2014 Supermoons

The third quadrant of 2014 will be bathed in moonlight as three perigee "supermoons" occur in consecutive months: July, August, September. The just completed poornima (full moon) of July 12, 2014 was the first of three “perigee” moons, nowadays known as “supermoons”. Such moons are around 15% bigger and 30% brighter than an ordinary full moon. The closest supermoon of the year comes with August 10, presenting a moon that’s only 356,896 kilometers (221,765 miles) from Earth. 

“Supermoon” is a situation when the moon is closer to Earth in its orbit than on average, and this effect is most noticeable when it occurs at the same time as a full moon. So, the moon may seem bigger although the difference in its distance from Earth is only a few percent at such times. Full Moons vary in size because of the elliptical (oval) shape of the Moon's orbit. The Moon at its nearest (around 363,000 km) is called a perigee and at its furthest (405,000 km) an apogee. When the time of the perigee aligns with a full or new moon it is called a “Supermoon”.

When the rising full moon is viewed low in the sky, it creates what’s called as a “moon illusion”. For reasons not fully understood by astronomers or psychologists, low-hanging moons look unnaturally large when they beam through trees, buildings and other foreground objects. 

Technically speaking, the moon turns full at the instant it lies most opposite the sun for the month. Because the moon stays more or less opposite the sun throughout the night, watch for a full-looking moon in the east at dusk, highest in the sky around midnight and low in the west at dawn. On the nights around the night of full moon, the moon looks full for a few nights. 

The geological effects on Earth from a “supermoon” are supposed to be minor according to studies by terrestrial seismologists and volcanologists. Their findings are that the combination of the moon being at its closest to Earth in its orbit, and being in its “full moon” configuration (relative to the Earth and sun), should not affect the internal energy balance of the Earth since there are lunar tides every day. The Earth has stored a tremendous amount of internal energy within its thin outer shell or crust, and the small differences in the tidal forces exerted by the moon (and sun) are not enough to fundamentally overcome the much larger forces within the planet due to convection (and other aspects of the internal energy balance that drives plate tectonics). 

All full moons (and new moons) combine with the sun to create larger-than-usual tides, however “supermoons” have even more affect on ocean tides.

Super Moons 

Hinduism propounds the idea that the (nine) Navagrahas (of which Chandra = the moon, is one) are 'markers of influence' -- living energies which put out waves which affect our awareness by seizing our consciousness when we come under their influence. Reports of psychics and seers agree that Grahas cause a direct energy influence upon the energy bodies and minds of all life on earth. The nine planets (Navagrahas) are transmitters of Universal, archetypal energy and the qualities of each planet helps maintain the overall balance of polarities in the solar system. 

The moon is a powerful influence on the human psyche. During full moons (and even more so during the intense “supermoon” periods) one may feel more restless or experience more turbulent energies. 

The sun is the indicator of the soul and the moon is the vehicle of the mind that receives the light of the soul. Even though all the Navagrahas are represented at Arunachala, the moon with its particular association with Lord Shiva (Chandrasekhara) is believed to have an extraordinary and particular influence at this place. 

To read more about Lord Siva as Chandrasekhara, go to this link here.