June 2013 Overview

If you’re planting or planning to plant your garden by the phases of the moon and signs of the zodiac — or at least give it a try — here’s the overview for the month of June.

Remember all times given are Eastern Daylight Time.

The moon

June begins and ends with the moon in the dark phase, the full moon having come into force May 25. It continues to rule until the new moon 11:56 a.m. June 8 then returns 7:32 a.m. a.m. June 23 continuing into July.

Between those dates — June 9 through June 22 — the light moon is in force.

When the full — or dark  — moon rules, plant only those veggies that produce beneath the ground.

Then when the new — or light — moon rules, only those from the list that produce above the ground.

Check the list below for other dark- and light-moon activities.

The signs

Remember: Check to see if the moon is in the light or dark phase (information above) before proceeding with planting or other activities, indoors or out.

Fertile signs: the most fertile signs in the zodiac rule these days: Pisces (the feet), June 1-2, then June 28-30; Taurus (the neck), June 6-7; Cancer (the breast), June 10-11; and Scorpio (secrets), June 19-20. There are 12 days this month ruled by the fertile signs — Scorpio, Taurus, Pisces and Cancer. If you can, these are the best days to plant.

Killing signs: No planting, transplanting, or dealing with things you want to thrive should occur on these days. Reserve them for cultivating, cleaning out fence rows — anything but planting: Aries, (the head), June 3-5 and Leo (the heart), June 12-13. There are five killing days, those ruled by either Aries or Leo.

So-so days: These aren’t particularly fertile nor destructive, just so-so: Sagittarius (the thighs), June 21-22; Capricorn (the knees), June 23-25; and Aquarius (the legs), June 26-27. There are seven so-so days this month, down from 10 in May.

Flowering days: These are “bloom days” and well suited for planting flowers: Virgo (the bowels), June 14-15 and Libra (the reins), June 16-18. There are five days this month ruled by the two flowering signs, Virgo and Libra.

Gemini days: Gemini rules the arms and is in force on June 8-9. Unfortunately, this month both Gemini days are when the dark moon is in force, but at least half the equation is right!

General tips

Again, here are a few general tips for activities other than planting:

• If you have gravel to pour on a drive or roadway, do that in the light of the moon so the gravel won’t sink. Same applies for stones on a garden path:Place them when the moon is in the light phase so they don’t sink. Check above for the right days.
• If you’re setting fence posts, do that in the light of the moon so the posts don’t sink.
• If you’re putting on a new shingle roof, do that when the moon’s in the dark phase so that the shingles stick down and don’t curl up on the ends.
• If you have changes to make like stopping smoking, starting a diet or exercise program, weaning small animals or children, scheduling elective surgery — anything that requires a change — here’s the formula: The moon in the dark phase and the signs are going out of the body, past anything that “functions” so that means thighs, knees, legs and feet — Sagittarius through Pisces.

Days in June perfectly suited are June 1-3 then June 23-30.

May 2013 Overview (Second Half)

My apologies for not getting this to you at the beginning of May. That said, here’s a overview of the rest of the month of May so that you who are planting your gardens by the phases of the moon and signs of the zodiac will have up to the minute information – and time to plan then plant.

The moon is in the light phase until 12:25 a.m.,  EDT May 25. This is the time for planting above-ground producers.

Then until 11:56 a.m.  June 8, the dark moon rules for below-ground producers.

The signs

Remember: Check to see if the moon is in the light or dark phase (information above) before proceeding with planting or other activities, indoors or out.

Fertile signs: the most fertile signs in the zodiac rule these days: Cancer (the breast), May 14-15; and Scorpio (secrets), May 22-24.

Killing signs: No planting, transplanting, or dealing with things you want to thrive should occur on days when Leo or Aries are in force. Reserve them for cultivating, cleaning out fence rows — anything but planting: Leo (the heart), May 16-17.

So-so days: These aren’t particularly fertile nor destructive, just so-so: Sagittarius (the thighs), 25-26; Capricorn (the knees), May 27-28; Aquarius (the legs), May 29-31.

Flowering days: These are “bloom days” and well suited for planting flowers, blooming things in the greenhouse or for the house: Virgo (the bowels), May 18-19 and Libra (the reins), May 20-21. There are four days this month ruled by the two flowering signs, Virgo and Libra.

Ember Days: Without going into a lot of detail, we have three Ember Days this month, and these are days when no planting should be going on. Unfortunately, two of the Ember Days – May 22 and 24 – are when the fertile sign Scorpio is in force. But no matter: DON’T PLANT!

General tips

Again, here are a few general tips for activities other than planting:

• If you have gravel to pour on a drive or roadway, do that in the light of the moon so the gravel won’t sink. Same applies for stones on a garden path:Place them when the moon is in the light phase so they don’t sink. Check above for the right days.
• If you’re setting fence posts, do that in the light of the moon so the posts don’t sink.
• If you’re putting on a new shingle roof, do that when the moon’s in the dark phase so that the shingles stick down and don’t curl up on the ends.
• If you have changes to make like stopping smoking, starting a diet or exercise program, weaning small animals or children, scheduling elective surgery — anything that requires a change — here’s the formula: The moon in the dark phase and the signs are going out of the body, past anything that “functions” so that means thighs, knees, legs and feet — Sagittarius through Pisces.

The days remaining in May and on into June are May 25-June 2. So, if you have changes to make you certainly have plenty of time in May and on into June.