29 JANUARY 1921, Page 15

THE MOON " LYING ON HER BACK." [TO THE EDITOR

OF THE " SPECTATOR."]

SIR,—As a constant reader of the Spectator I shall be much obliged if you or any of your readers can give me any informa- tion about the moon "lying on her back," the young moon in the first quarter, with the illuminated portion pointing downwards, giving the moon the so-called recumbent attitude. I have heard many persons declare it is a sure sign of wet or stormy weather. What leads them to this conclusion I have not heard. I think this appearance is due to some variation of her orbit, and I should like to find out how often we may