Well, we are not (usually) barking at the moon, really, but I am paying attention to it. I am still trying to get the hang of the actual computation of it, but the gist of it is that if certain tasks are performed when the moon is in certain signs of the zodiac, they are more apt to succeed. It isn’t witchcraft or voodoo, in fact, it’s old as ages and farmers swear by it. We have weaned by the moon so far, and so far, so good. Nobody has gotten sick or failed to thrive. I did not castrate the wethers by the moon, though, as I am preparing for a sale and I needed them castrated NOW. I will watch them closely.
I don’t know how practical it is to breed by the moon, as the girls are only in heat once a month, and what are the odds that it will coincide with the several “ideal” days per month? But I am reading more about it and will see what comes about.
I am reading the book now, “Raising Animals by the Moon” by Louise Riotte. She has a great quote that sums it up:
Astrology is not paganism or witchcraft, nor is it a religion. But astrology and religion are comfortable with each other: God made the sun, moon and stars; why should we not be guided by His creations?”
B thinks it’s hooey, and that’s okay with me. But farmers around here plant by the moon, wean by the moon, castrate by the moon, etc. I am not going to turn my nose up at their wisdom.
But I would still like to be able to figure it out and explain it.
