Despite the fact that the Moon appears in the east every day and that we can see it rise during the course of the hours, it does not stop generating the deepest feelings in those who raise their eyes to observe it. But there are some people who feel more strongly attracted to her and in whom daily life has not caused any boredom effect. Selenophilia is a mental state in which the connection with the Moon becomes even more significant and the contemplation of the orb becomes an inexplicable experience.
Selenophilia finds its etymology in the Greek words Selene, which in Greek culture was the name of the Titan daughter of Hyperion and Thea, who personified the Moon; and philia, which alludes to brotherly love. Together they make up the term selenophilia which is used to describe a fascination with the Moon. Despite the fact that it could be confused with a concept derived from paraphilic behaviors, in reality it is more about a mental experience that falls between the poetic and the sublime, than a mental disorder of another order.
The attraction felt by people who call themselves under this concept, is based on artistic and intellectual aesthetics, even on the curiosity itself generated by looking towards the celestial vault and encountering an orb illuminated by the sun’s rays, which reveals a cosmic history. through its valleys, oceans and seas.
An exercise in self-reflection
But love for the Moon is not only situated in the scientific curiosities that can be revealed through its contemplation, but also in the mystical issues it represents. Since ancient times the lunar phases have been associated with the rhythms of the Earth, the germination of seeds and the harvest are highly linked to the behavior of the Moon. And not only that, high tides and the circadian cycles of living beings are governed by it, it would not be surprising if it also had an impact on the emotional cycles of humans.
Whether you want to find the explanations for these phenomena in the interactions of the gravitational fields between the Moon and the Earth, or in mystical reasons, the truth is that they are eternally connected. Perhaps it is for this reason that the Moon captivates those who experience selenophilia to the point of fascination, since it breaks the mental structure by placing itself before the existence of an object that has been there since time immemorial and that will continue to be there once we leave this plane.
In part, living selenophilia is an exercise in self-reflection that makes us aware of the ephemeral nature of life, but at the same time, of how eternal existence can be by being part of this Universe. The Moon is our closest window into the unknown that lies out there and therefore, it fascinates us to the degree of love understood as philos, which has inspired thousands of artists throughout time.
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