Moon Lore

We have always looked at the moon and seen ourselves. Timothy Harley takes readers on a enchanting journey through centuries of lunar mythology, from ancient moon-worship to the familiar face of the Man in the Moon that countless generations have recognized in its craters. Harley examines how different cultures anthropomorphized our celestial neighbor, weaving together folklore, poetry, superstition, and religious practice into a rich tapestry of human imagination. Why did so many disparate societies see a figure gazing back at them? What did the moon's phases mean for planting, childbirth, madness, and romance? With Victorian wit and scholarly curiosity, Harley dissects the symbolism and psychology behind our lunar obsessions. This is a book for anyone who has ever paused to look up at the night sky and wondered what humanity has projected onto that silver light across the ages.