The influence of the Moon on our personality and perception is one of the least understood factors in our daily lives and it has fascinated, inspired, and frightened us since the dawn of human history. In this lovely book Paul F. Newman probes the subtle meanings of the astrological Moon; with the use of copious case histories he considers firstly the lunar cycle, then the declinational hemispheres, through moon mansions, progressed moons, magic squares and much, much more. The Black Moon Lilith is also covered. An essential addition to any bookshelf.
Also by Paul:
Declination: The Steps of the Sun
The Moon is a hugely significant planet to us all, not just astrologically, but also due to our awareness of its presence in the sky. Its cycle is familiar to us all from early on in our lives and we almost ingest ideas and stories about the Moon with our mother’s milk.
With Luna, Paul F. Newman sets out from the start to write about the Moon in a way that best conveys her moods and secrets, connecting with what we already feel about the Moon and alluding to her many associations. However, he avoids the temptation simply to make lists of astronomical facts or Moon goddesses, as he quite rightly feels that: “By its nature, the Moon is not amenable to clear-cut intellectual analysis:’
Starting with what he describes as “A Lunar Prowl” through major themes associated with the Moon such as fertility, psychic tendencies and water, the book then moves into the idea of the goddess with three faces (new Moon, full Moon and old Moon) with examples of their effects during each monthly cycle. Then follows a chapter on the computational aspects of the Moon, including Moon mansions, the progressed Moon and the tarot, among other topics, before taking an intriguing and beautiful look at the poetic side of the Moon, with examples from art and fiction to illustrate.
Next is Black Moon Lilith, discussing Priapus, legends associated with Lilith and film noir, with a particular look at the film Sunset Boulevard. The book ends with a look at lunar correspondences, covering everything from cucumbers to New York.
Packed with haunting quotes and stories, Luna is incredibly evocative of the feeling of the Moon and I loved reading it, drawn in by its ebb and flow. I would recommend it to anyone interested in getting a real felt sense of the Moon and its associations – it lingers in your memory long after you have turned the last page.
Helen Stokes – AA Journal
