flower days, air signs, + biodynamics

Biodynamics is the ancient study and practice of observing the moon and doing specific tasks and garden tending based on the phases and signs the moon is currently in. Simply put, it can be referred to as moon gardening. This practice has been observed for centuries by indigenous stewards but was put into words by German gardener Maria Thun, who spent over 50 years on her farm studying the outcomes of different activities at different phases and times. Over the years science has built into the spiritual nuance, creating a practice that is both fact and feeling, intentional and intimate. Biodynamics considers the fact that all the fruits of the garden we see come from complex networks of intelligence and plants that are following the miniscule cues of the world around it.

The evolution of a seed may seem as simple as plant, water, sunlight, grow, but biodynamics creates a relational experience between you and the plants you care for. It recognizes the significance of gravity, the impact of light availability, and the energy exchange of working yourself to the bone for no reason. It challenges you to move at a pace that is set by the sun, earth, and moon, which brings the gift of slowing down in a world that moves extraordinarily fast.

To build a practice of biodynamics is to make note of first the moon phase and then the moon sign, and build a course of action based on that. The phase will give you information on what is happening in the earth (directed by the moon) and the sign will give you information on what activities would best support the garden space. This reel is a great visual representation of how the gravitational pull impacts the movement of water, how the orbit of the moon impacts the way we experience gravity. Both plants and humans alike experience the subtleties of water rising and falling since both are composed largely of water. Have you ever wondered why we experience higher tides around full and new moons? It’s because the gravitational pull is so strong it surges water forward. Similarly, when the moon is in descending phases, gravitational pull is lessened. This impacts the biological response a plant has on a day to day basis — gravity might be pulling energy towards the roots, towards leaf growth, towards flowering, etc. The moon is a constant factor here.

Observing what sign the moon is in determines what type of day it is in the gardening world. Biodynamics took the 4 elements of the zodiac (earth, air, water, fire) and categorized them into different plant parts to create an easeful association between the moon and what plants need attention and care that day. It is broken down as follows:

• Root days are when the moon is in an earth signs (Capricorn, Virgo, Taurus)
• Fruit days when the moon is in a fire sign (Aries, Sagittarius, Leo),
• Leaf days when the moon is in a water sign (Cancer, Pisces, Scorpio), and
• Flower days when the moon is in an air signs (Libra, Gemini, Aquarius)

To determine which crop falls into which category, consider the parts that are being used after harvest. It is true that a tomato plant flowers, but the end crop is a tomato, so it falls under the fruit category. Calendula is of course a bright and shiny flower, but if your goal is to send a few to seed so that you can plant for next season, you’d do that care and work under a fruit day instead of a flower day since the focus is seeds.

Flower signs, for the most part, represent matters of the mind and are overall considered barren and dry in biodynamics. We can understand this further by considering the general temperament of flower signs:

• In Libra, we observe cardinal* air represented by scales. This is a gentle yet firm act of balancing that looks for unifying opportunities, and is considered a semi-fertile sign.
• In Gemini, we observe mutable* air represented by twins. This is an adaptable and ever curious energy that loves going down a new fork in the road and asking questions along the way.
• In Aquarius, we observe fixed* air through a water bearer. This bearer is a steady presence with consistent hot takes that will change your foundations.

*modalities of the zodiac offer great insight to the inherent natures of signs. Cardinal energy is forward, initiatory momentum. You can expect that cardinal signs will be taking forward action in whatever element they represent. Mutable energy is adaptable, shapeshifting, optimizing whatever circumstances they find themselves in. You can expect optimism and flexibility from these signs. Fixed energy is steadfast, consistent, and difficult to invoke change in (read: stubborn as heck). You can expect fixed signs to be determined on whatever course they’ve decided on.

Air signs challenge you to go into the garden of your mind and learn something new there, whether it’s taking ideas from one place to another with Aquarius or finding ways to soften into giving and receiving help through Libra or sharing knowledge and experiences through Gemini. Overall not the most conducive for tending to the land, but there are a couple of exceptions: Libra, through its Venus rulership, has an affinity for flowers and herbs. Gemini has an affinity for melons, and Aquarius has an affinity for onions. What do all of these random plants have in common? They flower; therefore, when the moon is in an air sign, it is considered a Flower Day.

Syncing up with light availability and gravitational pull, most flower days are best served either harvesting or cultivating the soil. Below is a cheat sheet for recommended activities while the moon is in an air sign phase:

New Moon: a day for the mind, a day for rest, for connecting with the entity of the garden.

Waxing/ First Quarter: harvest herbs + flowers if the moon is in Libra, or cultivate the soil. This could be giving plant teas to the heavy feeding crops, adding compost or manure to the soil, or incorporating dry sticks, twigs, and bark to create aeration

Full Moon: harvest the associated plants (herbs + flowers for Libra, melons for Gemini, onions + alliums for Aquarius). Focus on the abundance nature of the moon and see how you can share that.

Waning/ Third Quarter: Rest is most ideal, but soil cultivation could be done.

Navigating cosmic climate and corresponding gardening activities can be a lotttttt of information to try and take in, and can definitely be overwhelming! My free substack sends out a weekly Moon Gardening Guide that breaks down which activities are most optimal. You can join that HERE!