How to Create an Astrological Garden at Home
Gardening or herbalism and astrology have a symbiotic relationship that can produce fascinating results.
Among the numerous anthologies that we consult to understand or explain phenomena, the one referring to gardens as tiny cosmos stands out both for its beauty and its sound judgment. Whether it is intentional or random, or in the majority of cases a mixture of both, the organization of a garden, the refuge of an almost infinite number of potential micro-worlds, reminds us of the dialog between the meticulous and the chaotic that the design of the cosmos entails.
This is perhaps due to the fact that the idea of creating an “astrological garden” is so natural. Let’s remember that either under the guidance of an alchemist or great doctors, such as Paracelsus, or under ancient but still novel methods, such as the bio-dynamics of Rudolf Steiner, the match between plants and the stars has been cultivated for centuries. Agro-astrology, whose origin lies among the groups of peoples who inhabited the banks of the Nile and Euphrates rivers, has been practiced for millennia, especially the synchronized sowing and harvesting with the phases of the moon.
Even though at the moment of creating an astrological garden the level of potential sophistication is very broad, it is worth clarifying that the exercise can also respond to a very simple model (although not, for that reason, less esteemed): research the planetary correspondence with certain plants and then organize them in a determinate portion of soil according to that criterion. You can, for example, combine plants that resound with your Zodiac sign or with your ascendancy, or create a space dedicated to the occupants of the house, in which the signs of all are represented by some of the plants that empower them.
Here is a short list of the corresponding plants, planets and star signs, but first a few generic tips that could help you to strengthen the effects of your astrological garden:
- Try to sow during a waxing moon (when the energy is rising) and transplant in a waning moon (when the energy is declining).
- You can take into account the days and times that correspond to the planet that rules a plant or Zodiac sign and take advantage of that moment to carry out any activity relating to that species (sowing, planting, watering, harvesting, processing). Here you can consult a table of connections.
Treat each of the plants with care and try to avoid working on your garden when ill or angry.
- You can refer to specific designs of the area or soil beds that you will use for your plants (taking inspiration from, for example, sacred geometry).
Correspondence between plants and star signs:
Aries
Herbs: Nettles, red clover, St. John’s wort, sarsaparilla, ginger, coriander
Taurus
Herbs: Licorice, fenugreek, lavender, dandelion, sage.
Gemini
Herbs: lobelia, dill, fennel, lavender, fenugreek, licorice, valerian
Cancer
Herbs: Peppermint, spearmint, agrimony, lemon balm, parsley, verbena.
Leo
Herbs: rosemary, mint, lavender, parsley, dill, fennel, chamomile, St. John’s wort, anise, ginger, saffron
Virgo
Herbs: Dill, fennel, St. John’s wort, valerian, lavender, marjoram, licorice, parsley, fenugreek, dill
Libra
Herbs: Parsley, juniper, mint, thyme, yarrow, angelica, vervain
Scorpio
Herbs: Aloe vera, ginseng, pennyroyal, basil, gentian, wormwood, ginger, coriander
Sagittarius
Herbs: Dandelion, horsetail, feverfew, sage, anise, nutmeg, mint
Capricorn
Herbs: Comfrey, sarsaparilla, rue, kava kava, mullein, thyme, horsetail, shepherd’s purse
Aquarius
Herbs: Chamomile, passion flower, valerian, aloe, cinnamon, cloves
Pisces
Herbs: Echinacea, mugwort, kava kava, nutmeg, anis
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