Tuesday 28th January

Tuesday 28th January
The moon shifts from the fire sign of Sagittarius to the earth sign of Capricorn, changing the mood of the day. This transition influences the development of plants below the soil and presents an opportunity to plant garlic, depending on your region. We are deep in winter, a time Rudolf Steiner, the founder of biodynamics, described as when “the formative forces of crystallisation reach their full development in the mineral substances” (15th January to 15th February). We must never underestimate the activities occurring beneath our soils—a complex world of substances, biology, and forces that sustains plants, animals, and people alike.

Monday 27th January

Monday 27th January
The moon entered the fire constellation of Sagittarius yesterday and continues its journey through this sign. Sagittarius, also known as the Archer, is a sign that is highly goal-oriented and optimistic. In the garden, this constellation, as mediated by the moon, is particularly favourable for the development of fruits. With daylight hours steadily increasing, it won’t be long before we can start sowing chilli peppers, which thrive under this influence. Be sure to have all the seeds you need for the season ahead, so you can begin sowing vegetables soon.

Sunday 26th January

Sunday 26th January
The moon rises in the constellation of Scorpio before transitioning to the fire constellation of Sagittarius. At the same time, the moon reaches its lowest point on the horizon after descending steadily each day for the past two weeks. Now, it will begin to ascend for the next two weeks. The ascending moon complements the development of everything above the soil, making it an ideal period to stir and spray cow horn silica preparation 501. While the ascending moon influences plants in a way similar to the waxing moon, it is important to note that these are two distinct lunar rhythms.

Saturday 25th January

Saturday 25th January
As we deepen into the constellation of Scorpio, an emotional intensity fills our day. With the scorpion’s image in the night sky, we cannot forget its sting, represented by the stars Shaula and Lesath, which have 14 and 11 times the mass of our solar system's Sun, respectively. Scorpio’s symbolism of transformation may stem from its stinger, a tool that pierces through façades and distractions, exposing the truth. This truth, though intense, is necessary for growth and transformation, guiding us to deeper understanding and change.

Friday 24th January

Friday 24th January
From the perspective of the Earth, the Moon, as it orbits around us, appears to shift from the constellation of Libra to the constellation of Scorpio, representatives of the fixed stars of the zodiac. Scorpio is associated with the Platonic element of water, which creates conditions most favourable for the leaves of plants. It is therefore a good time to tend to hedges in our garden, allowing them to regrow with vitality. The material collected can be composted and used in the garden come spring. Although Scorpio is associated with water, it also brings about transformation, symbolising the cleansing and strengthening qualities of water, such as in baptism.

Thursday 23rd January

Thursday 23rd January
The Moon rises in front of the constellation of Libra, a group of stars resembling weighing scales, symbolising balance and justice. During this time, we may notice the balance of light gradually shifting as we approach the spring equinox. However, before that, we will reach Imbolc, or Candlemas, at the beginning of February. This festival marks the midpoint between the winter solstice and the spring equinox. As we observe nature, subtle changes begin to reveal themselves. The soil teems with life, and plants and creatures lie in quiet anticipation, waiting for the light’s signal to awaken and emerge.

Wednesday 22nd January

Wednesday 22nd January
The Moon continues its descent into the constellation of Virgo, a sign known for its focus on precision and planning—qualities essential in gardening, particularly in commercial market gardens. Here, careful crop rotations and well-structured plans are vital for maintaining both productivity and sustainability. In our own lives, thoughtful planning serves a similar purpose. It allows us to navigate the abundance of choices we face, providing direction and focus. By committing to a chosen path for a set period, we can work steadily toward our goals, knowing that new opportunities will present themselves in due course.

Tuesday 21st January

Tuesday 21st January
The Moon rises in the constellation of Virgo, bringing grounding forces. However, with the Moon positioned at apogee, it becomes favourable to tend to flowers, as the intensified light reflects the Sun’s radiance. By the afternoon, this element of light subsides, allowing Virgo’s grounding influence to take hold. This creates an ideal opportunity to test our soil—examining its physical, chemical, and biological composition. We can gain valuable insights into its condition through simple or elaborate methods. From there, we can work to enhance the soil using cover crops, biodynamic preparations, animal fertilisers, and by nurturing a conscious relationship with the Earth.

Monday 20th January

Monday 20th January
As the Moon deepens into Virgo, it brings a beneficial period for organizing and paying close attention to details. This makes it a great time to work on your gardening plan for the year. Having an overview plan for your garden helps manage crop rotations, grow the plants you desire, and increase efficiency in your gardening tasks. Market gardens often follow a gardening plan that evolves over time. As your experience grows, you can gradually refine an ideal planting plan unique to your garden's layout, location, shading, elevation, soil type, and more.

Sunday 19th January

Sunday 19th January
Today, the Moon continues its descent into the constellation of Virgo. The Greeks associated this sign with Demeter, the goddess of agriculture and the harvest. It is perhaps for this reason that Demeter is used as the certification and quality mark for biodynamically produced food. Biodynamically grown food is cultivated using methods that care for the soil and the Earth, resulting in food that is intrinsically nutritious due to the health of the soil and the vitality of the farm organism. Demeter-quality food is common in Germany and Switzerland, but it is gradually making its way across the globe as more farmers adopt biodynamic methods and more consumers become aware of the importance of well-grown, nourishing produce.

Saturday 18th January

Saturday 18th January
As the Sun transitions into Capricorn, an earthy sign, we are reminded of the steady rhythms of the zodiac. On Christmas Eve, NASA’s Parker Solar Probe made its closest approach to the Sun, coming within 3.8 million miles of its surface to enhance our understanding of this vital star. Today, the Moon also shifts from a fiery sign into the earthy sign of Virgo, aligning perfectly with the Sun’s transition. This is an ideal time to tend to root crops in the garden and enrich garden beds with compost, preparing for the work of spring. The movement of both the Sun and Moon invites us to ground our actions in the natural rhythms around us, supporting the cycles of growth and renewal.

Friday 17th January

Friday 17th January
The Moon deepens into Leo, making it an ideal time to tend to fruits, particularly by pruning fruit trees. Each type of fruit tree has its own unique pruning requirements, so for the best results, I recommend consulting a reliable guide or book on pruning. Pruning can feel like sculpting—it blends logical thinking with an eye for aesthetics. With Venus in a 180-degree opposition to the Moon today, it is especially beneficial to focus on pruning fruit trees in the Rosaceae family, such as apples, pears, peaches, apricots, plums, and cherries. These fruits share a special connection to Venus’s journey and may thrive under the influence of this planetary alignment.

Thursday 16th January

Thursday 16th January
As the Moon transitions from Cancer to the vibrant and creative sign of Leo, we shift from the nurturing energies of the chest and stomach, associated with Cancer, to the expansive, heart-centred qualities of Leo. This cosmic journey reflects the progression through the zodiac, which also mirrors the human body—from Aries at the head, to Taurus at the throat, and finally to Pisces at the feet. In biodynamics, we honour this interplay of macrocosm and microcosm, recognising their deep interconnectedness. With the Moon now in Leo, let us open our hearts fully and share our gifts with the world.

Tuesday 14th January

Tuesday 14th January
Mars is visible in the night sky, retrograding through Gemini and conjuncted by the Moon. The Moon passes through a zodiac sign every 2.5 days from Earth’s perspective. With Mars in retrograde, it’s a time to reflect on past decisions, particularly in communication and intellect. As the Moon aligns with Mars, it amplifies introspection, urging us to reconsider goals and relationships. This is a period of recalibration, offering an opportunity for growth through thoughtful reflection.

Monday 13th January

Monday 13th January
Today, we are greeted by the first full moon of the new year, positioned in the constellation of Gemini. The moon has also just reached its zenith on the horizon—a rhythm observable only through careful nightly observation. This lunar rhythm is significant in biodynamic agriculture. From today, the moon will gradually descend over the next two weeks, drawing energy downward within plants. This makes it an ideal time for tending the soil, sowing seeds, and transplanting.

Sunday 12th January

Sunday 12th January
The moon departs from the constellation of Taurus and moves into Gemini, bringing a sense of lightness to the day—often welcome at the start of January, as we transition from the warmth of festive celebrations that illuminated the dark winter nights. Biodynamic winemakers may begin pruning their vineyards, often choosing a flower day, like today, with the moon in Gemini, or alternatively waiting for a fruit day. Biodynamic wine has long been a forerunner in the biodynamic agriculture movement, with winemakers from diverse backgrounds finding success by adopting these methods to craft exceptional wines. It is likely that other types of biodynamic produce will gain prominence as their exceptional taste and nourishment become more widely recognised.

Friday 10th January

Friday 10th January
The moon deepens into the constellation of Taurus, quickly passing Jupiter, bringing the potential for good fortune as the steady energy of Taurus meets the jubilant influence of Jupiter. In the garden, it's an ideal day to work with the soil and tend to root crops like carrots and potatoes. As we settle into our routines at the start of this new year, it's a good time to vision our garden. The foundation we lay now will significantly shape the growth and success of our garden come spring.

Saturday 11th January

Saturday 11th January
Today the moon continues its transit through the constellation of Taurus, which helps with the development of the roots, this energy also corresponds to the time of year, when the earth is most inwardly active, while its outer appearance is that of decay and stagnation. We can consider adding composts and manures to our vegetable beds, ready for the worms and soil life to bring down, and transform. If you are able to get hold of cow manure, or animal manure, this will bring a warmth and vitality to your soil which will help grow rich vegetables later in the season.

Thursday 9th January

Thursday 9th January
As the moon moves deeper into Taurus, bringing its steady and grounded energy, our attention is drawn to the Pleiades star cluster, just northeast of the constellation. Barely visible to the naked eye, the Pleiades were revered by ancient cultures and featured prominently in ancient calendars used to guide agricultural practices worldwide. On the Mediterranean island of Sardinia, 3,500-year-old nuraghes—towering hive-shaped stone structures—stand as a testament to ancient ingenuity. Researcher Augusto Mulas identified a group of these nuraghes spread across miles, mirroring the Pleiades with remarkable precision. This celestial alignment hints at an enigmatic connection between the heavens and the earth, urging us to consider the profound wisdom encoded in these ancient structures.

Wednesday 8th January

Wednesday 8th January
As the moon transitions from the assertive energy of Aries to the grounded stability of Taurus, it’s an ideal time to focus on practical, earth-centred tasks in the garden. This phase is perfect for tending to root crops like carrots and potatoes, preparing the soil, or enriching it with compost. Taurus’s steady influence supports activities that build a strong foundation for long-term growth and vitality, fostering a deeper connection to the rhythms of the earth.