by the light of the moon

Tonight, astronomers anticipate a cosmic event called an "extreme supermoon". Scientists say the natural phenomenon — in which the moon reaches its closest point to this planet — will cause abnormally high and low tides worldwide.

 The proposition that full moons can spark deviant behavior in human beings is known in scholarly research as the Transylvanian hypothesis. We owe the noun lunacy, and the adjective lunatic, to this proposition, and more literally to Luna, the old Roman moon goddess.

Despite any evidence lunar lunacy exists, many people continue to believe that the powers of the moon affect human and animal behavior.

Police, medical professionals and others report crime and accidents increase at the full moon. Ancient Pagans and modern NeoPagans hold Esbats, festivals, on the night of the full moon to honor the Goddess. Full moons are also believed to usher in extreme weather, instigate ovulation, and disturb the electric charge in all living cells.

A legion of superstitions has been spawned by the Moon. Its various phases -- full, half, quarter and new -- was thought to bring fortune or misfortune, depending over what part of the world (not to mention upon what individual) it was shining. 

It is unlucky to look at the moon through a pane of glass, a full moon during harvest means a good crop, the first new Moon of the year should be bowed or curtsied to.

It is bad luck to open a grave or bury a body during a full moon, a new moon brings good fortune, it is unlucky to drive a nail into a board during a full Moon, pointing at the moon will bring misfortune.

Sleeping under the light of a full moon will make a woman pregnant, followed closely by, never sleep exposed to the rays of the moon because lunacy will follow. And finally...

A woman must be very careful who she invites to dinner if she had baked a cake when the Moon is full. It seems that some believe that the person who eats the first piece other than members of one's own family will become your husband.