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The Moon (June 2006)
There was a little discussion about fishing on one of the
Belize Lists.
Trevor Vernon wrote:
> Bob & BK:
>
> suggest you fish around the full moon...3-4 days after and
> some guys say 3-4 days before, as well. Should have been
> out today with the buddies i fish with but the Cannon was
> coming over for lunch on fathers' day so i had to pass up
> on what has become a ritual. And passing up on the June
> moon at that.
>
> I have become a convert on the effects of the moon on most
> things physical...like when to cut lumber, when to fish,
> when to plant, and even when to clear land. Sounds "simple"
> to fully explain with me having a masters degree and all;
> but, i am a believer. I am sure there are a few good
> websites that explains it well enough.
>
> trevor
>
HERE WAS MY REPLY:
George Hamilton IV recorded a very cute country song called "Catfish Bates" a few years ago. The chorus goes:
"They call me 'Catfish Bates' 'cause I can catch a catfish...anytime I want to,
Even when the Moon men tell me they won't bite..."
New:
Here's Don Williams
singing that song on YouTube.
I love that line because "the moon men" refers to the Sol-Lunar Tables which were always published in the Sporting Section of the Arkansas Gazette when I was a boy. My ol' daddy read them, cut them out when he was going fishing, and noted when the fish started and stopped biting when we were out on the water. He believed in them. But then, he also believed in the the designated hitter, the Republican Party, and our ability to successfully govern ourselves. I was always a little dubious about all of those things.
Until I moved to Belize. Belizeans use the moon not only to fish, but to cut products, plant, sow seed, weed, prune and harvest. They will explain that "that thatch" wasn't cut at the right time, and now it's spoiling. If it had been cut during the full moon, it would last five to seven years. They say the same thing about support poles and rafters, which might last twenty years if cut at exactly the right time. I now know from experience that they are right.
And so, I believe them. I believe the Moon has a tremendous effect on humanity in general. Only in highly civilized places, we are so used to electric lights and mind altering chemicals (including coffee) that we don't notice the effects. We can learn a lot from our third world brothers. (and sisters.)
Rick Z
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