Supermoon

Michael Erlewine

Supermoon and Tidal Forces

There is some talk right now about the so-called “Supermoon” happening tomorrow on the Full Moon of March 19th. Since I probably won’t live forever I thought this would be a fine time to share with my astrology friends some basic information on the Moon. I will give the low-hanging fruit first so you non-astrologer friends can ignore the fine print further down. It should not interest you. So let’s talk about the tidal force component.

This is a purely modern calculation that I have studied because it is inherently interesting and may be something we should be looking at. In the last 20 years or so, scientists too have become more aware of lunar effects on the earth and its inhabitants. In general, much of this research may be summed up and is expressed in the combined solunar gravitational force. 

This unique measure includes both terrestrial and solar gravitational influence in a single indicator, incorporating the effects of the accelerated orbital motion of the moon and the closeness of the separation-interval at perigee-syzygy, the consequence of a coincident sun-Moon alignment in celestial latitude or declination, and the perturbed motion of perigee subject to increased solar gravitational force when perigee-syzygy occurs near the time of perihelion. In brief, this is the most accurate single indicator for lunar gravitational forces that are exerted on us each moment of the day and night. 

As listed here, this is a number from 0% (lowest force) to 100% (highest force). This number represents a number of solunar forces mentioned above in their somewhat complex interplay. The resulting total force creates the tides and whatever pressures and forces the Sun and Moon exert on the Earth and ourselves. This represents a scientifically calculated number that actually gives a good idea of how these combined forces wax and wane throughout the year. As you can see the combined tidal force reached a peak yesterday March 17th although it will be high for the next several days.

Tidal Vector Force March 2011

28|Tu|2011-03-01| 8% 
29|We|2011-03-02| 8% 
30|Th|2011-03-03|12% 
01|Fr|2011-03-04|16% 
02|Sa|2011-03-05|19% 
03|Su|2011-03-06|20% 
04|Mo|2011-03-07|21% 
05|We|2011-03-09|24% 
06|Th|2011-03-10|32% 
07|Fr|2011-03-11|43% 
08|Sa|2011-03-12|56% 
09|Su|2011-03-13|69% 
10|Mo|2011-03-14|82% 
11|Tu|2011-03-15|91% 
12|We|2011-03-16|97% 
13|Th|2011-03-17|99% 
14|Th|2011-03-17|98% 
15|Fr|2011-03-18|96% 
16|Sa|2011-03-19|95% 
17|Su|2011-03-20|95% 
18|Mo|2011-03-21|96% 
19|Tu|2011-03-22|96% 
20|Tu|2011-03-22|92% 
21|We|2011-03-23|85% 
22|Th|2011-03-24|74% 
23|Fr|2011-03-25|62% 
24|Sa|2011-03-26|49% 
25|Su|2011-03-27|38% 
26|Mo|2011-03-28|28% 
27|Tu|2011-03-29|20% 
28|Th|2011-03-31|17% 

For those interested, this tidal force factor can be found here for 150 years in the book “Dharma Practice Calendar” from which some of this material is listed:

http://astrologysoftware.com/books/index.asp?orig