Lupin, the Moon and the Bewitching Hour

[ftah3]

No: HPFGUIDX 32761

Hollydaze wrote:
> Mahoney came up with a new theory on why Lupin does not transform 
until he sees teh moon even though it has obviously been up for hours.

To be more specific, my theory has nothing to do with Lupin actually 
seeing the moon.  He could be in a tunnel 50 miles under the earth; 
however, once the witching hour strikes on the first night of the 
full moon, he would transform.
> I really like this idea (especially as Lupin is my fav character) 
but about 4 days ago someone (sorry I deleted the email and so can't 
find who it was) mentioned an idea about it having to be teh exact 
full moon for Lupin to transform. That there is only one time when it 
is EXACTLY the fullmoon and that it is this that causes the 
transformation, that the cloud was just to draw our attention to the 
moon. 

Hmm, well, as to the *exact* full moon being necessary...then when 
would be the cut off point?  Why would he spend three days as a 
werewolf if there is only one 'time' when the moon is actually full.  

I think what I'm getting at is that the full moon cycle is 
conventionally set at three days ~ this is in regards what the human 
eye sees, and not based on scientific measurement.  It is during this 
time period that werewolves are commonly thought, in myth, to be in 
wolf form.  

My theory accepts that convention completely.  However, what I'm 
doing is putting the cycle into a clock-work, pre-destination 
format.  I.e., the seasonally sliding time of moonrise is irrelevant; 
the whenever time of the werewolf physically catching sight of the 
moon is irrelevant; and even the werewolf's knowledge of clock time 
is irrelevant.  Rather, the magic is in the hour.  For example, no 
matter where he is, what he sees, or what he's thinking about, nor 
even where the moon is in regards the local horizon.  A werewolf is a 
werewolf from midnight on the first night when the full moon cycle 
begins through (according to the three days) midnight on the the 
first night the moon moves to the waxing gibbous cycle.

As for when midnight actually falls in any given place...this is why 
I'm less fixated on midnight per se, than on a 'witching hour.'  For 
matter of discussion, I'll say that my theoretical 'witching hour' 
occurs midway through the night.  

Does that make sense?

> Hope I'm not poking my nose in wear it is not wanted 

Pff.  That's the whole point of a discussion group, isn't it?  Pokey 
noses!  Where would be the fun without them?  :-)

Mahoney