Stella Natura Information

This Calendar has many aspects: a basic introduction to astronomy, a simple ephemeris, a planting guide, a star map, aid for following the movement of the planets in the night sky, and articles by ten different authors. All of these attempt to provide a true picture of the world outside us and ideas to assist in developing a healthy relation to that world. Writing in her introduction to this year's calendar, Sherry Wildfeuer notes: To support people in choosing the best times to sow the seeds for their root, leafy, flower and fruiting crops in the coming year, I must rely on resources that can calculate the movements of the moon and planets against the backdrop of the stars of the zodiac. But work on the articles relies on a sense for what might be helpful on a soul and spiritual level as well as in the practical work of farming and gardening. In this sense, preparing the articles of the 2021 Calendar during 2020 has been a unique experience, as I tried to imagine you reading each one in unpredictable world conditions. Interestingly enough, the article that most came into question was my own, on "Community as Practice Ground and Building Block for a Better World." Wouldn't community seem like an anachronism in a locked down society? How would my own community stand the test? I am heartened to share that my convictions and enthusiasm have only grown under the pressure of adversity. 'Sheltering in place' on a large farm, doing the essential work of raising food in a social context that especially includes vulnerable people felt like a privilege. We chose a small group to make the overall decisions for the Village (the executive director, the nurse, and someone who is a mastermind at creating people's schedules so that everyone's needs are met), and they, in turn, called us together at various junctures to hear how people were feeling. I am so grateful that we managed to respect each other's different feelings with regard to both safety from exposure to illness and the necessity to carry on essential activities ...