Grandfather: “What are you studying?” (my grandfather asked one day, at that time I was still in elementary school).
Me: “I am studying science.” (I was studying a few pages on the teacher’s instruction, however, who had said not to do the part enclosed in a square within the two pages).
Grandfather: “Ah, good stuff, you’ll need it!” ( and as he said these words he had moved closer and his eye had just noticed that box entitled: The Moon’s Influence on Cultivation )
Grandfather:” What is this? How nice is this book, will you let me read it?” (Grandpa took the book, put on his glasses and read the article that concluded like this: the Moon has no influence on crops, science says so).

I had never seen my grandfather as bitter and disappointed as I was that day once I read the article; he returned the book to me and never asked me anything more about what I studied in school, but I remember well what he said to me as he handed me the text:
“On agriculture, only those who live by it can speak.”

Much later I would read a very similar phase in one of Rudolf Steiner’s books, “On agriculture only those who draw judgment can speak, from the field, from the forest and from livestock herds.”

I wanted to remember my grandfather because in the agricultural field he was really ahead of everyone else. His products were extraordinary: he did not use chemicals, yet he was able to contain diseases both in the fields and in the gardens. He also successfully grew produce that was difficult to grow in our area, such as watermelons, which were not only large but also very sweet.

During my years in agriculture, I realized that it is important to discuss and experiment with different methods, but in order to make the agricultural process sustainable, results are needed, both in terms of crop quality and quantity. So I said to myself, ” Grandpa gave so much importance to the moon, given his results, there is definitely a reason!”

From John …… to John.

Grandfather John

Unfortunately, my grandfather passed away many years ago, and in some ways I have missed his guidance. However, I have always loved talking to people who have devoted a lifetime to agriculture, and I have often asked their opinion about the importance of the moon. They all confirmed its relevance to me, but when it came to the practical side, everyone had their own way of doing things in following the Moon, which left me somewhat bewildered.

With this article I would like to expound on the main theories of Moon Influence on Plants and talk about my modus operandi.

The topic, like any other that seeks to interpret natural forces, is intriguing, but before we begin, a clarification is in order to avoid misunderstanding. This topic, still debated today, requires an initial clarification: the moon’s effect on plants is secondary to that of the sun. All forms of agriculture in the open field are “solar,” with a rhythm primarily linked to the sun. However, true quality is also made up of small details, and that is why this topic, although secondary, is certainly to be treated with much interest.

Biodynamic agriculture, unlike other natural farming methods ( such as permaculture, for example), recognizes the importance of the moon’s influence on plants, albeit secondary to the sun. One part of biodynamics attaches great importance to the sidereal rhythm (ascending and descending moon), while “our elders” (and certainly my grandfather as well) followed the synodic rhythm (waxing and waning moon).

Lunar Rhythms

Synodic Rhythm:

The synodic rhythm, the most observable without the need for calendars, describes the 29.53-day lunar cycle around the Earth, during which four phases occur:

• • New Moon: The Moon lies between the Earth and the Sun and is not visible.

• • First Quarter: After about 7-8 days, in the Crescent Moon phase, the right half of the Moon is illuminated.

• • Full Moon: After 14-15 days, the Moon is fully visible.

• • Last Quarter: After about 22-23 days, the left half of the Moon is illuminated.

The highest tides occur during the Full Moon and New Moon, due to the Earth-Moon alignment, which amplifies the gravitational effect. This rhythm also has influences in religion: for example, Christian Easter is set on the Sunday following the first full moon after the spring equinox, while in Buddhism the full moon is associated with important spiritual events.

Sidereal Rhythm:

The sidereal rhythm refers to the moon’s revolution around the Earth relative to a reference star, with a duration of 27 days and 32 hours. This rhythm is fundamental in biodynamics thanks to the studies of Maria Thun, who analyzed the influence of constellations on different parts of plants (given the rather articulate topic, we refer to the works written by Thun) :

• • Earth trine: Taurus, Virgo and Capricorn, influence roots.

• • Water trine: Pisces, Cancer and Scorpio, influence leaves.

• • Air trine: Aquarius, Gemini and Libra, influence flowers.

• • Trigon Fire: Aries, Leo and Sagittarius, influence fruits.

However, Thun’s findings are not universally accepted; there are several authors with conflicting opinions. In addition, the effects detected by Thun could also be influenced by the particularity of the land. Steiner himself pointed out that the influence of the sidereal moon varies according to the effects of the planets, making it difficult to quantify these influences.

Tropical Rhythm:

The tropic rhythm refers to the period when the moon returns to the same longitudinal position relative to the earth’s equator, coinciding in duration with the sidereal rhythm (except for a few seconds). This rhythm distinguishes between the ascending (moon above the equator) and descending (moon below the equator) periods.

Anomalistic Rhythm:

The anomalistic rhythm describes the time it takes the Moon to return to perigee, the closest point to Earth, with a duration of 27.55 days. This distance variation of more than 40 thousand km between perigee and apogee has significant effects, as evidenced by the tides.

Nodal or Draconitic Rhythm:

The nodal rhythm, of 27.21 days, refers to the period when the Moon returns to the same relative position with respect to the nodes of its orbit, the points of intersection with the ecliptic. These points are considered negative in the agricultural world, It is suggested to avoid agricultural operations for 3 (Thun), 6, or even 24 (Podolinsky) hours around these moment

Continued……..

Campogialli 28/08/20