Cosmic Journal #46

Originally published 2025-07-11. By Kate Heming, JPI Biodynamics, Max Leyf.

The Summer Sun

THIRTEENTH WEEK OF THE YEAR
trans.

Und bin ich in den Sinneshöhen,
So flammt in meinen Seelentiefen
Aus Geistes Feuerwelten
Der Götter Wahrheitswort:
In Geistesgründen suche ahnend
Dich geistverwandt zu finden.

∇∆

AND I am poised, with senses heightened,
when from the world of spirit, a fiery sign
within my dreaming soul
flames forth
and sequent, words of truth unfold:
“from wells of spirit, draw thy soul’s design
and of thine divine kinship be enlightened.”

Slowly, summer, slowly. Linger longer. Ripen our hearts and minds as we tend the fruits of our labors; dance with us, as we harvest, delight in our sunkissed cheeks and mudbathed arms.

These Cosmic Journals forecast the monthly calendar indications and explore the astronomical mood from new moon to new moon so you can plan your activities early in the garden.

We vegin with a damp ether quality toward the end of July. The new moon phase is generally considered a rest period for plants (and gardeners). Tasks in the garden like tilling new garden beds or pulling weeds can be very beneficial at this time. Creating pepper ashes or pest control around the new moon is also recommended by Maria Thun, who suggests ashing slugs from July 24 to July 25.1

July 28 to 31 are important and busy root days in practical Virgo. We really have to talk about when Saturn and Neptune reach their fullness on July 29. The Celestial Planting Calendar indicates we should spray BD 500 and BD 501.2

Now, why would they suggest spraying BD 501 when the moon is descending, and on a root day?

It is because the new moon is in opposition to Saturn, and in biodynamic gardening, this standoff is a potent time of balance and harmony in the natural world. The moon’s watery influence on fertility, germination, and yield is balanced by Saturn’s influence of right form, structure, and warmth. Saturn acts like a mirror reflecting the sun’s heat back to Earth.

Moon-opposition Saturn times are considered “highly favorable” to spray all three biodynamic preparations: BD 500, 501, and 508. Horn manure 500 will have an especially strong stimulating effect on soil microorganisms, while horn silica 501 and Equisetum arvense Horsetail BD 508 enhance flavor, seed quality, and plant structure.

I’ve been reading a lot of Peter Proctor. In his book, Grasp the Nettle Making Biodynamic Farming Work, he gives a testimonial on why BD 501 can be beneficial to spray. He says:

Spraying 501 when the moon and Saturn are in opposition has been found to be very effective in bringing healing and strengthening qualities. The moon and Saturn are in opposition when they are on opposite sides of the earth. At this period there appears to be a strong balancing effect between the calcium and silica processes. The 501 sprayed at this time enhances this healing, strengthening effect. In many cases, this has been found to strengthen the plants against specific fungus attack. There have been regular reports over the years of good results from spraying, for example, powdery mildew in tamarillos, brown rot in peaches, rust on oats, blight on glasshouse tomatoes, and mildew on courgette plants. One New Zealand farmer experimented with growing a courgette plant in a tunnel house and kept it growing and fruiting for 12 months without mildew by spraying monthly with 501 at moon/Saturn opposition.3

The two days leading up to moon-opposition Saturn are particularly good for prioritizing garden tasks that will have a lasting effect. Dig compost into the soil, plant flower bulbs, dig your holes for fruit trees, shrubs, rose bushes, and hedges—and then plant them—and move herbs and other plants that need to go into pots.

Seeds sown in the two days before moon–opposition Saturn, and those that start to germinate at that time generally produce robust plants. It makes sense to time sowing or planting high-yielding crops—such as potatoes, tomatoes, beans, and strawberries—as well as potentially fussy ones like spinach and Asian greens to coincide with the moon–opposition Saturn rhythm.4

The first weeks of August continue hot and humid. In the meadows, cows seek the shade of the trees that grow by the creek. In fields and along roadsides, the first goldenrod appears, splashes of yellow that hint at the blaze of color that will follow in the months to come. Asters grow tall, vibrant purple stars for Michaelmas celebration tables.

The Perseid meteor shower provides one of the most spectacular night sky events of the season, but this year’s peak coincides with a bright waning gibbous moon August 12 to 13. That means, the moon may block out much of the show except for the brightest meteors.

August 15 offers a brief but potent fruit time in Aries. Cut yarrow in the morning as the blossoms should show some seed formation by this time.

Moving onward through August, we have many opportunities to sequence spray. Feel into your gardens and fields. Are they too damp? Are they too dry? The moon transiting Scorpio could bring damper weather in the first half of August, but be sure to harvest your rain water and store for drier days later in the month.

Enjoy flower times August 19 and 20 as the moon descends through Gemini, before resting in the watery embrace of Cancer on August 21. Here the moon sits in opposition to Pluto at 23 degrees. This aspect can create a dynamic tension that can fuel powerful transformations in your personal landscape.

August 22 is considered unfavorable, as we anticipate the new moon’s arrival on August 23, and the lunar cycle for September begins anew.

Blessings on your August endeavours,

Kate