Selenophilia: what is it and how is fascination with the moon expressed?
Selenophilia is a psychological phenomenon based on the fascination with the moon.
The Moon is the queen of the night, who is accompanied by her thousands of vassals, the stars, or, at least, more than one artist has seen her this way.
Selenophilia, that is to say, the attraction to the Moonis a word used by those who are fascinated by this nocturnal star, although, perhaps, unaware of the possible confusion that can be caused by using the ending 'filia' in the field of psychopathology.
Is selenophilia a disorder, should I worry about seeing the beauty of the Moon, and what symptoms does it present? All these questions will be answered throughout this article.
What is selenophilia?
Selenophilia (from the Greek 'Selene', moon, and 'philia', love) is the more striking than usual attraction to the moon. Although its name may imply that people who feel this particular attraction towards the only satellite of the Earth have some kind of sexual perversion, the truth is that it does not refer to a psychological disorder. does not refer to a psychological disorder.
It should not be thought that selenophilia and selenophiliacs should be classified in the same group as other types of uncommon attractions, such as pedophilia, zoophilia and necrophilia. These three examples cited here are true paraphilic behaviors and, in all three, someone or something is harmed. In the case of selenophilia, it is simply a matter of a certain intellectual and artistic attraction attraction to the moon, not a sexual desire for this satellite.
Characteristics
In no diagnostic manual does the word 'selenophilia' appear as if it were a paraphilic disorder. It does not have the characteristics to be considered a disorder of any kind and, if one tries to find symptoms, one cannot see any particularly worrisome ones. What it is possible to talk about is a series of characteristics that selenophilic people have.
Usually, selenophilic people are those who use this label, using it to refer to themselves and only with the intention of differentiating themselves from the rest of people who do not feel this special attraction to the Moon. Selenophiles are often bohemian people, who like to go to sleep late at night contemplating the dark sky illuminated by the pale star. Many of them consider themselves to be nyctophilic as well, that is, attracted to the enveloping darkness of the night.
The Moon has always been an inspiration, and many artistic works have been dedicated to it.. In fact, selenophiles are people who tend to express themselves through art. To give just a few examples: From the Earth to the Moon (1865), a book by Jules Verne, Moonlight (1801), a sonata by Ludwig van Beethoven or Fly me to the moon (1956), a song by Frank Sinatra and ending of Neon Genesis Evangelion. The Moon, as we can see, has always been a beautiful star that has been the muse of great artists.
Although this is not entirely certain, it is not uncommon to find that people who feel this aesthetic desire for the moon are rather introverted individuals, who prefer to contemplate the night sky in their solitude. They also consider themselves to be people with above-average intelligence and a deeper capacity for reflection.
Possible Causes
As we have seen before, selenophilia is not a disorder, so we cannot speak of pathological causes that explain it. As the saying goes, there are different colors for different tastes, and when it comes to attraction to things, there is everything. Humans present individual differences, which give humanity a wide spectrum of variety, shown in the form of traits, opinions and, as in the case of selenophilia, tastes.
That is, yes, certain personality traits can be linked to this peculiar attraction to the Moon.. In fact, as we saw before, it seems that introverted people with a particular capacity for reflection feel this interest for the only satellite of the Earth.
Also, although it is much to suppose, presenting above-average intellectual capacities seems to be related to selenophilia. What is certain is that people with strong artistic interests are fascinated by how this star decorates the night sky. are fascinated by how this star decorates the night sky..
Consequences
Since it is a preference and not a disorder, it is difficult to find negative consequences of selenophilia.
However, it is worth noting that those who stay up late at night gazing at the moon may be depriving themselves of sleep, which negatively affects their circadian cycles. Thus by altering normal sleep cyclesThus, by altering normal sleep cycles, the individual may be tired and irritable the next day, or fall asleep in broad daylight, and may neglect tasks that should be done during daylight hours such as work, dedicating time to their studies, or taking care of their relationships with family and friends.
On the other hand, the fascination for the Moon has been something that has contributed significantly in art and culture, since all over the world attention has been devoted, in one way or another, to this satellite. Also, from more philosophical and religious perspectives, has been dedicated to meditate on this satelliteIt has also been dedicated to meditate on this satellite from more philosophical and religious perspectives, allowing us to know more closely the nature of the world.
Does selenophilia require treatment?
As it is not a real paraphilic disorder, it does not require treatment. As we have already mentioned, philia is understood as any attraction to something that involves a real pathological problem, that is, a type of sexual preference that involves harm either to the one who feels it or to the one who performs it, such as pedophilia.
Selenophiliacs are unlikely to see their lives diminished because they feel a strong attraction to the Moon. by feeling a strong attraction to the Moon. They value the beauty of the Moon more highly than the rest of the people, without it bordering on sexual desire or wanting to commit perversions against this star. There is no suffering either for those who present selenophilia or for the object of their attraction, the Moon.
What would require treatment are the sleep disorders that may be caused by taking this fascination with the Moon to the extreme. As we have seen, prioritizing the observation of the Moon during the night and not going to sleep when it is convenient can negatively affect the health of the person. In that case, one should see a professional to treat this behavior and, if necessary, take medication to readjust circadian cycles.
Bibliographic references:
- Casey, C. E. (1988). Selenophilia. Cambridge University Press. 47(1), 55 - 62.
(Updated at Apr 14 / 2024)