The Digital Press

The Medieval Moon by Ayoush Lazikani explores the complex cultural, religious, and scientific significance of the Moon across diverse medieval societies, revealing its role as both a source of wonder and fear.

Why it matters: The Moon influenced medieval life deeply, shaping beliefs, health practices, literature, and religious symbolism worldwide.

The big picture: Medieval people combined observation with myth, seeing the Moon as a celestial guide, a spiritual symbol, and a possible inhabited realm.

Quick takeaway: Despite some misconceptions, medieval scholars used sophisticated tools like astrolabes to track the Moon’s phases and predict eclipses.

Commenters say: Readers appreciate the rich cultural insights and debate the fairness of judging medieval beliefs by modern scientific standards.