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!