The Lesser Light Which Rules the Night

Photo by K. Hartnett

The Lesser Light, which rules the night,

Imparts to me this one decree:

"When I arise,"

"Consider me."

K. Hartnett, May 1997

And God made...the greater light to rule the day and the lesser light to rule the night. (Genesis 1:14,16)

Total Lunar Eclipse - Shadows in Deep Space

With a colorful, dramatic flair, the full Moon emerges from the Earth's shadow at the concludions of a total lunar eclipse.  Created by God to "rule the night," the Moon has figured prominently in the history of man.  It has affected calendars, milary engagements, literature, and seafaring.  The Moon's gravity is responsible for the daily ebb and flow of the ocean's tides, which in turn affect many species of plants and animals.  The Moon's beautiful copper color in this photo is caused by sunlight bent around the earth by its atmosphere.  The shorter blue wavelengths are more easily scattered, whil the red tints pass though.  This same phenomenon causes our red sunrises and sunsets. 

When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the Moon and the stars, which You have set in place, what is man that You are mindful of him, the son of man that You care for Him?  (Psalm 8:3,4)

I'm generally in the habit of looking up when I'm outdoors.  I guess it's a reflex that all amateur astronomers develop.  One's either looking for the stars if it's dark, or judging whether the clouds are gathering or dispersing during the day.

There's a second, unmistakable viewing urge I find at work in myself, however, and that is to find the Moon if it's overhead somewhere.  This little verse is simply my poetic way of acknowledging the authority that the Moon seems to exercise over me.  When the Moon's in the sky, I'm compelled to find her- and consider her.