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