By Allen Hamrick
Hey folks, here in 2021, a year that we should be living on the moon, we find ourselves still grounded on good old Earth. Even with all the goings on, politically and universally, we common folk still need to get ready for the seasons of planting, fishing, pruning, canning and anything else we need to prepare for. I mean, we have to know when the best time is to cut our hair, color our hair, go camping and the best one of all – when to mow the grass so it doesn’t grow back so quick.
Since the beginning of time, the moon’s phases have been used to give the best times of the month to do the activities we enjoy or despise. The reason it matters to us so much is because the moon affects time, tides and light. Animals migrate and navigate by the moon and use moon phases to reproduce. In recent years, we have seen a decline in its use due to modern technology. The best calendars add vital information on when to plant your crops, but most people just plow, plant and hope it grows. Serious farmers use the moon and its phases to get the best results from their plants. Fishermen do the same because fish are more or less active in certain phases, and avid fishermen will know the best way to approach the situation and come home with a stringer full. This month, of course, is not much of a planting time but may be one of the best for pruning. According to the Old Farmer’s Almanac, if you want to prune to encourage growth of the tree, it is best to do it January 18th through the 21st. To discourage growth, the best time is the 29th. If you want to quit smoking, it’s best done on the 31st of this month. If you want to cut brush and make sure it stays cut through the summer, then you will have to wait until February 3rd and 5th.
Now, as far as fishing is concerned, winter is one of the toughest times to fish, especially when the temperature drops drastically. If you like the taste of trout and don’t want to go to the store to get it, then you have to catch them when they are the most active. The moon will help with that. Knowing the sun, moon, tides and weather patterns plays a part in the success of a day out on the water. The best times for fishing is when the moon is between the new and the full phases, and in January, the best time is between the 13th and the 28th.
Planting crops around here doesn’t usually occur until March when broccoli and cabbage are planted. So, understanding moon phases and signs is more helpful than what you think. If you can find a calendar with the phases, it would be a great benefit to you for your everyday activities. Stop by Wilson’s Funeral Home or Clay County Bank along with other local businesses; they have some great calendars with the phases and signs, and they are free for as long as they last. So, dig a little deeper into your understanding of the moon, and you may find out that its worth much more than the occasional sky watch.