Lore: Legends 53 – Lunacy

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

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.

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.

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."

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.

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.

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.

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.

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."

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.