“With or Without Vaccination, When Are You Most Vulnerable?”
Based On CDC Research
According to reports from the Center for Disease Control (CDC) important biological mechanisms in each of us are synchronized or “entrained” with the seasonality of the earth. This means we are more vulnerable (have lower immunity) or less vulnerable (have higher immunity) at specific times of the year. CDC research has identified these times so specifically that knowing them may be important for you to make practical decisions which can keep yourself, your family, or colleagues safer from illnesses including COVID. Vaccination does not alter seasonal immunity.
SEASONAL IMMUNITY?
Our bodies respond to reduced levels of light (called “photoperiods”) by reducing the function of our endocrine system which affects our immune systems. This article puts data from CDC reports against an astronomically based calendar which also has a simple introduction to astronomy and an accurate ephemeris. Combined, this may help you know when to take extra health-supporting measures by changing diet or behavior.
PHOTOPERIODISM
is a scientific name for periods of the year in which we are naturally able to
resist viral infections and avoid colds and flu, feel better, and are actually
physiologically stronger than other times. We tend to be less strong at certain
times because of the reduced level of sunshine.
Photoperiodism
is a term that refers to seasonal fluctuations in daylight affecting disease
prevalence, and the function of human biological systems such as the endocrine
system as it relates to immunology.(1)[i]
It is commonly accepted that the
link between human physiology and photoperiodism is a strong one and includes
long cycles such as seasons as well as short cycles such as circadian
(day/night) rhythms. These cycles are now a regular part of public health planning
and medical protocols as described in textbooks like Seasonal Patterns of Stress, Immune Function and Disease. (2)
Another CDC study noted that a seasonally occurring spike in pneumococcal disease (colds and flu) occurs in adults each year between December 24 and January 7. The study said, “The reproducible seasonal patterns in varied geographic locations are consistent with the hypothesis that nationwide seasonal changes such as photoperiod-dependent variation in host susceptibility may underlie pneumococcal seasonality…” (3)
THE STELLA*NATURA CALENDAR – THE ASTRONOMY OF PHOTOPERIODISM
As an astronomically based calendar, the Stella*Natura gives gardeners or farmers a guide to full/new moons, and seasonal information for success in planting, growing, and harvesting plants. The calendar also provides cultural events which support our daily lives. Though the CDC research is not included in the calendar, it is in this article and related material.
The tilt of
the Earth’s axis combined with the Earth’s rotation around the Sun results in
an apparent movement of the Sun over northern or southern latitudes resulting
in more or less daylight and called “seasons” on the Earth.
Thus the year is divided roughly
into two halves – one of increasing daylight for the Northern Hemisphere (and the corresponding decrease in daylight in the Southern Hemisphere), between Winter
and Summer Solstices where the sun is apparently moving from S. Latitude to N.
Latitude resulting in longer days as the Sun apparently climbs higher in the
sky. A balance point is reached at the
Spring Equinox (Mar. 20-22) where the days and the nights are the same lengths.
The second half of the year is one
of decreasing daylight, between Summer and Winter Solstices when in the Northern
Hemisphere (and opposite in Southern Hemisphere) the Sun apparently moves from
N. Latitude to S. Latitude resulting in shorter days as the Sun moves lower in
the sky. A balance point is reached at the Autumn Equinox (Sept. 20-22) where
the days and nights are the same.
The six
months between the cross-quarter days of Hallow’een (Oct. 31) and Beltane (Apr.
30) is designated in the CDC research as a “photoperiod” because of lower
levels of light (shorter days and longer nights), our immune systems are less
stimulated than during the other six months of the year.
CDC calls this is an “immunological
deficiency ‘trough’” which their research has identified. They commonly call it
the “cold and flu season.” In addition,
the photoperiod around the Winter Solstice, has been identified as a time of
especially increased levels of infectious disease (meaning reduced immunological
strength).
THE ASTRONOMY OF THE IMMUNOLOGICAL
DEFICIENCY ‘TROUGH’
The Nov. – Apr.
“trough” of immunological deficiency is a photoperiod whose mid-point is the
Winter Solstice (Dec. 20-22 – shortest days / longest nights). During this photoperiod,
the occasions of the new moon are periods of even less light during this
decreasing cycle. It is hypothesized that new moon events may act as “triggers”
for stress-related health events.
New moons are periods of total lack of illumination from the Moon due to its proximity to the Sun during the daytime hours. The “immunological ‘trough’” Oct – Mar. may be demarcated by seven (7) new moons with the new moon on January 2, 2022 being the mid-point of the seven.
New Moon Dates. (2021-2)1 (Source: See Note 4)
October 6
November 4
December 4
Winter
Solstice – December 20-22 (shortest days / longest nights)
January 2,
2022 - midpoint
January 31
March 2
March 31
SUMMARY:
Our natural
biological mechanisms are “entrained” or synchronized with the seasonality of
the earth. Our bodies respond to reduced levels of light by reducing biological
system functions such as endocrine systems affecting our immune system
performance. This means we have the lower or higher immune system functioning at certain
times of the year. Our modern lives,
however, are not in sync with the seasons and so it is during certain time
periods as identified by the CDC studies that there are higher incidents of
infectious diseases (flu, colds, etc.) and higher incidents of heart attacks,
psychological breaks and major illnesses.
The
literature has identified important physiological stressors which should be reduced
or avoided during the Nov. – Apr. photoperiod which we have characterized as an
“immunological deficiency ‘trough’”:
Extreme
temperature reduction (lack of home heating)
Food
shortages
Extreme
physical exertion
Travel
across several time-zones
Extreme
psychological strain
Isolation
(homelessness)
Working
with photoperiodism is not difficult. Individuals striving for greater health
and well-being would do well to incorporate photoperiodism into their personal
planning. A lunar calendar like the Stella*Natura might be helpful in
this regard.
NOTES:
1. Seasonal Variation
in Host Susceptibility, S. Dowell, CDC, May/June 2001.
The Center for Disease Control (CDC) Scott Dowell, Acting
Associate Director for Global Health, National Center for Infectious Diseases,
reported in 2002 that between the periods of November – April, 58% of
laboratory rats kept under constant atmospheric conditions became infected with
an influenza virus versus 34% between the periods of May through October. (Seasonal Variation in Host Susceptibility,
S. Dowell, CDC, May June 2001)
2. Seasonal Patterns
of Stress, Immune Function, and Disease, R. Nelson, G. Demas, S. Klein,
eBooks, eBookMall, 2006.
3. Seasonal Patterns
of Invasive Pneumococcal Disease, S. Dowell, C. Whitney, C. Wright, C.
Rose, A. Schuchat, Emerging Infectious Diseases, Vol 9, No. 5, May 2003, p.
573.
4. 2021 report, Stella*Natura astronomically based planting
calendar.
https://stellanatura.com/index.html
“This Calendar
has many aspects: a basic introduction to astronomy, a simple ephemeris, a
planting guide, a star map, aid for following the movement of the planets in
the night sky, and articles by ten different authors. All of these attempt to
provide a true picture of the world outside us and ideas to assist in
developing a healthy relation to that world.” – Sherry Wildfeuer, Editor
© Copyright 2021 Jean W. Yeager All Rights Reserved
