The phenomenon of tides has a faraway source. This rise and fall of the water level over a period of several hours is a result of the gravitational pull of the Moon and the Sun on Earth's oceans. Tides exhibit predictable cycles on daily, monthly, and yearly scales. The magnitude of the tides is dependent on the position of the Earth and Moon in relation to the Sun, but is also influenced by other factors. This article briefly discusses pulling, pushing, spinning; monthly tidal cycle; moon versus sun; and the shape of the Earth.