tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6012089007308287311.post5077790653475296165..comments2022-05-31T06:04:24.591-04:00Comments on Being Herbalism: Harvesting Herbs: Dancing With WeatherMichael Vertollihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06138085112202375433noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6012089007308287311.post-47845312213448353162018-04-23T11:25:00.125-04:002018-04-23T11:25:00.125-04:00There is definitely a relationship with the moon. ...There is definitely a relationship with the moon. When you press and filter them is less important.<br /><br />There are particular moon relationships with specific plants, so there are some plants that are better harvested at other times in the lunar cycle. In general, I have found that the best time to harvest the parts of plants that grow above ground is between first quarter and full moon because the waxing energy of the moon is more aligned with that outwardly growing process. However, I have also found that the best time to harvest the parts of plants that grow below ground is between third quarter and new moon because the waning energy of the lunar cycle is more aligned with the inwardly moving energy as the plants withdraw their energy into their roots and rhizomes when they die back in the fall.<br /><br />That being said, the most important relationship is with the sun and the overall weather cycles in a given year. It is far more important to harvest herbs when the weather conditions are right and when they are at the appropriate stage in their life cycle than in relationship to the lunar cycle. For some herbs the window of opportunity to harvest them at the right time in their life cycle is very short. It can be anywhere from a few days to a month, with around a week being typical. How that lines up with the weather will usually narrow the ideal window for harvesting even further. To also attempt to line it up with the lunar cycle is even more restricting and might coordinate with the other two—more important—factors at all. If you feel called to do that and everything lines up then go for it, but when you also bring in your time availability it makes it even more complicated. I recommend keeping it as simple as you can without compromising the quality of the medicine.<br /><br />There are particular systems—like biodynamics—that place a lot of importance on the lunar cycle. Since in some ways agriculture is an artificial process, this is one of a number of useful ways of aligning it more with the cycles of nature. Also, if you are a farmer your time availability is less of an issue because your whole life evolves around growing and harvesting crops. You also have a bit more control of the process, but weather is a major factor and one that we can't control.<br /><br />I hope that helps.<br />Michael Vertollihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06138085112202375433noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6012089007308287311.post-76971887667354883652018-04-23T07:50:57.908-04:002018-04-23T07:50:57.908-04:00Hi. Thanks for a very informative article. I am wo...Hi. Thanks for a very informative article. I am wondering if you pick herbs according with the lunar cycle? Ive read that herbs that are picked on a new moon, and strained on a full moon, are more potent. Is it more important do you think to pick herbs on a sunny day rather than on a new moon? Thanks, SarahAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02911042748502573205noreply@blogger.com