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.
