Celestial Homesteading
Definition of Homesteading
Homesteading is a lifestyle which is primarily focuses on self-sufficiency, organic food production, and simple living in harmony with the Seasons. Homesteaders tend to:
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be more connected to their food source
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prefer to buy natural and eco-friendly household items
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less reliant on supermarkets, shopping malls, and major services
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not be interested in excess consumerism
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strive to have an environmentally-friendly lifestyle by reducing their carbon footprint
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live more simply in tune with nature
Celestial Homesteading uses the same methods as regular homesteaders - but it also incorporates moon planting, astrology charts, astronomical events, and the ancient wisdoms of their ancestors to assist with their permaculture, regenerative farming, and/or daily living practices.
History of Homesteading
The terms 'homesteading' and 'homestead' originated from the U.S.A after the establishment of the Homestead Act of 1862 signed by Abraham Lincoln. In a 4th July 1861 speech, Lincoln told the nation the purpose of the USA’s government was "to elevate the condition of men, to lift artificial burdens from all shoulders and to give everyone an unfettered start and a fair chance in the race of life."
Onion et al (2009) states that
"The Homestead Act provided 160 acres of land to eligible settlers who were willing to farm the land and remain there for five years consecutive years. To make a claim, homesteaders paid a filing fee of $18: a $10 fee to make a temporary claim on the land, $2 for commission to the land agent and an additional $6 final payment to receive an official patent on the land. Land titles could also be purchased from the government for $1.25 per acre following six months of proven residency. Additional requirements included five years of continuous residence on the land, building a home on it, farming the land and making improvements. Homesteaders needed to be either: i) the head of a household; or ii) 21 years of age or over. The applicant also had to certify that they had never borne arms against the United States of America - and needed two neighbours or friends to attest to the government departments that the applying homesteader had fulfilled all the requirements."
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The Homestead Act enabled thousands of ex-slaves, immigrants, and women the opportunity to legally own land and live self-reliantly.
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REFERENCE: Onion, A., Sullivan, M., Mullen, M., Zapata, C., and Lombardo, C., (2009), 'Homestead Act', History, Available at: https://www.history.com/articles/homestead-act (Accessed: 3 September 2025).
Types of Homesteading
There are many different types of homesteading, and all can be adapted to a person's current living circumstances. The four main types are the following:
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Micro-Homesteading
= An apartment homestead: These are ideal for singles or couples - especially those who have a
disability. Micro-homesteading is practiced by people who live in cities, aged care
facilities, caravan parks, student dormitories, or enjoying life on the road as a grey nomad.
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Urban homesteading
= A Residential / Suburban Homestead: This is an opportunity for suburb dwellers to transform
their backyards into thriving food garden spaces. Depending on zoning laws, they can
often include a few chickens or a beehive.
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Hectare Homesteading
= Small-scale homesteading: These properties are also known as 'hobby farms' and are generally
less than five hectares in size. They’re large enough to feed an average family comfortably
and can support some small livestock.
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Traditional Homesteading
= A large property with a farming homestead: In this scenario, a homesteading family will have
over five hectares of land to maintain and regenerate. A homesteading family can dedicate
large areas to various crops, plus have livestock pens, maybe a couple of ponds
and / or orchards. This set up is also used for the establishment of Intentional Communities
(commune / kibbutz / collective / co-operative) and / or intergenerational living settlements.
Integral Homesteading Systems
Celestial Homesteaders live by the slogan - "25 to Survive". This means there are twenty-five necessary skills that need to be learnt in order to establish and practice homesteading (whether on a large Traditional Homestead or in a Micro-Homestead in the CBD of a capital city).
These twenty-five skills are:
Rainwater Harvesting | Gardening (such as Permaculture) | Fungi Growing | Breadmaking Foraging for Edibles or Resources | Splitting and Stacking Firewood | Making Dairy Products Raising Livestock (includes Bees) | Fishing and Hunting | Basic First Aid | Food Preservation Cooking from Scratch | Herbal Remedies Products | Basic Sewing, Textile and Crafting Skills
Meal Planning with what’s in Season | Homemade Cleaning Products | Frugal Budgeting
Homemade Personal Care Products | Repurpose and Recycle Items | Bushcraft Survival Skills
Basic Carpentry | Build and Use Renewable Energy Source | Preparing for Weather Extremes
Methods to Reduce in Carbon Footprint | Barter or Trade Produce or Services.
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These twenty-five skills can be grouped into five main skill sets or 'Integral Homesteading Systems'. The Integral Homesteading Systems are:
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Gardening Systems
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Livestock Production Systems
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Food Preservation Systems
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Home Management Systems
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Community Connection Systems​
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System Thinking on a Homestead
Systems thinking is an approach to problem-solving and understanding that views the world as a complex system composed of interconnected and interdependent parts. It emphasizes the relationships and interactions among these parts rather than focusing solely on individual components. In systems thinking, the emphasis is on understanding the whole system and how its parts work together to achieve a particular function or outcome. When applied to homesteading, systems thinking can be a valuable perspective for managing and optimizing various aspects of a homestead.
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By regularly implementing, practicing, and reinforcing these five Integral Homesteading Systems, a person or family will - over time - gain the necessary life skills, form a deep connection to their ancestral stories, live simply in tune with the Seasons while appreciating nature, and develop a strong commitment to the environment. These five Integral Homesteading Systems will ultimately provide a solid foundation for a sustainable Celestial Homestead, now and in the future.
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