Hobbies And Interests
Ocean Tides
The moon's gravity pulls sea water on the side of Earth facing the moon; the water moves in that direction and forms a bulge. Inertia causes water to bulge on the opposite side of Earth as it moves in a straight line away from the moon. As Earth rotates, the bulges stay aligned with the moon.
Plants
Practitioners of lunar gardening claim that the moon's gravity affects seed germination, plant growth and crop yield. The pull of the moon's gravity affects water in soil and in plants. Light reflected by the full moon may activate dormant seeds to begin germinating; exposed seeds do not germinate during the darkness of the new moon.
Water Table
The phases of the moon affect the amount of moisture in the soil. There is less water in the soil during the last quarter of the moon's phase because the water table is at it lowest during that phase. Lunar gardeners turn over their gardens during this time, because less moisture makes the soil easier to till.
Childbirth
Old wives' tales and anecdotal reports from maternity ward staff suggest that the lunar cycle affects the onset of labor, especially during the full moon. One Italian study showed a correlation between delivery and the full moon. A French study found that more babies were born between the last quarter and new moon than during the first quarter.