Where Night Grows Deeper
As May’s waning crescent moon draws its pale arc across the pre-dawn sky, we are invited into a pause—a sacred in-between where night grows deeper even as the promise of renewal beckons. From May 21 through 26, 2025, the Moon’s shrinking illumination calls us inward. This is the final sliver of moonlight before the New Moon, a time when gardeners—and the gardens themselves—are invited to rest and reflect. In this gentle darkness, we release what no longer serves our growth and prepare our spirits for the new lunar cycle’s fresh beginnings.
The Celestial Stage: Pisces, Saturn, Neptune, Venus
On the nights of May 21–22, the Moon resides in Pisces, the water-borne sign of intuition and dreams. Here, emotional sensitivity awakens our yearning for quiet contemplation: the ideal moment for journaling, moon baths, or soft chanting. Then, just before dawn on May 22 and 23, look east to witness a rare gathering in close alignment with the moon: Saturn, Neptune, and Venus strung like jewels in the constellation Pisces. Saturn’s disciplined glow reminds us of limits that shape wisdom; Neptune’s faint shimmer, visible through binoculars, beckons us toward the mysteries of imagination; and Venus’s gentle brilliance stirs our longing for beauty and connection.
Lily of the Valley:
A Whispered Prayer
At the heart of shaded woodland floors, Convallaria majalis (Lily of the Valley) unfurls its tiny white bells. As the birth flower of May, it embodies remembrance and inner peace. Under the waning crescent’s muted light, these delicate blossoms become a prayer for what has passed—and for what might bloom anew. Plant Lily of the Valley in cool, moist pockets beneath deciduous canopies or along moss-lined paths. Let its perfume drift through evening breezes, reminding you that grace can arise from stillness.
Garden Ritual with Convallaria
Site Selection: Choose a spot that receives morning sun and afternoon shade—much like the waning moon, which gives way to darkness even as daylight returns.
Soil Preparation: Amend with rich leaf mold and well-aged compost to mirror the forest’s living mulch.
Planting: Lay rhizomes horizontally, just beneath the surface, then cover lightly. Press gently and water.
Lemon Verbena:
Steeping Serenity
Complementing this quiet bloom is Aloysia citrodora (Lemon Verbena), an herb whose citrus-bright leaves brew teas that lull the mind toward calm. In May’s mild days, plant Lemon Verbena in deep containers filled with well-draining soil. As evening shadows lengthen, snip a few sprigs for an infusion whose aroma bridges imagination (Neptune) and discipline (Saturn). Sip slowly—and as the steam rises, set intentions to release old habits or patterns under the guidance of Venus’s harmonizing grace.
Cultivation Tips for Aloysia
Container Culture: Use a pot at least eighteen inches deep; Lemon Verbena’s roots thrive when given room to explore.
Site Care: Position where it will bask in full sun by day and cool down at night—much like the Moon’s waning journey.
Overwintering: Before the first fall chill, bring potted verbena indoors to a bright window to sustain its life through winter’s rest.
Guide Your Moon Garden
Moon gardening encourages us to see the garden as more than a place of productivity. It becomes a space of rhythm and relationship, a dance between light and dark, rest and activity. By tending the land in tune with the Moon, we nurture a deeper reciprocity with the Earth. It's a small but powerful way to garden sustainably, honoring nature’s cycles instead of rushing to meet our own.
At Eco-Restore, we believe that every garden can become a mirror of the seasons’ rhythms and the sky’s cycles. Whether you’re just beginning your moon-garden journey or wish to deepen your connection with lunar phases, we offer:
Garden Visits: We’ll walk your property to identify ideal microclimates for shade-lovers like Lily of the Valley and sun-seekers like Lemon Verbena.
Custom Planting Plans: Receive a tailored design that harmonizes plant placement with moon phases, astrological events, and your own reflective practices.
Soil Health Boosts: Our service includes soil testing and organic amendments to ensure the quiet resilience needed for moisture-loving Convallaria and the freer-draining roots of Aloysia.
We’ll help you root into this practice with purpose. Whether you’re beginning your moon gardening journey or refining your seasonal rhythm, we can help you plan around the phases of the Moon and the needs of your land.
As you tend these two companions under the softening light of May’s waning crescent, allow each petal and leaf to teach you the art of letting go. In the hush before dawn, may your garden—and your spirit—find the stillness from which new wonders arise.
