Beelzebabe

It was a full moon over the weekend. And as you can see, incredibly beautiful. I took this picture friday evening as it was just rising over the trees.
According to moon lore passed down through the ages, the first full moon after the autumn equinox is known as the "harvest" moon, or "blood" moon. It's time to bring in the last crops of summer and hunt for game in the forests and fields. It was believed that gathering the crops during the waxing (increasing) phase made for a better yield. The fruit of the trees and certain crops bruised less easily when reaped nearest to or at the full moon. The cooler weather and closer proximity of the full moon to the earth at this time of year benefitted hunters too, as it was easier to see one's prey at night and wild game would be more active as the lethargy of summer passed.

Some bits of Moon lore.......

cut your hair as the moon waxes and it will grow faster
cut your hair as the moon wanes and it will grow slower
lovers that meet for the first time during a full moon last a lifetime
lovers that quarrel during a full moon reap sorrow for many moons after
gazing into a cup of wine that contains the moon's reflection brings good luck
staring at the moon too long will make you crazy
crimes done at the full moon will fail
children born at the full moon will be healthy and strong
buying a house during a full moon is lucky
business contracts & negotiations during a waning moon---unlucky
sleeping with a full moon shining on you will drive you insane
washing your hands in water containing moonlight cures warts
a full moon with a ring around it predicts rain
make a wish as a cloud passes over the full moon and it will come true


This particular full moon was quite eventful for me. One such "reaping" was witnessing 5 of my friends bickering and bitching at each other incessantly (the word 'lunacy' fits here) and me becoming the new owner of a new cat.
She's a beautiful white cat with gorgeous green eyes and she's deaf as a stone. She came to me with a lizard squirming in her mouth, which she dropped at my feet as "gift" and then made herself quite comfy on the couch. How could I say no? She's as sweet and mysterious as the moon itself, curling around my heart like she belongs there, and I'm beginning to think she does. I could have named her something "moony" like Luna or something, but instead I call her Pearl, after her preference for a certain bit of fabric that I have that has mermaids and mermen intertwined on it. It's her favorite place to lay after a hard day of snacking. She's my little moonbeam, turning me into a big ball of mush and babytalk. She has a way of softening my hard edges, gently tapping me with a white paw when she wants to be held, usually while I'm busy doing something else. Getting on the computer is an exercise in futility, she tromps across the keyboard and sticks her nose in my coffee, scatters papers and knocks over the pencil holder for a quick game of pick-up. This mysterious little creature with wide eyes has taken over my house and my world, reminding me of what's important. Naps. Playtime. And unconditional love.