“Shine on, shine on Harvest Moon up in the Sky” - N. Bayes and J. Norworth.
There are tales we’ve all heard about the Man on the Moon, but I believe like many others that the Moon is female. Astrologically it represents the female principle within us all, governing amongst other things: women’s cycles, the emotions, our response mechanism, “women’s” intuition and nurturing instinct. It is this nurturing aspect which is most pertinent when it comes to gardening, for what is gardening if not nurturing the Earth and her plant life?
It would be easy to set out a calendar based on the Moon phases for the reader to use as a guide to gardening activities. However, this book would only serve a limited purpose then. I believe it is a good idea to work things out for oneself as far as possible, thus getting more out of Life through deeper understanding and greater participation.
Any good calendar or almanac will show the phases of the Moon over the month for a year. One of these should be obtained, since knowing the phases and when they occur is our major concern when it comes to gardening by the Moon. The information is so readily available that we have already over-stepped our first obstacle – easy, wasn’t it? Just a small trip to the newsagency or perhaps you already have a current almanac or calendar clearly defining the occurrence of the Moon phases, which are as follows:
New Moon:
Which is also called the dark of the Moon. This is when the Moon occupies the same degree of the celestial longitude as that of the Sun. Astrologers and astronomers call this a conjunction of the Sun and Moon.
We all know what sign the Sun is in at any given time of the year. This is why people call themselves Leos or Capricorns because on the day of their birth (in the above example) the Sun occupied the tropical Zodiac sign of the Lion or Goat. So at the new Moon the Moon is in the same sign as the Sun. The Sun therefore sheds no illuminating rays upon the Moon.
In gardening terms, the day of the New Moon itself is no favourable for planting anything. The energy of the Sun and Moon is too intense. However, as the Moon begins to wax (or “grow”) for the first week following the New Moon, the sap begins to rise in the plants and energizes the leaves.
This is the best time to plant leafy annuals like spinach, silverbeet, cabbage, herbs etc. Whatever is “in season” of course of the leafy variety. Flowers too will do well planted during the same week; likewise grafting may be done with a greater element of success.
First Quarter Moon:
This is the phase following the New Moon. It should also not be planted under when exact. Exact phase energies are too static. The first quarter Moon occurs when the Moon is four Zodiac signs away from the Sun counting the Sun signs as the first sign. The term for this astrologically is to say the Sun and Moon are in square to one another. Thus if the Sun is in Pisces on the day of the first quarter, Moon will be in Gemini.
The week following the First Quarter Moon is an ideal time to plant annuals from which would harvest the seeds or fruit. I.e.: tomatoes, peas, beans, herbs such as dill, caraway etc. Again the planting of flowers and grafting may be carried out for the week beginning First Quarter to Full Moon.
Full Moon:
This occurs when the Sun and Moon are opposite to one another in the sky and the Sun fully illuminates the Moon. I can’t resist mentioning here that the round appearance of the Moon in this phase inspires my youngest son to call it a “Biscuit Moon”. Astrologically we say the Sun and Moon are in opposition and if the Sun were in Aries at a Full Moon, the Moon would fall in the opposite sign, also known as the polarity sign, Libra. Like any other exact phases, the day of the Full Moon is useless for planting. However, the week following is the best time to plant root crops such as carrots, turnips, beetroot, onion etc. Also perennials including bulbs and trees should be planted in the first week of waning (“shrinking”) Moon.
This is most useful, for pruning, transplanting and repotting can also be carried out with good results. The sap is lowering and energizing roots of plants.
Last Quarter Moon:
This is the phase after the Full Moon occurs when the Moon is four signs behind the Sun, again forming a square aspect as in the First Quarter Phase. The example would be if Sun is in Aries at a Last Quarter Moon, Moon is in Capricorn.
Not only should one not plant on the exact Moon phase itself, but also it is best not to plant at all until the Moon begins waxing again after the next New Moon.
During the week between Last Quarter and New, the best thing to do in the garden is to concentrate on weeding. Likewise, it is a good idea to harvest under the final week of the waning Moon, both reducing the risk of spoilage of harvest, and also you won’t “bleed” your plants.
That’s it. Then the cycle begins all over again.
This method of Moon gardening is ancient. It is probably the oldest use of Astrology known to Man. All our ancestors had to do was to look up in the sky and observe the Moon phases before planting. Many cultures would not dream of touching their gardens without first consulting the Moon.
In more recent times, due to scientists feeling compelled to “prove” everything, there have been extensive studies made on the effects of the Moon in relation to plant response. The results have confirmed that which the ancients have always known – gardening by the Moon works!
She is a very powerful old girl, the Moon. Just observe the pull she has on the tides! It does no good to ignore her.
Astrologers have refined the art of Moon agriculture to pinpoint specific days when a certain type of plant would do best. It is believed that when the Moon occupies the “fertile” signs of the Zodiac, that planting will gain extra benefit when used in conjunction with the correct Moon phase.
For those who have access to an ephemeris (set of tables denoting planetary, solar and lunar positions), I will include the signs of fertility. You may like to try “fine-tuning” your planting dates. This method I use, with success.
The most fertile Zodiac signs for the Moon to inhabit are the water signs, Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces. Also fertile, but perhaps to a lesser degree are earth signs Taurus and Capricorn, and air sign Libra.
Surprisingly, Virgo, and earth sign, is not considered to be fertile, but this is because she is the Virgin (therefore barren) and is associated with harvest especially in the Northern Hemisphere. Also she is ruled by intellectual rather than fruitful Mercury. Why then is Libra fertile? For it is ruled by Venus, planet of beauty, Love and harmony. Therefore flowers planted under a Libran Moon will be more beautiful than ever.
The dry, barren signs are as follows: The fire signs Aries, Leo and Sagittarius, air signs Gemini and Aquarius and earth sign Virgo.
I try not to plant when the Moon occupies one of these signs. However, there are occasions when one has no alternative. Since the fertile Moon method leaves one with far fewer planting dates than if the Moon Phase method were used alone, it is not always convenient to plant in conjunction with the correct Moon Sign.
This is what I do: To the best of my ability I try to plant in the fertile sign of the correct Moon phase. However if I do not have time that day, or if the weather is too hot for transplanting seedlings perhaps, then I choose the correct Moon phase and the cool of the evening or a day when it is drizzling to plant or transplant, regardless of the Moon sign. I find this method works perfectly well. It is more important that the phase rather than the sign is used.
One final note - If you are using the fertile Moon method, please don’t forget that it must work in conjunction with the correct Moon phase. It will do no good at all planting in the last quarter Moon just because the Moon may be in Scorpio or Capricorn or any other fertile sign. It is however, a good idea to try to harvest and weed under a barren sign in the Last Quarter to New Phase.
Please try to use the Moon methods as described. You will be delighted.
- Written by the late & great Aniko Heart, Professional Astrologer of 35+ years.
There are tales we’ve all heard about the Man on the Moon, but I believe like many others that the Moon is female. Astrologically it represents the female principle within us all, governing amongst other things: women’s cycles, the emotions, our response mechanism, “women’s” intuition and nurturing instinct. It is this nurturing aspect which is most pertinent when it comes to gardening, for what is gardening if not nurturing the Earth and her plant life?
It would be easy to set out a calendar based on the Moon phases for the reader to use as a guide to gardening activities. However, this book would only serve a limited purpose then. I believe it is a good idea to work things out for oneself as far as possible, thus getting more out of Life through deeper understanding and greater participation.
Any good calendar or almanac will show the phases of the Moon over the month for a year. One of these should be obtained, since knowing the phases and when they occur is our major concern when it comes to gardening by the Moon. The information is so readily available that we have already over-stepped our first obstacle – easy, wasn’t it? Just a small trip to the newsagency or perhaps you already have a current almanac or calendar clearly defining the occurrence of the Moon phases, which are as follows:
New Moon:
Which is also called the dark of the Moon. This is when the Moon occupies the same degree of the celestial longitude as that of the Sun. Astrologers and astronomers call this a conjunction of the Sun and Moon.
We all know what sign the Sun is in at any given time of the year. This is why people call themselves Leos or Capricorns because on the day of their birth (in the above example) the Sun occupied the tropical Zodiac sign of the Lion or Goat. So at the new Moon the Moon is in the same sign as the Sun. The Sun therefore sheds no illuminating rays upon the Moon.
In gardening terms, the day of the New Moon itself is no favourable for planting anything. The energy of the Sun and Moon is too intense. However, as the Moon begins to wax (or “grow”) for the first week following the New Moon, the sap begins to rise in the plants and energizes the leaves.
This is the best time to plant leafy annuals like spinach, silverbeet, cabbage, herbs etc. Whatever is “in season” of course of the leafy variety. Flowers too will do well planted during the same week; likewise grafting may be done with a greater element of success.
First Quarter Moon:
This is the phase following the New Moon. It should also not be planted under when exact. Exact phase energies are too static. The first quarter Moon occurs when the Moon is four Zodiac signs away from the Sun counting the Sun signs as the first sign. The term for this astrologically is to say the Sun and Moon are in square to one another. Thus if the Sun is in Pisces on the day of the first quarter, Moon will be in Gemini.
The week following the First Quarter Moon is an ideal time to plant annuals from which would harvest the seeds or fruit. I.e.: tomatoes, peas, beans, herbs such as dill, caraway etc. Again the planting of flowers and grafting may be carried out for the week beginning First Quarter to Full Moon.
Full Moon:
This occurs when the Sun and Moon are opposite to one another in the sky and the Sun fully illuminates the Moon. I can’t resist mentioning here that the round appearance of the Moon in this phase inspires my youngest son to call it a “Biscuit Moon”. Astrologically we say the Sun and Moon are in opposition and if the Sun were in Aries at a Full Moon, the Moon would fall in the opposite sign, also known as the polarity sign, Libra. Like any other exact phases, the day of the Full Moon is useless for planting. However, the week following is the best time to plant root crops such as carrots, turnips, beetroot, onion etc. Also perennials including bulbs and trees should be planted in the first week of waning (“shrinking”) Moon.
This is most useful, for pruning, transplanting and repotting can also be carried out with good results. The sap is lowering and energizing roots of plants.
Last Quarter Moon:
This is the phase after the Full Moon occurs when the Moon is four signs behind the Sun, again forming a square aspect as in the First Quarter Phase. The example would be if Sun is in Aries at a Last Quarter Moon, Moon is in Capricorn.
Not only should one not plant on the exact Moon phase itself, but also it is best not to plant at all until the Moon begins waxing again after the next New Moon.
During the week between Last Quarter and New, the best thing to do in the garden is to concentrate on weeding. Likewise, it is a good idea to harvest under the final week of the waning Moon, both reducing the risk of spoilage of harvest, and also you won’t “bleed” your plants.
That’s it. Then the cycle begins all over again.
This method of Moon gardening is ancient. It is probably the oldest use of Astrology known to Man. All our ancestors had to do was to look up in the sky and observe the Moon phases before planting. Many cultures would not dream of touching their gardens without first consulting the Moon.
In more recent times, due to scientists feeling compelled to “prove” everything, there have been extensive studies made on the effects of the Moon in relation to plant response. The results have confirmed that which the ancients have always known – gardening by the Moon works!
She is a very powerful old girl, the Moon. Just observe the pull she has on the tides! It does no good to ignore her.
Astrologers have refined the art of Moon agriculture to pinpoint specific days when a certain type of plant would do best. It is believed that when the Moon occupies the “fertile” signs of the Zodiac, that planting will gain extra benefit when used in conjunction with the correct Moon phase.
For those who have access to an ephemeris (set of tables denoting planetary, solar and lunar positions), I will include the signs of fertility. You may like to try “fine-tuning” your planting dates. This method I use, with success.
The most fertile Zodiac signs for the Moon to inhabit are the water signs, Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces. Also fertile, but perhaps to a lesser degree are earth signs Taurus and Capricorn, and air sign Libra.
Surprisingly, Virgo, and earth sign, is not considered to be fertile, but this is because she is the Virgin (therefore barren) and is associated with harvest especially in the Northern Hemisphere. Also she is ruled by intellectual rather than fruitful Mercury. Why then is Libra fertile? For it is ruled by Venus, planet of beauty, Love and harmony. Therefore flowers planted under a Libran Moon will be more beautiful than ever.
The dry, barren signs are as follows: The fire signs Aries, Leo and Sagittarius, air signs Gemini and Aquarius and earth sign Virgo.
I try not to plant when the Moon occupies one of these signs. However, there are occasions when one has no alternative. Since the fertile Moon method leaves one with far fewer planting dates than if the Moon Phase method were used alone, it is not always convenient to plant in conjunction with the correct Moon Sign.
This is what I do: To the best of my ability I try to plant in the fertile sign of the correct Moon phase. However if I do not have time that day, or if the weather is too hot for transplanting seedlings perhaps, then I choose the correct Moon phase and the cool of the evening or a day when it is drizzling to plant or transplant, regardless of the Moon sign. I find this method works perfectly well. It is more important that the phase rather than the sign is used.
One final note - If you are using the fertile Moon method, please don’t forget that it must work in conjunction with the correct Moon phase. It will do no good at all planting in the last quarter Moon just because the Moon may be in Scorpio or Capricorn or any other fertile sign. It is however, a good idea to try to harvest and weed under a barren sign in the Last Quarter to New Phase.
Please try to use the Moon methods as described. You will be delighted.
- Written by the late & great Aniko Heart, Professional Astrologer of 35+ years.