dark furrow

the old farmers planned by lamplight. seed orders, crop rotations, next year's beds. the quiet hours are for thinking ahead. ❧ the worm moon is coming or just passed. some called this the crow moon, for the sound that breaks the silence at the end of winter. the sap moon, because the maples are running. the ground is unlocking. ❧ orion is sinking west, his last weeks of the year. watch him go. ❧ the moon is in its last quarter. pull weeds, turn compost, cultivate the soil. this is a killing time, good for destroying what you do not want. the weeds will not come back as fast.

roots grow in the dark. the soil breathes. ❧ a simple fire cider: apple cider vinegar, horseradish, garlic, onion, ginger, honey. steep for weeks. take a spoonful when you feel a cold coming. ❧ the line storm. it comes at the equinox, when winter and spring argue over the same ground. the old almanacs expected it, marked it, planned around it. ❧ spring remedies are about waking up. the body has been indoors too long. bitter greens and sharp roots shake the dust off.

arcturus was the star the old plowmen followed. its name means "bear watcher" in greek, because it follows ursa major across the sky. but to the farmers it simply meant warmth is returning. when it rises at sunset, the soil is ready.