Cosmic Journal #029
Summer turning into Autumn
THE mood of Autumn, soft-descending
dampens Summer’s festival of senses;
trails of creeping mist arise
like shrouds upon a shining face of light
now to far-flung space, my eyes are tending
sensing Winter’s sleep impending
the Summer gave its life into my keeping
its harvest for my reaping
holding nothing for itself.
Liturgy of the Year, Week 23, translation by Max Leyf
Greetings friends,
We are now just weeks away from the Fall Equinox and the gardens continue to transform around us as the days steadily grow shorter here in the Northern Hemisphere. As we enter into September, the Moon will continue to descend along its path, presenting us with opportunities to cultivate our garden beds and transplant out new crop successions which will carry us into the months ahead.
Today, Monday, September 2nd we are greeted by a New Moon, offering us a chance to reset, preparing for the next cycle of days ahead. The shadowed Moon shines on us today and tomorrow, Tuesday, September 3rd backed by the constellation of Leo, showering the Earth with an impulse of Love and Warmth. As we work in the fields, we can connect to this Spiritual radiance through our own hands and hearts, giving thanks to each plant we kneel before for all that they have shared with us this year.
On Wednesday, September 4th the Moon moves into the Earth sign of Virgo at 12am and for the next four days it will be transitioning through one of the largest constellations in our sky. Looking closely at our Biodynamic calendars, we notice that today, tomorrow and the morning on Friday are “grayed out,” and dates are noted as being unfavorable for gardening due to two Lunar activities. Early on Thursday, September 5th the Moon descends through the Sun’s path at 2am and then reaches its farthest position away from Earth (referred to as Apogee) at 11am. Due to these Lunar influences, it is recommended that we refrain from major soil and plant work on Wednesday, Thursday and in the morning on Friday this week.
On Friday, September 6th the Moon remains in Virgo as the effects of the descending node subside and we return back to soil cultivation, transplanting and hands on plant work.
This Earthly, Virgin influence continues until 10pm on Saturday, September 7th and we can tune deeper into our gardens by offering BD 500 Horn Manure, the Pfeiffer Field Spray or Barrel Compost to help influence soil organization and the health of Mineral Life Forces. As we stir, we can set clear intentions for our work while remaining open to the relationships that develop both inwardly and outwardly through this dynamic, ever evoloving process.
On Sunday, September 8th our day begins in the constellation of Libra gifting our Earth with Light and Air. In the early morning, before sunrise, we gather to stir Horn Silica BD 501 and BD 508 Equisetum tea in the early morning with the intention to strengthen late Summer photosynthesis and disease resistance. Similar to our other Biodynamic stirs, we take time today to surrender ourselves to the greater Spirits that are alive in our gardens, placing our own material desires aside, creating space for our farm’s own unique individuality to unfold.
For further details on Biodynamic preparations and how to use them, check out our article When Should I Spray Biodynamic Preparations as well as the resources available at JPIBiodynamics.org
We continue to care for flowering plants while the Moon is in Libra throughout the morning on Monday, September 9th, feeling into the seasonal shift we are in. At 10am, the Moon moves into the Water sign of Scorpio calling our attention to Leafy crops, the element of Water and the ether of Tone. In the afternoon today, as well as all day on Tuesday and Wednesday this week, plant, harvest and tend to leafy greens, many of which will be very happy when cooler temperatures arrive again to our farms.
In the evening on Wednesday, September 11th we invite you to join us once again for our Spiritual Foundations for the Renewal of Agriculture: Life Based on Love discussion at 7:30pm EST. This ongoing series, hosted in partnerhsip with the Spikenard Honeybee Sanctuary, explores Rudolf Steiner’s 1924 Agriculture lectures, an impulse that has since influenced the contemporary environmental and organic-agricultural movements as well as other Spiritual, educational, medical and artisitc aspects of our lives. Please visit Spikenardfarm.org to access past recordings and for the Zoom link to this week’s presentation.
As our discussion comes to an end on Wednesday, the Moon transitions from Scorpio into the Fire sign of Sagittarius at 9pm.
Early on Thursday, September 12th the Moon reaches its lowest Lunar position, beginning to now ascend for the next two weeks. As we work today and tomorrow, Friday, September 13th, we can once again tune into the Spiritual Warmth that is alive in our gardens, taking time to check in with the ripening fruits that are still hanging in our trees, those that continue to be infused with the cosmic energies that stream down from the great Archer and each other constellation in the Zodiacal cycle.
As we enter into the weekend midmonth, the Moon will shine on us backed by Capricorn on Saturday, September 14th and Sunday, September 15th. Looking closer at our Biodynamic calendars, we can tune deeper into the Venus -Jupiter Trine occurring this weekend, further strengthening the opportunity for us to work with root plants and the soil Life. This weekend, we can align our work with the Earthly forces that surround us, paying attention to the seasonal shifts and balance of energies found around our farms and gardens. Seed trays, transplant out plants as needed and ask your garden this weekend to see if another Biodynamic offering of Horn Manure or Field Spray is needed for further harmonization.
Continue to work alongside the seasonal changes that can be felt this week as we approach the Fall equinox and the celebration of Michaelmas, giving thanks for each moment here on Earth we have the opportunity to participate in.
Thank you for tuning into our Cosmic Journal today and we hope that this interpretation helps to bring more Warmth, Light, Tone and Life into your personal life and garden. Please make appropriate changes as needed to meet the needs of your local growing conditions and farm, and as always, let us know how it goes in the comments below!
If needed, the Maria Thun 2024 Biodynamic Almanac and the Stella Natura Biodynamic Calendar are both currently in stock online at JPIBiodynamics.org and are helpful guides in our work as Biodynamic farmers and gardeners.
With Love & gratitude - Russell
 | A guest post by
|
 | A guest post by
|