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‘Tis Old Farmer’s Day on 12 Oct. Without the colloquial wisdom of our agricultural godfathers we’d be flummoxed and bewildered by natures seasonal ebb and flow. The introduction of ‘calendars’ first noted the helical rising of Sirius perpetual habits and cue to specific time of year, when the Nile Flooded. Prior to Solar calendars the lunar lady was the favoured Chronicle. Moon has always commanded attention in the night skies, yet the lingering mystery of planting by the Zodiac signs and moon phase may well perplex those who doubt — but for those who believe, they receive. No matter your country of origin, every culture observed moon’s modes and practiced her wise ways unlocking a fortnight of fecund planting days in every month. The Farmer’s Almanac is an agriculturalist bible.
🌿GARDENING
Perhaps you’re new to gardening, maybe even a Pandemic gardener, but even some seasoned gardeners have lots to learn from gardening by the Moon. And, No that’s not gardening in the evening by the moonlight! Luna is the guiding light that forms the basis for Gardening Almanacs. We look to Moon’s transit through the Zodiac. On Oct 12, Luna is in the sign of Taurus, just three days after a Full Moon in Aries, so she’s now in a waning gibbous phase. Each of Luna’s phases dictate specific agricultural tasks. The current pairing of phase and sign nod to sowing or planting pursuits - as to which produce, is tailored to the phase and sign. In the waning (decreasing, disseminating) phase, focus falls to wants happening below the ground so roots and bulb crops are said to thrive, when planted under these conditions. Then there’s the Zodiac sign, which are classed via temperament, as either fecund, barren, dry etc. and each sign is known to influence specific produce. In Taurus, this advantageous sign is super fecund and fertile, so flexible and suits for transplanting seedlings and most plants thrive and survive under these conditions and is though to be very beneficial for potato planting. No matter where you’re domicile - Spring in Oz or Autumn in N.H - the same rules still apply - just follow Luna’s Zodiacal sign transits according to your timezone. And plant either, winter or spring produce.
The Moon boot scoots through the 12 zodiac signs each month — she’s leave the sign of Taurus on Thursday (16:08 in Sydney). If aqua or animal agriculture pursuits are your wheelhouse then fishing is highly favoured and so to is hunting when Luna lingers in Taurus. When in the earthy Fertile sign of the Bull, the moons hits its exhalation point at 14° Taurus — early birds in Sydney can catch that exact point at 09:51 till 11:41am.
The daylight hours of the third day of the working week is governed by Mercury, currently in Retrograde Phase. But some Mercury ruled plant planting for astro mages may be on the cards. If you’re new to these specific nuances, start off with some Moon associated plants (listed below).
Artichoke via La Tartine Gourmande
Comfrey flowers
Calendar months in both the Western and Chinese calendars, are linked to certain flowers and October’s floral favourite is the showy Dahlia. Or the Chrysanthemum one of a handful plants to flower in Autumn, hence why the Ancient Chinese referred to October as' ‘Chrysanthemum month’ or the ninth month.
Chinese Almanac
The shift from man hunting to agricultural produce forced a greater need to record seasonal nuances, hence the introduction and use of ‘calendars’. The lunisolar calendar was useful for closely tracking tides and waxing and waning of the moon in order to predict floods in the great river basins and to forecast marine conditions for fishermen in coastal areas. However, Ancient Chinese can boast an agricultural system recognized by UNESCO’s list of Intangible Cultural Heritage back in 2016. Preserved for future generations the system is known as the Chinese 24 Solar terms (jieqi) that first appeared in historical records around 1600-1046 BC. It follows the solar calendar than records Sol’s position on the elliptic and aligns specific agricultural tasks to one of 24 Solar Terms. The current Solar term is the 17th, called Cold Dew. This solar node notes Dogwood (Cornel) as seasonally prolific during next fortnight, as well as an optimal time to pick camellia seeds, with folks heading to the tea mountains to harvest seeds and make tea seed oil.
Many have heard of an Almanac, but not so many of a Chinese Almanac, otherwise known as a Tong Shu. The agricultural bible, defines 12 specific types of Qi, that governing each day. Known as ‘officers’, they repeat daily, with one monthly caveat when the last day and beginning of following month, repeat. Today’s (12 Oct) agriculturally significant day falls on a ‘Establish’ 建 (Jian) Day in the Tong Shu (Chinese Almanac). ‘Establish’ days contain auspicious stars and deemed the very best day of the 12 types. It has the same earthly branch as Chinese month, so day and month support each other, making the day beneficial. In ancient times this day type, was a day for the Emperor to pray for good harvest. In modern life it’s suitable for getting a new job, business travel and transactions. It’s also suitable for proposing marriage — but not marriage itself.
So what are you doing to mark Old Farmer’s Day? I'm going to treat myself to some planetary aligned Herbs and a new pompom white Chrysanthemum, a colour and shape associated with Luna. If you fancy whispering in the ear of Mercury (Wednesday’s planetary ruler) or Venus (ruler of Taurus), chose a flower associated with these planets to align with the day’s energies - lavender or ferns as two examples. For some ‘moon’ linked plants see this link. If florals don’t take your fancy, then consider oranges, marjoram, licorice, hazelnut trees, fennel or dill.
So enjoy your day and Happy Farmer’s Day . . .
Agriculture is the noblest of all alchemy; for it turns earth, and even manure, into gold, conferring upon its cultivator the additional reward of health.
~ Paul Chatfield
