Agricultural astrology has a long history, dating back
thousands of years. When using astrology, gardeners pay attention to the path
of the moon across the zodiac as well as the phase of the moon. The lunar sign
and phase determine the best days for planting, weeding, pruning, harvesting,
or dealing with fruit, roots, or leafy crops. The moon moves quickly through
the zodiac, so it only stays in a given sign for one or two days.
Gardening by the moon has its validity, particularly when
paying attention to the phases, as the waxing period is good for growth and
waning is best for rest and preparation. However, I've found it's not critical
to success. My astrology hobbyist's guess as to why this is true: a lot of
energies, as represented by the current planet locations, are affecting
fertility—the moon is just one factor. These universal energies constantly
interact with our own, as signified by the placement of planets in our natal charts, so each of
us have our own influence on fertility. This effect will vary from year to
year, and sometimes from day to day.
What is most useful to me is to consider which zodiac sign
the sun is in and if and how gardening
activities are aligned with the energies represented by that sign. Since the
sun remains in a zodiac sign for a month, these activities are broader than tasks
dictated by the moon cycle.
As September begins, we are in the domain of Virgo. Called
the "harvest goddess," Virgo is often associated with gardening,
similar to Taurus. What is not stated enough is exactly how Virgo accrues such
a bountiful harvest. Virgo is successful because she started planning a good
year ago, giving careful thought to the tasks she can handle the upcoming year.
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| Megan Riley at M R Gardens, by Vickie Burick |
Without a strong Virgo influence, new gardeners commonly
wait until spring energy hits in March before they start thinking about the
garden. In early March, the sun is in dreamy Pisces, when our visions, albeit
for the greater good, have a tendency to be a bit unrealistic for this moment
in time. Cooped up all winter, itching to be outside, we think we can take on
the world in one season, leading us to order a bunch of seeds that we end up
not even using.
Then, the first day of spring, we jump into ambitious Aries.
The energy that it takes for a seed to burst into new life is in us too. We run
to the nursery and buy plants without considering timing or placement, drag the
tiller out of the shed, and then tear up the soil so we can feverishly get the plants
in the ground. We use the drive of fiery Aries to try to realize a watery
Pisces dream, but without a key ingredient: the realism of an Earth element
like Virgo.
The end result: by summer, we've burned out. We've planted
more than we can handle maintaining, and, when we fail, we assume we don't have a green
thumb and give up.
This wouldn't happen if we use the energy of Virgo to plan
ahead. Back in September, Virgo was not only harvesting, but also thinking
about the upcoming year, designing her landscape, and detailing a timeline. She
was laying out her garden beds, layering organic matter, allowing at least four
months for decomposition to create a Microbe Rich soil ecosystem that won't
need destructive mechanical tilling in the spring.
I know Virgo well. I'm basically a Virgo times-four. When I
was born, Virgo was on the horizon so it's my "Ascendant" or
"Rising Sign," and the sun, Saturn and north node (the
point where the orbit of the Moon crosses the ecliptic path of the sun)
were also all in Virgo. However, I'm a unique Virgo because learning to balance
it with opposing elements in my birth chart has been a huge lesson. For astrology
aficionados, not only is my south node in Pisces, but Neptune (the planetary
ruler of Pisces) is conjunct to my Sagittarian moon.
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| Megan Riley at M R Gardens, by Vickie Burick |
In plain English, I once resisted using my logistical side.
It's more natural for me to be dreamy, visionary and idealistic, expecting my expansive
dreams to come magically true without much forethought. I've had to learn how
to cope with pesky details and how, over time, these details weave together to
make a beautiful tapestry.
Gardening has been the perfect way to learn this lesson.
Plants grow well if we pay attention to details, namely their growing
requirements—spacing, timing, and soil and moisture needs. They grow even more
beautifully if we think about how they interact and look next to each other in
the landscape.
Virgo is considering all of these elements well ahead of
planting, so when spring energy arrives, she can use Aries drive productively.
At that time, she doesn't have to strategize, she just follows through with the
plan. Then, in the crucial fertile period of Taurus late April to May, she can slow
her movements so that she can tap into her intuition to feel what the plants
need.
To me, who often feels like a Pisces at heart, this ease in
gardening is essential, as I like my visions to unfold seemingly effortlessly. I
like to take breaks, relaxing on my deck enjoying the beauty of the gardens and
the taste of my harvest.
I should mention, there is also a danger of too much Virgo. If
we're analyzing too many details at once, we might become overwhelmed and immobile.
That's why balancing it with other energies such as ambitious Aries, expansive Sagittarius or outgoing Leo (which conveniently arrives the month before Virgo so Leo can inspire Virgo while Virgo can reel in Leo's grand visions) is so important.
Since I've learned to work with my Virgo side, I realize my
visions more easily. I also use these Virgo skills, along with my Piscean insight,
to assist my clients. They are more likely to be successful if they contact me
in summer and fall to discuss the landscape they are dreaming of next spring,
or even a spring five years down the road.
Together, we can envision their landscape, designing it to
match their particular goals and lifestyle. In planning ahead, we ensure
gardening is an enjoyable activity with minimal frustration, so they continue
gardening for life.
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This article is an extended version of one that ran in the September issue of WNC Woman. If you'd like to learn more about your natal chart, a reading with evolutionary astrologist Patty Morris Stebbins is highly recommended.
