For those of you following the phases of the moon and signs of the zodiac as they apply to indoor planting and other activities, here’s December’s information. All times listed are Eastern Standard.
The moon
December begins and ends with the moon in the light phase. The light moon rules until the full moon comes into force at 7:27 a.m. Dec. 6 then returns with the new moon — and the Winter Solstice — at 8:36 p.m. Dec. 21.
After the Solstice, the days start getting longer — if only a little at a time — until the Summer Solstice in June!
The dark moon is then in force most of Dec. 6 and until 8:35 p.m. Dec. 21.
Light moon: Through Dec. 5 then Dec. 22-Jan. 4, 11:53 p.m.
Dark moon: Dec 7-21.
“General Tips” for dark- and light-moon activities are below and if you are planting anything indoors, it’s above-ground producers in the light moon and below-ground producers when the dark phase is in.
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: Taurus (the neck), Dec. 3-4 and 30-31; Cancer (the breast), Dec. 8-9; Scorpio (the secrets), Dec. 18-19 and Pisces (the feet), Dec. 26-27. There are 10 days again this month ruled by the fertile signs —Taurus, Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces.
Killing signs: No planting, transplanting, or dealing with things you want to thrive should occur on these days. Reserve them for cultivating, cleaning out fencerows — anything but planting: Aries (the head), Dec. 1-2 and 28-29; and Leo (the heart), Dec. 10-12. There are seven killing days ruled by either Aries or Leo this month, up from four in November.
So-so days: These aren’t particularly fertile nor destructive, just so-so: Sagittarius (the thighs), Dec. 20-21; Capricorn (the knees), Dec. 22-23; and Aquarius (the legs), Dec. 24-25. There are six days ruled by the three so-so signs.
Flowering days: These are “bloom days” and well suited for planting flowers indoors or in a greenhouse. Our mums didn’t get to stick around as long this year as they often do because of the single-digit cold a couple of weeks ago. They can withstand some cold, but not like that! Virgo (the bowels) will rule Dec. 13-14; and Libra (the reins) is up for Dec. 15-17. There are five flowering days again this month.
Gemini days: Gemini rules the arms and is in force Dec. 5-7. These are bean days but we are past the time to safely plant beans.
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. Same applies for stones on a garden path: Place them when the moon is in the light phase so they don’t sink.
>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.
We have almost two full days this month that fit the formula perfectly, Dec. 20 and most of Dec. 21 until the new moon arrives at 8:36 p.m. The moon is at the end of its dark phase run and the sign is in Sagittarius (the thighs), one of the non-functioning signs.
It’s been several months since we've had perfect days and there will be more and more of them in the months ahead now.
Other than those two, in my opinion, the alternative to “perfect days” are days when the signs are going out of the body past anything that functions, even if the moon is in the light phase. In December that would be Dec. 22-27, Capricorn through Pisces/knees through feet.
