The Lunar Week: June 25 - July 1, 2012

Buck Moon:  Waxing Gibbous

This week sees the burgeoning moon slide through four signs on its journey to next week's fullness.  The week starts out in earthy, practical Virgo; sublimes to airy, measuring Libra; condenses to watery, brooding Scorpio; and transmutes to fiery, expansive Sagittarius.

This moon is also sometimes called the Thunder Moon, because thunderstorms are common in many areas during the month of June.  I wish we'd see more here.  We've had a lot of promising clouds and skyward rumbling to tease us, but no rainfall, alas.




The Lunar Week, Daily:


Monday, June 25: Moon in Virgo.  Our yard is overtaken by ants at this time of year, some of which venture into the house.  As much as I hate to begrudge a living thing a place to dwell, I will likely do some purging of anthills today.  If pests are encroaching upon your living space, today is a great day  to discourage their presence.

Tuesday, June 26:  Moon in Virgo/Libra.  Use the last vestiges of nitpicky Virgo's energy to organize your closet or wardrobe.  If you found any clothes or accessories that you no longer wear, take them to a resale or consignment shop this afternoon.  While you're there, let fashion-loving Libra help you decide on one unique piece to add to your newly organized closet!

Wednesday, June 27: Moon in Libra.  If you're growing your hair out, today and tomorrow are the best of the month for a trim.

Thursday, June 28: Moon in Libra/Scorpio.  If you've been intending to have a positive, meaningful conversation with someone, today might be a great day for it.  The waxing moon as it flows from Libra to Scorpio emphasizes the transition from a mind that weighs options dispassionately to a mind that listens more to intuition and deep emotions.  If someone you love is carrying a burden, offer a sympathetic ear and a shoulder to cry on.

Friday, June 29:  Moon in Scorpio.  Today and tomorrow are excellent days to get late season above-ground crops in the soil, if you live in a climate that is temperate and receives adequate rainfall.  I'm in Zone 8, in a place with scanty rainfall and "soil" that laughs in the face of our puny little sprinklers, so today I will instead watch a movie that makes me cry like a big old baby, so as to purge some of the emotional stuff that gets stuck inside from time to time.

Saturday, June 30:  Moon in Scorpio/Sagittarius.  The movement of the waxing moon from Scorpio to Sagittarius can help us to ease up on brooding over particulars and instead take a positive view of the big picture. Shake off the last of Scorpio's intensity with a physical activity that you enjoy.  Make a playlist with all your most guilty pleasures (if it doesn't already exist), hit play, and blast off!

Sunday, July 1:  Moon in Sagittarius.  Jupiter rules, among many other areas, higher education and intellectual expansion.  Is there a class you've been wanting to sign up for, or a new interest that's been piquing your brain lately?  Pursue it today, whether it means walking into your local craft guild, community college, or bookstore.  Learning is something that we have the chance to do every day, for our whole entire lives--let today's energy be the fire in your engine that puts you on a path to a new perspective!

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.

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!