QNM Web Extras

Moonscapes
Fun Facts

In our April 2007 issue, Carolyn Dahl presented her technique for creating lunar scenes using bleach on black fabrics in "Moonscapes: Discharged Quilts Inspired by the Moon." To inspire your Moonscape, Carolyn offers a few more moon facts and folklore.

• The Moon moves a few inches away from Earth every year.
• Scientists speculate the Moon was formed when something hit the Earth's surface and caused material to fly into the atmosphere, gather more dust, and get caught in the gravity of our Earth. This mass finally formed into the moon, which forever revolves around us.
• The Moon's other names through the ages have been Aphrodite, Artemis, Diana, Luna, Selen, and Thoth. In some cultures it's considered to be a woman, in others a man.
• It used to be believed that dew came from the Moon because the moisture arrived at twilight and lasted until dawn.
• If you have jasmine in your garden you'll enjoy the moonlight twice. It is said the soul of the Moon lives in the white blossoms and that's why they shine so during a full moon.
• The Moon has been considered to be a gate to another world, to outer space, or heaven.
• The Moon is always seen as a symbol of renewal.
• Lunatic behavior was blamed on the moon.
• Even though they may not be interested in its poetic beauty, even doctors and scientists are awed by a full moon's power to increase blood flow and to cause more babies to be born under its watchful eye than at any other time of the Moon's cycle.