Legends 53: Lunacy

Summary

Lore: Legends 53 – Lunacy

Release Date: May 12, 2025
Host: Aaron Mahnke
Co-Host: Alex Robinson

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Introduction to Lunacy and Folklore

In the "Legends 53: Lunacy" episode of Lore, Aaron Mahnke delves deep into the intertwining of moon lore and the concept of madness throughout history. The episode begins with a classic tale that sets the stage for exploring how the moon has influenced human storytelling and beliefs across cultures.

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The Fox and the Wolf: A Timeless Parable

The episode opens with the French Jewish parable of the fox leading a hungry wolf to a well, where deceit leads to the wolf's entrapment:

• Aaron Mahnke [01:02]: "The wolf was hungry, but he wasn't worried because the fox knew where he could get a meal."
• Alex Robinson [02:13]: "The fox pointed at the reflection, saying, 'Here is plenty of cheese.'"

This story, originating from the Middle Ages, mirrors similar tales worldwide, such as:

• England: Foolish villagers believing the moon fell into a well.
• Tibet: Monkeys attempting to draw the moon from a well.
• Turkey: A man tries to lasso the moon, only to fall instead.

Mahnke explains, “Cultures from all over the world have similar stories,” highlighting the universal human tendency to mythologize celestial bodies.

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Moonlight and Madness: Historical Beliefs

The association between the moon and madness, termed "lunacy," has roots stretching back centuries:

• Hippocrates [04:03]: "One who is seized with terror, fright, and madness during the night is being visited by the goddess of the moon."
• Selene to Luna Transformation [04:20]: "By the 5th century AD, she had declared herself the goddess of insanity, saying, 'I command madness and excite lunacy.'"

Philosophers like Aristotle and Pliny the Elder sought natural explanations:

• Aristotle [04:44]: Suggested the moon affects the brain's water content, similar to ocean tides.
• Pliny the Elder [04:51]: Hypothesized that moon-created dew made the brain too moist, leading to madness.

In the 16th century, Paracelsus posited that the full moon could drive "weak-willed men" insane, reinforcing the moral association between insanity and immorality:

• Alex Robinson [05:15]: "The connection between insanity and immorality is a long-standing one."

Mahnke discusses how these beliefs led to severe treatments of the mentally ill, such as chaining patients during full moons:

• Aaron Mahnke [06:12]: "Some asylums were so convinced of the connection between the moon and lunacy that they chained up and whipped their patients on full moon nights."

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Folklore and Supernatural Beings

The moon's influence permeated folklore, giving rise to creatures and myths still popular today:

• Werewolves: Believed to transform under the full moon.
• Vampires: Only active at night under the moonlight.
• Silver: Considered a key to defeating these supernatural beings, linked to the moon by medieval alchemists.

Alex Robinson adds, “But on a more serious note, many people today still believe that the moon can cause insanity, or at the very least, an increase in erratic behavior.”

Mahnke explores how historical sleep patterns before electricity might have contributed to these beliefs:

• Aaron Mahnke [07:58]: "Moonlit nights were so bright they kept people awake, leading to sleep deprivation and irrational behavior."

This theory suggests that natural light from the full moon could have caused “lunar mania,” a plausible explanation for the longstanding myths.

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Crossroads Cemetery: A Local Legend

Shifting focus to a specific legend, Mahnke recounts the eerie tales surrounding the Crossroads Cemetery in Allegheny, Pennsylvania:

• Location: Sits on Route 910 across from Blue Mist Road.

• Legend: The tombstones of John and Mary Fogle lean towards each other, symbolizing eternal love. Locals believe that under a full moon, the stones inch closer, culminating in a "ghostly kiss" that signals the apocalypse.

• Aaron Mahnke [11:14]: "Inche inch by inch, they make their way toward each other. And then, finally, when they touch, the apocalypse will begin."

Historian insights reveal that such prophecies often stemmed from societal anxieties:

• Alex Robinson [12:11]: "As Americans crept closer to the turn of the century, cynicism about the future skyrocketed."

These legends provided a sense of control and predictability amid uncertainties like the Y2K scare and Mayan calendar doomsday predictions.

---

The Moon Hoax: An 1830s Sensation

One of the most intriguing segments covers the infamous Moon Hoax orchestrated by the New York Sun in 1835:

• John Herschel's Telescope [13:35]: Claimed to have discovered a lush, life-filled moon with flowers, oceans, and humanoid "bat men."
• Descriptions Included:
  • “Red flowers and 38 different species of trees.”
  • “Blue unicorns, bears with horns, beavers that walked on two legs, and normal-looking sheep.”
  • Most Astonishing: “The Vespertilio homo, or man bat,” a humanoid species capable of construction.

Mahnke explains how the story captivated the public:

• Alex Robinson [15:36]: "It was meant to block the harsh light of the sun from their eyes."

Despite initial belief, investigative journalists soon exposed the fraud:

• Aaron Mahnke [17:01]: "The Sun's rival newspapers dropped several revealing the fraud."

However, the hoax left a lasting impact on culture and media, inspiring plays and influencing early science fiction narratives.

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Snoqualmie Falls: A Legend of Transformation

Concluding the episode, Mahnke shares the Native American legend of Snoqualmie Falls in Washington State:

• Tribe: Snoqualmie, known as the People of the Moon.

• Legend: Two sisters are whisked away to the sky, marry celestial beings, and give birth to a son named Moon. After being kidnapped by a dog named Salmon, Moon grows up with transformative powers, reshaping the land and creating Snoqualmie Falls.

• Aaron Mahnke [28:18]: "Moon had the power to transform things. He could change anything or anyone into whatever he wanted."

This myth explains the natural beauty of Snoqualmie Falls and emphasizes the moon's enduring presence in cultural storytelling.

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Conclusion: The Enduring Allure of the Moon

Mahnke wraps up by reflecting on the moon's pivotal role in human imagination and folklore:

• Aaron Mahnke [29:47]: "Just know that it's all there. Thanks to the moon."

Legends 53: Lunacy serves as a comprehensive exploration of how the moon has been a symbol of mystery, madness, and myth across various cultures and eras. By intertwining ancient parables, historical beliefs, and local legends, the episode underscores the moon's undiminished influence on human storytelling and psychology.

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Notable Quotes

• Aaron Mahnke [04:44]: "The brain had an especially high water content, causing the moon to affect it in the same way that it affected the ocean's tides."
• Alex Robinson [05:15]: "The connection between insanity and immorality is a long-standing one."
• Aaron Mahnke [11:14]: "Inch by inch, they make their way toward each other. And then, finally, when they touch, the apocalypse will begin."
• Alex Robinson [15:36]: "It was meant to block the harsh light of the sun from their eyes."
• Aaron Mahnke [28:18]: "Moon had the power to transform things. He could change anything or anyone into whatever he wanted."

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Further Exploration

For listeners intrigued by the complex relationship between lunar phenomena and human psyche, Legends 53: Lunacy offers a rich tapestry of stories and historical accounts that illuminate why the moon continues to captivate and influence us in profound ways.

Transcript

[Aaron Manke]

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[Alex Robinson]

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[Aaron Manke]

The wolf was hungry, but he wasn't worried because the fox knew where he could get a meal.

[Alex Robinson]

The fox led the wolf to a.

[Aaron Manke]

Deep well that had two buckets dangling overhead. Without pausing, the fox jumped into one of the buckets.

[Alex Robinson]

His weight pulled it all the way.

[Aaron Manke]

Down to the water where the full moon was reflected all yellow and round. Then the fox pointed at the reflection.

[Alex Robinson]

Saying, here is plenty of cheese.

[Aaron Manke]

Get into the other bucket and come down at once.

[Alex Robinson]

The wolf, too hungry to think clearly.

[Aaron Manke]

Jumped into the second bucket. His weight sent him crashing into the.

[Alex Robinson]

Water and conversely, the fox's bucket shot back to the surface, cackling. The fox hopped out and ran off.

[Aaron Manke]

Into the night, leaving the wolf trapped.

[Alex Robinson]

In the well without a single slice.

[Aaron Manke]

Of cheese in sight. This particular story about the fox and.

[Alex Robinson]

The wolf is a French Jewish parable.

[Aaron Manke]

From the Middle Ages. But that isn't the only time the theme pops up in folklore. Cultures from all over the world have similar stories. In England, a farmer finds a group of foolish villagers who think the moon fell into the well.

[Alex Robinson]

In Tibet, a troupe of silly monkeys.

[Aaron Manke]

Tries to draw the moon out of.

[Alex Robinson]

A well, but they just end up.

[Aaron Manke]

Pulling each other in. And in Turkey, a man tries to lasso the moon out of the well, but falls on his behind instead. Likewise, the concept that the moon is made of cheese, or at the very least, that the moon looks like it's made of cheese, isn't unique to our foxy friend either. In the 16th century, for example, some.

[Alex Robinson]

European chroniclers used the phrase the moon.

[Aaron Manke]

Is made of green cheese to indicate.

[Alex Robinson]

That you could easily fool the foolish.

[Aaron Manke]

The message, though, is clear.

[Alex Robinson]

It's easy to trick someone who is.

[Aaron Manke]

Already inclined to believe foolish things. And those who easily give in to ignorance often find themselves in deep trouble or an even deeper well. It seems you can't believe everything you.

[Alex Robinson]

Hear, or else you'll end up like the wolf.

[Aaron Manke]

But while the moral lesson might contain some truth, it also lacks a bit of grace. Because cheese or not, that glowing yellow orb has driven people to craft some pretty amazing folktales over the years. Folktales and also hoaxes. It seems that living beneath the moon is enough to make anyone go mad. I'm Aaron Manke, and this is lore, legends. It must be a full moon.

[Alex Robinson]

I'm sure that we've all heard some.

[Aaron Manke]

Variation of that old adage before. If someone is hyperactive or unreasonable or straight up silly, or has trouble sleeping.

[Alex Robinson]

Then that's just because the full moon.

[Aaron Manke]

Is making them act that way. We can't help it. The moon just does something to us. And this isn't some newfangled wives tale. It can be traced back centuries, even thousands of years. In the 5th century BCE, for example.

[Alex Robinson]

Hippocrates wrote, and I quote, one who.

[Aaron Manke]

Is seized with terror, fright and madness.

[Alex Robinson]

During the night is being visited by.

[Aaron Manke]

The goddess of the moon. The moon goddess in question, by the way, was named Selene. And over the years she slowly became more and more associated with madness.

[Alex Robinson]

By the 5th century AD she had.

[Aaron Manke]

Declared herself the goddess of insanity, saying I command madness and excite lunacy.

[Alex Robinson]

Later, her Roman counterpart, Luna, would inspire.

[Aaron Manke]

The English word lunatic.

[Alex Robinson]

Of course, there were some in the.

[Aaron Manke]

Ancient world who rejected the idea of divinely inspired insanity and searched for a scientific explanation for this phenomenon.

[Alex Robinson]

In the 4th century BCE, Aristotle wrote.

[Aaron Manke]

That the brain had an especially high.

[Alex Robinson]

Water content, causing the moon to affect.

[Aaron Manke]

It in the same way that it affected the ocean's tides. In the same vein, Pliny the Elder hypothesized that the moon created dew, and that dew made the brain too moist, leading to madness. Fast forward to the 16th century and the philosopher Paracelsus determined that weak willed men could be influenced by the full moon going insane under its light. The full moon was evil, and sometimes.

[Alex Robinson]

People became evil too. The connection between insanity and immorality is.

[Aaron Manke]

A long standing one. For much of history, mental disorders were treated as a moral issue rather than a medical one.

[Alex Robinson]

In the Middle Ages, for example, mental.

[Aaron Manke]

Illness was seen as a punishment from God for extreme wickedness. Over the centuries, some have speculated that it was a form of demonic possession, while others believe that it was the result of a life lived in sin. And just a couple of centuries ago, Benjamin Rush, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence, believed that the pitfalls of modern life led to a decline in morality and therefore to a decline in sanity.

[Alex Robinson]

But you don't need me to tell.

[Aaron Manke]

You that this is, of course, nonsense. Back in the day, though, the idea that the moon could cause madness and therefore cause evildoing was completely ingrained into people's worldview. It was so ingrained, in fact, that until the early 1800s, some asylums for.

[Alex Robinson]

The mentally ill, including London's notorious Bedlam.

[Aaron Manke]

Were so convinced of the connection between the moon and lunacy that they chained.

[Alex Robinson]

Up and whipped their patients on the.

[Aaron Manke]

Nights when the full moon was in the sky.

[Alex Robinson]

It was, ironically, complete madness.

[Aaron Manke]

But no one saw it that way. After all, belief can be a powerful thing. And this particular belief had been building for centuries. And, of course, that belief eventually made its way into folklore.

[Alex Robinson]

Werewolves, of course, were thought to transform.

[Aaron Manke]

Under the full moon, going from normal men to savage, uncontrollable animals. Vampires only came out at night under the light of the moon. And silver, a metal that medieval alchemists.

[Alex Robinson]

Associated with the moon, was the key.

[Aaron Manke]

To defeating these supernatural creatures.

[Alex Robinson]

Now, I would like to tell you that we've left it all in the.

[Aaron Manke]

Past, the paranormal, the prejudice and the superstition. But sadly, we haven't. Werewolves, of course, have held onto their association with the full moon.

[Alex Robinson]

But on a more serious note, many people today still believe that the moon.

[Aaron Manke]

Can cause insanity, or at the very least, an increase in erratic behavior. The moon has been blamed for upticks in homicides, car accidents, burglaries, and drunken disorderliness. In 2007, the Brighton Police over in England even sent out more patrol woman during the full moon, believing that they needed some extra help in keeping the peace on those particular nights. Clearly, these are ideas that stretch the imagination, but some historians say that there may actually be some truth to these beliefs. You see, before the advent of electricity, most homes were only lit at night by a small fireplace.

[Alex Robinson]

Wealthy European households didn't start using large.

[Aaron Manke]

Amounts of candles in their homes until the 1500s.

[Alex Robinson]

And it was even later for lower.

[Aaron Manke]

And middle class households. That meant that moonless nights were dark.

[Alex Robinson]

And I mean really dark. Once the fire was put out, it.

[Aaron Manke]

Was the perfect environment for a good night's sleep. But on the other side of that.

[Alex Robinson]

Equation, when the moon was full, it.

[Aaron Manke]

Lit up the entire world. And there is evidence that the light was so strong that it actually kept people Awake throughout the night. Basically, for a few nights each month, lots of people were not sleeping well. And sleep deprived. People aren't exactly known for acting rationally. In some cases, sleep deprivation can even trigger mania and seizures.

[Alex Robinson]

And so according to this theory, before.

[Aaron Manke]

The use of light bulbs, there was.

[Alex Robinson]

A chance that people truly did experience some sort of lunar mania, which, if.

[Aaron Manke]

You ask me, sounds totally insane.

[Alex Robinson]

The apocalypse is coming and it's going.

[Aaron Manke]

To start in Pennsylvania.

[Alex Robinson]

Now, I think it's fair to say.

[Aaron Manke]

That no theologian could have ever guessed.

[Alex Robinson]

That one, but it's true.

[Aaron Manke]

The end of the world won't begin in New York or Beijing or Tel Aviv. No, if the stories are to be.

[Alex Robinson]

Believed, it will start at the Crossroads.

[Aaron Manke]

Cemetery in Allegheny, Pennsylvania.

[Alex Robinson]

Now, the Crossroad cemetery is a spooky.

[Aaron Manke]

Place, I will give you that. It sits on Route 910 across from the end of Irwin Road.

[Alex Robinson]

Locals know this two and a half.

[Aaron Manke]

Mile stretch as the Blue Mist Road. Apparently, when the weather conditions are just right, a thick fog gathers over the road, encasing the entire street in a haunting glow. And Irwin Road has been the subject of superstition since the 1970s. Allegedly, an entire family died there in a terrible car accident. There are of course, no identifiable records.

[Alex Robinson]

About the tragedy, but regardless, it's said that you can still see their ghosts.

[Aaron Manke]

Wandering through the mist.

[Alex Robinson]

Some also claim that if you put your car into neutral, it will be.

[Aaron Manke]

Pushed up the hill away from the scene of the accident. Other rumors about Irwin Road include satanic cults, infant sacrifices, and even visits from the devil himself. But the most infamous legend has nothing to do with the road at all, because it's centered around two headstones in the Crossroads Cemetery. And those tombstones belong to a husband and wife pair, John and Mary Fogle. Very little is known about their actual lives. In 1819, John was born in Germany. By 1850, he and his family were living in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. And at some point he married his wife, Mary. Sadly, we don't know much about their life as a couple other than the fact that on the 1860 census, John is listed as farmer.

[Alex Robinson]

And then in 1864, he died, leaving.

[Aaron Manke]

Mary behind to grieve. When she finally passed away in 1883, Mary was buried next to her husband.

[Alex Robinson]

And they are still there, right next.

[Aaron Manke]

To each other to this very day. Which you would think would be the end of the story. But it isn't. No, their story extends beyond death. You see, their tombstones are one of a kind. Each one features an above ground coffin shaped slab Topped with two identical headstones. Standard, right?

[Alex Robinson]

Well, here's the not so standard part.

[Aaron Manke]

The stones are leaning toward one another. It seems that John and Mary were.

[Alex Robinson]

Both so in love that they're reaching.

[Aaron Manke]

Out to each other, even in death. And it's not subtle, either. The tombstones are completely askew.

[Alex Robinson]

And at some point, people noticed.

[Aaron Manke]

And thus the legend was born. Locals started saying that every full moon, the stones leaned closer and closer until they were touching in a ghostly kiss. It's a sweet sentiment, for sure, but it wouldn't be the only theory tossed around.

[Alex Robinson]

As the generations passed, people seemed to.

[Aaron Manke]

Have tired of the wholesome legend, and darkness crept in. According to the newer version, every year, the tombstones lean a tiny bit more.

[Alex Robinson]

Inch by inch, they make their way toward each other. And then, finally, when they touch, the apocalypse will begin. And I know what you're thinking.

[Aaron Manke]

There is a huge leap in logic.

[Alex Robinson]

Between ghosts kissing under the moonlight and.

[Aaron Manke]

The end of days is upon us. So what happened?

[Alex Robinson]

Well, according to some historians, it all had to do with anxiety. You see, as Americans crept closer to.

[Aaron Manke]

The turn of the century, cynicism about the future skyrocketed. They were worried about Y2K and all the changes that would come with the new century. And just a few years after that, they started panicking about the Mayan calendar, prophesying the end of the world in 2012. And, well, that's a lot of existentialism to carry around.

[Alex Robinson]

So, in an attempt to grab onto.

[Aaron Manke]

Some sense of control, the locals realized that they had the perfect method to predict the end of the world. Right there in their own backyard. The tombstones.

[Alex Robinson]

And of course, the world hasn't ended.

[Aaron Manke]

Not yet, anyway. And as the years pass by without an apocalypse, that particular version of the legend has fallen out of style.

[Alex Robinson]

Today, the romantic moonstruck version is the.

[Aaron Manke]

Most popular one told. But the apocalypse folktale did leave us with one bit of truth that has stood the test of time. We don't need a full moon for people to get a little crazy. There are men on the moon. At least that's what the paper said. On August 26th of 1835, New Yorkers woke up to earth shattering news.

[Alex Robinson]

According to the New York sun, the.

[Aaron Manke]

English astronomer John Herschel had developed a powerful new telescope, and that telescope had revealed the truth about the moon. It turns out that the moon wasn't a barren wasteland.

[Alex Robinson]

No, it was actually teeming with extraterrestrial life. And the New York sun was more.

[Aaron Manke]

Than happy to slowly release details about it. Over a week Long series in their paper. The articles claim that the moon wasn't just made up of rocks and dirt.

[Alex Robinson]

It was actually covered in a lush carpet of red flowers and 38 different species of trees. There were deep blue oceans, white sand beaches and dormant volcanoes, although how they.

[Aaron Manke]

Determined the volcanoes were dormant from all the way over here on Earth remains a mystery.

[Alex Robinson]

There were even huge crystal formations all.

[Aaron Manke]

Around the moon with towering amethysts that reached up to 90ft in height.

[Alex Robinson]

And there wasn't just plant life there, there were animals too. These included large bison like creatures with, and I quote, a remarkable fleshy appendage over their eyes, crossing the whole width.

[Aaron Manke]

Of their forehead and united to the ears.

[Alex Robinson]

It was meant to block the harsh.

[Aaron Manke]

Light of the sun from their eyes, according to the article. But it would seem that none of the other moon creatures got such an evolutionary advantage.

[Alex Robinson]

So one can only assume that that they had been blinded by the sun.

[Aaron Manke]

Or that their eyeballs were made of stronger stuff.

[Alex Robinson]

And my personal favorite little fella was, and I quote, a strange amphibious creature.

[Aaron Manke]

Of a spherical form which rolled with.

[Alex Robinson]

Great velocity across the pebbly beach. And according to these articles, John Herschel.

[Aaron Manke]

Also observed blue unicorns, bears with horns.

[Alex Robinson]

Beavers that walked on two legs, and completely normal looking sheep. But the most astounding discovery of all was wasn't flowers or sheep, it was people.

[Aaron Manke]

These moon people didn't look anything like us, though. In fact, they seemed to be more humanoid than human.

[Alex Robinson]

Only four feet tall, they were covered in reddish hair with yellow faces that were, according to the articles, a slight.

[Aaron Manke]

Improvement upon that of the large orange orangutan.

[Alex Robinson]

Oh, and on their backs they had.

[Aaron Manke]

Big black wings similar to those of bats.

[Alex Robinson]

The sun appropriately dubbed these people the Vespertilio homo, or man bat. And apparently these man bats were able.

[Aaron Manke]

To construct buildings because there were large triangular temples all over the moon.

[Alex Robinson]

And the men at the temples looked.

[Aaron Manke]

Different from the others.

[Alex Robinson]

They were taller, larger and lighter in color. Disturbingly, the newspaper determined that these were, and I quote, in every respect, an improved variety of race and therefore eminently happy. Yeah, that's right. They brought racism to the moon. Of course, a large group of scientists and people were incredibly prejudiced in the.

[Aaron Manke]

1830S, and so the racism against the.

[Alex Robinson]

Bat men didn't set off too many alarm bells. In fact, most people believed the fantastical reports about the moon and the sun.

[Aaron Manke]

Started selling like hotcakes.

[Alex Robinson]

Some questioned the validity of the batmen, but plenty of people believed that they existed and more importantly, that their souls.

[Aaron Manke]

Needed to be saved.

[Alex Robinson]

Soon enough, people were calling for Bibles and missionaries to be sent to the Moon. It was all getting a little out.

[Aaron Manke]

Of hand, to put it mildly.

[Alex Robinson]

And even though the astronomer John Herschel was a real man, he couldn't refute.

[Aaron Manke]

Anything that was being published.

[Alex Robinson]

In fact, he didn't even know about it. He was stuck down in South America.

[Aaron Manke]

On a research trip and had limited communication with the outside world. Fortunately, some journalists were suspicious enough to do some digging on their own.

[Alex Robinson]

And on August 29, just four days after the first news report, the Sun's.

[Aaron Manke]

Rival newspapers dropped several revealing the fraud. And thankfully, most people believed the other more reputable newspapers.

[Alex Robinson]

But some folks still held tight to.

[Aaron Manke]

Their belief in the Moon's batmen. And the push to send Bibles into.

[Alex Robinson]

Space continued for several more months.

[Aaron Manke]

In a few of the most devout.

[Alex Robinson]

Communities, the great moon hoax became a worldwide phenomena. The story was published in newspapers across.

[Aaron Manke]

The globe, with some editors adding their own dramatic details for an extra flair.

[Alex Robinson]

Then, in New York City, multiple stage.

[Aaron Manke]

Plays based on the story came to theaters.

[Alex Robinson]

According to one reviewer for the show Moonshine, their man bats looked like angels in the jaundice. And of course, context is everything. Before these moon articles, the sun had.

[Aaron Manke]

Been a brand new newspaper.

[Alex Robinson]

They had only started printing stories two years prior, and they had been struggling to make a name for themselves in.

[Aaron Manke]

The oversaturated market of the Big Apple.

[Alex Robinson]

But after this, everyone knew their name. They may not have trusted their reporting, but at least they always knew that they would have a good time reading the Sun's articles. The Sun's editor, Richard Locke, never publicly.

[Aaron Manke]

Admitted that the whole thing had been fake. But by the next year, he had quietly added author of the moon hoax to his byline. And as for all those people trying to send missionaries to the moon in.

[Alex Robinson]

The 1930s, let's just hope that they eventually realized that that their plans sounded a little loony.

[Aaron Manke]

It was quite a fiction.

[Alex Robinson]

Unfortunately, attributing the entire moon hoax to.

[Aaron Manke]

The New York Sun's editor would be giving him far too much credit.

[Alex Robinson]

It's believed that Locke was actually inspired by a short story that had been.

[Aaron Manke]

Published only two months earlier.

[Alex Robinson]

Titled Hant's A Tale, it had popped.

[Aaron Manke]

Up in a small publication called the Southern Literary Messenger. The story was about a Dutch explorer who had gone to the moon on a hot air balloon and then returned to Earth to describe what he saw there.

[Alex Robinson]

There are some remarkable similarities between this short story and the Sun's moon hoax articles, including the volcanoes and, as the author describes them, ugly little people. Naturally, the author was furious when Locke.

[Aaron Manke]

Published the moon hoax articles. He even publicly accused him of plagiarism, which Locke ign. And because intellectual property laws in 1835.

[Alex Robinson]

Weren'T quite what they are today, the author couldn't do anything about it.

[Aaron Manke]

He was simply left to nurse a grudge for the rest of his life.

[Alex Robinson]

Today, the two men are considered to be some of the earliest pioneers in.

[Aaron Manke]

The genre of science fiction. Richard Locke and his inspiration, Edgar Allan Poe.

[Alex Robinson]

I really do hope that today's Journey.

[Aaron Manke]

To the Moon gave you a fresh perspective on the folklore that surrounds us.

[Alex Robinson]

Considering its prominent place in the sky.

[Aaron Manke]

It'S no wonder people have been inventing stories about it for thousands of years. But this episode hasn't waned just yet.

[Alex Robinson]

One final moon story is on the.

[Aaron Manke]

Horizon, and this one is a little closer to home. Stick around through this brief sponsor break to hear all about it.

[Alex Robinson]

This episode of LOR was made possible.

[Aaron Manke]

By Avocado Green Mattress.

[Alex Robinson]

Spring is finally here and it's nice to see the season finally changing. One thing that never changes for me though is my love of a good night's sleep. It starts me off with the right foot and it helps me be as creative as possible.

[Aaron Manke]

And that's why I love Avocado Green Mattress.

[Alex Robinson]

All Avocado mattresses are crafted with certified organic latex wool and cotton, ensuring a safe, healthy sleep environment free from harmful chemicals and toxins. They' to provide exceptional comfort and support with options to meet diverse sleep needs and preferences. You can even take their mattress quiz to see which mattress and comfort option.

[Aaron Manke]

Is right for you.

[Alex Robinson]

Avocado promotes better sleep through breathable, naturally temperature regulating materials which can improve overall well being. And Avocado is committed to sustainability too. Their mattresses are made from organic, eco friendly materials that are good for both you and the planet. Avocado offers sleep trials up to one year and has generous warranties. Plus you can rest easy knowing that Avocado adheres to the highest stand, safety and sustainability. Shop [e-mail] and save 10% on certified organic mattresses. Avocado Mattress Dream of better this episode was also made possible by Acorns. The best piece of financial advice I ever received was to never spend more than I make and the second powerful tip was to save a little bit every month for the day when I might need it. Acorns is a financial wellness app that makes it easy to start saving and investing for your future. You don't need to be rich. Acorns lets you get started with the spare money you've got right now. Even if all you've got is spare change, you don't need to be an expert. Acorns recommends a diversified portfolio that can help you weather all of the market's ups and downs. You just need to stick with it. And Acorns makes that easy too. By automatically investing your money and giving.

[Aaron Manke]

It a chance to grow with time.

[Alex Robinson]

I know how intimidating the investment world can be, but I also know that it's important for my future. Which is why I love how easy Acorns makes it to jump in and get started. I didn't have to become an expert.

[Aaron Manke]

Or learn a bunch of language.

[Alex Robinson]

Go. It's really that simple. Sign up now and join the over 14 million all time customers who have already saved and invested over $25 billion with Acorns. Head to acorns.com lore or download the Acorns app to get started. Paid client Endorsement compensation provides incentive to positively promote Acorns tier one compensation provided investing involves risk. Acorns Advisors, LLC, an SEC registered investment advisor. View important [e-mail] lore this episode was also made possible by Goldbelly alright, listen up. I'm gonna tell you about the only gift that any dad wants this Father's Day.

[Aaron Manke]

Get him Goldbelly.

[Alex Robinson]

Goldbelly ships the most iconic foods from the best restaurants all across the country straight to his door for free. Let him kick back this Father's Day and chow down on award winning barbecue from Texas, Epic deep dish pizza from Chicago or colossal pastrami sandwiches from New York.

[Aaron Manke]

No matter where in the country he is.

[Alex Robinson]

Whether it's a dish from that one of a kind restaurant or meals from world famous chefs like Jose Andres, Peter Luger or Guy Fieri, Goldbelly has you covered. As an Illinois boy at heart, I was instantly drawn to the Chicago deep dish pizza from Lou Malnati's. It's iconic and absolutely delicious. It honestly made me feel like I'd.

[Aaron Manke]

Gone home for a visit.

[Alex Robinson]

The shipping was quick and simple and the quality of this pizza was incredible. I ordered more that very same night. So if you're looking to make dad feel like an absolute legend this Father's Day or just want to impress your friends and family with an epic meal, next time you host, go to goldbelly.com and get free shipping and 20% off your first order with promo code LORE. That's goldbelly.com, promo code LORE for free shipping and 20% off your 1st order. And finally, this Episode was made possible by Warby Parker. Buying new glasses isn't always a fun experience. The exam picking frames, wondering if they'll work for you. I have been there many times and it's definitely frustrating, but Warby Parker changed all that. Warby Parker offers everything you need for happier eyeglasses, sunglasses, contact lenses and eye exams.

[Aaron Manke]

You can shop with them online at.

[Alex Robinson]

Home or in one of their over 270 retail locations across the US and Canada where you can get styled by.

[Aaron Manke]

One of their friendly expert advisors.

[Alex Robinson]

Warby Parker uses nothing but premium materials in each frame. Warby Parker designs every frame in house and their collection includes silhouettes, colors and fits made to suit every face. Their glasses start at $95, include prescription lenses with anti reflective scratch resistant coatings. Many Warby Parker locations even offer comprehensive eye exams starting at $85. Now full confession. I am getting old which means that I now wear progressives which are more complicated to nail right And I was worried that getting them online would be too tricky. But the ordering process was a breeze. And these glasses, I'm wearing them right now in the booth are absolutely amazing. Great fit, fun style and so affordable. Warby Parker has over 270 locations to help you find your next pair of glasses. You can also head over to warbyparker.com lore right now to try on any pair virtually. That's warbyparker.com lore warbyparker.com lore they say.

[Aaron Manke]

That the moon himself created the waterfall. Snoqualmie Falls is a beautiful 270 foot tall waterfall in the Cascade Mountains. Washington State has some of the most breathtaking nature in the country, but this thing blows it all well out of the water. The falls take their name from the Coast Salish Native Americans. Snoqualmie is the English pronunciation of the Salish word for moon.

[Alex Robinson]

And in fact the Snoqualmie tribe were.

[Aaron Manke]

Known as the People of the Moon.

[Alex Robinson]

So clearly the moon is vitally important to them and it can all be.

[Aaron Manke]

Traced back to one tribal legend.

[Alex Robinson]

The story goes that two sisters went.

[Aaron Manke]

To gather food in the area where the waterfall is today.

[Alex Robinson]

Back then it was just a blank cliff face and so the sisters dug.

[Aaron Manke]

Up roots in silence without the rush of water at their backs. Eventually the sun sank below the horizon and the sisters laid down for the night. Soon enough the sky was full of stars. Each and every one seemed to be winking at the two young women as they sparkled overhead.

[Alex Robinson]

And there underneath the star strewn sky.

[Aaron Manke]

The younger sister made a wish.

[Alex Robinson]

Pointing up, she wished that the bright.

[Aaron Manke]

White Star would be her sister's husband and that the bright red star would be hers.

[Alex Robinson]

It was such a silly request. You can practically hear the young women.

[Aaron Manke]

Giggling together, snorting and whispering as they slowly fell asleep. But when they woke up again, they.

[Alex Robinson]

Were in sky country, and their new.

[Aaron Manke]

Star husbands were lying next to them.

[Alex Robinson]

It seems they were married, but not.

[Aaron Manke]

Only that they were trapped in the sky. But they soon learned that life wasn't much different up there than it had been on Earth. Every day, the men would go hunting and the women would dig up roots, just as the sisters had been doing the night they were kidnapped.

[Alex Robinson]

Eventually, though, the older sister became pregnant.

[Aaron Manke]

And gave birth to a son. His name was Moon. Shortly after his birth, the two sisters were out working in the fields again. One of them grabbed a root and pulled.

[Alex Robinson]

It was difficult, but she eventually got.

[Aaron Manke]

It out of the ground, leaving behind a gaping hole. And far below, she could see the Earth. This was their chance to escape. So over the next several days, the.

[Alex Robinson]

Sisters secretly built a ladder.

[Aaron Manke]

And then they took Moon, and they climbed back down to Earth.

[Alex Robinson]

Their family was, of course, overjoyed.

[Aaron Manke]

The girls had been missing for so long that no one had ever expected.

[Alex Robinson]

To see them again. They threw a huge party to celebrate their miraculous return.

[Aaron Manke]

And while everyone reveled in their reunification, Moon was supervised by their blind grandmother.

[Alex Robinson]

Unfortunately, the grandmother's weak eyes weren't quite.

[Aaron Manke]

Up to the task of watching the infant.

[Alex Robinson]

While everyone was distracted, the dog, Salmon.

[Aaron Manke]

Snuck in and stole Moon from right under her nose.

[Alex Robinson]

Everyone searched high and low for the.

[Aaron Manke]

Baby, but they never found him. Moon grew up far away from his.

[Alex Robinson]

Family, and by the time he learned.

[Aaron Manke]

That he had been taken from his mother, he had already grown into an adult. But over those years, he had changed, and he had developed a new, dangerous ability. Moon had the power to transform things. He could change anything or anyone into whatever he wanted. And so, in his anger at being kidnapped, he went on a rampage. First, Moon turned the Dog Salmon people into actual salmon, cursing them with a life of swimming upstream.

[Alex Robinson]

Then he stormed across the land, turning.

[Aaron Manke]

Everyone he met into trees, rocks, and streams.

[Alex Robinson]

But he didn't just transform. He also created. He created the rivers and the ponds.

[Aaron Manke]

And all the native peoples of the area. Finally, he reached a small stream of water with a wooden fish weir. And with a wave of his hand, he transformed the weir into Snoqualmie Falls. And then he returned to the sky, providing light for the world.

[Alex Robinson]

Today, the waterfall is still a significant.

[Aaron Manke]

Sight for the Snoqualmie people. They gather there for prayer and meditation, and it's become a major tourist hotspot as well, especially after its appearance in.

[Alex Robinson]

Popular media like Twin Peaks.

[Aaron Manke]

And so if you ever find yourself at Snoqualmie Falls, staring up at that.

[Alex Robinson]

Impressive cliff and feeling the spray of the water on your face, just know.

[Aaron Manke]

That it's all there. Thanks to the moon. This episode of Lore Legends was produced by me, Aaron Manke, with writing by.

[Alex Robinson]

Alex Robinson and research by Cassandra d' Alba. Don't like hearing the ads? I've got a solution for you.

[Aaron Manke]

There's a paid version of Lore on Apple Podcasts and patreon that is 100% ad free.

[Alex Robinson]

Plus subscribers also get weekly mini episodes that we call Lore Bytes. It's a bargain for all of that ad free storytelling and a great way.

[Aaron Manke]

To support this show and the team behind it. For more information about those ad free.

[Alex Robinson]

Options, head over to lorepodcast.com support lore is of course more than just a podcast.

[Aaron Manke]

There's the book series available in bookstores.

[Alex Robinson]

And online, and two seasons of the.

[Aaron Manke]

Television show on Amazon Prime. Information about all of that and more is available [e-mail] and you can also.

[Alex Robinson]

Follow this show on various social media platforms like Blue sky and YouTube.

[Aaron Manke]

Just search for lore podcast, all one.

[Alex Robinson]

Word and then click that follow button. And when you do, say hi.

[Aaron Manke]

I like it when people say hi. And as always, thanks for listening.

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