I recently read a great book, The Power of Timing, about using the moon to determine the best times to do something. It has proven to be pretty helpful!
The basic theory is that when the moon is waxing (going from New to Full) it is a good time to bring things in and when the moon is waning (going from Full to New) it is a good time to get rid of things.
There are also things that work best in the signs of particular elements ... Aries, Leo and Sagittarius are Fire, Taurus, Virgo and Capricorn are Earth, Gemini, Libra and Aquarius are Air and Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces are Water.
And as each sign is associated with a part of the body, there are certain times that are better to heal or do surgery on each part of the body.
Here are just a few of the helpful timings I took note of....
AROUND THE HOUSE
Painting - waxing moon, not in Pisces, Cancer or Scorpio
Turn on the Heat - in Aries, Leo or Sag
Winterize the Windows - in Gemini, Libra or Aqua
Cleaning - waning moon
Laundry - waning moon, in Pisces, Cancer or Scorpio
Floors - sweep in waxing moon, wash in waning moon
Put Away Clothes for the season - waning moon, in Gemini, Libra or Aqua
Spring Cleaning - in waning moon, in Aqua or Pisces (this is about removing all of the dust and dirt, not about reorganizing or decluttering)
IN THE GARDEN
Dig Up Beds - first in waxing Leo, then in waning Capricorn, then in waning
Plant Grass - waxing moon, in Virgo
Fertilize - waning moon, in Aries or Sag
Prune - in waxing moon
Weed - waning moon, in Capricorn and on June 18 until noon
Plant Above Ground Flowers and Veg - waxing moon
Plant Bulbs and Root Veg - waning moon
Plant Above Ground Flowers and Veg - waxing moon
Plant Bulbs and Root Veg - waning moon
Plant Tomatoes - waxing moon, in Aries, Leo or Sag
Plant Spinach - waxing moon, in Pisces, Cancer or Scorpio
Plant Flowers and Herbs - waxing moon, in Gemini, Libra or Aqua
Plant Lettuce - waning moon, in Cancer
Plant Root Veg - waning moon, in Virgo, Capricorn or Taurus
Water Plants - in Pisces, Cancer or Scorpio, NEVER in Gemini, Libra or Aqua
Harvest - from Sag to Gemini
This calendar has the optimal dates for every region!
This calendar has the optimal dates for every region!
BEAUTY
Haircuts - waning moon, in Leo or Virgo (not Pisces or Cancer)
Waxing - waning moon, in Capricorn
Massage - in waxing to rejunvenate, in waning to relax
Reflexology - waning moon, in Pisces
IN THE KITCHEN
Baking Bread - in a Aries, Leo or Sag
THE WEATHER TENDS TO BE
Wet - in Pisces, Cancer or Scorpio
Light and Airy - in Gemini, Libra or Aqua
Warm - in a Aries, Leo or Sag
Cool - in Virgo, Capricorn or Taurus