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The Biological Time Hypothesis __________________________________________________ |
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 All
plants and animals have biological clocks that are reset by the
rhythms of light and darkness. Plants and animals undergo different
physiological processes during the short days (long nights) of the winter than the
long days (short nights) of the summer. They also have different behavior under
the continuous light of the Full Moon vs. New Moon, when there are
contrasting light/dark periods. Deer and elk, for example, become
night-active around the Full Moon (just like us when the lights are on
at night or in Alaska during the summer), which helps them to coordinate their migrations
and mating, called the
"rut." This does not occur on any Full Moon. In combination
with decreasing day/increasing night length around the Autumn
Equinox (~Sept. 23), these mammals undergo physiological transformations
that prime them for the right moment. The illumination from the
moon groups them together and precisely cues them for this event.
The Biological Time hypothesis becomes more interesting when
we consider the
relationship between the sun and moon. Because the solar year is
approximately 365 days, and the lunar cycle of light is 29.5 days (they
do not divide evenly), the Full Moon that the deer and elk are
coordinating their rut to moves around in the solar year. So in
2004 the Full Moon-timed rut could be on September 28, while in 2005 it
may be on September 18. One is earlier than the other in the solar
year. We have a similar situation with the solar-lunar-timed
Easter holiday (first Sunday that succeeds the first Full Moon after the
Vernal Equinox). With this methodology, the calendar dates for
Easter over the next few years are April 11 (2004) , March 27
(2005) and April 16 (2006).
Back to the deer and elk. If the female and male mate under a Full Moon, and gestation period is a set period of time, then the dropping of the fawns (deer) or calves (elk) will be earlier or later as well over the next spring. As a result, the parent and offspring will have different experiences, and may have varying success rates as a result, based on the lunar shift in the solar year. The food supply is not even throughout the winter to spring transition period. The weather is generally more inhospitable closer to the winter than towards the summer. The young may also need to achieve a certain size/physical condition for a migration. Earlier or later, as per the lunar shift in the solar year makes all the difference. This phenomenon is not unique to the deer and elk. In Biological Time, many other examples are given across a range of plants and animals, such as grapes, insects, zooplankton, fish, waterfowl and other mammals.
The second, and equally important, concept in the hypothesis (explored after
the biological work) is that prehistoric, indigenous and ancient peoples
knew about these rhythms and cycles, and used the information to more efficiently
hunt, fish, harvest crops, etc. They needed this knowledge in
order to survive. They often migrated to their food sources and could
not afford to be early or late. Biological Time presents evidence
this methodology was practiced among Ice-Age men at the Lascaux cave in
France (15,000 BCE), in Mesopotamia (2,500 BCE) and in the present time
among indigenous peoples around the Pacific.
The knowledge was not lost with these ancient peoples. The solar-lunar calendars of many Indian Tribes in North American revolve around the availability of plants and animals. The Thompson Indians in British Columbia, Canada, as shown below, centers on the behavior of the deer, which is their primary food source. They re-set their lunar new year to the rut of the deer. The antler shed occurs three lunation later and the dropping of the young in the eighth lunar month. Other interior British Columbian tribes have a similar calendar. The Thompson calendar also includes sockeye salmon and plants.
The solar-lunar run timing for sockeye salmon can be examined on the Kenai River in Alaska as well. A similar lunar calendar for reindeer can be found on the other side of the Pacific among the Chuckchee from Northeastern Siberia. One event leads to another providing a clock for the management of the herds. The lunar timing for reindeer can also be found on the calendar of the Yukaghirized Tungus from the Arctic areas of Russia.
209 pages B/W, Cloth 7x10 Retail Price $29.95 ISBN: 0-9749932-0-4 |
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