Full Moon and a New Prince

Gif. source: Telegraph via Perez Hilton.

Some are less enthusiastic about a succession to a royal line in this day and age. Nevertheless, it is fascinating to see very old conventions, myths and traditional attitudes about birth and power renewed in Millennial times. The latest addition to the British royal family was born today at 4:24 p.m. The baby boy was born after several countries amended the rules of succession, allowing a girl - and not just a boy - to succeed to the throne through the whole Commonwealth.

Considering that there was some wild talk of genetically altering the gender of a royal baby prior to a 2006 male birth in the Japanese Chrysanthemum family (when the imperial family was weirdly swamped with princesses), this Commonwealth amendment - ratified by the leaders of 16 countries - shows just how close to being benighted royal authorities can be, even today. In these circles, it does not take much to be cutting edge. Prince Charles, interestingly, cautioned against 'rushing' the amendment to allow female succession earlier this year.

The announcement today, outside Buckingham Palace. Image Source: Guardian.

Image Source: LOLZ Parade.

There are even odd references to celestial involvement in the Prince of Cambridge's birth. Kate Middleton's labour began right at July's full moon in Aquarius the UK. Astrologers claim that this full moon supposedly involves a gushing of emotion which clears the air and puts the past to rest. Cafe Astrology suggests a blending of a cool House of Windsor with a warmer, accessible characteristic for which Princess Diana was known:

On Monday, a Full Moon occurs when the Leo Sun opposes the Moon in Aquarius. The Full Moon is a time of culmination and the promise of fulfillment of that which was started at the New Moon. It is an emotional time--a time of romance, fertilization, and relationships. The Leo-Aquarius polarity deals with the balance between all that is personal (Leo) and all that is impersonal (Aquarius).

Princess Diana with her sons. Image Source: Mode Aim.

Dark Star Astrology wrote of the influence of the star Altair on this full moon which "is somewhat heroic, but not in a brash Martian way. It is more refined, like a chivalrous knight. I’m thinking 3 parts Sir Galahad to one part Sir Lanc[e]lot.'" What is that myth about Arthur and his knights returning from Avalon in England's greatest time of need?

Sir Galahad, noblest of King Arthur's knights and one of the achievers of the Holy Grail. Sir Galahad - The Quest of the Holy Grail, by Arthur Hughes (1870; Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool, UK). Image Source: WikiPaintings.

There is an old wives' tale that the full moon induces births. There are also semi-mystical theories on the Internet that somehow the heavens pulled this new prince into the world with a full moon or an electrical storm. Belfast Telegraph:

Some believe Kate's labour was influenced by the lunar cycle and the arrival of a full moon.

The suggestion is that the moon's gravitational pull affects the amniotic fluid in the same way it affects the water in the sea and rivers.

Maternity wards are said to be busier during a full moon, although there is debate in the medical world about whether the moon does encourage women to go into labour.

Mervi Jokinen, of the Royal College of Midwives, said midwives often talk of how the full moon makes for a busy spate of deliveries.

"It's always sort of been an old wives tale saying that the full moon brings women into labour. Midwives usually do say 'I'm on call. It's a full moon. I'll be busy tonight'," she said.

"There was a study about 20 years ago at a hospital near the River Thames which is a tidal river and it showed that on the full moon they did have more births. "The idea is that because the baby is surrounded by water, the time of the full moon and the high tide causes the waters to break. "But there's not enough scientific evidence to show it's proven."

Birth doula Zara de Candole, of Doula UK, said: "As a doula (birth coach) who has supported many women in labour, there does seem to be some link between labour kick starting and a full moon."

As in times past, an important royal birth is surrounded by oracles' proclamations about the future. The baby was born under the sign of Cancer, with Scorpio rising. In astrological parlance, this implies that the baby will grow up to be an inwardly sensitive, caring and appealing personality who will be outwardly perceived as a guarded, deliberate, yet magnetic and seductive figure. (James Bond is considered to be a classic Scorpio male characterization.) If this new prince had been born half an hour later, he would have been a Leo. The cusp birth, Cancer on the verge of Leo, indicates a personality who will privately oscillate between water and fire. For astrological predictions of the baby's future, go here, here, here, here and most ominously, here.