Moon cycles and rituals affecting the growth of plants
When we read about our ancestors, we see that their agricultural practices were closely tied to the natural cycles, star positions, and moon cycles, as well as to specific gods and practical rituals that were intended to ensure the best results and abundant crops.
Nowadays, we can read about these practices, but we are often disconnected from that type of thinking. Like everything else, our beliefs are also evolving. For example, I don’t believe that animal sacrifice to god would help me grow more vegetables. I prefer to rely on good ground preparation and natural fertilizers if needed. And I know that I simplify this topic, but that is my point.
Lunar phases
The concept of lunar phases and their impact on our lives is one of the few remnants of ancient spiritual knowledge associated with plant cultivation. If you are interested in this topic, I would suggest reading a book dedicated to this theme; it’s an exciting read. You will learn how to position beds according to the star constellations and discover many other interesting facts. However, let’s assume we already have many things to consider, so I will keep it as simple as possible.
The entire cycle of the moon takes approximately 29.5 days and is referred to as a lunar month or synodic month. These cycles describe the changing appearance of the Moon as seen from Earth due to its orbit around our planet.
The eight main phases of the Moon are:
- New Moon – The Moon is positioned between the Earth and the Sun, making it invisible from Earth.
- Waxing Crescent – A small sliver of the Moon starts to appear.
- First Quarter – Half of the Moon is illuminated (right side in the Northern Hemisphere).
- Waxing Gibbous – The Moon is more than half-lit but not yet full.
- Full Moon – The entire face of the Moon is illuminated.
- Waning Gibbous – The Moon starts decreasing in illumination.
- Last Quarter (Third Quarter) – Half of the Moon is illuminated again (left side in the Northern Hemisphere).
- Waning Crescent – A small sliver remains before it becomes a new moon again.
For our purposes, we will focus on the period after the new moon, known as the waxing moon, and the period after the full moon, referred to as the waning moon.
Waxing moon
Imagine the new moon as a symbol of new, productive, and creative energy. It’s the best time to sow seeds that we want to sprout and grow quickly, such as ornamental flowers, tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants. During this period, we should avoid planting seeds and bulbs of plants that require more extended periods to grow (such as garlic and onions), growing crops underground (root vegetables), and those we want to avoid premature blossoming (such as any greens).
This period is also ideal for changing pots or planting seedlings and trees, as the roots of the plants can grow more quickly, increasing their chances of establishing well in the new location.
If we trim during this period, the new sprouts can grow more quickly. Based on our needs, we can choose a waxing moon for tasks such as cutting herbs.
Creative energy also helps us to create new things. Making beds, trails, borders, garden planning, practically anything we need to build or develop. You will notice that anything you do is done more quickly and with less effort.
Waning moon
The full moon is the period when energy is at its highest peak. Naturally, right after that comes a decrease in energy; if the previous energy we described is creative, this one will be destructive. There is nothing bad about destruction; it’s only a different type of energy – we can also use words like cleaning or resting.
As I mentioned above, the period of the waning moon is ideal for planting seeds that require a long time to grow, or those that we want to grow slowly. For instance, if you were to plant strawberries in this period, they may produce a lot of leaves and not so many flowers. It’s precisely that type of plant we want to blossom quickly; we don’t need one that grows strong roots for months.
Destruction is an essential part of natural cycles. Cleaning out old and dead, we leave space for new (new moon). For this, this period is ideal for cutting grass, trimming trees, removing weeds, removing dry leaves and old, productive plants, destroying old fences, etc. If you dedicate yourself to the “cleaning” type of work in this period, you will notice that you do it more quickly and with less effort.
Is it really necessary to follow lunar phases?
It’s certainly not the most important thing, but it’s still lovely and interesting. You can observe your results, note the lunar phase in your gardening book, and see if it’s working.
One time, I didn’t have time to plant garlic and onions during the correct period, so I waited until the next month, when the moon was waxing. I knew that would allow them to grow more quickly and develop roots before the winter season, and it worked well. I had my crops in the expected time as usual, even if I planted one month later.
If you can use something natural in your favor, why wouldn’t you do that?
Celebrations and rituals
Following lunar phases doesn’t have to be the only thing we keep from our ancient people. We can create our rituals and celebrations.
In many countries, there are celebrations about starting and ending the growing season, love and abundance (in spring), solstices, and so on, but the real spirit of these celebrations is mostly missing, or maybe it’s me who sees it in this way. Anyway, we can learn about the meaning of these rituals, the symbolism used, and continue them, or create our own ones which will be more suited to the modern age.
We can celebrate the changing of seasons, express gratitude for the yield, plant seeds – practically anything. And we can do this alone, within our family, with our community, or even with the whole village. I imagine how funny it would be to celebrate zucchini when every neighbor cooks and prepares something to share with others. Not for money, not for competition. Just for enjoying the time with others.
And, last but not least, let’s express our gratitude to Mother Earth by sharing our yield with the wild, not wasting food and resources, using ecological, sustainable, and recycled or upcycled things, not creating more damaging waste, and being nice to each other, creating a beautiful place to live.