Cosmic Journal #025

Originally published 2024-07-08. By Russell Blackstone.

Summer Magic

SPELLBOUND in a shining weft
wrought of world-spirit’s ceaseless weaving:
it has enwrapped me in
an envelope of its enchantment—a chrysalis,
wherein I wax in strength and stature,
embraced by shining threads that give
my nascent self, a place to call its own.

Liturgy of the Year, Week 15, translation by Max Leyf

Greetings fellow farmers and land stewards, 

In today’s Cosmic Journal, we will be exploring the celestial conditions over the mid part of July, paying close attention to the Moon’s position in relation to the constellations as we continue to create deeper connections with the soil, plants and animals we care for. 

Astronomer, astrologer and Celestial Planting Calendar contributor Gary P. Caton discusses the important relationship between the Earth, Moon and Stars in his recent interview with Heart and Soil TV, describing each constellation as a unique gift of light, each one contributing in its own unique way to Life here on Earth.  As Biodynamic farmers, we can use these faroff rhythmic changes as a guide, helping us to focus our work each day onto 4 primary crop categories found in every farm or garden.  

Each constellation is directly connected to an elemental influence, Earth, Air, Water or Fire, which is amplified by the Moon’s position in front of that constellation.  The four elements can be associated with the 4 primary parts of plants (Root, Flower, Leaf, and Fruit respectively).  This relationship was brought into light through the agricultural research of Maria Thun, Sherry Wildfeuer (creator of the Stella Natura Biodynamic Planting Calendar) and many others who have helped us over the last 100 years better understand how Biodynamics can be applied each day in our lives.  

Through this heightened awareness, we can begin to provide our gardens with much more than material substances and industrial inputs, helping to increase the Spiritual nourishment of the plants themselves, as well as all those that then consume the plants.  Gary’s interview is a great resource for those looking to strengthen their foundational knowledge of Biodynamics and provides us with a clear summary of how to better utilize our Biodynamic calendars.   

Diving into today’s work on Monday, July 8th, we can see that the Moon is currently descending in its cycle, a great time to transplant seedlings and cultivate garden beds since Life forces are being drawn downwards into the soil, roots and lower parts of plants.  The Moon also moves out of the Water sign of Cancer at 11am today and into the Fire sign of Leo.  This morning, we can tend to leafy crops, bringing the element of Water and the ether of Tone into our consciousness.  Allow yourself to feel into and listen patiently to the energies that are alive throughout the garden, becoming open to the astral Warmth that increases in the afternoon as the Moon moves into the great Lion that shines above.   

In the afternoon on Monday, as well as on Tuesday, July 9th and Wednesday, July 10th, the Moon is backed by Leo encouraging us to work with fruiting plants.  In our gardens, we share our inner Warmth and Love with each plant that we kneel before and acknowledge, taking time to enjoy the beauty of abundance that is now at its Summer peak.  Harvest stone fruits and veggies as they become ripe, taking note of how each elemental influence can affect the flavor, structure, storage life and Spiritual aspects of the food we grow.  

At 9am on Thursday, July 11th the Moon transitions into the Earth sign of Virgo shifting our attention onto root crops and soil health.  If needed, transplant and direct seed root plants (such as onions, carrots and beets), add soil to your potato mounds, tend to compost piles and prepare beds for future Summer successions.  

Beyond root crops, we can also utilize Earth days to catch up on other plant related tasks which might technically fall into other elemental categories.  Gary discusses this in depth in the interview referenced above describing the natural compatibility that exists between the elements (and ethers) of Earth-Water and Air-Fire.  This reminder is extremely helpful, especially for those with busy lives who are trying to synchronize their garden and farm work with the zodiacal influences and the suggested work we outline bimonthly here.  Do all that you  can, when you are able, taking into consideration your own unique farm environment, local weather conditions and other personal life factors.  Beyond all, Biodynamics encourages us to connect in our own unique ways to the world around us while we continue to individually evolve as Spiritual beings.  

At 4am, on Friday, July 12th the Moon reaches its Apogee position, the farthest point away from Earth in its cycle while it remains in Virgo. We continue with soil and plant work through the morning giving thanks to the Mineral Kingdom which has also given us Life through the Earth’s own evolution.  In the afternoon, we might refrain from work as the Moon descends down through the Sun’s path, a bimonthly event that has a negative effect on plant growth.  

On Saturday, July 13th and Sunday, July 14th we have an excellent weekend for soil cultivation and transplanting since the Moon remains in Virgo. Ideally sometime before turning soil, we can stir and spray BD 500 Horn Manure, the Pfeiffer Field Spray or Barrel Compost to your farm or gardens.  Recognizing the energy of the descending Moon, combined with that of the Virgin, we can gather and pour our intentions into the crock below us, vocalizing the unique prayers we have for the land we steward.  For more information on BD preps, check out When Should I Spray Biodynamic Preparations as well as JPIBiodynamics.org

Following our work and Biodynamic soil offerings this weekend, Monday, July 15th is a great day to apply BD 501 Horn Silica.  At 6am, the Moon enters into the Air sign of Libra as we celebrate both the inner and outer Light in our lives.  Before sunrise we stir and spray our Silica prep, a special gift which is buried in the Earth all Summer, absorbing the energies of the Sun and stars through a cow horn sheath, and then ceremonially given back to the Plant and Mineral Kingdoms.  

As we begin Tuesday, July 16th the Sun will leave the constellation of Gemini (remember we are discussing current celestial conditions rather than astrology) while the Moon remains in Libra until 5pm when it then transitions into Scorpio.  Looking closer at our Biodynamic calendars, we can see that today as well as tomorrow, Wednesday, July 17th are both marked as unfavorable gardening times due to a couple planetary oppositions occurring in the sky above.  We encourage you to dive deeper into these notes using your calendar to determine what is right for you and your farm as the Moon comes into opposition with Uranus, Mars and Jupiter.  

On Thursday, July 18th, we return back to our work with leafy plants while the Moon remains in Scorpio through the day.  Transplant, harvest and care for plants while focusing attention on the flow of your environment and the element of water within your gardens.  

At 7am on Friday, July 19th the Moon reaches its lowest point in its cycle marking the end of the Transplanting Time for us here in North America.  Now for the next two weeks as the Moon ascends, Life forces will be drawn upwards in the soil and in plants, making it a great opportunity to harvest seeds, grains and other crops.  Along with the Moon reaching its lowest declination, it will also move into the Fire sign of Sagittarius today while the Sun transitions into the Water sign of Cancer where it will remain until early August. 

On Friday, as well as Saturday, July 20th harvest ripe fruits and tend to plants which still require more days of sunlight to fully mature. As you work, intentionally bring the ether of Warmth into your conscious imagination, spreading your Love out to every plant in the garden.  

As the weekend comes to an end on Sunday, July 21st, the Moon moves into the Earth sign of Capricorn at 5am and then shortly after reaches full illumination at 6am.  Today we celebrate the work we have accomplished this season and the Spiritual nourishment (materialized as food) that we as farmers provide to our communities.  We give thanks to the elements and elementals that make our lives possible, understanding that we as Humans have a responsibility to help the Earth heal and transform through its evolution.   

On Sunday, we care for soil Life and our root crops, remembering the flexibility that exists when our actions are grounded and centered in clear intentions.  As marked in our Biodynamic calendars, there is a trine also occurring today, between the Sun and Neptune (currently in the Water sign of Pisces), presenting us with a great opportunity to also work alongside our Leafy plant relatives as well as root crops.  Similar to the planetary aspects that occurred days ago, we encourage you to learn more about these astral details, applying what you can to your life and garden.  

To follow along with our bimonthly journals, it is helpful to have a calendar on hand for reference and daily note taking.  The Maria Thun 2024 Biodynamic Almanac and the Stella Natura Biodynamic Calendar are both currently in stock at JPIBiodynamics.org and are great resources that can help guide us along on this journey. 

Until next time, may each day be filled with Love and Light - Russell