AlexSandra Lett "Lett's Set a Spell"

Lett's Set a Spell:

Moon Musings

Each month, The Farmers Almanac traces how the moon moves through the various astrological signs in the sky, spending about two and a half days in each sign. In fact, the word “month” is derived from “moon.” The new moon is always in the same sign as the Sun each month. For example, during the 30-some days of Aries, from about March 20 to April 18, the new moon is in Aries every year. During this same month, the full moon is always in Libra, the “opposite” sign of Aries (180 degrees away in the zodiac circle). During the reign of the sun in Taurus each year, from April 19 to May 19, the new moon is in Taurus, and therefore the full moon is in its opposite sign, Scorpio.

The message of the new moon—which is in Aries on Friday, April 8 this year (the same day as a solar eclipse), and in Taurus on Sunday, May 8 (Mother’s Day)—is to reflect on what we want most in our lives and then to sow seeds to create our deepest desires. It’s kind of like making New Year resolutions every month. So I ask myself, “What can I change to have more time, energy, and quality of life?” I decide to give up my drug of choice: sugar. From now on, I will exercise my will power to avoid cakes, cookies, pies, soft drinks, and all those packaged foods containing sugar, corn syrup, and other sweeteners. This healthy habit will help me soar every day and thrive in the coming years.

As a princess of poetry I love to rhyme. As a student of science I like to read about astronomy and astrology and see how their theories connect. Why wouldn’t I be interested in what’s happening in the heavens? Grandpa, and my Aunt Gladys, who lived with him—two peas in a pod, mind you—studied The Farmers Almanac like they did The Holy Bible. They knew that God inspired the writing of the Bible and by golly, He also placed the sun and moon in the sky, positioned every planet, hung all the stars, created day and night, and sanctioned the seasons.

If Grandpa and Gladys were alive today, on the new moon they’d be starting something. Grandpa would likely say, “All right, men, let’s commence to building a new barn,” and Gladys might invite womenfolk over for a quilting bee.

Aunt Gladys was Queen of Hair, and she consulted with that Almanac about the best times for cutting off locks. When I was in the grammar grades, Mama gave me Toni perms, and Gladys insisted that this process must be done on the full moon “so the hair won’t grow so fast, and your curls will last longer.” In high school when I favored long hair, Gladys ordered trims to be conducted during the new moon “so the hair will grow faster.”

As I grew from a sprout to a sapling on the Lett farm, Grandpa and Gladys encouraged me to live in tune with the moon. Now, I naturally notice the little symbols on the calendar and, of course, buy an Almanac every year to read about lunar cycles and their influences on planting, growing, weeding, and harvesting.

I have one question that the Almanac doesn’t address: Why did Grandpa carve a half-moon on his outhouse? If for ventilation, it would have been easier to cut out circles, squares, and straight lines than curves. Perhaps Grandpa took that secret to his grave, I pondered, but nevertheless I expected the answer by the full moon. After all, the Almanac says that every full moon sheds light on various aspects of living, not just planting and harvesting. Sure enough, when I asked my Uncle Gilbert about this mystery, he shared words of wisdom. Gilbert told me that the crescent moon on many outhouses dates back to ancient times when the moon was associated with womanhood. While the moon was carved on outhouses for females, a sunburst or star was cut out on outhouses used by males. Since most male outhouses fell into disrepair rather quickly, they seldom survived, while the ones designated for women and “young’uns” were better maintained, and therefore eventually used by both sexes.

Uncle Gilbert, whose memory is so remarkable that I tease him about telling me about the day he was born, offered insights into the full moon. He said it is a good time to sell one’s wares, and when he went to the tobacco market with Grandpa during this time of the month, buyers would offer higher prices. He also noted that country folks know that the big round moons indicate it is a good time to plow the fields. “The ground is easier to till,” he pointed out.

This Spring, the full moon is in Scorpio on Sunday, April 24 (the same day as a lunar eclipse), and in Sagittarius on Monday, May 23, so these are possible dates for capitalizing on our business endeavors. If Moon Magic has served the farmers for many centuries, why not take advantage of their knowledge?

While setting a spell recently with Uncle Gilbert, he suggested I never lose touch with my country roots and reassured me that there is something to the folklore about the moon. “Making decisions by the light of the moon can be more interesting than watching the 11 p.m. news, and who knows, it may even be more accurate,” noted Gilbert as he turned off the television. He suggested we eat a bowl of cereal. As we gobbled down wheat flakes with juicy raisins and sliced almonds I joked that surely these ingredients were grown when the moon was just right. “You’re so looney,” he joked. See, even phrases like “looney” relate to the moon!