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New Moon Seed-Starting Blessing

Young green seedlings sprouting from dark, rich soil.
 
This is a Rosh Hodesh blessing for those who start seeds during the New Moon. If you are concerned about following religious prohibitions regarding sowing seeds please see the note that follows the blessing:
 
May this New Moon bring a fertile darkness to sow,
Bless the possibilities of newness that germinate below.
 
May my work be good and true, to creation’s merit,
Bless that which grows from this work and what follows.
 
May this work of sowing these seeds bring forth life;
Bless me with kavannot filled with mindful intentionality.
 
May these seeds take root in each place they live in;
Bless me with diligence and health to tend them wholly.
 
May all forces of creation balance plentifully for life:
Bless these seeds with vigor befitting of their seasons.
 
May what grows rise quickly enough to be fruitful,
Bless each seed with the patience to pace its growing.
 
May I recognize when each time comes cyclically,
Bless the passings, harvests, flowering, and sprouting.
 
May what grows likewise bless the Earth in return,
Bless the land; nurturing life for countless generations.
 
May we always remember what was sown before,
Bless each turning and cycle that was, is, and may be.

 

Note regarding prohibitions: 
There are certain prohibitions against sowing seeds at certain times, such as the prohibition called Zoreah that forbids planting during Shabbat and includes any action taken to promote the growth of plants such as watering or transplanting. When Rosh Hodesh falls on Shabbat, it is quite logically called Shabbat Rosh Hodesh. This also applies to raking leaves, but you may want to consider leaving the leaves to decompose and return nutrients to the soil anyway.
 
And if you’re within the land of Israel, the prohibition against mixing seeds that is known as Kilayim applies, but that prohibition does not apply outside of Israel so it is possible to companion plant in the Diaspora.

 

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