad you enjoyed it, Kathy. Just don't go moony on us, OK?
DeleteBlessings and Bear hugs!
Bears Noting
Lunacy is a better nomer than hormonacy!
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure, Rosaria. But some days I think lunacy is much better than sanity!
DeleteBlessings and Bear hugs!
Bears Noting
You don't get off that easy. You can't make a statement and then claim you know nothing about it because you are a bear. Own up to it. You are an actual human being, after all.
ReplyDeleteOh, Irene! You're just trying to spoil all the fun. Please Bear with me in my lunacy.
DeleteBlessings and Bear hugs!
Bears Noting
Research or no research the nurses at the hospital where I sat 14 years on the board did affirm that on full moon nights there were more babies being born than at any other time of the month. After all a woman's fecundity cycle is 28 days just like the moon's.
ReplyDeleteOui, Paul. C'est vrai. Merci!
DeleteBlessings and Bear hugs!
Bears Noting
I'm affected by the moon. When it's full I can see better while driving. And an occasional howl at that mysterious orb is a great stress relief. I really enjoyed this post. In truth, the moon and I are good friends, as I often see her more than the sun these days. Jennifer a.k.a. Urban Gypsy Girl
ReplyDeleteThanks for the very interesting observation about your life, Jennifer. One just never quite knows what to expect.
DeleteBlessings and Bear hugs!
Bears Noting
I used to work nights in an ER and have read the research as well. But Im with you. People who come in at night are more riled up in general but full moons seemed to bring out the fun. I think your theory about our bodies having such a high concentration of h2o makes perfect sense.
ReplyDeleteIf you've worked nights in the ER, you've probably seen lots of lunacy and other insanity, and grief. I'm not a scientist, but I do consider the obvious.
DeleteBlessings and Bear hugs!
Bears Noting
Interesting. I'd never even thought about where that word originated from. Can't say I've ever been in the ER working but I do work with animals and they definitely have a touch more crazy going on during the full moon. Not horrible but they get a little more kick in their step it seems. LOL
ReplyDeleteGreat post Rob Bear!
~Anna
herding cats & burning soup
Since you're herding cats, you definitely know what I'm talking about. (See Reforming Geek's comment, below.) But, of course, if you're herding cats, you probably are experiencing some lunacy yourself, but I won't go there.
DeleteThanks for coming by. I'll see our your side. You're got an interesting blog.
Blessings and Bear hugs!
Bears Noting
I'm with you on this one, Bear. I figure if the moon can pull the heck out of our oceans, it must have some sort of effect on us
ReplyDeleteI think you're pretty smart for a guy who eats honey and sleeps a lot. Must be something to both of those things....
Good points as always, Jackie. Three considerations: eats honey, sleeps a lot, lives in Canada. (Don't forget that third point in calibrating my lunacy.)
DeleteBlessings and Bear hugs!
Bears Noting
Very interesting read! I truly believe that Luna has an affect on all of us and some of us are just loonier than others. :)
ReplyDelete#1298
A to Z April Blogging Challenge
http://www.mauldinfamily1.wordpress.com
Some of us loonier than others? Who woulda thought? Thanks for the note.
DeleteBlessings and Bear hugs!
Bears Noting
The full moon does have an affect on people, that is for sure...I hear that the ER is swarming with strange stories on those nights!
ReplyDeleteShannon at I Survived and Now I Run
Another moonlight story. Here's hoping you don't run into the ER on full moon.
DeleteBlessings and Bear hugs!
Bears Noting
Love it. Having worked in both mental health and emergency medicine in my 25 year career in the English Health System (that NHS thingy) I can safely say that things (and patients) go nuts at the three nights of the Full Moon!
ReplyDeleteShw mae. Speaking of lunacy, the NHS. . . . Lets not go there, either. (I've worked as an ethicist in the Canadian health care system.)
DeleteReminds me of an old Celtic prayer: "From ghoulies and ghosties and long-legged beasties, and things that go bump in the night, good Lord deliver us."
Blessings and Bear hugs!
Bears Noting
What? You do not turn into a wearbear? Evil Twin is disappointed. She loves the full moon. It's hard to keep her indoors but I have to because she howls and the neighbors complain!
ReplyDeleteA Bear does not turn into a Werebear when the moon is full. And are you saying that Evil Twin turns int a Werewolf on the full moon? I know life is tough for you, Reffie, but that seems like a bit too much. Do take care.
DeleteBlessings and Bear hugs!
Bears Noting
Now that's interesting. I have heard that medical staff think that once the full moon is out that they are going to have a crazy night. I'm skeptical about whether or not that's real but very interesting.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Mary. I guess one never knows until one is in the spot. It makes for an interesting discussion nonetheless.
DeleteBlessings and Bear hugs!
Bears Noting
I work on the psychiatric floor. Some full moons I'd swear it was true. :)
ReplyDeleteCynthia (The Sock Zone)
a to z challenge
blueflute.wordpress.com
Thanks for visiting, Cynthia. We all come at the experience from different perspectives. While I understand the research results, I know there can be a lot of variability, qualitative and quantitative.
DeleteBlessings and Bear hugs!
Bears Noting
Think of the songs that would never have been composed, the poems, the film, the books and on and on and on!
ReplyDeleteGoodnight Moon.
From Woonie to Moonie? Whatever, m'lady.
DeleteBlessings and Bear hugs!
Bears Noting
I think it definitely has some sort of affect because of the fact that the magnetic fields all around us are changing. They do change all the time though. Who's to say we're not crazier on a sliver moon? :)
ReplyDelete#atozchallenge, Kristen's blog: kristenhead.blogspot.com
Just because I'm aware of things doesn't mean I entirely understand them. Thanks for the note about magnetic fields, Kristen. Something else to consider.
DeleteBlessings and Bear hugs!
Bears Noting
Good info to ponder, Bear. As a Christian, I believe that God is real, however, I also believe that we are tied into nature more than we know. For instance, on the small scale, why is the pollen making me sneeze! :)
ReplyDeleteBtw, thinking of your mental challenges (hibernating, etc.), did you ever think of moving south - into a sunny atmosphere? Let me know if you've ever written a post on the subject and where it is.
God is good; God's world is good, though sometimes we don't fit in perfectly. I understand that.
DeleteMoving south? I haven't really considered it. That would cause a fair amount of upheaval up here, for the family. And I don't particularly like moving. But thanks for the thought.
Blessings and Bear hugs!
Bears Noting