124
Subtle Agroecologies
of the oldest known celestial disc. It dates from 1600 BC and was found on Mittelberg Hill in
Germany. This copper disc, with gold astronomical indications, has been studied by astronomers. It
was found to indicate the movement of the Sun between the summer and winter solstices, showing
the time when the frosts ended in the region by the position of the sunrise on a certain hill, as seen
on the horizon. This information indicated the time when sowing should begin.
Jovchelevich and Vilela (2006), studying the common knowledge of the elderly population in the
rural area of Roseira District in Botucatu, SP, Brazil, found that consideration of the lunar phases
was a tradition that still persisted, with people having acquired this knowledge from their parents.
The use of the waning Moon predominated in their diverse agricultural activities, in particular for
chopping wood, but also in the planting and harvesting of grains. The knowledge of the traditional
population at the Juréia-Itatins Ecological Station in São Paulo, Brazil, was investigated by Sanches
(1997) who observed that the cutting of wood and vines depended on the phases of the Moon, the
ideal time for this activity being 3 days before the waning Moon and up until 3 days afterwards.
The astronomical knowledge of the Bororo indigenous people in the state of Mato Grosso
(Brazil) was studied by Fabian (2006) who observed their use of the synodic rhythm (the period of
time that it takes for the Moon to compete a full cycle), or ‘Ari’ in their language, for the collection
of palm shoots for handicrafts and the planting of specifc types of seeds. They also considered the
position of the Pleiades star cluster in the Taurus constellation as a seasonal indicator for agricultural activities. Interestingly, Afonso (2006a), who studied ethno-astronomy in sub-Saharan Africa,
also cites the use of the star cluster of Pleiades by the Bantu indigenous people. They saw these stars
as the shape of a plough, and when this cluster appeared on the horizon after sunset, they knew that
the time had come to cultivate the land for planting. He found that the Tupi-Guarani indigenous
people in Brazil also knew about and used the Moon phases for hunting, planting and cutting wood
(Afonso, 2006b).
Recognition of Moon phases and their use in farming practice plays an important role in
‘Quilombola’ agricultural management. Quilombos are the descendants of enslaved peoples brought
to Brazil, who live in rural communities characterised by subsistence agriculture and by cultural
repertoires that have a strong link with their African heritage. They place special emphasis on the
waning Moon phase which is when they sow and plant rice, beans, cassava and corn (although for
cassava, some farmers prefer the new moon). The waning Moon phase begins 3 days after the full
Moon and lasts up to 3 days before the new moon (Jovchelevich et al., 2016).
INFLUENCE OF THE MOON ON PLANTS AND ANIMALS
There is now a growing body of evidence worldwide indicating a relationship between lunar cycles
and plant development and growth. Yet when dealing with complex systems, the direct and consistent causal relationship that science seeks is not always detectable. As early as 1953, Simão (1953)
undertook doctoral research on the infuence of Moon phases on vegetable productivity, using only
the Moon phase change day. He concluded that there was no Moon infuence, and attributed the
changes he found to probable temperature variations and photoperiodism.
Palmer (1974), citing the work of Brown and Chow from 1973, discusses an experiment with
beans (Phaseolus vulgaris), in which the dried seeds were stored in a cold chamber and then
immersed in water for 4 hours every day, from noon, for 8 months over 1 year. A total of 158,000
seeds were used, and their daily weight gain was evaluated. A relationship between the proportions
of water in the seeds with the synodic 1 rhythm of the Moon was identifed, the weight gain being
greatest 1 day before the full Moon.
Endres and Schad (2002:161) describe the work of Maw who in 1967 studied the infuence of
ionised air on the growth of Lepidium sativum L. (garden cress), and noted that growth around the
1 In the case of the moon’s orbit around the Earth, this synodic period corresponds to observations of the moon’s phases.
The moon has a synodic period of 29.5 days.
Subtle Agroecologies
of the oldest known celestial disc. It dates from 1600 BC and was found on Mittelberg Hill in
Germany. This copper disc, with gold astronomical indications, has been studied by astronomers. It
was found to indicate the movement of the Sun between the summer and winter solstices, showing
the time when the frosts ended in the region by the position of the sunrise on a certain hill, as seen
on the horizon. This information indicated the time when sowing should begin.
Jovchelevich and Vilela (2006), studying the common knowledge of the elderly population in the
rural area of Roseira District in Botucatu, SP, Brazil, found that consideration of the lunar phases
was a tradition that still persisted, with people having acquired this knowledge from their parents.
The use of the waning Moon predominated in their diverse agricultural activities, in particular for
chopping wood, but also in the planting and harvesting of grains. The knowledge of the traditional
population at the Juréia-Itatins Ecological Station in São Paulo, Brazil, was investigated by Sanches
(1997) who observed that the cutting of wood and vines depended on the phases of the Moon, the
ideal time for this activity being 3 days before the waning Moon and up until 3 days afterwards.
The astronomical knowledge of the Bororo indigenous people in the state of Mato Grosso
(Brazil) was studied by Fabian (2006) who observed their use of the synodic rhythm (the period of
time that it takes for the Moon to compete a full cycle), or ‘Ari’ in their language, for the collection
of palm shoots for handicrafts and the planting of specifc types of seeds. They also considered the
position of the Pleiades star cluster in the Taurus constellation as a seasonal indicator for agricultural activities. Interestingly, Afonso (2006a), who studied ethno-astronomy in sub-Saharan Africa,
also cites the use of the star cluster of Pleiades by the Bantu indigenous people. They saw these stars
as the shape of a plough, and when this cluster appeared on the horizon after sunset, they knew that
the time had come to cultivate the land for planting. He found that the Tupi-Guarani indigenous
people in Brazil also knew about and used the Moon phases for hunting, planting and cutting wood
(Afonso, 2006b).
Recognition of Moon phases and their use in farming practice plays an important role in
‘Quilombola’ agricultural management. Quilombos are the descendants of enslaved peoples brought
to Brazil, who live in rural communities characterised by subsistence agriculture and by cultural
repertoires that have a strong link with their African heritage. They place special emphasis on the
waning Moon phase which is when they sow and plant rice, beans, cassava and corn (although for
cassava, some farmers prefer the new moon). The waning Moon phase begins 3 days after the full
Moon and lasts up to 3 days before the new moon (Jovchelevich et al., 2016).
INFLUENCE OF THE MOON ON PLANTS AND ANIMALS
There is now a growing body of evidence worldwide indicating a relationship between lunar cycles
and plant development and growth. Yet when dealing with complex systems, the direct and consistent causal relationship that science seeks is not always detectable. As early as 1953, Simão (1953)
undertook doctoral research on the infuence of Moon phases on vegetable productivity, using only
the Moon phase change day. He concluded that there was no Moon infuence, and attributed the
changes he found to probable temperature variations and photoperiodism.
Palmer (1974), citing the work of Brown and Chow from 1973, discusses an experiment with
beans (Phaseolus vulgaris), in which the dried seeds were stored in a cold chamber and then
immersed in water for 4 hours every day, from noon, for 8 months over 1 year. A total of 158,000
seeds were used, and their daily weight gain was evaluated. A relationship between the proportions
of water in the seeds with the synodic 1 rhythm of the Moon was identifed, the weight gain being
greatest 1 day before the full Moon.
Endres and Schad (2002:161) describe the work of Maw who in 1967 studied the infuence of
ionised air on the growth of Lepidium sativum L. (garden cress), and noted that growth around the
1 In the case of the moon’s orbit around the Earth, this synodic period corresponds to observations of the moon’s phases.
The moon has a synodic period of 29.5 days.