This week cosmic and lunar energies coincide with astronomical constellations that make it especialy auspicious and proprietous for sowing seeds for leaf and flower types of plants, as opposed to sowing root crops,tilling, or harvesting.
Date: 21 April 2018
Synodic:
This is a good time to sow vegetables that produce internal seed bearing fruits. Tomatoes, beans, peas, peppers, chillis, pumpkins, courgettes.
Biodynamic:
Moon in Gemini: This is a Air sign. This is a good time to sow Flowering plants like
Broccoli,
Cauliflower,
Globe Artichokes, but it would not be a good time to sow Rooting plants like
Asparagus,
Beetroot,
Carrots,
Chives,
Jerusalem Artichokes,
Kohl Rabi,
Leeks,
Onions,
Parsnips,
Potatoes,
Radish,
Salsify,
Scorzonera,
Shallots,
Spring Onions,
Swedes,
Turnips,
Sidereal:
Moon in Gemini: Barren and dry, and yet good for promoting flower growth. Flowers harvested now will keep longer in both hemespheres.
Date 23 April 2018
Synodic:
This is a good time to sow vegetables that produce internal seed bearing fruits. Tomatoes, beans, peas, peppers, chillis, pumpkins, courgettes.
Biodynamic:
Moon in Cancer: This is a Water sign. It is a good time to sow Leaf plants like
Basil,
Brussels Sprouts,
Cabbages,
Celeriac,
Celery,
Dill,
Kale,
Lettuce,
Rhubarb,
Spinach,
Swiss Chard, but it would not be a good time to sow Fruiting plants like
Aubergines,
Broad Beans,
Cucumber,
French Beans,
Marrow,
Peas,
Peppers,
Pumpkin,
Runner Beans,
Squash,
Sweetcorn,
Tomatoes,
Sidereal:
Moon in Cancer: This is a good time for germination.
Rudolf Steiner lectured on agriculture in 1924 at the request of a group of farmers who already appreciated his contribution the understanding of human nature, education, medicine, science, art, religion and more. The insights and practices from his Agriculture Course, known as Biodynamics, have been taken up by farmers and gardeners worldwide.
Steiner pointed to the cosmic influences from the sun, moon, planets and stars as important factors to work with in agriculture. Then he challenged his listeners to develop a new science of timing for seed sowing to replace the old proverbs. Considerable research has been done, notably by German biodynamic farmer Maria Thun since the early 1950s, and the Stella Natura charts largely reflect her observations and conclusions.
Whereas about half of the biodynamic practitioners in America and abroad guide the timing of their work with the use of such a calendar, others prefer to focus more on the phases of the moon. Biodynamics itself is a much more complex and encompassing approach to agriculture. What this calendar presents is only one small part. I call this a biodynamic calendar because many of the articles are inspired by the foundational concepts of biodynamics and anthroposophy and because I want to encourage people to extend their awareness to the influences of lunar rhythms in agriculture and strive to develop the new science that Rudolf Steiner was calling for.
The calendar is meant to be used with common sense and an eye to the weather. The charts can assist you in choosing optimum times to sow seeds, transplant, cultivate your crops and harvest them for storage. If you are not in the habit of allowing other people to dictate your actions, please don't let this calendar be an exception.
The astronomical information offered in the charts is, like the weather, part of the nexus of environmental factors which affect the plants in your care. If you wish to support their growth by creating optimal conditions, you will want to pay attention to this information – and to the weather!
