It’s a super moon, blue moon, eclipse and a blood moon. If we were alive in ancient times we’d be getting ready for some odd activities. I’m sure Nostradamus would have a chapter on it somewhere…. Full moons were and still are associated with some strange and even insane behavior, including the old werewolf chestnut. For thousands of years, doctors saw a strong connection between madness and the moon. The Roman moon goddess, Luna who rode a silver chariot across the sky gave us the words lunacy and lunatic and from then on some extraordinary myths floated on a silvery beam into popular thought. The first settlers to Australia were warned to stay clear of a full moon. The brightness of the rays would cause madness and quite possibly make you wonder off into the scrub never to be seen again. Some of the new arrivals were understandably scared. Away from big cities and the industrial revolution the moon appeared much bigger and brighter in the new land down under. Not that 18th-century England didn’t worry about the moon’s negative impact on the weak-willed in the mother country. People on trial for murder could plea for a lighter sentence on grounds of lunacy if the crime occurred under a full moon.

The more forward-thinking newcomers to what would become Australia saw the full moon for what it was. A great way to stop the less-educated from getting lost in the scrub. But most importantly, before electricity – excellent illumination. With the advent of a glowing moon, travel was planned and social activities booked. All of which were scheduled thanks to the handy reference almanacs. This second ‘bible’ utilised the age-old knowledge of tracking the passage of the moon for everything of importance. From seasonal plantings of crops to the rise and fall of the tides.

For some however, it is hard to shake the notion of what effect a full moon may have on our daily lives. If you’re not sleeping very well and you wake early during a full moon period, well it’s been scientifically proven that a full moon can affect sleeping patterns. While we might shake our heads at this, the moon does control the oceans tides and the human body is ninety percent water. It goes to reason that the moon must exert some influence on us.

So tonight the moon is in total lunar eclipse. Refracted sunlight will at some stage turn the moon red as we witness the second super moon of the month – a blue moon. It’s a super moon because it’s passing so close to the earth. Earth hasn’t seen this celestial trifecta in 35 years and it will be the first time it’s been seen in the Americas in 150 years. I’m betting on another Trump ‘drama’.

If you can’t see it where you are… get ready. You might feel the effects anyway.