| Gardening by the signs of the zodiacThe first | | | | decreasing. This was believed to aid in the |
| farmers were probably the first practical | | | | length of time that produce could be stored |
| astrologers. Their crops seemed to respond to | | | | without spoiling. This was especially true of |
| the signs in the heavens and this became a | | | | timber which was to be used in construction. |
| convenient method of ensuring good harvests | | | | If wood is cut at the end of the winter and |
| and provided a functional approach to | | | | during the decline in moonlight it will be |
| husbandry.Modern agriculture echoes many of | | | | hard and durable.Plant RegenerationWhen |
| these ancient principles. | | | | cutting or gleaning crops and plants that |
| | | | produce more than one yield the moon should |
| Certain seasons brought changing conditions | | | | be waxing and in its first quarter. Also, the |
| which seemed to either help or hinder the | | | | moon must be high in the sky at this time and |
| growth of crops. Each season presented | | | | in conjunction with the planets Venus or |
| different alignments in the constellations | | | | Jupiter. When this equation is followed |
| and these patterns would evolve into | | | | yields will increase and new growth will be |
| horticultural astrology as it is often | | | | rapid.SowingSow or plant your garden when the |
| practiced today. The following is a brief | | | | moon is in Taurus, Virgo or Scorpio and is |
| outline of the zodiacal roots of gardening by | | | | near Saturn. This is the time of maximum |
| the stars and signs of the zodiac.PruningIt | | | | benefit for seeds and transplants which, if |
| was believed that in order to insure against | | | | planted now, will grow with strength and |
| infestations when pruning vine crops, trees | | | | vitality. Also, when the moon is in Libra or |
| and woody growths the following formula | | | | Capricorn it is a good time to weed your |
| applied. The Moon must be full in the | | | | garden and trim trees and shrubs.When to |
| constellations of Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, or | | | | Avoid PlantingNever plant any type of |
| Sagittarius. When pruning is done during this | | | | vegetation when Saturn is in one of the fixed |
| period the plants will not suffer from | | | | signs of the zodiac. This will cause poor |
| parasites nor disease.GraftingAncient | | | | crops and limited harvests. In ancient times |
| gardeners were believers in never grafting | | | | this stellar alignment was associated with |
| plants or trees when the moon was waning or | | | | famine and death.The Stellar GardenerPlanting |
| not visible. Decreasing moonlight or the | | | | and husbandry by astrological signs should be |
| total absence of moonlight was considered | | | | examined by any gardener as an insightful way |
| crucial in the successful propagation and | | | | to round out ones knowledge of horticulture. |
| grafting of all types of | | | | The ancients studied the natural order of |
| vegetation.HarvestingCrops and other plants | | | | things. It worked for them and it will still |
| that were to be preserved for future use were | | | | work for us if we care to heed these echoes |
| always cut while the light of the moon was | | | | from the past. |