CHAPTER XIII
Agriculture and Farming
The influence of planets on vegetation is an admitted fact. Frequent references appear in the writings of ancients and their knowledge gathered from observation and intuition is of inestimable value-to us. It may be, the ancients realised that all manifestations of energy on earth of which we have knowledge are but the emanations ot the cosmic rays. In fact according to Georges Lakhovsky "the concentration of matter and the appearance of life, both animate and inanimate, are but manifestation of these rays". Evidently the electro-magnetic forces radiated by tire different planetary and stellar bodies have an intimate bearing on the origin and development of vegetable life. Solomon wrote: "There is a time to plant and a time to pluck up that which is planted; a time to kill and a time to heal". This is a sound astrological maxim.
Minerals, vegetables and animals form the worldly phenomena and this is admitted even by the most orthodox scientist. The interdependence of these three upon one another is too well known to need any elaboration. Behind these three grand kingdoms of nature, are the agencies sent out by the solar globe. Under the solar agencies of sunlight, heat, sound, magnetism, electricity and other invisible agencies which are not yet discovered by the modern scientist but which were known to the ancient Maharishis, minerals grow, expand and crumble down. In their various states these minerals help the construction, growth, expansion and destruction of vegetables. Life pervades throughout the whole universe in some form or other, and all phenomena have life in them. Life as we conceive in men may be different from that found among the numberless animals, and then again among the countless varieties in the vegetable kingdom. Vegetables are produced by the minerals. Life functions are exhibited by all vegetation and every student of botany knows perfectly well that similarities exist between vegetable and animal functions-physiological, embryological, etc. Pushing on our natural law and analogy further the life having vegetables cannot be the products of Lifeless minerals. If evolution is a principle and theory recognised by experience then the life in the minerals will be in a particular stage, and with its environments and working under the great solar agencies of light, heat, sound, etc., it develops itself into a stage where it will be fitted to enter into the higher forms of existence among the various species of vegetables. Among the Ayurvedic texts, all the metals are said to have life and in converting them into powders (Bhasmas) there are great santhis or remedies prescribed which are considered to be effective in removing the sin which a doctor gets by killing and burning a Loha or metal. Thus it is clear that minerals beget vegetables and both are the product of solar energies manifesting themselves in a particular form. Spectrum analysis of light reveals that ultra-violet and infra-red rays mark the two ends of the spectral band. If a particular culture of bacteria is brought near the spectrum band, then such bacteria are found to collect near the red rays suggesting that the bacteria have a greater affinity towards the red rays. Similarly each kind of vegetable has an attraction for a particular type of planetary rays.
There is a direct and tangible connection between the planets and the vegetables. Constellations are bundles of electro-magnetic forces and their influences on crops are an admitted fact. Crops of various descriptions should be sown and reaped in certain constellations.
Cato (234-149 B.C.) gives us full assurance that "timber is felled most advantageously when the Moon is in conjuction with the Sun" and that "fig, apple, olive, and pen trees, as well as vines, should be planted in the dark of the Moon in the afternoon when there is no south wind blowing".
Plutarch (46-120 A.D.), in his commentary on Hesiod, asserts that the onion plant grows green and throws forth shoots during the waning Moon and dries up when the Moon is increasing.
The famous French Astronomer Camille Flammarion (1842-1925) testifies as follows: "Cucumbers increase at Full Moon, as well as radishes, turnips, leeks, lilies, horse radish, saffron". Herbs gathered while the Moon increases are of great efficacy. Varahamihira, the great astronomer and astrologer of the 1st century B.C., has made a very good study of vegetable astrology, and his observations deserve our careful attention.
Before dealing with the various Muhurthas for sowing seeds, grafting, planting, etc., I may casually refer to certain combinations of planets which denote, in ft general manner, the nature of the different crops in the comming seasons.
If at the time when the Sun enters Scorpio, benefic planets should occupy the said sign, or the 4th, 7th or 10th from it, the Greeshma or summer crops will thrive well. The same result may be predicted, if Jupiter is in Aquarius and the Moon is in Leo. Summer crops will be good if at the time of Sun's entry into Scorpio, Venus or Mercury or both should occupy either Dhanus or Thula. If there are malefic planets on both sides crops will be injured. If a malefic occupies the 7th house at the time of Sun's entry into Scorpio, crops will suffer blight. If such 7th house is aspected by benches, crops will no doubt be injured but they will not be totally destroyed.
Crops which grow in autumn will strive well or will be destroyed according as the planetary dispositions are good or bad at the time of Sun's entry into Taurus.
Buying Land for Agriculture. - Monday, Wednesday and Saturday are good. Let the Moon be waxing and Mars be in the 4th house. As usual, avoid the Riktha tithis. The best asterisms are: Aswini, Rohini, Mrigasira, Punarvasu, Pushyami, Uttara, Sravana, Satabhisha, Uttarabhadra, Vishitikarana may also be avoided. If due to any unavoidable circumstances, it is not possible to be present at the land to gain possession at the auspicious moment selected, then pick up and carry away a handful of earth, from that land when Cancer is rising and the last pada of Bharani, Aridra or Visakha is ruling.
Ploughing the Land. - The soil should be tilled on days ruled by benefic planets. Generally, the sign Leo, or the sign occupied by the Sun or the constellation governed by him is favourable. The benefic stars are Rohini, Punarvasu, Pushya, Uttara, Hasta, Anuradha, Moola, Uttarashadha and Uttarabhadra.
All lunar days except the 4th, 6th, 8th, 9th and 10th and New Moon days are good. At the time of ploughing, let Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Capricorn or Pisces be rising. Avoid Scorpio and Aquarius, if the rising sign is Mesha, it proves fatal to the cattle; if it is Scorpio, then crops will be destroyed by fire. If Aquarius, there is fear from thieves. See that the Lagna is free from malefic association. It is better that the bright half of the lunar month is selected.
On the first day start ploughing eastward or northward.
Sowing and Planting. - Any seeds can be sown on a day ruled by Hasta, Chitta, Swati, Makha, Pushyami, Uttara, Uttarashadha, Uttarabhadra, Rohini, Revati, Aswini, Moola or Anuradha provided the lunar day is also propitious. Choose a Lagna, owned by the planet who is lord of the weekday in question. Beets and carrots may be sown when the Moon is in Sagittarius. Potatoes and other underground vegetables should be sown when the rising sign is an aquatic one. On Thursdays fruit trees may be planted when Sagittarius and Pisces are rising. Flower seeds and cuttings may be sown in Taurus and Libra. Ragi, gingelli and all grains of black colour may be advantageously sown in Capricorn and Aquarius.
Always choose a Lagna owned by the planet who is lord of the weekday in question. Tomato maybe planted while the Moon is waxing and is in the sign of Cancer. Capricorn rising is not favourable. For the best results the Moon should be waxing and the rising sign at the time of planting should be Cancer, Scorpio or Pisces. Generally speaking, seeds planted while the Lagna is Cancer tend towards abundance and fruitfulness. When the Lagna is Thula the yield will be smaller and the tendency is toward larger size in both fruit and flower. Aries: Garlic may be planted with success. Taurus: Peach, plum. potatoes, radishes, onion sets and turnips. Gemini: Not favourable for any planting being a barren sign. Cancer: Beans, cabbage, corn, cucumber, lettuce, melons, pumpkins, tomatoes, cauliflower, water-melons, and cereals. Leo: Not good for any planting, especially bad for underground plants such as potato. Virgo: Flowering plants. Libra: Wheat, rye, barley, rice and other field crops. Scorpio: Garlic and onion seeds. Sagittarius: Pepper and other spring crops and garlic. Capricorn: Potato, radishes and turnips. Aquarius: All black cereals and grains. Pisces: Cucumbers, pumpkins, radishes, water-melons and carrots.
All odd lunar days except the 9th are good. All even tithis except the 2nd and 4th should be avoided.
Seeds of flower plants, and fruit-bearing creepers should be sown in the asterisms of Mriyusira, Punarvasu, Hasta, Chitta, Swati, Anuradha and Revati. Solarium indicum grows under Bharani. Aswini is favourable for betal-nuts. Rohini is good for trees. Sugarcane grows welt under Punarvasu. All varieties of grain thrive well under Pushya; Swati and Sravana favour paddy. Anuradha rules sesamum; Moola is favourable for creepers and roots and black grain crops thrive well under Satabhisha.
Seedlings of coconuts may be planted in Aquarius. The following extract is from an ancient work on Muhurtha:
"Paddy should be sown on Sunday when the Sun is in Lagna; seeds of flower plants (aquatic) should be sown on Thursday when Jupiter is in Lagna. Seedlings of flower sown on Tuesday when Mars is in Lagna; Palmyra seedlings should be planted on Wednesday when Mercury is in Lagna. Seedlings of long-lived fruit trees should be planted on Thursday when Jupiter is in Lagna. Seedlings of flower trees should be planted on Friday when Venus is in Lagna. Seeds of black grains should be sown on Saturday noon when Saturn is in Lagna. While beginning all agricultural operations, see that the 8th house is unoccupied".
Grafting and Pruning. - Saturn should be favourably placed preferably in the 6th or 11th house. Strengthen the Lagna by placing a benefic in a kendra and by rendering the 8th house vacant. Avoid Tuesdays and Riktha tithis. In all agricultural operations, the position of the Moon is very important. See - hat the Moon is strong and free from affliction by Rahu, Ketu or Saturn. The Moon should be a benefic.
Felling Trees. - Trees should be cut when the Moon is in the last quarter so that the wood may be strong, massive and durable. The Lagna must be a dry sign aspected preferably by a dry planet.
Reaping the Crop. - Bharani, Rohini, Mrigasira, Aridra, Pushyami, Makha, Uttara, Hasta, Visakha, Anuradha, Uttarashadha and Sravana are favourable constellations to start reaping the crop. Avoid 4th, 8th, 9th, 11th, 12th and 14th lunar days as also the New Moon. Taurus, Gemini, Virgo, Libra, Sagittarius or Pisces should be rising.
Harvesting. - This can be commenced in Pisces Lagna on a day ruled by Bharani; Scorpio on a day ruled by Sravana; Cancer under Visakha. These pairs form special combinations and promote prosperity.
In-Gathering of Corn. - After the harvest is over. the produce has to be gathered in. This can be advantageously done under the constellations of Bharani, Rohini, Mrigasira, Pubba, Aridra, Punarvasu, Pushya, Makha, Uttdra, Hasta, Swati, Anuradha, Moola, Sravana and Revati.
Saturn may be located in the 4th house. All lunar days except the 4th, 6th, 8th, 9th, 12th, 14th and New Moon are auspicious. Monday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday are good. The Amsas of Moon, Jupiter, Venus, and Saturn are also auspicious. Tuesdays and Sundays should be avoided. Movable signs must be rejected as they tend to destroy the grain by pests or decomposing.
Taurus rising on days ruled by Makha and Uttara respectively in the lunar months of Magha and Phalguna goes under the distinction of Dhanya Parvatha Yoga. Grain collected under this combination is supposed to confer happiness and prosperity to the person concerned.
Buying or Selling Cows. - Buying 6r selling of cows or cattle can be done under the constellations of Aswini, Punarvasu, Pushya, Hasta, Swati, Visakha, Jyeshta and Revati. Let preferably Taurus be rising. Avoid Mars in the 8th house.
Buying or Selling Horses. - Let the Moon and the lord of Lagna be friendly. Avoid their Dwirdwadasa rotations. It is better that the transaction is done when Sagittarius is rising. Let the lagna be an airy sign if you wish to buy a race horse.
Buying Sheep. - Let the Lagna be Aries. Avoid Saturn in the 8th house. Let Aries or Capricorn be rising at the time of the transaction.
The Lagna and the 6th house should be strong when buying dogs or hounds. Birds should be purchased when the Lagna is an airy sign.
Any animal may be purchased on a Thursday ruled by Pushya When the Lagna is Aries. No animal should be sold on days ruled by Krittika, Aridra, Makha, Aslesha, Swati and Anuradha.
Intelligent, use of knowledge concerning planting, harvesting, breeding, etc., will bring satisfactory results. Disregard of these astrological principles is no excuse for failure.
