LUNAR PLANNING – PLANTING BY THE MOON
My article on dealing with unwanted hair – ‘Wax When the Moon Is Waning’ - proved so popular, I recently incorporated it into a talk on Lunar Planning at Melbourne’s Abbotsford Convent. I’ll be recording all the lunar planning info onto a CD later this year, but in the meantime, here are some tips for gardening using the cycles of the moon for those of you with green thumbs or a passion for growing food. (The leg waxing article can be found via the Archive tab on my website www.stellastarwoman.com).
All lunar planning is based on the concept that the moon regulates growth processes on earth just as it regulates the tides. There are four different moon phases each month each lasting for a week. You can use the moon table in AstroUpdate to calculate which phase or week of the month we are in on any given date.
1) From New Moon to First Quarter – Week One
2) From First Quarter to Full Moon – Week Two
3) From Full Moon to Third Quarter – Week Three
4) From Third Quarter to New Moon – Week Four
The most fertile times of the month are when the moon is in a water sign - Cancer Scorpio and Pisces - so always plant on these days if possible. You also need to observe seasonal limitations, in other words don’t plant your tomatoes in winter!
The general formula is very simple.
Week One The moon is new and the sap is rising. Plant leafy annuals (plants where you eat the foliage) broccoli, cabbage, celery, lettuce, spinach, silverbeet, basil, coriander, asparagus, parsley, etc.
Week Two The moon gains in potency in the lead up to the full moon. Plant fruiting annuals (plants where you eat the seed or seed bearing organ) beans, corn, tomatoes, pumpkin, peas, eggplant, capsicum, zucchini, etc.
Week Three The moon is starting to wane and energy is drawn downwards into the earth. Plant root crops – beetroot, potatoes, parsnip, carrots, onions, sweet potatoes, turnips, ginger, garlic, etc. You can also plant perennials – trees, shrubs, berries, vines, rhubarb, and bulbs. A healthy root system for these plants ensures long term viability.
Week Four Do not plant anything! This is a period of low vitality as we move toward the dark moon phase, so cultivate, do the weeding, make compost and turn over garden beds.
There are also moon guidelines for pest control, transplanting, irrigating, fertilising, pruning and harvesting which we will explore another time. Have fun and let me know how you get on!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TAURUS
From the 20th April to the 21st May, the Sun travels through fixed earth sign Taurus, Taurus is the second sign of the zodiac with keywords “I have” and “I hold”. Its symbol is the bull who luxuriates in the lush fields of plenty until aroused! Taureans love physical pleasure and are caring and affectionate. They are also patient, steadfast and reliable with excellent taste. Taureans can be very stubborn and take things literally, so proceed slowly and steadily when dealing with one of these individuals. They usually resist change. Their anger can be awesome as it builds up steadily over a long period of time. When Taureans are out of balance they often suffer from sore throats, voice and thyroid problems or a stiff jaw. The Taurus colours are pink, light blue, russet and the warm earthy tones. Taurus also has a strong connection with the arts, particularly music. Many Taureans are excellent singers. With their fine taste and patient hard working qualities, Taureans produce things of beauty that outlive them. They need to learn to accept and embrace change and let go of their attachment to material possessions.
How to handle a Taurus
How do you handle a bull? The matadors do it with red capes and sharp objects. Not recommended. Food works well. Clever talk doesn’t. These are practical creatures who are interested in results and substance, rather than hype and possibility. Show them the money and they’ll listen to you.
SEDUCING A TAUREAN
TIPS FOR MEN
Invite her round to your place for a romantic dinner with candles and soft lighting, but most importantly, good food and wine. Take away pizza is not an option for this lady who likes comfort and the good things in life. Taurus women can spot quality a mile off, so don't skimp on the little extras. They say that money makes the world go round and for many Taurean women this is true. Impress her with your new car, steady job and future prospects. Some might find this approach boring but not this bird. She knows you can't be happy unless you've taken care of financial security and who knows? Maybe she's right!
TIPS FOR WOMEN
The phrase ‘The way to a man’s heart is through his stomach’ was probably first uttered by someone in love with a Taurean. Invite him round for a home-cooked dinner with a hearty bottle of red and you can’t go wrong. Try leaving your bedroom door open with satin sheets and plumped up pillows on display and he won’t be able to resist! Taurean men appreciate those who approach seduction in a patient and thorough manner. Don't expect to sweep this man off him feet - a slow, steady approach will gain his confidence. Be predictable, be loyal, be persistent and he will respect and admire you. Admire his possessions and he'll glow!
SAMHAIN – SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE HALLOWE’EN
Samhain, the ancient Celtic fire festival, is celebrated by pagans on May Eve. The word ‘pagan’ derives from the Latin word ‘paganus’ meaning ‘country dweller’. People living in rural areas continued to worship the cycles of nature long after Christianity was embraced by the towns and cities of the Roman Empire. Soon the word for "country dweller" became synonymous with someone whose spiritual beliefs were based on seasonal energies.
Samhain is the gateway to winter, and a magical time of passage between the seasons. The veil between this world and other dimensions is very thin, and divine beings, the spirits of the dead, and mortals are said to be able to move freely between one world and the next. This of course is our Southern Hemisphere Hallowe’en! This is a good time to go within and meditate and then literally and metaphorically get rid of dead wood. A backyard bonfire is a great way of doing this followed of course by a feast. Relationship planets Venus and Mars are conjunct on May Eve, so if you are pining for an old love or hooked into some negative relationship pattern, consider holding a ritual to release the old and embrace the new.
MAY ASTRO-ENERGIES
With Mars in home sign Aries throughout May and the Sun in practical Taurus, roll up your sleeves and work hard this month. Taurus will provide stamina, while Aries gets the job done quickly and efficiently - a winning combination.
Communication planet Mercury heads into ruling sign Gemini on the 1st, but turns retrograde a week later and travels backwards for the rest of May. A financial health check could prove beneficial – you may be spending more than you realise, so stop and take stock of your position. Mercury retro is noted for bringing up hidden information and making us see things in a different light. If you experience the negative side of Mercury you could have car, computer or communication problems. This is simply a sign from the universe asking you to sit back and reconsider your plans. The reasons for any delay or holdup will become clear later on.
Saturn turns direct on the 17th until January. Plans and projects formulated over the past few months can now be activated with a greater chance of success.
The Sun moves into Gemini on the 21st and on the same day Venus reaches the point of the zodiac where she turned retrograde in early March (15 -16 degrees Aries). With the Venus retrograde cycle complete, we can now see clearly where we stand in the key relationships in our lives. Some relationships will have ended and other changed dramatically, but those that survive will be more authentic.
Finally the Mercury retrograde cycle completes on the 31st having revealed some thoughtprovoking insights over the past three weeks.