Singleton tells of the moon's many affects on the behavior of man

George Buster Singleton

(For decades, local historian and paranormal investigator George “Buster” Singleton published a weekly newspaper column called “Somewhere in Time.” The column below, which was titled “Moon effects behavior of man,” was originally published in the April 1, 1976 edition of The Monroe Journal in Monroeville, Ala.)

Probably no other part of our universe has had more effect directly and indirectly on man and his behavior than the moon.

Since man first began to look into the heavens, he has been fascinated by the mysteries of this silvery glowing planet. He has adjusted and patterned many of his life cycles to coincide with the moon and its paths across the heavens.

He has built great monuments and temples to show his affection for the glowing round ball of the night. He has given much of his time and resources to try and walk on its surface. And he has spent lifetimes studying its effects on himself and his surroundings.

Changes form

The moon, the satellite of the earth, revolves around it once every 29-1/2 days.

During this period, the moon changes form. These periods are known as the new moon, half moon, full moon and old moon. Each period has, in its own way, different effects on man’s day-to-day existence.

The tides of the oceans are caused by the gravitational pull of the moon. The fish bite better when the moon is at certain stages. Crops grow faster and produce more per acre if they are planted during the right signs of the moon.

And man, in his quest for the perfect mate, talks with more ease and boldness, and the sweet nothings come with less effort, when under the spell of the full moon.

Then there are some on whom the full rays from the silvery disc have just the opposite effect.

Crime rate higher

Experts tell us that the crime rate is much higher when the moon is full. The homicide rate is almost twice as high during the time when the full moon is highest.

Even though man has explored the old moon and has walked on its surface, it hasn’t lost any of its luster and mystery. Man still gazes in awe toward the heavens and wonders of the things to come.

So next time the moon is high and its silvery beams cause you to fee a little different – causes you to want to rush to the highest hill and throw your head back and give the call of the wild – go to it.

You will be surprised how much better it makes you feel, and you will marvel at the ease with which you did it.

(Singleton, the author of the 1991 book “Of Foxfire and Phantom Soldiers,” passed away at the age of 79 on July 19, 2007. A longtime resident of Monroeville, he was born to Vincent William Singleton and Frances Cornelia Faile Singleton, during a late-night thunderstorm, on Dec. 14, 1927 in Marengo County, graduated from Sweet Water High School in 1946, served as a U.S. Marine paratrooper in the Korean War, worked as a riverboat deckhand, lived for a time among Apache Indians, moved to Monroe County on June 28, 1964 and served as the administrator of the Monroeville National Guard unit from June 28, 1964 to Dec. 14, 1987. He was promoted from the enlisted ranks to warrant officer in May 1972. For years, Singleton’s columns, titled “Monroe County history – Did you know?” and “Somewhere in Time” appeared in The Monroe Journal, and he wrote a lengthy series of articles about Monroe County that appeared in Alabama Life magazine. It’s believed that his first column appeared in the March 25, 1971 edition of The Monroe Journal. He also helped organize the Monroe County Museum and Historical Society and was also a past president of that organization. He is buried in Pineville Cemetery in Monroeville. The column above and all of Singleton’s other columns are available to the public through the microfilm records at the Monroe County Public Library in Monroeville. Singleton’s columns are presented here each week for research and scholarship purposes and as part of an effort to keep his work and memory alive.)