September 2013 Overview

Here’s the information according to the phases of the moon and signs of the zodiac for the month of September.

The moon

September begins and ends with the moon in the dark phase, the full moon having come into force Aug. 20. The dark moon continues to rule until the new moon 7:36 a.m. EDT Sept. 5 then returns 7:13 a.m. Sept. 19, continuing until the new moon 8:34 p.m. Oct. 4.

Between those dates — most of Sept. 5 through most of Sept. 18 — the light moon is in force.

When the full — or dark — moon rules, plant only those veggies that produce beneath the ground, which in the unprotected garden through the middle of the month are radishes.

Then when the new — or light — moon rules, only those from the list that produce above the ground — which is nothing in the unprotected garden now.

 Check “General Tips” 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: Cancer (the breast), Sept. 1-2, 28-29; Scorpio (the secrets), Sept. 9-10; Pisces (the feet), Sept. 18-19; and Taurus (the neck) Sept. 23-24. There are 10 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, cleaning up your 2013 garden that’s done — anything but planting: Leo (the heart), Sept. 3-4 and 30 and Aries (the head), Sept. 20-22. 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), Sept. 11-12; Capricorn (the knees), Sept. 13-14; and Aquarius (the legs), Sept. 15-17. There are seven so-so days this month, just like in June.

Flowering days: These are “bloom days” and well suited for planting flowers: Virgo (the bowels), Sept. 5-6 and Libra (the reins), Sept. 7-8. There are four days this month ruled by the two flowering signs, Virgo and Libra.

Gemini days: Gemini rules the arms and is in force on Sept. 25-27. Gemini is the “bean sign” but it’s way too late for pole or bush beans and about six months too early for peas!

Ember Days

September also features three Ember Days, Sept. 18, 20-21. If you’re planting or transplanting anything, anywhere, avoid Ember Days if at all possible.

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 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.

During September we have only a portion of one day that perfectly suits that formula: Sept. 19 when the moon moves to the dark phase at 7:13 a.m. and the sign is in Pisces (the feet).