by Bernard Jarman

This new calendar published by Findhorn Press joins the growing number of works available today on this fascinating subject. First published in French and now available in several European languages, it is a comprehensive attempt to bring together everything concerning the influence of the moon on our lives.

The movement of the moon at first sight appears simple and straightforward and yet it has many different rhythms and celestial relationships. It relates to the sun through its waxing and waning cycle, to the stars through its monthly movement past the twelve zodiac constellations, to the other planets and their changing relationships with one another, to the earth through its monthly journey away from it and back again, and with itself as it rises rhythmically above and below its allotted path. Within and associated with these basic rhythms are others such as the nodal cycle which takes over 18 years to complete. The more one learns about the moon, the more one realises that it is far, far more than simply a piece of rock orbiting the earth at high speed. The moon like the earth is alive and these are the living rhythms that daily affect every form of life. 'In Tune with the Moon' begins by giving very clear and simple explanations of these various moon rhythms. They are presented in a style, which is accessible to everyone.

The biodynamic sowing and planting calendar is an astronomical calendar based on years of careful research undertaken by Maria Thun for over fifty years. The main focus of her calendar is the moon's monthly journey through each constellation of the zodiac and how it ascends and descends on its path. She has also increasingly recognised the importance of planetary aspects and trine positions and times of opposition have particularly beneficial influences. The other moon rhythms are also included in the calendar. Each year further discoveries are made as she continues virtually non-stop with her planting trials.

'In Tune with the Moon' describes these influences of the sidereal moon but includes a lot of additional information including a fascinating chapter on tides. Tides are the direct result of the moon's gravitational pull as it passes overhead. This mighty force affects not only the earth's great oceans but also the water present in even the smallest of living things. "During the time the moon takes to reach its highest point, or meridian (on average 6 hours and 12 minutes) the tide rises (incoming tide) before beginning to recede (ebb tide) until the moon sets. The tide then rises again to reach the opposite meridian (+180??) before receding once more." It is then recommended that the rising tide is chosen for grafting, cultivating heavy soil and spreading compost while a receding tide is best for pricking out, cultivating light soil and cutting wood. Of course the tidal influence must be considered alongside the ascending and descending rhythm, the moon's waxing and waning and its position in the zodiac. For the planting of flowering and fruit bearing bushes: "Plant when the moon is descending, if possible when it is also waxing and when the tide is receding. If the moon is waning, choose a time that corresponds with a rising tide." The gardener can thus consider a number of additional factors.

The second part of the book is dedicated to specific topics: Horticulture, trees and shrubs, harvesting, compost, fungicides and insecticides, agriculture, cereal crops, animal husbandry, bee keeping, wine growing, cider making, beer making. In the section on compost there is an at-a-glance table with all the favourable times for making or turning compost through the year. Different days are given depending on whether the compost generates a lot of internal heat, is cooler and slower acting or whether sheet composting. Although it can be taken as a recipe it is not entirely clear why the days are recommended. The only thing that is stated directly is that good compost will be produced when certain moon/pluto aspects are observed. Concerning animal husbandry: The best time for serving cattle and horses "is between the first quarter and full moon in fire and earth signs and if possible, with the moon in descendent. For ewes, the period between the first quarter and the full moon during earth and air signs is best with an ascendant moon if possible. Avoid the perigee and lunar nodes". If female chicks are wanted eggs should be collected around the first quarter.

In the third section the focus is on living with the moon and includes such topics as when to cut hair, go on a fast, treat warts, extract teeth etc. There are also a very sensible couple of pages with advice on wise eating. For those with difficulties digesting a list of particular foods, recommended moon constellations are given.

The calendar itself laid out in full colour with a double page spread for each month is very comprehensive. It is in fact so filled with information that a casual reader might find it hard to access. Many calendars (apart from the Biodynamic Sowing and Planting calendar) that are available today are based on an astrological perception of the zodiac and draw on the wealth of wisdom and information gathered over thousands of years and the inner experiences related to it. 'In Tune with the Moon' has risen to the challenge and incorporated both the astronomical and astrological calendars. Throughout the flowing diagrams that rise and fall with the ascending and descending rhythm the two systems are represented beside one another. The astrological signs are represented by the traditional symbols while the constellations use another symbol form. The astronomical constellations are displaced from the astrological ones by almost a month. Nonetheless there is a short period of time each month when the two coincide. These moments are seen as especially favourable and are highlighted in the calendar. Also incorporated in the calendar are the Chinese seasons with a full explanation in a dedicated chapter.

Following the calendar there is a month-by-month chart with all the data presented in list form including tides, moon rise/set and key dates for various tasks. The authors of the calendar have given times in BST throughout. This is a little puzzling for while a change would be confusing; it would seem far more appropriate to take GMT. This is after all real time for the UK and is the baseline for the rest of the world.

It is somewhat concerning that nowhere in the book are there any references. Research has been carried out and it is a shame that this has not been alluded to. It is very clear that information has been brought together from a large number of sources and it would have been good to state this somewhere. There is of course also the chapter about Para magnetism, which has been erroneously entitled 'biodynamics'. This was a genuine translation error, which has been acknowledged by both the authors and publisher. Although unfortunate such mistakes can happen and it is to be hoped that readers will not be confused by it.

The book is a fascinating read and highlights the need for all of us to be more in tune with our environment and to work sensitively with natural cycles rather than trying to overcome them. It should serve to stimulate new thinking about our connection with the moon.

This article originally appeared in the Star & Garter the magazine of the Biodynamic Agricultural Association and is reproduced here with their kind permission. The Biodynamic Agricultural Association