Episode 11: Blackthorn After Dark - The Effects of the Moon on Wine and the Mind

Ever noticed how a full moon seems to make the night feel… stranger? More charged? Maybe even a little dangerous? You’re not alone. For centuries, people have whispered that the moon’s glow could spark madness, inspire transformation, or tug at the strings of our emotions. From werewolves in medieval villages to modern ER nurses swearing that full moons bring chaos, Luna has always had a reputation for stirring things up.

In this episode of Blackthorn After Dark, we’re diving headfirst into the myths, science, magic, and wine-soaked mysteries of the moon. Because whether you’re looking at Aristotle, a coven of witches, or a biodynamic winemaker in Burgundy, one thing’s clear: the moon has always had us under its spell.

The Lunar Lunacy Effect

The word lunatic traces back to the Roman goddess of the moon, Luna. Ancient thinkers like Aristotle and Pliny the Elder believed that the brain—“the moistest organ”—was especially vulnerable to the moon’s pull, much like the tides. Fast-forward to the Middle Ages, and people blamed the full moon for everything from madness to monsters.

Even today, the myth lingers. Police in the UK once added extra officers during full moons. Surveys show nearly half of college students believe people act differently under lunar light. And yet—scientific studies consistently show no real evidence of a “lunar lunacy effect.” As one astronomer pointed out, a mosquito perched on your arm pulls harder on you than the moon does.

So why does the idea stick? Maybe because it’s more fun to imagine the moon driving us wild than to admit we’re responsible for our own chaos.

The Moon in Astrology and Witchcraft

Science may roll its eyes, but astrology and witchcraft offer another lens. In astrology, the Moon represents our emotions, instincts, and inner life. Your Moon sign shows how you process feelings, what comforts you, and how you navigate the tides of daily living.

For witches, the lunar cycle is a kind of cosmic clock:

• New Moon → Set intentions and begin new projects.

• Waxing Moon → Call in growth, expansion, and energy.

• Full Moon → Celebrate, manifest, and connect with higher power.

• Waning Moon → Release what no longer serves, cleanse, and rest.

Each phase is a reminder that life moves in cycles—of building, peaking, letting go, and beginning again.

The Moon and the Vine

It’s not just humans who fall under the moon’s influence. Farmers have tracked the moon’s movements for millennia, using its phases to guide planting and harvest. Biodynamic winemaking takes these traditions seriously, treating the vineyard as a living organism in tune with cosmic rhythms.

According to the biodynamic calendar, there are root days, leaf days, flower days, and fruit days—each best suited for specific vineyard work, from pruning to bottling. Some winemakers swear by it; others call it superstition. But here’s the thing: whether it’s scientifically provable or not, many growers believe working with the moon produces wines with more vibrancy, energy, and connection to the land.

Wine, Magic, and Moonlight

So, does the full moon really make us lose our minds? Maybe not. But does it stir something deeper—something emotional, ritualistic, and timeless? Absolutely.

Whether you’re sipping a biodynamic Syrah bottled on a flower day, setting intentions under a New Moon with a glass of sparkling in hand, or just watching the sky shift while you uncork your nightly pour, the moon has a way of making the moment feel enchanted.

The truth is, the moon’s effect might not be about tides or brainwaves—it might just be about attention. Looking up at its phases reminds us to slow down, notice cycles, and mark time with intention. And if you ask us, that’s where the real magic lives.

✨ Listen now to Blackthorn After Dark: The Effect of the Moon on Wine and the Mind to explore the myths, rituals, and vineyard practices shaped by lunar light. Then pour yourself a glass, step outside, and see what tonight’s moon is whispering to you.