The moon! My daughter Ayla exclaims excitedly as she points to the sky as we walk home. It’s still light but Ayla spots the faint outline of the waning moon, her face beaming. It’s your friend in the sky I say. The Turkish meaning of the name Ayla means Halo of light around the moon and she has instinctively developed a love of the light in the night’s sky.
In the depths of lockdown we asked friends and family to design moon themed cards for Ayla’s second birthday. The cards were so creative, celebrating the beauty of the moon and Ayla’s second birthday and made us feel connected to friend’s in an isolating time. Ayla’s father made her moon shaped biscuits to give out to friends who stopped by with gifts and cards on our doorstep and we enjoyed a delicious iced moon themed cake he made for her.
MOON PLANTING
The moon also plays an important part in our love of gardening. As the gravitational pull of the moon effects the waves of the sea, it also controls the moisture in soil and determines the best time to sow seeds depending on the moon’s position. As a family we have begun to educate ourselves about moon planting and when best to plant certain crops in tune with the moon. We’ve started to plant above ground seeds, such as tomatoes and courgettes when the moon is waxing (from the day the moon is new to the day it is full) and below soil seeds such as onions and potatoes when the moon is waning- (from the day after it is full to the day before a new moon arrives.) The decreasing moonlight encourages growth of tubers and roots in the soil. The moon influences how food is grown and is therefore a vital contributor to our existence.[1]*
At bedtime, Ayla asks to see the moon and stars before she falls asleep. It’s becoming a lovely routine to pop on wellies over her pyjamas and head outside in the dark. The end of summer and clouds obscure the moon’s glow but we know it’s up there, watching over us. Ayla’s best friend Annabelle also says hello to the moon at bedtime. Annabelle’s mother our good friend Vicky sends us pictures of the moon they spot on their walks.
PRESSING PAUSE
Looking at the stars together puts our busy lives on pause, and brings us together outdoors to marvel at the wonder of the moon. When I was pregnant with our second baby, it gave us a moment to think of how we would be as a family of four and cherishing our time just with Ayla before she became a loving big sister.
Now we’re a family of four, I’m sure Ayla will pass on her love of the moon to her baby brother, Finlay. The moon contributes so much to human’s existence. We’re looking forward to continuing our moon gazing trips to the garden and taking a moment to appreciate the wonder of our glowing friend in the sky.
RESOURCES
[1] https://www.almanac.com/content/planting-by-the-moon Moon planting reference.
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