Biodynamics and Lunar Gardening: Finding Rhythm

Working with the Biodynamic Calendar

One of the first hurdles of understanding biodynamics that I had to overcome back in 2012 and 2013 was the concept of how the vertical movement of the Moon along the horizon affected plant growth and my daily decision-making in the garden. This vertical movement is referred to as the ascending and descending periods. Every moment, the Moon is in motion, tracking up or down from our viewpoint here on Earth. 

For many years prior to 2012, I had operated under a lunar phase style of planting/decision-making, so beginning to learn about biodynamics brought forth a new perspective that was multidimensional, dynamic, and all-encompassing.  Throughout the last decade, I have tried my best to merge lunar gardening into my biodynamic practice since each decision-making mindset has its own important teachings.

Looking at lunar gardening on a macro level, we see that each 29.5 day lunar cycle is divided into four quarters, from New Moon to New Moon, with a Full Moon marking the middle point.  As the sunlight reflected by the Moon increases, these forces influence a rise and fall of moisture in the soil, which then affects various types of plants and their life interactions underground. 

When the Moon is waxing, light is growing stronger. Therefore water/sap reacts by moving upwards through the Earth and within all plants. This aids germination, nutrient uptake, and healthy plant growth. When the Moon is waning, getting darker, moisture is pulled downwards. Support for root growth and the soil life below our feet becomes the focus. 

Lunar phases proceed in the following order. From the Earth’s perspective, in quarter 1, reflected sunlight begins to show itself and build as an iconic waxing crescent. The light continues to grow into quarter 2 as a waxing gibbous until the Moon is Full.  As the Earth's shadow begins to grow again against the Moon, quarter 3 creates a waning gibbous. Quarter 4’s waning crescent brings us back to New Moon darkness. This cycle then repeats every 29.5 days, giving us a simple, primordial rhythm to follow. 

For many, myself included:

• Quarters 1 and 2 are great for seeding, cultivating, and lots of direct land connections, including care for annuals and above-ground crops.  During these 2 weeks I feel more Air/Fire (Yang) energies in comparison to quarters 3 and 4. The increase of sunlight helps to support leaf and stem growth. Sap is pulled upwards toward the Moon as it brightens, aiding in the overall flow of nutrients in each plant body.  

• At the Full Moon, I give thanks, celebrate success, and harvest abundance, and I let go of those things that no longer serve me.  I enjoy the fruits of my labor and the bounty of the land, as I reflect on my own determination and successes. Take time to enjoy the Moon as it rises in gigantic fullness along the eastern horizon, lighting up the garden around you and the hills that hold space in the properties beyond.    

• Quarter 3, reminds me of the importance of celebration, the crescendo of dedication, and the abundance of love in my life.  I continue to plant, focusing attention on root vegetables, perennials, and other plants that have more Water and Earth (Yin) energies.  

• In Quarter 4 (waning into New Moon), I try to avoid a lot of crop/soil work since energetically I feel that a short break of interaction is healthy ,creating balance within the ecosystem we live in.  There seems to be a need for rest in the cycle as the Sun’s reflection is carved away by the Earth until the Moon is an amazing, curved sliver before going dark.  Beyond the farm, I spend time looking inwards, sit in stillness with the pulse of the Universe and feeling the love that is created through my connections to all.  

• At the New Moon, I come out of this short rest, ready to plant seeds for the things I want to see more of in my life.  I pay respect to the Universe that I am connected to and begin to feel the power of the Sun’s energy as it shines down upon us by the Moon once again as the cycle renews.

There is a lot more depth that can be added onto the practices of lunar gardening, and I encourage everyone to continue to explore and incorporate this awareness into daily practice.  

Shifting gears to discuss Biodynamics and the importance of the ascending and descending Moon cycle, a similar emphasis on water and sap mobility is given.  As the Moon rises and appears higher along our southern horizon, the Moon’s forces draw water and sap upward into the plant bodies, their leaves, flowers, and everything else.  Upon the lunar pinnacle, the sap then falls for another cycle, and this continues on forever.  In biodynamic, we refer to the Moon's descending period as the transplanting time since Maria Thun taught us deeply about the importance of the Moon’s position and its effect on transplants.  

Thun writes: 

“Plants of the same species transplanted during an ascending Moon period often struggle for days or even weeks.  The Outer leaves wilt and only with a great deal of effort is the plant able to renew itself out of its growing point.” Maria Thun 2021 Biodynamic Calendar 2021

This teaching helps me to better relate to and care for our plant friends and it also provides me with clear directions on when to transplant (during descending Moon cycles).  In Biodynamics, this choice is also influenced greatly by the Moon’s constellation position giving us the full guidance we need to understand the astral influences at play.  Please refer to the Biodynamic Calendar Primer for details on how to chart the Moon’s position through the sky, available on the JPI Substack. 

This lunar ascending and descending cycle and the lunar phases outlined above are beautifully in alignment for the mid part of the North American growing season, and then out of alignment in the late Fall, Winter, and most of Spring.  I would encourage everyone reading this to look at a Biodynamic Calendar to fully understand how this shift between the ascending and descending rhythms and the lunar phases plays out through the year. 

In my personal practice, I try to take lunar phases into account whenever I can, and it is really convenient to have them come into some alignment through the summer months.  The rest of the year, especially in the Spring, I look at the calendar and try to plant in quarters 1 and 2 (sometime 3) and then try to avoid quarter 4 as discussed above.  I have these lunar details outlined on a spreadsheet and use them in the Spring to coordinate all plantings. 

At this point in my life, using the Biodynamic Transplanting Time as the primary reference during the main summer season, combined with the corresponding constellations as described in the Biodynamic Primer helps me best to determine the plantings and other daily tasks to do in the garden.  Having this also in alignment with quarters 1 and 2 makes it the ideal time to plant. 

In summary, Maria Thun writes,

“In its 27-day orbit around the Earth, the Moon passes through the constellations of the zodiac and transmits forces to the Earth which affect the four elements: Earth, Light (Air), Water and Warmth (Fire). They in turn affect the four parts of the plant: the roots, the flower, the leaves, and the fruit or seeds.  The health and growth of a plant can therefore be stimulated by sowing, cultivating and harvesting it in tune with the cycles of the Moon.”  Maria Thun, Biodynamic Calendar 2021 

Making a choice each day, I can allow myself to be guided by the flow of the Universe as I put my best intentions into the choices I consciously make each day.  Bringing awareness of biodynamics and lunar gardening into my life has helped me tap into the rhythmic nature that exists within a garden. I plan to continue to explore these relationships for many years and seasons to come.