Farming by Almanac and Gardening by the Moon

Magical timing (in the case of gardens and agriculture) is a two-part process—knowing the quarters (see Almanacs, part 3, for an explanation of moon quarters) and/or phases of the moon, and understanding how the moon be-haves in each astrological sign. Applied together, these two facts will earn you the green thumb award. To begin, you’ll need an almanac that lists the quarters and the astrological sign the moon is visiting any given day.

Let’s begin by listing what type of energy you’re dealing with (when discussing gardening) when the moon enters the various signs. They are barren, productive, semi-fruitful, and fruitful.

Below is a short list that tells you how the astrological signs fit into these categories.

Moon in Aries: Barren

Moon in Taurus: Productive

Moon in Gemini: Barren

Moon in Cancer: Fruitful

Moon in Leo: Barren

Moon in Virgo: Barren

Moon in Libra: Semi-Fruitful

Moon in Scorpio: Fruitful

Moon in Sagittarius: Barren

Moon in Capricorn: Productive

Moon in Aquarius: Barren

Moon in Pisces: Fruitful

You might think that you can’t plant anything in the barren signs, but there is an exception to the rule: Virgo, as you will see by the following list. Below, I’ve created the following handy gardening table to help you with your astrological timing when growing herbs, planting a moon garden, or helping Mom or Dad harvest the backyard garden. The information even works for windowbox gardens and other indoor plants.

Magickal Planting

apple trees

Quarter: First or second.

When the moon is in: Cancer, Pisces, Taurus, or Virgo.

beans

Quarter: Second.

When the moon is in: Cancer, Taurus, Pisces, or Libra.

bulbs

Quarter: Third.

When the moon is in: Cancer, Scorpio, or Pisces.

cactus

Quarter: (none.)

When the moon is in: Taurus or Capricorn.

corn

Quarter: First.

When the moon is in: Cancer, Scorpio, or Pisces.

crocus

Quarter: First or second.

When the moon is in: Virgo.

cucumbers

Quarter: First.

When the moon is in: Cancer, Scorpio, or Pisces.

daffodils

Quarter: First or second.

When the moon is in: Libra or Virgo.

flowers, general

Quarter: First.

When the moon is in: Libra, Cancer, Pisces, Virgo, Scorpio, or Taurus.

garlic

Quarter: Third.

When the moon is in: Libra, Taurus, or Pisces.

gourds

Quarter: First or second.

When the moon is in: Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces, or Libra.

herbs, general

Quarter: First or second.

When the moon is in: Cancer, Scorpio, or Pisces.

house plants

Quarter: First.

When the moon is in: Libra, Cancer, Scorpio, or Pisces.

melons

Quarter: Second.

When the moon is in: Cancer, Scorpio, or Pisces.

moon vine

Quarter: First or second.

When the moon is in: Virgo.

morning glory

Quarter: First or second.

When the moon is in: Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces, or Virgo.

onion sets

Quarter: Third.

When the moon is in: Libra, Taurus, Pisces, or Cancer.

parsley

Quarter: First.

When the moon is in: Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces, or Libra.

peppers

Quarter: Second.

When the moon is in: Cancer, Pisces, or
Scorpio.

potatoes

Quarter: Third.

When the moon is in: Cancer, Scorpio,
Taurus, Libra, or Capricorn.

pumpkins

Quarter: Second.

When the moon is in: Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces, or Libra.

roses

Quarter: First or second.

When the moon is in: Cancer or Virgo.

sage

Quarter: Third.

When the moon is in: Cancer, Scorpio, or Pisces.

sunflowers

Quarter: First or second.

When the moon is in: Libra or Cancer.

tomatoes

Quarter: Second.

When the moon is in: Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces, or Capricorn.

shade trees

Quarter: Third.

When the moon is in: Taurus or Capricorn.

trumpet vines

Quarter: First or second.

When the moon is in: Cancer, Scorpio, or Pisces.

turnips

Quarter: Third.

When the moon is in: Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces, Taurus, Capricorn, or Libra.

valerian

Quarter: First or second.

When the moon is in: Virgo or Gemini.

watermelons

Quarter: First or second.

When the moon is in: Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces, or Libra.

You may not ever raise potatoes or turnips, but by looking at this chart, we learn something important. If we want to deal with the root of anything (onions, potatoes, and turnips are root plants), then we plant the idea (or in this case the plant) during the waning moon phase (preferably in the third quarter) in a fruitful or productive sign, but if we wanted something to be buried and stay that way, we would pick the fourth quarter of the most barren moon signs: Leo or Sagittarius. If you want something to rot, choose the fourth quarter of a water sign. If you are forced to start something you absolutely don’t want to finish, pick a fourth quarter Aries moon. Here’s some more to ponder. If you want to fertilize something the natural way (say organic fertilizers), then you would make sure the moon is in a fruitful sign (Cancer, Scorpio, or Pisces) and you would begin during the third or fourth quarter of the moon. But if you want to use artificial means (such as a chemical fertilizer), then you would again use those fruitful signs, but choose the first or second quarter of the moon. Finally, if you want Mom and Dad to have a beautiful, lush lawn that all the neighbors brag about, mow it in the first and second quarters of the moon, but if it seems to be growing faster than you can cut it, mow in the third and fourth quarters to decrease the growth; however, remember that grass contains living energy and just because you are lazy is no excuse to take it out on the poor lawn. If Mom has her heart set on having you weed the garden, put your back into it during the fourth quarter when the moon is in Aries, Gemini, Leo, Virgo, Sagittarius, or Aquarius—those pesky weeds won’t spring back as fast. Who knows, you might gain yourself extra time at the pool this summer.

Now, this doesn’t mean that if you plant something in a barren sign, it won’t grow at all. However, scientists have found that plants do up to 32 percent better in fruitful signs as opposed to the barren signs. If you can’t get the right quarter (due to extenuating circumstances), concentrate on the moon sign.

Spring Blessing for the Garden

At first planting, perform the following spell when the moon is in Pisces, Cancer, or Scorpio.

At dawn, take four unbroken pretzels (Pennsylvania Dutch symbols of good fortune) and place them at the four corners of your garden, saying:

Fresh-turned earth filled with treasure

I give this garden my love and pleasure.

I walk the magick three times three

to plant great joy and harmony.

Bugs be gone with other pests

I frighten away unwanted guests.

Elven magick, weave your spell

keep my plants both strong and well.

As I will so now it’s done

by leaf and vine and rain and sun.

Autumn Blessing for the Garden

When the last herb, fruit, or vegetable has been harvested, clear away dead plants. At dusk, stand in the center of your garden plot. With a stick, draw the elven star in the dirt. Place a single white candle in the center. Light the candle, and say:

Your work is done, the harvest gone

I bring thee thanks for work hard won.

Elven magick, fill this place

bring blessed sleep and peaceful grace

to soil and garden tired and worn

that in the spring will be reborn.

Many moons will pass till then

recover quickly, my old friend.

Blessings and thanksgiving upon you.

So mote it be.

Meditate on the light of the burning candle as dusk turns to night. When you are ready, extinguish the candle and bury on your property.

General Magickal Gardening Rules

Above-ground plants: Plants that will produce crops above ground should be sown the day after the new moon up until the day before the first quarter. Try to stay in a fertile or semi-fertile astrological sign.

Annuals: Begin planting the day after the new moon up until the day before the first quarter. Try to stay in a fertile or semi-fertile astrological sign.

Below-ground plants: Plants that produce their crop underground should be planted during the day after the full moon. Try to stay in a fertile or semi-fertile astrological sign. This ensures a strong root system.

Biennials and perennials (including trees and shrubs): Begin planting the day after the full moon and stop on the day before the last quarter. Try to stay in a fertile or semi-fertile astrological sign. This ensures a strong root system.

Collecting seeds: Best done at the full moon or when the moon is in a fire or air sign—Aries, Leo, Sagittarius, Libra, Gemini, or Aquarius.

Harvesting: Small harvests and fresh flowers for ritual circle and immediate magickal use can be done in early evening, when the plants have maximum food reserves. Flowers and herbs intended for drying and storage should be cut midmorning when the dew has evaporated. Harvest fruit and vegetables during the waning moon (full to new) and when the moon is in the barren or semi-barren fire or air signs of Aries, Leo, Sagittarius, Libra, Gemini, or Aquarius. Always try to cut any stems on a slant if you plan to place flowers in water for ritual. This helps the plant continue to absorb water and nutrients.