The stars have a big impact on plant life, and that extends to the products made from them, whether they’re derived from hemp or herbs. Gardeners have been using lunar cycles to guide their cultivation for millennia, and the biodynamic guys take it one step further by taking the purported forces of all the planets and constellations into consideration when planting. Everyone who plants falls within this continuum, whether they want to admit to it or not.
Medicine Box pays strict attention to detail in every step of the gelcap-making process. We consider all of the inputs a plant needs in order to thrive, both visible and invisible. That’s how we ensure that our products are of the highest quality and potency. Ever heard the story about Van Halen and their infamous “no brown M&M’s” rider? If it was followed, this notified the band that the venue sweated the details during the installation of their demanding lighting, sound and pyrotechnical specs. The more details you dial in, the better your product will be. A plant needs many inputs in order to thrive. Some you can see; others you can’t. And they are as much an active ingredient in our gelcaps as any herb or cannabinoid.
The cultivation schedule that changed our product philosophy
Moon cycles don’t mean much when you’re growing medical cannabis in an Oakland warehouse. But even from unlikely beginnings such as ours, transformations can and do occur. These came to us courtesy of the pioneering CBD cultivator Michael Hollister, who taught us about the moon and its effects on groundwater and soil. Just as the moon pulls upon the tides, it also summons up water to nourish the soil. Hollister used this information to organize his growing season. We share it with you now, in hopes that it does for you what it did for us:
Spring Equinox:
Traditionally, seeds are germinated around this time so that they can be in the ground by June 1st. Michael always popped his seeds during the new moon, in keeping with his beliefs on groundwater and gravitational pull.
June:
Plants in “veg” state go in the ground. Michael usually did this between the full moon and new moon cycles — the waxing period. June also hosts the Summer Solstice this year, when the sun is at its highest, and plants grow rapidly. The Summer Solstice is also a good time to assess experiments and business opportunities.
July:
Late July signals the harvest period for many of the light-deprivation greenhouses. Obviously, they’re a bit more manipulative with nature’s cycles, but they do end up following their own all the same.
August:
Growers begin seeing flowers on their plants.
Fall equinox:
Michael’s favorite time to harvest. Michael, in fact would harvest at night, during the full moon, because the moon’s gravitational pull would siphon all the plant’s energies towards the flowers. In sunlight hours, the energy goes to the roots. In addition, Michael would gather partners together to go over any outstanding issues in business or friendship, or as he called them, “dropped stitches.”
Once Medicine Box started planting in accordance with this schedule, the brand became more closely synchronized with the life cycle of the plant. From our experience, astrologers definitely pick up on that, finding easy confirmation within their own systems. We asked apothecary and energy healing practitioner Antoinette Chirinos to expand upon it:
“Working with the phases of the moon to cultivate is such a Magical thing to do. It will not only tune your plants with her energy but will do the same for you. Knowing the best times to plant and harvest is honoring Mother Earth and her gifts. As you honor her, she will honor you. The energy you will receive from your harvest goodies will tune in with the energy needed in your physical and spiritual body.
You can taste the difference in how nutritious your food tastes and feel your energy rising when you work in accordance with nature. Respecting every cycle and working as a co- creator to our planet is part of our responsibility on this earth.“
How Medicine Box's cultivation strategy aligns with astrology
Medicine Box has made many changes since our freewheeling early days. However, Hollister’s lessons still guide us today. We still take extraordinary care sourcing our ingredients from these harvesters.
- Herbs sourced from organic herb distributors (and former Nevada County, CA residents) Mountain Rose in Oregon.
- Full-spectrum hemp extracts from trusted partners organic, small-batch family-owned farms in Colorado and Michigan.
- Mushrooms from small producers in California.
As you can see, we align strongly with the astrologers on issues of authenticity and anti-industrialism in farming. “Often with industrial farming, we completely forget about natural cycles, and today with indoor growing, we’re simply concerned about the output of the plant and grow them out of their alignment with their astrological assignment,” spirit consciousness guide Manex Ibar told us. “ Of course, the closer you are to the plant’s original place on earth and growing it in harmony with the cycles of its nature (meaning at the proper time of seeding and harvesting through the cycles of astrology) the better.”
While astrological cultivation will never be accepted in mainstream culture, Medicine Box has still found great value in the road less traveled — and we’re sure you have, too. Both our Medicine Box gelcaps and Mind’s Eye holistic nootropics capsules work with nature, and harness its forces to help you overcome the challenges in front of you. It always helps to have the power of the planets on your side, so like Van Halen, we’ve left nothing to chance. No matter what cycle you’re going through, we’re certain there’s a gelcap, wellness pillar, or capsule for that. Purchase one today, and experience it for yourself!