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Planetary Energy
I’ve been talking a lot lately about this turning point, this shift that is taking place within ourselves and in the world. The week ahead is speaking again to that but in much more of a powerful, dynamic, and culminating energy that contains a tension and is asking us to get very clear about our values. I spoke to this in my post on April 20th about clarifying our purpose. And if we look at the planetary aspects, this week marks a rare and unique moment of opportunity in our personal and collective experience.
You don’t need to know anything about astrology to feel it intuitively. But this is truly a rare moment in history. This is the first time that Neptune has entered Aries since the 1800s, we have a Pisces stellium (a cluster of three or more planets tightly packed within the same sign (zodiac sign) or house), and a T-square configuration involving Mars, the Sun, and Pluto. Additionally, there's a Venus retrograde conjunct the North Node in Pisces, and a Venus retrograde conjunct Saturn in Pisces. These aspects indicate shifts within us and around us that may pull us towards introspection and we may feel heightened tensions and the potential for conflict.
We are feeling and seeing this throughout the world right now. Just look at the news (or don’t - it’s pretty scary) and we can see this energy playing out every single day.
But this week, and through the beginning of May, we’re getting a reality check and the energy is requiring us to make choices, very serious and consequential choices that are connected to our values (Venus conjunct Saturn). And those choices could have immediate tensions and conflict around them (Mars, Sun, Pluto T square). And with Neptune having entered Aries on March 30 with no plans to go anywhere until October 22, our collective storyline is shifting—from sacrifice to sovereignty, passive dreaming to radical becoming.
The world is waking up, and we are ready to fight for a future that upholds dignity, true freedom, and empathy.
Herbal Support:
Image Credit: istockphoto
If you’ve never made herbal tea before, it’s super easy and the health benefits are innumerous. I’ll get into tincture making in a future post, but for herbal tea, you simply need dried herbs, water and some sort of strainer.
Ordering Your Herbs:
It’s important to consider where you are ordering your herbs from (for both ethical and purity reasons). Here are a few resources that come highly recommended.
Recommended Herbs for the Coming Week:
Nettle - high in protein, iron, potassium, calcium, phosphorus, chlorophyll, magnesium, and vitamins A, C, B and K
Anti-inflammatory
Anti-allergic
Anti-viral
Anti-arthritic
Hypotensive
Diuretic
Antihyperglycemic
Anitproliferative effect on prostate cells
Hepatoprotective
Oatstraw - rich in beta-glucan, a plant compound known to regulate and reduce inflammation.
Anti-inflammatory
Anti-bacterial
Anti-depressant
Anti-oxidant
Anti-ulcer
Anxiolytic (anti-anxiety)
Bone Density Enhancing
Immune Modulating
Preparation:
Pour 3-4 cups of boiling water over ¼ cup of dried herbs.
I like to use a glass jar with a lid but you could use a pitcher, a pot, anything like that and cover with a lid or tin foil.
Let it steep overnight.
Pour the tea through a strainer and use your fingers to press down on the remaining herbs to get all the goodness out.
Drink first thing in the morning or throughout the day.
Instead of throwing the strained herbs in the trash, use them for compost. They’re a wonderful fertilizer for your garden.
Goddess Support:
Isis (Egyptian):
As a goddess of magic, healing, and nurturing, Isis can offer support for emotional turmoil and physical distress. She encourages acceptance of transformation as a path to healing and fosters resilience, helping individuals become a source of comfort and strength, says Crystal Vaults
Image Credit: urbanthreads.com
Durga (Hindu):
Durga, the goddess of protection, justice, and the right thing, is a warrior goddess who faces challenges with strength and conviction. She can be invoked for help with difficult times or people, says Lisa Marie on Medium.
Take time this week to meditate. Drink your herbal tea. Feel into your deepest values. Create change.
Wishing you a week of reflection, breathing, and purposeful change.
Bye for now.