Cosmic Journal #45
Valerian, Form & Warmth-Ether
“THE world’s radiance and splendour
penetrate my soul to find
an inborn seed of life divine
and this ensconcèd kernel, laved in light
its germ, enlivened, seeks the height…
my self forsaking,
with trust partaking
in world-warmth and world-light.
Max Leyf, Twelfth Week of the Year, Liturgy of the Seasons
Hello friends,
July arrives, and with it, the dog days of summer. For me, this means long days in the garden, followed by calm, quiet evenings watching red sunsets disappear in the west.
In biodynamic farming, summer is when the warmth-ether is most activated—when the earth is most open to cosmic influences. Warmth-ether draws cosmic forces inward, helping plants fruit and flower. In our human lives, warmth-ether is connected to enthusiasm, willpower, and individuality. When we speak of being warm-hearted or having empathy, those are expressions of the inner fires of the warmth-ether awakening to spiritual purpose.
On July 1 and 2, we find the moon in grounded and meticulous Virgo, exalting the tasks of the root day. Transplanting times are favorable from June 25 to July 8. Add biodynamic preparations to your compost piles and harvest seeds of root plants.
On July 3, the earth reaches aphelion, its farthest point from the sun in its elliptical orbit. This results in a slightly smaller and dimmer sun in the sky—a subtle reminder of our planet’s celestial journey. Garden tasks are generally unfavorable during this time.
On July 4, the moon reaches apogee under a descending phase, and the summer mood reigns. Apogee is the best time to sow potatoes for an autumn yield that stores well. Other root or leaf crops—like carrots or spinach—sown at apogee may grow too quickly and run to seed, since the water influences are at their weakest. Keep crops prone to bolting well-watered while this “summer mood” persists.
An interesting thought: you could be tempted to sow something at apogee deliberately to encourage it to bolt. However, if you did, you’d risk producing a generation of seeds with a short growing cycle—seeds incapable of actually providing much food. Instead, channel the apogee moon’s summer influence into harvesting fruit crops, such as tomatoes, eggplant, or apples, for more concentrated, less watery flavors. If you’re lucky enough to already have mature pumpkins ready for drying and curing, apogee is an ideal time.
On July 5, the moon enters Aquarius. This is a short flower day, so make the most of it. Maria Thun suggests that after July 5, we can harvest flower plants to be used for seed. She also recommends cutting late hay. It’s not too late to sow biennials such as pansies or perennials like hyssop or columbine. Plant bulbs or divide flowering herbs ready for replanting.
The moon moves into watery Scorpio on July 7 and 8, and our focus returns to leaf crops. While water is vital for all life on earth, it is particularly important for crops grown for their leaves. These include spinach, cabbage, and aromatic herbs like parsley. The moon is descending when it is passing in front of the constellations of Cancer and Scorpio. Be pragmatic: if work cannot be done on a leaf day, the root day rhythm is the next best option.
On July 10, a full Buck Moon appears in Sagittarius, and fruit/seed tasks take precedence. Harvest seeds of fruit plants and grain to be used for seed. Sow another round of climbing or runner pole beans. Prune tomato suckers or side shoots.
On July 12, the moon ascends into Capricorn, and root tasks are again at hand. This is another opportunity to hoe weeds and spray the tops or leaves of root crops with compost teas or BD 500.
On July 13, the moon moves into Aquarius, and spraying of BD 501 is indicated. Ascending moon flower days are also the best time to pick flowers for drying.
One of the primary biodynamic compost preparations is valerian, or BD 507. This perennial herb has tiny white flowers that are unusually rich in phosphorus. All plants need phosphorus in order to capture the sun’s heat and light. In many ways, valerian embodies the true summer mood of the warmth-ether. It is also the only biodynamic compost preparation that comes in liquid form.
I remember when my first valerian preparation arrived from JPI. I was so excited and curious—the tiny glass vial seemed so mysterious. How could so few drops of infusion be so potent? But it is. Of the six biodynamic compost preps, valerian is the only one that can also be sprayed directly on the garden. Its role is always to mobilize phosphate-activating bacteria, either in the compost pile or underground within the soil. Without phosphorus, plants cannot use the sunlight their leaves need for photosynthesis—so without phosphorus, there would be no garden. The phosphorus provided by valerian gives the garden the impetus, or will, to grow. It helps plants connect with the light and heat of the sun above ground and keeps them warm and frost-free in colder weather.1
Maria Thun instructs us to pick valerian early in the morning on an ascending flower day, while there is still plenty of nighttime moisture about. She writes:
The juice should be pressed out immediately without adding any water or leaving the plants in water. Juice to which water has been added will not keep long.2
Flowers are ready to collect when about half the blossoms on a given flower head are open. This is my first year growing my own valerian, and I am amazed at its structure and form—a stalk similar in appearance to celery, boasting the most intensely perfumed and delicate blossoms, much loved by insects. I am working closely with valerian this summer to awaken the warmth-ether within my own life and spirit. Just as the health of soil, plants, and animals depends upon bringing nature into connection again with the cosmic creative forces, so too does our own health.
From July 15 to 17, sequence spraying is suggested to attract moisture. As the moon ascends through leafy Pisces, it’s also a good time to transplant perennials like hedges and herbs.
On July 18, we enjoy fruit/seed tasks as the moon ascends to fiery Aries. Prune and apply tree paste to keep your fruit trees healthy. Spray silica-rich Equisetum arvense (BD 508) to keep pests and diseases at bay.
On July 20, the moon enters perigee in Taurus, and gardening is again unfavorable. Avoid digging beds at perigee; however, you can lift roots like carrots at risk of rotting in wet soil.
The moon continues its descent through Taurus on July 21, before shifting to Gemini for flower days on July 23 and 24. Prune flowering shrubs like roses, and deadhead flowers with fading blossoms as their sap returns underground.
On the afternoon of July 24, we shift from flower to leaf, as the moon travels from Gemini to Cancer. Leaf tasks take precedence as the new moon returns and July’s lunar cycle reaches completion.
Have a wonderful July in the garden.
Blessings,
Kate
Monty Waldin, Biodynamic Gardening, 1st ed. (New York: Penguin Random House, 2015).
The Maria Thun Biodynamic Almanac 2025, North American ed. (Edinburgh: Floris Books, 2024)
Incredible