Planting within the Rhythms of LA LUNA
Traditionally, the moon's energy is associated with the feminine power, dreams, psychic ability, mystery and hidden knowledge, travel, children, spirituality, mysticism, the seas and oceans, and transformation.
The phases of the moon are important in agricultural practice Sowing and harvesting were once done accordingly to the phases of the moon.
Scientifically, this may have something to do with the moon's proven influence on water and other fluids. Plants are composed of a large amount of water, which implies that their life cycle would be affected by the moon's phases.
The basic rules may be applied to gardening during the phases of the moon, In general, plant things whose strength lies above the ground while the moon is waxing and those whose strength lies below ground while the moon is waning.
- New to first quarter: plant leafy annuals and herbs
- First quarter to full: plant flowering annuals, above-ground vegetables and fruit, and vines
- Full to third quarter: plant perennials, root vegetable, and bulbs
- Third quarter to dark: weed, maintain, cultivate, and fight pests and disease
If you pay attention to the phases of the moon, you can also determine good times to perform both spiritual and secular actions in your garden. The following phases correspond to phases in the life cycle of a plant:
- New moon: seeds
- Crescent moon: shoots and sprouts
- Waxing moon: growth and flowering
- Full moon: harvest
- Dark moon: cutting down a dead plant to prepare for new growth
Written by Arin Murphy-Hiscock, The Green Witch
“Whether we move instinctively to the lunar rhythm, or must choose to synchronize ourselves with free will, if we want a broader support for our activities, it makes sense to keep Luna in mind. She offers temporal windows for beginnings and endings, and for everything in between. She is the consummate teacher of process.”
- Dana Gerhardt