Mary Allen
Midwives swear by it, as do gardeners and farmers: the moon influences the thriving of many creatures on earth. In some cases, this has now been scientifically proven.
Does it work or not? Opinions differ on the influence of our satellite on the inhabitants of the earth. Farmers, midwives, gardeners, and animal keepers are convinced that the moon affects the earth and its inhabitants in many ways. Science has long dismissed this as superstition. However, more and more studies are now being published that allows the moon to have a demonstrable influence. The quality of sleep, for example, deteriorates around the full moon, as has been demonstrated in sleep laboratories under standardized conditions: at full moon, the delta waves (brain waves associated with deep sleep) were reduced by a third, and it took longer to fall asleep.
Midwives’ observations that births tend to cluster around the full moon also appear to be correct, although statistical comparisons cast doubt on this. A study by the University of Tokyo using Holstein cows has now shown that the midwives’ assumption that more births take place around the full moon is correct. Holstein cows were used because they are genetically much more uniform than females and the effect was more clearly manifested as a result. The study thus reveals the major problem that arises when researching the influence of the moon: Living beings are individuals and show a wide range in their sensitivity to reactions. Obtaining really meaningful statistics is therefore rather an exception.
Experience Before Statistics
Ultimately, experience counts, not statistics. In biodynamic horticulture, sowing attempts have been made at different moon positions for around eighty years, which also give those who believe in statistics something to think about. If you sow at the wrong time, you will only reap a few and often stunted vegetables. Lettuce sprout and bloom immediately instead of forming a nice head. Carrots yield best when sown before the full moon in the constellation Virgo. Potatoes are just the opposite: they should never be planted before the full moon. You, on the other hand, like a near-earth position of the moon; this also applies to the sowing of most cultivated plants. Manure should be applied during the waning moon so that it breaks down quickly. This is particularly favorable in the sign of Libra.
Many rabbit breeders are convinced that particularly beautiful and vital young animals are born if the rabbit is mated at the right time. The moon serves, so to speak, as a pointer to read the favorable time on the celestial clock. The phase of the moon that catches the eye the most is the increase from the new moon to the full moon and the decrease back to the new moon. In any case, the moon must be waxing when mating the female so that the development of the fetus is optimal. The table therefore only shows dates with the waxing moon.
Watch Out for the Moonbow
It is also important to note the arc that the moon describes in the sky. If it rises higher night after night, the moon is obliged (rising), if the arc decreases again, the moon is called nidsigend (descending). The sign of the zodiac in which the moon is currently located gives time an additional quality. The signs of the zodiac known from astrology divide the ecliptic (the apparent path of the sun) into twelve equal parts like a dial. The moon goes through these once a month.
In rabbit breeding, mating is said to occur when the moon is in a sign of the zodiac with fur (Aries, Taurus, Leo, Capricorn). Obliged and nidsigend mainly influence the position of the ears. Aries breeders are more likely to choose mating dates when the moon is indigent. In the case of prick-eared rabbits, which tend to set their ears too wide, dates with an obscure moon should be taken into account. By the way, feedback on the experience with the lunar calendar is welcome!