Course Two: Nature 95
Lesson 7: Gardening by the Moon
The Moon governs growth, and planting is most pro-
ductive if the lunar influences are considered—not
only the light or dark phases, but also the nature of
the sign of the Zodiac the Moon is passing through.Moon Gardening by Phase
Waxing Moon:
Sow, transplant, bud, and graft. Fruit picked now
will rot easily where bruised. Cutting grass now will
stimulate its growth.
Waning Moon:
Cultivate, weed, and reap. Bruised areas of fruit
picked now will dry. Cut grass now to retard growth.
From New to First Quarter:
Plant aboveground crops with outside seeds,
flowering annuals, herbs, leafy crops (lettuce, cab-
bage), celery, Brussels sprouts, grains, etc.
From First Quarter to Full:
Plant aboveground crops with inside seeds (to-
matoes, corn, beans, peppers, peas, squash, melons,
pumpkins, etc.).
From Full to Last Quarter:
Plant root crops, bulbs, biennials, perennials (on-
ions, chives, potatoes, carrots, beets, radishes, etc.).
From Last Quarter to New:
Do not plant. Till and destroy weeds and pests;
cultivate and harvest. Cut firewood now to season.Lunar Gardening by Zodiac Sign
Consult a Moon sign calendar for phases of the
Moon and its daily positions among the signs of the
Zodiac. The Moon remains in each sign for about 2-
1/3 days. The first day the Moon is in a sign is the
best, followed by the 2nd and 3rd. The influence of each
sign is greatly enhanced when the Sun and Moon are
in the same sign. Water signs are the most fertile and
best for planting. Earth signs are good for root crops.
Fire and Air signs are mostly barren and good times
to destroy weeds and pests. Reap when the Moon is
in an Air or Fire Sign to assure best storage.Fruitful Signs
Taurus (Earth): The best time to plant root crops
is when the Moon is in Taurus—a moist and pro-
ductive sign.
Cancer (Water): Most favorable time for all leafy
crops bearing fruit above ground. Transplant and
prune to encourage growth.
Libra (Air): Libra is the least beneficial of the
Fruitful Signs, but is excellent for planting orna-
mental flowers and vines.
Scorpio (Water): A Scorpio Moon promises good
germination and rapid growth. Prune for bud de-
velopment. Capricorn (Earth): Capricorn Moon promotes
growth of rhizomes, bulbs, roots, tubers, and stalks.
Prune to strengthen branches.
Pisces (Water): Planting under a Pisces Moon is
especially effective for root growth.Barren Signs
Aries (Fire): Cultivate, weed, and prune to reduce
unwanted growth. Gather herbs and roots to store.
Gemini (Air): Harvest herbs and roots.
Leo (Fire): Foremost of the barren signs, a Leo
Moon is the best time to destroy weeds and pests.
Cultivate and till the soil.
Virgo (Earth): Plow, cultivate, and control weeds
and pests under a Virgo Moon. Lay irrigation lines
and tie pole plants.
Sagittarius (Fire): Plow and cultivate the soil, or
harvest. Destroy weeds and pests. Prune to dis-
courage growth.
Aquarius (Air): Perfect time for ground cultiva-
tion, reaping crops, gathering roots and herbs. De-
stroy weeds and pests.Lesson 8: The Wheel of the Year
in Your GardenOstara (March 21): The seasonal cycle we magickal
folk call The Wheel of the Year begins at Spring
Equinox. This is also a perfect time to begin your
magickal garden by setting the first plants into the
ground. Welcome the Nature spirits to your gar-
den, and charge the seeds you’ll soon be planting.
Set up your garden altar with Easter decorations,
like colored eggs, bunnies, baby animals, and flow-
ers; use a light green altar cloth.
Beltaine (May 1): Decorate your garden altar with
pretty Spring flowers, a May basket, wreaths, and
colorful ribbons (ideally, cut from the Maypole!);
use a dark green altar cloth.
Litha (Summer Solstice: June 21): Nurture your
crops, and harvest magickal herbs from your gar-
den. Decorate your garden altar with herbs, toma-
toes, and Summer flowers; use a white altar cloth
and candles, with a chalice full of water. We got a
nice woven basket Cornucopia (“horn of plenty”)
at a junk store, and we keep it on the garden altar
full of whatever fruits and veggies are in season.
Lughnasadh (Aug. 1): This is the first harvest.
Decorate your garden altar with flowers (especially
sunflowers!), blackberries, corn, tomatoes, squash,
and other food that’s ripe now; use a yellow altar
cloth. Make corn dollies out of cornhusks, and
place them on your altar.
Mabon (Fall Equinox: Sept. 21): Mabon is the sec-
ond harvest, and a feast of thanksgiving. Deco-
rate your garden altar with colorful Autumn leaves
and small gourds, nuts, dried corn, seeds, acorns,- Nature.p65 95 1/14/2004, 3:33 PM