Besides these popular beliefs about the influence of the moon, on human beings, there are numerous lesser superstitions which are fairly widespread in one form or another. It is unlucky to look at the new moon for the first time through the branches of a tree, or through glass (fortunately this superstition does not include spectacles).

It is unlucky to point at the moon at any time; one should always bow to the new moon, especially to the first new moon of the year, as a sign of respect. At first sight of the new moon a silver coin should be turned in the purse or pocket, for silver is the metal of the moon. A wish should also be made.

Various omens are also read from the state of the moon. If two moons occur in a single calendar month (especially May) there will be floods and other calamities. Rings around the moon presage storms, the more rings the worse the storm. Almost a quarter of a million miles away from us, the moon has an immense attractive power, which affects even the land of our planet.

The obvious inference is that our bodies, and the bodies of all living things, constituted as they are largely of liquid elements, may be similarly affected by the power of the moon. Might not the human brain, a mass of semi-liquid pulp, be stirred in some strange way by the suction impulses from the moon? Such is the occult view.

In folklore and mythology the moon is said to have a profound influence on all living things. The waxing moon sends powerful impulses of `growth' energy to the earth, and this affects all things that grow, causing them to increase in size and strength. As the moon wanes or declines in size, growing things similarly decrease in energy. This belief can be found among all peoples, primitive and advanced, all over the world.

On the basis of this theory, it is thought that the best time for picking flowers and herbs, and for felling trees for fuel and timber, is when the moon is on the decline. Trees are weaker and yield more easily to the axe during the moon's wane. Similarly, trees will bear good Fruit if pruned during the moon's increase. Plants are said to grow best if sown two days before the full moon, so that they gather strength as the moon grows. Peasants in many ancient communities used to sow by the moon, and there are many gardeners and farmers even today who will plant according to the moon. Many people believe that seed sown with the waning moon will not prosper. The fact that experiments do not always support these beliefs in no way diminishes faith in them.

The various species of the animal kingdom are likewise affected by the moon. A `lunar periodicity' is observed in the movement of fish in the sea, in the spawning of various marine animals like mussels, crabs, oysters and sea-urchins. The mating urge of large animals also seems to be heightened during the waxing of the moon. In the past farm stock was managed on the lunar analogy. It was thought that if pigs were killed when the moon was waxing the bacon would be richer and fatter, but if the slaughter took place during the wane the bacon would be shrunken and lean. The sheep's wool grew thick and rich with the waxing moon, so sheep were sheared at this time. Animals were never gelded during the moon's wane lest they sickened and died. Farmers said that stock born when the moon was on the wane would not thrive.

The peculiar effect of the moon on the minds of men and women has been noted from ancient times. The fuller the moon the more turbulent, excitable and impressionable the mind becomes.

Another belief common to many peoples relates to the maleficent character of the moon's influence, which is said to manifest as an actual baleful emanation that can be materialised and precipitated to earth by those who have occult knowledge of such matters. The ancient Greeks spoke of the power that the witches of Thessaly had of drawing down the moon itself, by which they meant that these witches were able to make use of the subtle and malignant influence of the moon for their rites. In other parts of the world the magician is believed to be able to cause the moon to drip its poison into a dish of water which foams and bubbles for a time and is then ready for the evil purposes of the sorcerer.

A very common superstition was that since the moon caused a disturbance in the distribution of the bodily fluids, if a person slept without covering in the direct light of the moon his face would become twisted. The absence of a moon was also regarded as having a special bearing on human affairs. The Babylonians spoke of the black nights of the moon's total disappearance from the sky as fraught with great peril, requiring fasting and religious observances.