Sown in the Stars: Planting by the Signs

by Sarah L. Hall, Meg Wilson (Photographer), Ronni Lundy (Foreword by)

Overview

"To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted."—Ecclesiastes 3:1–2

The Appalachian region is deeply rooted in customs that have been handed down for generations. "Planting by the signs," a practice predicated on the belief that moon phases and astrological signs exert a powerful influence on the growth and well-being of crops, is deemed superstitious by some but has been considered essential to gardeners and farmers for centuries and is still in use today.

Sown in the Stars brings together the collective knowledge of farmers in central and eastern Kentucky about the custom of planting by the signs. Sarah Hall interviews nearly two dozen contemporary Kentuckians who still follow the signs of the moon and stars to guide planting, harvesting, canning and food preservation, butchering, and general farmwork. Hall explores the roots of this system in both astrology and astronomy and the profound connections felt to the stars, moon, planets, and the earth. Revealed in the personal narratives are the diverse interpretations of the practice. Some farmers and gardeners believe that the moon's impact on crop behavior is purely scientific, while others favor a much wider interpretation of the signs and their impact on our lives. Featuring photographs by Meg Wilson, this timely book bridges the past, present, and future by broadening our understanding of this practice and revealing its potential to increase the resiliency of our current agricultural food systems.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780813197043
Publisher:	University Press of Kentucky
Publication date:	04/04/2023
Pages:	168
Sales rank:	1,028,387
Product dimensions:	9.00(w) x 9.10(h) x 0.60(d)

About the Author

Sarah L. Hall is associate professor of agriculture and natural resources at Berea College. Her scholarly articles on the restoration of native forests and grasslands in Kentucky have been published in a wide range of journals, including Restoration Ecology and New Forests. Meg Wilson, a Berea College alum, is a graduate student in art and art history at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. Meg's photographs have appeared in many publications and collections, including Appalachian Reckoning, Appalachian Review, Time magazine, Oxford American, and Looking at Appalachia.

Table of Contents

Foreword, by Ronni Lundy
Introduction
1. The Basics
2. The Followers
3. Almanacs & Calendars
4. The Signs
5. Beyond Planting
Epilogue

Editorial Reviews

Sarah Hall's Sown in the Stars is a lovely book to hold and to read–aesthetically pleasing in all ways, from the carefully transcribed voices and stories foregrounded throughout to the illustrations and portraiture photography. Hall's descriptions of almanac book history and design elements help readers understand the cultural and social significance of almanacs in the long history of reading signs.  The book puts science and traditional knowledge into conversation on equal terms to more fully illustrate what's at work. And by bringing together astronomy, astrology, the human body, energy cycles, spirituality, and the ground beneath our feet, Sown in the Stars encourages us to consider our own relationship to and within nature.  

Leah Bayens

Beautifully written and meticulously researched, Sown in the Stars is an important book about the wonders of the natural world, tradition, and science.  Sarah Hall understands the power of oral tradition in sharing this kind of knowledge, providing not only a fascinating read but also a master class in the art of preserving innate storytelling.  It's all made even better by the gorgeous, complex photographs by Meg Wilson. This book will have a place of honor in my gardening library. 

Silas House

Hall interviewed a large number of Kentuckians who follow the folk tradition of planting by the signsand their stories shape the heart of this beautifully designed book. Hall gives readers an overview of astrology and astronomy, which inform this method of farming, and she even shares the results of her own season of planting by the signs. Whether you wish to give it a go yourself or are simply curious about traditional practices, this book is a valuable cultural document, full of experience and wisdom typically passed from one generation to the next by women.

BookPage

Sarah Hall has created the consummate book on planting by the signs—those signs that have been arrayed for us by our solar system as it impacts the earth. Twenty-two Kentucky gardeners and farmers join her as they take readers on a captivating journey that examines a plethora of fascinating aspects of these age-old and worldwide practices.

George Brosi

This book explains how gardening and farming by the signs is an Appalachian tradition, with wisdom passed down through oral legends, written records, and general advice. Through its engaging and informative interviews, Sown in the Stars preserves these customs for future generations. With a rich historical and regional grounding, (this book) is a fascinating, pragmatic cosmic resource for biodynamic planting.

Foreword Reviews