The Lunar Week: Vol.6

This week sees the birth of the Flower Moon!  All the beautiful flowering plants and vines that were planted in the past few months have taken root, and will now begin to burgeon with color and fragrance.

If you missed out on planting in March and April, it's not too late to get some flowering beauties or delicious edibles in the ground. With the New Moon waxing into both Taurus and Cancer, two of the four most productive signs for planting, this is the perfect week to play catch-up.


The Lunar Week, Daily:


Monday, May 2:  Moon in Taurus.  The moon is still technically waning, so this is a great day to wrap up practical affairs that require a bit of inhibition.  Resolve to leave behind a bad habit today!

Tuesday, May 3:  New Moon in Taurus.  The new moon pairs with the Sun in Taurus, so today can really pack an earthy, sensual punch.  Pay special attention to maintaining a romantic relationship today; spontaneity is fun, but love takes steady, progressive work to really succeed.

Wednesday, May 4:  Moon in Taurus/Gemini.  While other plants started from seeds tend not to do so well during a Gemini moon, melon seeds are favored at this time.  Dampen two paper towels, and sandwich some watermelon seeds between them.  Slide the whole affair into a large plastic baggie, and leave it somewhere dark (some even like to use a gentle source of heat to hasten the process; if you do this, skip the baggie).  Watermelon seeds love water, so check the setup frequently and keep the towels moist.  The seeds should sprout in a few days and be ready to plant by the time the moon moves into Cancer.

Thursday, May 5:  Moon in Gemini.  Logical and keen, this is a great time for planning projects.  I'll be on vacation starting today, and will use the afternoon to plan my annual Summer Domestic Purge-and-Organize Extravaganza.  Make lists of what you'd like to do, draw sketches of garden or floor plans, brainstorm on supplies.

Friday, May 6:  Moon in Gemini.  Today favors travel and writing.  Hop in the car after work and take a short trip with your journal or laptop in tow!

Saturday, May 7:  Moon in Cancer.  This weekend is the last chance to plant aboveground crops during fruitful, productive Cancer in the month of May.  Check the watermelon seeds, and if they're sprouted, get them in some soil today or tomorrow.

Sunday, May 8:  Moon in Cancer.  Mother's Day couldn't fall during a better moon, in my humble opinion.  Cancer Moons are nurturing, emotional, and homey.  I'd wager a guess that none of us had a perfect, June Cleaver-type mom growing up, but that doesn't mean she didn't do her best to care for us.  My mom was a bit mercurial.  Many days passed without incident; on other days, it seemed if I blinked too loudly, I ended up with a handprint on my rear, picking bits of soap out of my molars.  My mom did the best she could with what she had to work with, which is what the vast majority of mothers do.  Many of us have to search for surrogates; some find them, and others don't.  Today isn't about celebrating The Perfect Mother.  It's about viewing the women in our lives who nurtured us as real human beings; understanding that they loved is in the way they were able, and expressing gratitude for that.  Take a little bit of time today to nurture the mother figure in your life, whether she's flesh-and-blood or a spiritual ideal, or both.

The Lunar Week: Vol.5

This week sees the wane of the Paschal Moon (paschal, from the Hebrew pesach, passover). The following Sunday, April 24th, is Easter Sunday. Easter Sunday is always the first Sunday after the full Paschal Moon, which is a phenomenon that may not actually coincide with the totality of light reflected from the night's celestial body.

What??

If that sounds complicated, it's because, well...it is. Go ahead. Google Easter computus. Or, think about it this way: Easter is usually the first Sunday after the full moon after March 21st, the vernal equinox. Simple, yes?


The Lunar Week, Daily:

Monday, April 18:  Moon in Scorpio.  The moon is on the wane, which favors pruning and trimming, and the watery scorpion is the most fertile sign besides Cancer.  If you prune your tomatoes today and tomorrow, the plants will bear sweeter, juicier fruit, with less likelihood of harm coming to the fruit-bearing branches.

Tuesday, April 19:  Moon in Scorpio.

Wednesday, April 20:  Moon in Sagittarius.  An intense round of weeding will best benefit your garden today and tomorrow.  Even container gardens need weed maintenance (I spotted a wayward violet in my lemon balm today, which I will transplant instead of tossing).  After all the interlopers are gone, top up with mulch and treat your plants to a long drink of water.

Thursday, April 21:  Moon in Sagittarius.  If you have a food dehydrator, today's a great day for making tasty fruit and veggie snacks with it.  Last month, I made a huge batch of kale chips for a fraction of what I paid to buy them off the shelf, and they tasted better because they were fresh.  Don't have a dehydrator, or $80 burning a hole in your pocket?  Not to worry!

Friday, April 22:  Moon in Capricorn.  This down-to-earth sign is organized, maybe even a little Type-A.  Spend some extra time today wrapping up loose ends at work before cutting out for the evening, and you're much less likely to re-address something over the weekend.

Saturday, April 23:  Moon in Capricorn.  Reduce clutter by throwing things away that you know you don't need, creating designated spaces for the things you do need, and replacing objects that have migrated from their proper spots.

Sunday, April 24:  Moon in Capricorn/Aquarius.  The moon moves from practical, dependable Capricorn to ultra-modern, rebellious Aquarius around 1:37 PM CDT.  Spend the morning tweaking a budget that's not allowed you to live within your means.  In the afternoon,

The Lunar Week: Vol.4

Image from http://en.db-city.com/

Ah, the egg.  Humble.  Perfect.  A symbol of life, fertility, youth, and plenty.  A symbol of Spring.  I love eggs, and I'm not alone in this.  For thousands of years, eggs have featured symbolically in many cultures' vernal celebrations.

The egg has also been much maligned, and unfairly, due to the cholesterol content of its yolks.  While it is true that those with a serious condition should take care when considering sources of dietary fat and cholesterol, there is no reason for otherwise healthy humans to shy away from eating eggs--including the delicious, golden yolk.

When choosing eggs at the grocery store, another thing to seriously consider, is where the egg is coming from.  Personally, I like an egg that came from a chicken that leads a life like a chicken should lead: pecking around in the dirt for bugs and grubs, and plucking at chemical-free grass.  They have a sturdy shelter to hang out in during a rainstorm or in the heat of the day, but are otherwise left to roam.  Zero grains or soy feed is best, second-best is grains or soy offered as supplement during lean times of the year.  These chickens lay eggs of the highest quality...and the price tag will reflect this, which is unfortunate for many.

But there is hope for those of us on a budget!  In exchange for the extra dollars, you may have to search a little, ask around, or even go on an adventure in your car--but why not?  Many people are growing their own eggs right in their back yards to ensure that they have an affordable, year-round source of fresh eggs from hens whose living conditions they control.  And often these folks will have an abundance of eggs, and are willing to share or sell.  AND you don't have to live in the sticks for this to be the case.  A woman on our street has a few hens, and we live in the crook of two of Dallas' biggest highways.  If no one in your neighborhood owns laying hens, visit the local stall of the Farmer's Market.  If you're in the greater Dallas area and don't mind a bit of a rural drive, visit the Coppell Farmer's Market, or check here, here, and here.  Not in the area?  Bookmark Eat Wild and the Chicken Feed!

What does this have to do with anything?  This month's moon was called the Egg Moon by early American settlers, because it was the first full moon after the vernal equinox that yielded a significant increase in eggs from the laying hens.  The days are longer, and more daylight hours triggers a hormonal release in hens that translates to, "More eggs, please!"  And I am so, so happy to be the recipient of their ovoid bounty!

The Lunar Week, Daily:

Sunday, April 10:  Moon in Cancer.  The Crab is the most fertile sign of the zodiac, garden-wise, and the waxing moon makes today and tomorrow even more favorable for planting.  Spend some time today and tomorrow planting aboveground plants!

Monday, April 11:  Moon in Cancer.  Finish yesterday's planting.  Be sure to top up new plants with plenty of mulch, to help retain the soil's moisture.
 
Tuesday, April 12:  Moon in Leo.  Not a garden-friendly moon, and not as effective for weeding or pest-killing since the moon is waxing.  However, social calls and get-togethers will be more enjoyable than usual.  Maybe a little wild, in fact!

Wednesday, April 13:  Moon in Leo.  If yesterday's social call turned into a soiree gone wild, don't despair.  Nourish your body with some coconut water, if you like the taste.  A few extra B-vitamins won't hurt, either.  Invite one or two friends over for some pasta and a little (just a little!) hair-of-the-dog.

Thursday, April 14:  Moon in Virgo.  If you've ever dreamed of a trellis loaded with morning glories, jasmine, or honeysuckle, today is a good day to make that dream come true.  Any kind of blooming vine, as long as it doesn't bear fruit, will prosper if planted today and tomorrow.

Friday, April 15:  Moon in Virgo.  Virgo is also a great time to deep-clean anything.  Use a clarifying shampoo to get rid of weeks' worth of product buildup.  If it's a been awhile since you saw a dentist, schedule an appointment for Thursday or today, and request an intensive cleaning.

Saturday, April 16:  Moon in Libra.  If the flowers and herbs you planted last Libra moon could use some augmenting, today and tomorrow are perfect for this.  Marjoram and oregano will spill beautifully about the base of rose bushes; small plugs of spreading, flowering thyme can be used to fill in bare spots.

Sunday, April 17:  Moon in Libra.  A delicate omelette with garden-grown chives, tarragon, and basil makes a great Sunday brunch to share with family and friends.  If the weather is nice, take the meal outside and enjoy some companionship and good food against the backdrop of your garden--be it grand scale, or patio containers!

The Lunar Week: Vol.3

The waning crescent of the Worm Moon will be seen in the sky until Sunday, April 3rd, when it becomes the New Pink Moon. This lunar appellation refers to wild phlox, also known as moss pink, which flourishes during April.

The general term phlox refers to a large group of flowering plants that comes in a variety of colors, sizes, and blooming patterns. Wild phlox is a dwarf variety, and an excellent ground cover. Profusions of small, pink flowers burst from dense mats of mossy leaves. Dwarf phlox is known to be fairly drought resistant, which is great for very hot and arid regions, and also for occasionally scatterbrained gardeners (like yours truly).


The Lunar Week, Daily

Monday, 28:  Moon in Capricorn.  It's a bit cloudy and drizzly in my area today, but if there's no threat of rain where you are, treat your yard to some organic fertilizer.

Tuesday, 29:  Moon in Aquarius.  I am getting back into an exercise routine that totally derailed last month.  Starting a diet to lose weight today, tomorrow, and Thursday is favored.

Wednesday, 30:  Moon in Aquarius. Feeling bogged down by routine? Join a social group that meets up once a week. You can get to know some new people, learn a new skill, and expand your mind perspective!

Thursday, 31:  Moon in Aquarius.  Start the weekend early; have friends over after work.

Friday, 1:  Moon in Pisces. Do something this evening to indulge your inner dreamer. Catch some live music, or a local theater production.

Saturday, 2:  Moon in Pisces. Give some serious thought to something that has been bothering you, and take some extra time to be objective, even if "the other side" seems completely irrational. What is it that you are doing to perpetuate this problem? Are others also influencing the situation? Make a concerted effort to push any cobwebs out of your brain and take a rational approach. Draw up a Pro/Con list, and see how the two sides stack up. Finish by weighing different courses of action, and highlight the one that seems most beneficial.

Sunday, 3:  New Moon in Aries. Get out the list you made yesterday. Review the course of action you decided was best. Get your head on straight, take a deep breath, and confront that problem with confidence!

The Lunar Week: Vol.2

I was named after my great-grandmother, and most of my memories of her are tied to the kitchen.  She was an excellent cook, and was never satisfied with anything she put on the table, regardless of how the rest of us devoured it.  So it is when I am in my own kitchen, wearing one of her aprons or using her wooden mortar and pestle, that I feel closest to her.  That probably sounds horribly un-PC (or at the very least, incredibly hokey and bassackwards), but it is what it is, and it's not just the kitchen that reminds me of her.  Specifically, when I think of my Mema, I think of her pantry.

The pantry in Mema's house lined the entire fifteen-foot wall of the utility room, which was a long hallway that connected the garage and the house proper.  The cabinets were deep, and there were four shelves on the lower level, all lined with sparkling, jewel-bright jars filled with the bounty of the garden.

Mema put up just about everything you can imagine, and I suppose family consensus would say that she was famous for her pickles (dill, kosher, bread and butter, you name it).  But I remember her preserves the most.  We had peach and plum trees, and a strawberry patch, and in the mornings we smeared Mema's homemade biscuits with sticky-sweet spoonfuls of these fruit preserves.  Strawberry was my favorite.

Two days this week are favorable for putting up jams and jellies: Tuesday the 22nd, and Wednesday the 23rd.  You don't need your own orchard to make preserves, just a big batch of fruit.  Strawberries are on sale at my local Whole Foods right now, because they're about to go too ripe.  This is ideal for preserving; you can save some money, and just-about-too-ripe-strawberries are best for making preserves.  Of course, you want to trim away and discard any brown bits of the fruit, and never put up anything with mold growing on it.  Old Farmer's Almanac has a great video on making strawberry preserves.

Not into strawberries, or allergic?  Peaches, plums, oranges, lemons, jalapeños, raspberries, blueberries, tomatoes--all of these and more can be turned into sweet and savory preserves, bursting with flavor, and outlasting time without artificial preservatives on your pantry shelf.  Pick your poison, score some glass jars (many grocery stores carry them), and jam on!


The Lunar Week, Daily:

Monday, 21:  Moon in Libra.  Take advantage of the moon's last day in this airy sign and plant pretty, fragrant flowers.

Tuesday, 22:  Moon in Scorpio.  Scorpio is a very fertile water sign, which pairs nicely with the waning moon for root crop success.  Now is the time to get the rest of your root crops in the ground.

Wednesday, 23:  Moon in Scorpio.  My crepe myrtles desperately need some quality time with a pruning instrument.  Have your trees pruned today.

Thursday, 24:  Moon in Sagittarius.    Have a kiddo who's showing signs of toilet readiness?  Consider starting potty training today through Saturday.

Friday, 25:  Moon in Sagittarius.  Fiery Sagittarius combines with the waning moon to make this day favorable for anyone considering a short haircut.  And since Friday is ruled by Venus, the results are bound to be beautiful!

Saturday, 26:  Moon in Sagittarius.  I start my Spring cleaning in February, but today is excellent for clearing out a space that we often neglect while focusing on garages and closets: our bodies!  A gentle detox diet, started today, will help your body free itself from toxins so you can make the most of the beautiful weather.

Sunday, 27:  Moon in Capricorn.  Commune with the earthy Goat and get the waning moon to work for you by doing some weekly weeding.  It's therapeutic, meditative, great for venting frustration, and the pesky little green guys will stay away longer if you do it now.

Moon in Libra

The moon will move into airy Libra tomorrow, March 20th, transitioning from earthy Virgo.  She will stay in Libra through Monday, March 21st.

While air signs are generally considered to be unsuitable for planting, Libra is an exception.  Flowers will thrive and flourish when planted during this sign, and since the moon will be on the wane as it passes through Libra, tomorrow will also be a good time to start putting root crops in the ground.

If you're a patio gardener like I am, try some carrots in a container .  It's probably too late for onions here in Texas, but if you live further north and still expect a freeze within the next four-to-six weeks, go ahead and get those beauties in the ground; they like a bit of cold weather, and its good for their growth.  Same goes for potatoes.  Both are great container crops, too.

Libra is generally not a favorable sign for cutting hair if you are looking to increase growth or thickness.  However, if you're like my aunt, who suffers chronic headaches from the masses of thick, curly hair she was blessed with upon birth, you might consider thinning your hair during a Libra moon.

Dry, airy Libra is also a good time to deep condition.  Hair will take color well during Libra; consider henna, a marvelous alternative to chemical-laden box colors.

My, What a Big Moon You Have!

In two days the moon will be full, and this will be one for the books.  Anyone observing the full moon this month might notice that she's bigger and brighter than usual.  The phenomenon will be interesting to observe, and the degree of fullness we'll see hasn't occurred for about twenty years, so it's worth stepping outside this Friday evening and gazing skyward.

The term for what we'll observe is a Supermoon.  Yes, really.  Supermoons occur when the moon enters 90% of its perigee at the same time it is full.  "Perigee" is a Greek compound that means "close to earth."  The moon's orbit around earth is not spherical, but elliptical, so the moon is not always the same distance from the earth.  The moon's perigee, then, is the section of its path that brings it closest to our planet.  So, that the moon would appear larger this month is logical.  But there's nothing like a fancy-schmancy lunar event to get people talking, and some interesting theories are out about what mischief the Supermoon will whip up for the denizens of Earth.

Some have already suggested that the Supermoon is to blame for the recent tectonic events in Japan.  Scientists quickly whisked away this theory for several reasons.  It's known that Supermoons, when full, increase high tides a little beyond their normal degree of fullness; this is called a proxigean spring tide.  But this increase is not enough to cause catastrophic events, and doesn't even occur until the moon is full, scientists say.

Still, there have been whisperings of earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.  Bloggers in China point to the cyclone that ripped through Darwin, Australia in 1974, and the tsunami that slammed into Indonesia in 2005.  Both preceded by Supermoons.  Australia's own astronomer Dave Reneke has gone on record saying, "Phooey."

A staff writer for Space.com holds astrologer Richard Nolle responsible for the Supermoon-Japan association.  Nolle takes credit (among other things) for both coining the term "SuperMoon," and foreseeing a disastrous weather event associated with the August 2005 Supermoon.  That event is better known as Hurricane Katrina.

The best balm for these concerns is knowing that Supermoons, despite the buzz and cool, capitalized "super" appellation (because there's no actual scientific term for the event, and full-moon-at-90%-or-greater-perigee lacks pizzazz), are actually pretty common.  Do the research yourself, at the next Saturn hour.  Find a moderate-to-sophisticated moon phase table and look up how many times the moon has been full at 90+% perigee; try to find weather events associated with these occurrences.  Take it a step further: research and compare the number of natural disasters in recorded history that occurred at times when the moon was not full at its closest approach to earth.  You may, or may not, be comforted by the results.

Whatever you believe about the associations between Supermoons and weather phenomena, it's plain to see that the moon holds many of us fascinated, scientists, astrologers, and lay-terrestrials alike.  If the skies above your home are clear this Friday evening, and the moon is visible, step outside and say hello.  Just don't tell her that she's looking bigger than usual.  She is a lady, after all.

Why Garden by the Moon?

The pantry in my great-grandfather's house was always overflowing with good things to eat.  He and his wife lived through the depression and two world wars, so canning was as much a part of their life as was folding laundry, or washing dishes.  My great-grandmother passed when I was 13, and we didn't get to her last jar of preserves until I was in college--and they were still delicious!

Lunar gardening is a simple, time-tested way of working with nature to ensure maximum results from any horticultural endeavor one might pursue.  It is not a religion, nor a superstition.  Lunar gardening is merely a method of observing how the moon and gravitational forces affect the planet, and can be practiced without reservation by anyone.

It's pretty common knowledge that the moon affects the ocean tides.  Anyone who has been to the beach has probably noticed that sometimes the waves wash up very high on the beach, and at other times do not seem to travel as far up the sand.  This happens due to a combination of the gravitational pull of the sun, moon, and earth.  The tides fluctuate daily, and also correspond to the monthly phases of the moon.

When the moon is new, the tides are at their lowest.  Concurrently, water levels everywhere are at their lowest: in the soil, in plants, and in our bodies.  As the moon waxes, water levels rise.  Water level in the soil has a direct effect on plant health, particularly on root establishment, overall plant growth, and fruiting.

The best days to plant above-ground crops (like tomatoes, peas, beans--basically every food that you pick or pluck) are from the half-full moon to the full moon.  Roots, tubers, and foods that you dig up out of the ground are best planted during the waning moon, from the time just after peak fullness until roughly the half-dark moon.  A stellar resource for gardeners and farmers is the Old Farmer's Almanac.  You can purchase your own copy very inexpensively at your local nursery or home and garden supply, or you can visit their extensive, info-packed website.

The same logic that is applied to planting by the moon can be applied to many other areas of life.  Hair care and fishing are the two most well-known lunar-influenced areas besides gardening.  To encourage hair growth, many people trim their hair during the waxing moon.  Have a short cut that gets shaggy with lightning speed?  Trim it during the waxing moon to discourage rapid growth.

Apply the same philosophy to dieting (for gaining or losing weight), planning social events, parenting (potty learning, yikes!), and self-improvement.  Weekly lunar updates are available here, put together from a variety of resources to help you plan your week according to the moon's influence.  Check back often and feel free to leave comments and questions!

The Lunar Week: Premiere!

Worm Moon.  Crow Moon.  Lenten Moon.  Sap, Famine, Fish Moon.  Chaste Moon.  Death Moon.

All are terms, old and new, for the full moon in March.  Each has a significant meaning to the culture or tribe who uses it.

This month, the moon will reach peak fullness on Saturday, March 19th, at 1:10 PM CDT, and thence begin to wane once more.  This is Winter's last full moon, a heavenly adieu to the cold.  Here are some home-and-garden-specific activities to get in this week before the white lady diminishes:

1.  Any planting of above-ground flowers, vegetables, herbs, etc., needs to be done today, Monday, the 14th.  If you are trying to grow your hair out and it needs a trim, do that today as well.

2.  If you have roots, bulbs, or tubers that need to go in the ground, planting for those can start on Sunday, the 20th and continue until the 23rd.

3.  Over the past few days, I've noticed our little Springtime ant friends scoping out the bathroom.  If pests are a problem in your living area, you can start getting rid of them on Tuesday, the 15th.  My favorite source for organic pest control (and gardening tips) is the Dirt Doctor.  He's a Dallas local, and has his own radio show.


The Lunar Week, Daily:

Monday, 14:  Moon in Cancer.  Starting an exercise program and are looking to increase muscle mass?  Recovering after illness and want to get back to a healthy body mass?  Today's a great day to begin a diet for gaining weight!

Tuesday, 15:  Moon in Leo.  Spring inspires many homeowners to spruce up their living spaces.  For anyone considering a new color in the home, today is the day to paint--inside and out!

Wednesday, 16:  Moon in Leo.  Invite a few friends over for a dinner party!

Thursday, 17:  Moon in Virgo.  I don't know about anyone else, but I am officially tired of looking at my crunchy, brown winter lawn.  Today is great for mowing to increase the growth of beautiful, luscious green grass.

Friday, 18:  Moon in Virgo.  If you have wood floors in your house, tell the kids to put on a fresh pair of socks and get ready to slide!  Wax those floors today to protect the wood and sparkle up the planks.

Saturday, 19:  Full Moon in Virgo.  Today is perfect for making two of the greatest lifestyle changes ever: quitting smoking, and losing weight.  Resolve today to drop the cigarette habit, and begin a new, healthy diet to add years to your life!

Sunday, 20:  Moon in Libra.  One of my favorite things about Spring is Sunday afternoon late lunches outside.  You don't need a million-dollar patio or fancy lawn furniture.  Spread a few blankets and dish up a Sunday repast on paper plates: today is the day to invite people over, pour your favorite drinks, and enjoy the company of friends!