Moon Garden Magic
THE ROOTS OF MAGIC
One of my favorite research obsessions is unearthing the origins of magic to discover what inspired the practices, and how the correspondences and information come to be associated with the magical workings. This research has led me down some very interesting rabbit holes, and over the years I have come to understand so much more than what I read in a reference book, or look up online.
One of the most powerful things I have discovered, is that the information we simply follow along with today, was once painstakingly, and tediously created by someone long. long ago…who did not have a book or the internet to use for reference, instead it was their personal experience, relationship and journey with a thing that resulted in the wisdom that they shared.
This discovery has caused me to appreciate, respect and be in such awe of the many, many ways to practice magic, and to be very grateful for how easily this information is now available to us. I often take a moment to thank the magical ones who came before me, who risked so much to be magical, and spent so many hours crafting the rituals, spells, recipes and correspondences that I often use today.
PLANTING SEEDS, MAKING WISHES
Another research passion of mine are old astronomical, and astrology calendars, and also The Old Farmer's Almanac. I love to spend hours looking over the vintage issues, and equally enjoy reading the current issues which are written with the same simple, easy, practical, home-grown wisdom style. Lately, however, I have been discovery some tendriled roots of magic lurking beneath the surface of the almanac, and I am finding this mostly with the almanac's guide to gardening with the moon.
While reading through the calendar of which days are best for planting which kinds of plants, and which parts of plants can be harvested when, a spark of magic flew off the page and I saw what is beyond the mundane planting calendar, to reveal the magical calendar of the moon.
Now, this is not really a new discovery, for we have been following the phases of the moon as a timing tool for magic for centuries, but I never stopped to think about why we do this, and how the wisdom of working magically with each phase came to be. On one hand, it is quite obvious as the moon waxes and wanes, that we would associate this with an increase and decrease of lunar power, but while studying the lunar gardening calendar, I see now that there is more. Much more!
Seeds are the wishing tool of every farmer, hoping that as her hands tuck them safely into the soil, and as she tends to them, that they will grow, flourish and then nourish her. So too is our magical wishing, or spellcasting like an energetic seed that we plant deep into the cosmos, tending to it with our rituals, and magical workings, hoping that our wish will come true. Like the farmer, we plant seeds, and make wishes.
MOON GARDEN MAGIC
Because the moon governs all water on Earth, including the water (and blood) within your body, it also governs the water within the body of a plant, and its light is just as important to plants as sunlight, in fact some plants only bloom in the night. Even our circadian rhythm needs moonlight as much as it needs sunlight.
When the moon is at its fullest, moon light and the moisture in the air are at their fullest, and vice-versa for when the moon is dark; no light, and no governing of water. It is this understanding that is the origin of a lunar gardening calendar, as a farmer would not want to plant during a time when the moon is not fully in her power (waxing), and able to nourish the seeds, nudging them towards increase, and she would not want to harvest when the plant's water is ‘waning’, or decreasing.
Below is a calendar list for the remainder of April inspired by the lunar gardening calendar from The Old Farmer's Almanac, along with the lunar magic and wisdom that correlates to it. This calendar list uses planting, cultivating and harvesting as a metaphoric guide for making wishes, casting spells and most importantly, flowing with the lunar light and darkness. I hope that you will find it as inspiring, fascinating, and helpful as I do, and that it will help to deepen your relationship with the moon.
11th – 12th | Waning Gibbous Moon
Gardening: Good days for planting root crops, such as beets, carrots, turnips, radishes, onions.
Magic: The moon begins her journey of going deep within, her light is starting to fade and she prepares for her journey of descent into the underworld. Time for preparing to go within, withdrawing into yourself, studying the mysteries, and connecting with your shadow-side. Gather your magical tools and supplies at this time.13th – 14th | Last Quarter Moon, Beginning of the Waning Crescent Moon
Gardening: Very good days for killing weeds, briars, poison ivy, and other plant pests. Also good days for harvesting.
Magic: The energy of the moon is going further within, her light is fading and soon she will be in the underworld. Time for letting ‘die’ what does not serve you, and replacing it with what nourishes you. Clear your energy, and space at this time, create sacred space, build altars where you will make your wishes, and practice your magic.15th – 16th | Mid-point of the Waning Crescent Moon
Gardening: Very good days for planting strawberry plants. and also vine crops, such as beans, peas, and cucumbers. Good days for transplanting. Continued good days for planting root crops, such as beets, carrots, turnips, radishes, onions..
Magic: The energy of the moon is weakening, she is getting closer to the gates of the underworld, and the time of her dying light. Time for allowing deep transformation, go deeper within, and let go. Keep a dream and/or meditation journal at this time.17th – 19th | Last days of the Waning Crescent Moon
Gardening: Not good days for planting, instead break ground or cultivate. Also good days for harvesting.
Magic: The energy of the moon is at her weakest, she now stands at the gates of the underworld, and the time of her dying light is close. Time for doing deep inner work, deep healing and seeking quiet self-counsel, also prepare for deep insights and call upon the ancestors.20th – 21st | Dark Moon, New Moon (Beginning of the Waxing Crescent)
Gardening: Good days for planting aboveground crops such as beans, corn, cotton, tomatoes, peppers.
Magic: The energy of the moon is still, and completely void of light. She is now fully within the darkness of the underworld. Time for meditation, stillness, prayer and also preparing for emerging once the first sliver of the moon's light appears in the night sky. Once you see this sliver, begin your wishing, but take no action yet, simply plan, and prepare, as the moon is still weak from her journey, she cannot yet offer you nourishment as she begins the reclaiming of her light. Begin to think about your wishes, and magical workings, vision what you wish for, but take no action at this time. Listen for messages from your deep subconscious, and the ancestors. Hold space for the emotions of your shadow-side.22nd – 23rd | Mid-point of the Waxing Crescent Moon
Gardening: Not good days for planting, as seeds are likely to rot in the ground instead of taking root.
Magic: The moon continues to gather light, and power. This is still a time of taking no action, but your plans and wishes may become more clear to you.24th – 26th | Last Days of the Waxing Crescent Moon
Gardening: Good days for planting seedbeds and starting flower gardens, and also good days for planting tomatoes, beans, peppers, corn, cotton, and other aboveground crops, as these are the most fruitful days of the lunar cycle.
Magic: The moon has now gathered enough light to assist you, you may take action to bring your plans into being. Now is a time for casting your wishes, making spells and aligning with affirmations. Gather your power, and begin.27th – 30th | First Quarter Moon, Waxing Gibbous Moon
Gardening: Very good days for killing weeds, briars, and other plant pests.
Magic: The moon is gathering light, and gathering power. Very soon she will be completely filled with both, and at the height of her power. Now is a time for gathering your own power, becoming very clear with your wishing, and empowered with your spellcasting. Add to your magical workings with ritual, and prayer, feed them with your energy, and prepare for the completion time of your magic on the full moon, when you will release it all to the cosmos, trusting that if it is for your highest good, it will be done.
© 2023 Renée Starr
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