Hardback | |
April 4, 2023 | |
9780813197043 | |
English | |
168 | |
1 map, 2 tables, 3 b&w illustrations, 69 color illustrations | |
9.00 Inches (US) | |
9.00 Inches (US) | |
$34.95 USD, £25.50 GBP | |
v2.1 Reference | |
Sown in the Stars
Planting by the Signs
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.
About the Authors
Reviews
"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, coeditor of Appalachian Gateway: An Anthology of Contemporary Stories and Poetry
"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
University Press of Kentucky | |
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Hardback | |
April 4, 2023 | |
9780813197043 | |
English | |
168 | |
1 map, 2 tables, 3 b&w illustrations, 69 color illustrations | |
9.00 Inches (US) | |
9.00 Inches (US) | |
$34.95 USD, £25.50 GBP | |
v2.1 Reference | |
Other Titles in SOCIAL SCIENCE / Agriculture & Food
Bound to the Fire
Heaven on the Half Shell, second edition
Grassroots Leviathan
Other Titles in Agriculture & farming
Tobacco Harvest
Yazoo; or, On the Picket Line of Freedom in the South
A Rural Revolution