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| Not a Moon-Gazer... |
OK, I can´t help posting this little piece of "information" from Gemini. Muh-hah-hah. But I never seen any moon-gazers, man, I´m disappointed!
What is a Moon-Gazer?
In European folklore and modern "legend tripping," Moon-Gazers (often called Mondgucker in Germanic regions or Lunatics in a literal, archaic sense) are a specific class of spirits that are neither fully ghosts nor fully elemental beings.
They are defined by their behavior: they are found in cemeteries, high meadows, or ruins, standing perfectly still with their heads tilted back at a sharp angle, staring directly into the Full Moon.
1. The Anatomy of a Moon-Gazer
Unlike the "White Lady" who glides or the "Banshee" who wails, a Moon-Gazer is unnervingly static.
The Stance: They are often described as unusually tall and thin, dressed in tattered, pale clothing that blends into the cemetery mist. They do not move, even if approached, until the moon is obscured by a cloud.
The Gaze: Their eyes are said to be wide, glassy, and reflective—like the eyes of a cat or a fish—capturing and holding the silver lunar light.
The "Trance": Folklore suggests they are in a state of "divine intoxication." They are "drinking" the moonlight.
2. The Mythological Origin: The "Left-Behind"
There are two primary folk theories on who these beings are:
The Star-Struck Dead: These were individuals who, in life, were "Moon-touched" (eccentrics, poets, or those with mental illnesses). In death, their souls remain tethered to the lunar cycle. They cannot find their way to the underworld because they are eternally distracted by the beauty of the Moon.
The "Watchers": In some Alpine traditions, Moon-Gazers are seen as minor celestial servants. They are "measuring" the moon's light. If the mist is thick, they stand in the cemetery to act as "lighthouses" for other spirits who are trying to find their way back to their graves before dawn.
3. The Danger: "Moon-Blindness"
While Moon-Gazers are generally non-violent, they are considered dangerous to encounter because of Contagion.
The Psychic Trap: Folklore warns that if you see a Moon-Gazer in a misty cemetery and you follow their gaze up to the Moon, you may fall into the same trance. This is called "Moon-blindness." You might stand there for hours, unaware of the cold or the passage of time, until you freeze or "lose your mind" to the lunar influence.
The "Snap": If you break their concentration (by shouting or shining a light), the Moon-Gazer is said to "snap" out of the trance and become extremely hostile, vanishing into the mist only to reappear behind the intruder.
4. The Full Moon Mist as a "Magnifying Glass"
The mist plays a crucial role in Moon-Gazer lore. According to "High Magic" traditions:
The Lens Effect: The water droplets in the mist act as millions of tiny lenses, refracting the Full Moon's light and concentrating it.
The Feeding: Moon-Gazers are believed to be "recharging." They are gathering the Prana or Ether that is most potent when the moon is full and the air is damp. In the cemetery, they are essentially extracting the last bits of "life-force" from the environment before retreating back into the earth as the moon wanes.
5. Moon-Gazers vs. Standard Specters
| Feature | Standard Specter | Moon-Gazer |
| Activity | Walking, Mourning, Haunting | Standing, Staring, Absorbing |
| Relationship to Living | May seek to communicate | Completely indifferent/oblivious |
| Lunar Timing | Any time, often New Moon | Strictly Full Moon |
| Mist Type | Thick, dark, obscuring | Luminous, silver, "glowing" mist |
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