Chapter VII.
Many things that are said about the sun also apply to the moon; however, the moon also has its own effects, some of which are listed here.
29. Similar things apply to the moon's cycle, as we mentioned regarding its companion and brother. Indeed, it undertakes the same ministry as its brother: to illuminate the darkness, nurture the seeds, and increase the fruits. It also has many things distinct from its brother; for example, what the heat of the sun dries out from the earth during the whole day, the same is replenished by the dew in a short time of the night; for the moon itself is said to bring abundant dew. Finally, when the night is clear and the moon shines throughout, then a more generous dew is said to be carried to drench the fields. And many, lying under the open sky, felt that the more they were under the light of the moon, the more they accumulated moisture in their heads. Hence, in the Song of Songs, Christ says to the Church: 'For my head is filled with dew, and my hair with the drops of the night' (Song of Songs 5:2). Then it diminishes and increases, so that it is smaller when it rises anew, and when it is diminished, it accumulates. In this is a great mystery. For the elements also sympathize with its defect: and as it decreases, the things that were emptied out during its course are accumulated, like the brains of animals and the moisture of the sea creatures. Since it is said that fuller oysters are found and many other things when the moon is waxing. The same is also alleged about the inner parts of trees by those who have discovered this by their own experience. Therefore, we see that its rising and waning is a matter of reason, not weakness. For it would never give such a great change to things unless it possessed excellent power and grace conferred by its creator.
Some learned and Christian men have also stated that the air is known to change at the rising of the moon: but if this change were brought about by some violent disturbance, the whole sky would be covered with clouds and rain would pour down at all parts of the horizon. Finally, although we were eager for rain, I did not want such statements to be true. Finally, I was delighted because there was no rain; until, through the prayers of the Church, it was revealed that we should not hope for it from the beginning of the moon, but from the providence and mercy of the Creator. Indeed, when the Euxine Sea overflows on all sides according to the other phases of the moon, it collects and returns the waves received, or even carries them with great force; however, at its rising, it is calm until the moon is without light. But when the return of its days reveals it, then its course turns back in reverse. Moreover, it is said that the tide, which is known to exist in the Ocean, is said to maintain its regular cycle with the other days, but it is said to give a clear indication of its change with the rising of the moon; so that the very western sea, in which the tide is observed, approaches and recedes more than usual, and is carried by a greater tide, as if it were being pulled backwards by certain aspirations of the moon, and then, pushed and pulled again, it returns to its own measure.