Herb Gardening

Lesson 3: Moon Signs

Moon phases; days of the week.

There is other information to be gleaned from learning about the signs and their corresponding planets. For instance, the Zodiacal sign, Libra, represents beauty and is a good sign for planting flowers or flowering herbs. I am only touching on this lightly. There is much to be learned if you are interested in pursuing the heavenly bodies and their influence in your everyday life.

Understanding the phases of the moon goes along with knowing the aspects of the signs. The moon, as you know, is in four quarters.

During the first quarter, or when the moon is waxing, is a good time to plant but avoid planting on the day of the New Moon or on any day when the Moon changes quarters.

The second quarter of the Moon is also good for planting and if you pay special attention to the corresponding Zodiac sign, such as Cancer, Scorpio or Pisces, your herb crop should be abundant. Taurus and Capricorn are also good planting signs when the moon is in this phase.

The third quarter of the Moon works well for any bulbous, flowering plants or herbs. The Moon is now in a waxing phase so you would want to dig root crops or take seeds because they will keep better if harvested in this sign of the moon.

The fourth quarter of the Moon is when you want to turn the sod, and destroy growths especially if the Moon is in a barren sign such as Leo or Virgo.

It is interesting to note that our days of the week are also based on Astrological calculations. The Ancients decided that each day of the week was ruled over by an existing planet and thus they named the weekdays in honor of that ruling body.

Monday was known as Moon’s Day, Tuesday is Mars Day, Wednesday is Mercury’s Day, Thursday is Jupiter’s day, Friday is Venus Day, Saturday is Saturn’s Day and Sunday is the Sun’s Day.

What has this to do with your herb garden? You may want to consider the day of the week, as well as the phase and sign of the moon, before you settle your daily work schedule. For instance, if what you are doing will require full sunlight, then work on Sunday. If you are planting flowering plants, try to fit them into a Friday because that’s the day of beauty. Tuesday, or Mars Day, is a day for strength, as Mercury is known for speed. Do some experimenting. You’ll soon find your own pattern and know which day is best for what.

For more information and to keep a current watch on the Moon signs you can visit For more information and to keep a current watch on the Moon signs you can visit http://www.thealmanack.com .

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