Amavasya and Pournima effects

Our ancestors have associated religious function with the phases of the moon. Most festivals or vrathams occur in Amavasya, Purnima and Sankranti. These are called Sandhi. During this time people may get agitated, depressed, and may make mistakes. So cleverly our ancestors have planned various pujas and vrathams to keep people engaged in spiritual activities and mantra recitation to make the environment positively charged. These will lessen the impact of the Sandhi.

Though it is not scientifically proven it is believed that phases of the moon affect the human body and mind in a small way. It is remarkably noticed in weaker and sick people. Our astrology is moon-based and gives the correct time for the phases of the moon. Our astrology is more scientific and western scientists will take ages to acknowledge the effects of moon phases.

The gravitational pull of the earth and the moon combined causes tides. Sun is very big compared to earth and moon but since it is very far away it doesn't influence much. There is no scientific strong evidence that the human body can be influenced by the lunar cycle.

The earth is composed of 70% water and the rest land. Coincidentally the human body is also made up of, on an average 70% water or fluids. Some parts like the brain, kidneys, and lungs contain more than 70% and skin contain less than 70% of water. The size of the human body is comparatively very less when you compare it with the earth and moon but the ratio of solid and liquid in the human body is similar to the earth and so the human body is also similarly influenced by the lunar cycle. One of the arguments against the influence is that moon is always there but we see the lit portion of the moon. A scientific proof may be reached after a few decades.

Tides are always occurring. But no moon or new moon (Amavasya) and full moon (Pournami) mark a difference in the height of tides. In the full moon night, the gravitational pull of moon and earth combined is high and towards the earth. The reverse pull happens on the no moon night when the moon is furthest to the earth.

The new moon phase occurs when the Moon is directly between the Earth and the Sun. A solar eclipse can only happen at the new moon. The full moon phase occurs when the Moon is on the opposite side of the Earth from the Sun, called opposition. A lunar eclipse can only happen at the full moon. 

Effects of moon on human body and behaviour

The word ‘lunatic’ is derived from the Latin word for the moon the ‘Luna’. Whether myth or reality it is believed that the lunar cycle influences the human body and mood. The following are some of the beliefs about the lunar influence:

1. The Moods of a person can change and they become restless irritable and ill-tempered.
2. Bronchitis, asthma, rheumatics, arthritis, skin diseases, epilepsy mensuration, sleep deprivation, nightmares are aggravated/occur under the influence of the moon.
3. The coincidence of the length of menstrual cycle with the lunar cycle.
4. A large portion of menstruations occurred around the new moon and the ovulation periods tended to coincide with the full moon.  The pattern has changed as women are not exposed to moonlight and are indoors under artificial lights.
5. The full moon brings out the suppressed emotions to the surface. Whatever be the emotions it gets highlighted.
6. More crimes occur.
7. Seizures getting worse and frequent.
8. The body liquid flows more freely during of full moon. The mortality and the chance of complications rise during the period of the new moon and the full moon.