Merchants House Spooky Friday the 13th Event
If you like the paranormal as I do, you may be tempted to attend the Merchant's House Friday the 13th Event. It is virtual so you can attend wherever you are!
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Friday, September 13, 6:30 p.m.
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Why a Full Moon Might Mess With Your Sleep, According to Science
This article from Self.com is an illuminating take on the effects of the full moon on sleep. Here is an excerpt:
One of the first studies to draw the full moon–sleep connection was a retrospective analysis published in 2013. Meaning, the scientists didn’t set out to study the moon, but decided to comb through existing sleep data and look for relationships with the lunar phases. The results were a surprise, according to lead study author Christian Cajochen, PhD, head of the Centre for Chronobiology at the University of Basel in Switzerland: Around the full moon, people took five minutes longer to fall asleep, had 30% less deep sleep, and slept 20 minutes less overall. Another small retrospective study published in 2014 mirrored those findings: Participants got, on average, 25 minutes less sleep when the moon was full.
You might think that a full moon could interfere with your rest because it’s the brightest phase—and it’s true that exposure to light and sleep don’t mix. But we all have access to plenty of artificial light before bed these days. What’s more, the people in the studies above were in sleep labs, without much access to the outside world (“Kind of a bunker or basement,” Dr. Cajochen tells SELF of his study). In a 2021 study, to better understand the sleep-moon connection in real-life settings, researchers analyzed sleep markers in people who had varying levels of access to electricity. Unexpectedly, they found a similar pattern across all the groups: Remote communities in Argentina and students in Seattle all went to bed later and got less sleep around full moons (in this case, mostly in the days just prior).
Of course, not all research on the topic confirms that a full moon equals worse sleep; certain studies haven’t found significant evidence of a connection. But the potential role of the moon in the scenarios above still begs the question of how this celestial body might steal your snooze. Here’s why experts think a full moon could impact your sleep and what to do if you find yourself restless during this lunar phase (beyond cursing the cosmos).
Why might a full moon mess with your sleep?
While it’s unlikely that the light of a full moon alone would keep you awake or reduce your sleep quality today, it might have led our ancestors (who lacked artificial light) to stay up later—and perhaps that tendency became ingrained in us, lead author of the 2021 study Horacio de la Iglesia, PhD, a professor in the department of biology at the University of Washington, tells SELF. As noted above, this study found that people usually had the shortest amount of sleep on the nights just before a full moon—which is also when moonlight is most visible in the early evening.
“What we think is that when our ancestors were hunting and gathering, it was highly adaptive to extend the end of the day,” Dr. de la Iglesia says. The extra light of a nearly full moon at dusk would grant them more time to find food before darkness fell—so, as Dr. de la Iglesia posits, why wouldn’t they evolve to stay up later on those nights? Even though we may not be as reliant on natural light now, he notes that our bodies may still be primed, evolutionarily speaking, to delay sleep before a full moon.
It’s also possible that, over time, a bunch of biological and evolutionary ties to the moon have led us to develop a circalunar rhythm—similar to a circadian rhythm, but oriented around the roughly month-long moon cycle, versus a single day. So just like you get sleepy at night and feel more awake as the morning progresses thanks to your internal 24-hour clock, experts theorize that your body might also become more active at night (or less naturally prone to sleep) around a full moon as compared to other phases throughout the month, Dr. Cajochen says.
What to do if you struggle to sleep well around a full moon
The moon’s going to keep moon-ing, but that doesn’t mean you’re doomed to restless nights whenever it’s approaching full status. If you find yourself getting in bed only to toss and turn for a while on those days, Dr. Peters actually suggests delaying your bedtime temporarily by, say, 30 or 45 minutes (while keeping your wakeup time consistent). “By reducing your overall time in bed, you’ll build a stronger sleep drive, which will help you fall asleep more easily,” he says. Also, aim to get 15 to 30 minutes of sunlight after waking up each day, he adds, to keep your circadian rhythm bopping along as usual.
Horoscope for the Week of September 9, 2024 - Mars Enters Cancer
Mars enters Cancer this week heralding a time of healthful, calming energy with a bit of intuition tossed in. Allow yourself to flow within the cosmic glow.
Here is my favorite book on astrology and a "must" for anyone interested in learning more: Secrets from a Stargazer's Notebook: Making Astrology Work for You and here's a guide to the best books available this month. This column is (c) 2024 MADAM LICHTENSTEIN, LLC., All Rights Reserved. For Entertainment Purposes Only. Madam Lichtenstein is the author of the best selling astrology book “HerScopes ” now in its 12th printing and available as an eBook.
ARIES (MARCH 21 - APRIL 20)
Whatever family activity or event that you have in mind, discover ways to make it as relaxing and stress free as possible, Aries. This can mean a reunion getaway or a catered affair where you don’t have to do a lot of preparation. This goes too for any home related project like redecorating. Find the time to enjoy more and exert less.
TAURUS (APRIL 21-MAY 21)
You are not only eloquent you are an especially compelling speaker, Taurus. You intuitively know how to reach others and convince them to your way of thinking. That means that whatever is on your mind, whatever is important or pressing, it could be an opportune time to ask for it. See where you can make a difference.
GEMINI (MAY 22 - JUNE 21)
Think of more ways to solidify your finances and make strides in your eventual cushy retirement, Gemini. Your mind is sharp and focused on what you need to do to get you to where you eventually want to be. Watch your budget, compute your bottom line and find more successful ways to earn. Success is assured.
CANCER (JUNE 22 - JULY 23)
You not only have an extra oomph of energy and poise, Cancer, you can use it to expand your influence and make your way through some pretty rarified social circles. You attract a merry band of admirers and influential powerful folks. So don’t sit at home and wait for a knock on the door. Take control of your own success.
LEO (JULY 24 - AUGUST 23)
There is a lot going on in the background but you seem to have a sixth sense that helps you navigate through the fog. Give yourself some space to meditate and contemplate, Leo. There are things that you can discover about yourself that have great impact in your future life path. Add some charitable efforts for good karma.
VIRGO (AUGUST 24 - SEPTEMBER 23)
You become an effective and successful social director for any get-togethers, Virgo. Your creative vision for group activities becomes the envy of all. So plan some gatherings with friends and acquaintances and see who mixes and matches well. Who knows how this will all play out as the months progress. Party season awaits!
LIBRA (SEPTEMBER 24 - OCTOBER 23)
Long term plans receive a boost of energy as you start to focus on them, Libra. There will be new solutions for you to try and powerful people for you to meet and impress. Where do you want to be? What do you want to do? How do you best get there? The time to decide is now as the energy is ripe for the picking.
SCORPIO (OCTOBER 24 - NOVEMBER 22)
Travel is highlighted Scorpio. Your ability to discern what is the best escape and how to best plan it out is spot on and successful. The most important thing is to get out of your daily routine and shake some things up. Seeing the world with fresh eyes not only is restorative, it will also enable you to design your future.
SAGITTARIUS (NOVEMBER 23 - DECEMBER 22)
How do you express your love, Sagittarius? You may be surprised at how your ability to reach out on a deeper level transforms. You feel more confident to take a calculated risk or decide to totally change how you approach others and connect. Think of what can work best for you in the long term and go forth.
CAPRICORN (DECEMBER 23 - JANUARY 20)
Reevaluate and juice up your relationships, Capricorn. Some may need refreshing. Others could just use a bit more attention. Examine each one to see what efforts work best. You find more ways to strengthen certain connections or you can revamp others or establish new ones. Your compassion and caring takes you far.
AQUARIUS (JANUARY 21 - FEBRUARY 19)
Your energy level can hit a high, Aquarius, as you find more ways to improve your health and increase your vigor. But energy can be manifested in many ways. It needn’t be forceful or tiring. In fact, the secret to your success will be to find greater balance in your life, lower your stress and find more ways to relax.
PISCES (FEBRUARY 20 - MARCH 20)
If you find that your creativity is sparked, go with the sparkling energy, Pisces. Find ways to enjoy yourself either through pastimes, artistic projects, parties with pals or interesting hobbies. Anything that you do now even has a profitable future payoff whether it is meeting someone fascinating or creating a masterpiece.
(c) 2024 MADAM LICHTENSTEIN, LLC., All Rights Reserved. For Entertainment Purposes Only. @thestarryeye Find astrology readings on tinyurl.com/TheStarryEye and a great sun sign book at tinyurl.com/Herscopes
Lucky Numbers for the Week of September 6, 2024, 2024
Lottery ads tell us you only need a dollar and a dream. But it is also helpful to have a list of lucky numbers to help spur the good fortune ... or fortunes. So with that in mind, here are some lucky numbers that can be used in any helpful way. I gazed into a pool of water, Nostradamus-like, and contemplated the cosmos. Then I mixed the tarot cards and allowed the spirits to guide me to the cards that represent the lucky numbers for this week. Nothing is guaranteed but who knows ....?
Here are the lucky numbers for the week of September 6-12, 2024:
I choose eight numbers because 8 is the number of of wealth.
8, 9, 11, 13, 18, 28, 60, 77
There are many ways to delve into your own consciousness to find luck and intuition. Try reading Dream Power/Improve Your Luck (Super Strength Series) and see if your dreams give you any clues and premonitions. Here's a guide to the best books available this month
Void of Course Moons - October 2024
For those of you who track the void of course moons through the months, here is October 2024. Read more about the definition of the VOC and see how they can improve your timing. And as you get more involved in the rhythms and flows of the planet energies, I highly recommend: Personal Development for Smart People: The Conscious Pursuit of Personal Growth. The author reveals the unvarnished truth about what it takes to consciously grow as a human being. As you read, you’ll learn the seven universal principles behind all successful growth and practical, insightful methods for improving your health, relationships, career, finances, and more.
A big thank you to amazing astrologer Felissa Rose for the charts.
October 2024 – MOON VOID OF COURSES
THE FOLLOWING TIMES ARE EASTERN DAYLIGHT TIME. ADJUSTMENTS MUST BE MADE FOR OTHER TIME ZONES.
SIGN MOON ENTERS
VOID BEGINS VOID ENDS AFTER VOID
Tues Oct 1 5:40 pm To 6:21 pm Moon enters Libra
Fri Oct 4 6:42 am To 7:23 am Moon enters Scorpio
Sun Oct 6 6:54 pm To 7:35 pm Moon enters Sagittarius
Wed Oct 9 1:55 am To 5:39 am Moon enters Capricorn
Fri Oct 11 11:54 am To 12:32 pm Moon enters Aquarius
Sun Oct 13 10:12 am To 3:56 pm Moon enters Pisces
Tues Oct 15 4:01 pm To 4:35 pm Moon enters Aries
Thu Oct 17 3:28 pm To 4:01 pm Moon enters Taurus
Sat Oct 19 3:35 pm To 4:08 pm Moon enters Gemini
Mon Oct 21 5:01 pm To 6:51 pm Moon enters Cancer
Thu Oct 24 12:49 am To 1:25 am Moon enters Leo
Sat Oct 26 4:05 am To 11:49 am Moon enters Virgo
Mon Oct 28 11:56 pm To Tues Oct 29 12:31 am Moon enters Libra
Thu Oct 31 12:58 pm To 1:30 pm Moon enters Scorpio
You can also check the Void of Course Moon cycle by consulting an Ephemeris.
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