AlexSandra Lett "Lett's Set a Spell"

Lett's Set a Spell:

Living in Harmony with the Moon

Just as the Good Book has offered stories inspiring Christians to obey God the Father and to observe the Golden Rule, The Farmers Almanac has encouraged farmers and gardeners to honor Mother Nature and Her wisdom. While The Holy Bible was the sacred primer on religion and spirituality, the Almanac was the ultimate textbook on the art and science of sowing seeds and growing plants in tune with the cycles of the moon.

Like generations before them, country folks have carefully watched the moon's monthly rotation in the heavens and considered this celestial companion a divine indicator of the seasons for growth. Grandpa (Puzie Lett), who owned Lett's Grocery and Filling Station in the Buckhorn community of Lee County for many years, believed in the power of the moon, planted and cultivated his crops in line with the position of the moon, and was rewarded with many healthy and bountiful harvests.

Everyone knew that the new moon's appearance in the spring meant it was time to sow seeds that grew plants above the ground, like tomatoes, cucumbers, peas, and green beans. The two-week period between the new moon and the full moon is called the waxing phase. Grandpa said the first week is especially good for planting crops that have their seeds on the outside, such as cabbage, broccoli, celery, and spinach. The second week is best for crops that produce seeds on the inside, like peppers, tomatoes, peaches, cucumbers, and melons. Since the moon is growing in size and brightness this time is known as "the light of the moon."

When the full moon arrived, farmers' thoughts turned to setting out plants that grew beneath the ground. From the full moon to the next new moon—the waning phase of the moon—Grandpa and the family planted root crops such as potatoes, onions, carrots, beets, rutabagas, and peanuts. When the moon starts to appear smaller, it is known as "the dark of the moon." This dark time is also right for planting perennials, biennials, and other plants that produce from the same roots every year, including trees and shrubs. Both the waxing and waning phases last approximately 14 days each, since the lunar cycle is a little longer than 28 days.

Grandpa turned to his Almanac to see when the moon was in Pisces, Cancer or Scorpio, because these feminine water signs were best for planting. Grandpa called them "womanly" signs and said they were more fertile. He sometimes planted root crops when the moon was in the "womanly" earth signs Taurus or Capricorn, but said Virgo was "barren like an old maid" and only suitable for setting out flowers and vines.

When the moon was in the “manly” fire signs Aries, Leo and Sagittarius, these were considered barren times and not best for planting. Instead, Grandpa would get rid of weeds, kill insects, cultivate the soil, or burn out old growth in the fields. According to the Almanac, the other masculine members of the Zodiac were the air signs Gemini, Libra and Aquarius. Gemini and Aquarius moons were not good for planting, but Grandpa said the moon in Libra was "pert-near fertile" and suitable for some root crops, vines and flowers.

Grandpa knew his Almanac as well as he loved his Bible. He lived in harmony with his environment and believed God put the moon in the heavens to guide us during harvest times and other earthly ventures.