The Celestial Garden: Growing Herbs, Vegetables, and Flowers in Sync with the Moon and Zodiac

by Jane Hawley Stevens

“So much thoughtful insight and practical advice is contained in these pages . . . Jane uses nature as a guide to living life in harmony rather than discord.”—Rosemary Gladstar, author of Rosemary Gladstar’s Medicinal Herbs



Insight, ideas, and inspiration abound in this highly practical guide to growing successfully in harmony with the moon, the Earth, and other planetary influences.



Planting by the moon is an age-old gardening tradition, but did you know that the cycles of the moon and the zodiac can be a powerful tool to improve your success with all kinds of gardening tasks? In The Celestial Garden, longtime gardener and herbalist Jane Hawley Stevens explains how the movement of the moon through the constellations of the zodiac provides a detailed calendar of optimal times for planting seeds, roots, and transplants, as well as for pruning, weeding, propagation, harvesting, and even starting new garden projects or throwing garden parties. While herbs are Stevens’s specialty, she loves growing all kinds of plants, and The Celestial Garden provides excellent gardening tips for every gardener, whether their passion is for vegetables, fruits, herbs, or flowers. At a deeper level, Stevens believes that gardening by the moon and learning about astrological cycles can help restore our elemental interconnection with Nature and the Earth.



The Celestial Garden introduces and explains all aspects of astrological




What moon signs are, and why and how the phase of the moon affects plant growth and development
How to align the moon’s passage through the constellations of the zodiac with your choice of daily garden tasks and projects
Specific tips and advice for the best activities to undertake during each of the moon’s phases
How to incorporate simple, creative seasonal rituals into your astrological gardening practice
How to design a unique chakra garden
How to apply what you learn about astrological influences beyond the garden to experience a greater sense of flow and satisfaction in all aspects of your daily life

 



Photos of the author’s garden throughout the book provide visual evidence of the positive results that come from gardening in harmony with the moon and planetary influences. Illustrations and charts help readers understand the lunar cycle and its influence on plants, the astrological rulers of the body, and the relationship between the signs of the zodiac and the four elements (earth, air, water, fire).



Gardeners of every level of experience will find new insights, ideas, and inspiration in this unusual, beautiful, and highly practical guide to the simple yet expansive art of consulting with the cosmos to inform our garden tasks on any given day, week, or month and enjoy greater gardening satisfaction and success.



"[Stevens'] advice is plentiful . . [and her] horticultural degree underscore the science of her work."—Booklist



“A unique and wonderful book, brimming with the knowledge and skills that arise from a lifetime in herbalism. . . This book is a major contribution to herbalism’s role not only in the alleviation of suffering, but the transformation of human consciousness.

Genres: Nonfiction, Gardening

239 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 7, 2023

Reviews

[Shelby Gee · Rating 3 out of 5]

This booked is PACKED with information. I enjoyed learning about planting with the moon cycles and planets. There was a lot more content in the book, and it made it hard to keep track of all the information. A clearer format and less anecdotes would have made it easier to read and reference.

I read an ARC.

[The Starry Library · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Celestial Garden is a complete guide on how to align your gardening practices with astrology and the moon cycle. I have read many books on this subject and this one is by far the best one I have ever read. The author covers every aspect of combining gardening with the cosmos and does so in an easy to understand way. Countless examples are given throughout and helpful diagrams are also included. The author's passion for connecting the stars with the plant kingdom is evident throughout this guide as she beautifully explains how the two are related and why we should ultimately align our gardening practices with the cycles of the moon and stars, for not only the benefit of our plantings, but for us as humans- so we can align with the rhythms of nature which are experiencing more and more disruptions.

I have been gardening by the moon for many years and this book has inspired me to deepen my practice and to use this knowledge in my future garden designs. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and will recommend to others.

Thank you to the publisher for providing me with a free arc via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Caroline Ruderman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am not a gardener but enthralled with how Jane Hawley Stevens describes the movement of water with the planetary influences.

I was really impressed with "setting an intention" for the garden. I know this is not a new idea but it felt lovely to start with a few basil plants on my back deck!

I would recommend for the astrology loving gardeners out there!

[Anna Wooliver Phillips · Rating 4 out of 5]

Trying to create an awareness of this in my own gardens 🌞 🌚🌝🌜🌛