Peaceful Places: Meeting The Star Card

a radical sabbatical post

As I was contemplating my own sabbatical one of the images that helped me to connect with the power of rest was the Star card. The Star is one of my favorite cards in the tarot deck and this quiet place of intuitive rest can be overlooked considering the card rests between the often feared Tower card and the quintessentially tarot tarot card, the Moon. But it is with the Star that we discover that we can’t fast-track to wisdom, that our intuition thrives when we take time to cultivate spaces of stillness and contemplation in our life, and that rest is holy, holy, holy.

So while I am on my own period of rest, I wanted to share with you the profile on the Star card that I wrote for The Tarot Apothecary that explores the card from a place of healing and herbal wisdom. I’ve written about the intersections of tarot and herbalism before and I hope you enjoy the following healing stories (and simple recipe) inspired by the Star card.

image via @alex_andrews

The Star Card

Astrological Correspondences : Aquarius (Saturn Guards + Neptune Exalted)
Key Ideas : Peace, quiet, healing retreats, a break from the world, time, healing power of nature, calm after the storm.
Nouns : Sacred space, holistic healing practitioners, temples.
Adverbs : Peacefully, meditatively, hopefully, intuitively, sweetly, quietly.
Adjectives : Timely, trusty, indescribable, extraordinary, restful, precious.

Divinatory Meaning : I Restore. The Star card is one of my favorite in the pack. It is the card that I seek when I am in need of restorative healing and peace of mind. The Star appears after the storm of the Tower has passed and offers us respite after a dramatic change. Everything feels sudden and sharp with the Tower but the Star introduces the power of time as a way to recenter yourself in the world. The Star has a similar position as Temperance, but instead of containing the energies within, there is trust that our power to recuperate and transform is infinite. The figure in the Star is close to the earth and touching, almost floating, above the water. The water that they pour out from their pitchers returns again and again to the same source of greater water and energy. The small bird in the background represents the still voice of intuition that always rests in the tree of wisdom but sometimes requires us to be quiet and patient to hear their advice.

The Star card is a welcome sight in a health reading for it represents being able to access quiet, healing spaces. It is a place of peacefulness that we can return to again and again whenever we need assistance on our healing path. Our intuition which may have been overshadowed by the Tower is now able to be heard freely - be sure to listen to it because you are receiving messages about what it is you need to do next for your own wellbeing. I always feel that in the midst of the mystical experience the Star describes there is real practical wisdom, too - drink enough water, get enough rest, and allow yourself to tune out distractions and tune in to you.


Herbal Allies : Myrrh (Commiphora myrrha), Cacao (Theobroma cacao), Kava Kava (Piper methysticum), Lavender (Lavandula spp.), Peppermint (Mentha piperita), Skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora), Star Anise (Illicium verum), Valerian (Valeriana officinalis).

Essence + Crystal Allies : Aloe Vera (Aloe vera), California Wild Rose (Rosa californica), Cosmos (Cosmos bipinnatus), Elm (Ulmus procera), Hound’s Tongue (Cynoglossum grande), Morning Glory (Ipomoea purpurea), Oak (Quercus robur), Olive (Olea europaea), Star Tulip (Calochortus tolmiei).

Magickal Workings : Rituals of rest and sleep. Nightly rituals to prepare the self for sleep. Charms against nightmares. Rituals of water, especially herbal baths. Magickal workings to strengthen your connection to your intuition. Examining scarcity mindsets that keep you from believing that there is enough and that you are enough.

Questions : How do I need to rest? What is my relationship to time? Does my well of energy feel dry and depleted or overflowing? In what ways can I live a more restful life? Do I practice regular self-care including drinking enough water, eating good food, and getting enough sleep? If I were to get very quiet what would I hear? What is my intuition telling me?

Health : Conditions of Aquarius. Health complications and imbalances arising from lack of rest and sleep. Overworking and not learning the lesson of previous burnouts. Dehydration and its complications. Excess fluid buildup and stagnation. Neurasthenia. Emotionally disconnected with the heart of the matter.

Inversions : Overworking and placing self-worth solely in one’s ability to produce and be of service to others (Elm Flower Essence). Continuing to push past one’s reserves leading to burnout (Oak Flower Essence). Ignoring one’s inner knowing (Star Tulip Flower Essence). Unable to enjoy the pleasures of the present (Aloe Flower Essence).


Myrrh (Commiphora myrrha) : Myrrh is a temple herb - it sanctifies sacred spaces and can help us to connect with the energy of the Star. For those who have or are experiencing oppressive situations, Myrrh can guide us through processing and releasing trauma. With its ability to part the veil between the world of the living and the dead, Myrrh aids in healing lineages of ancestral oppression. Burn Myrrh as a smudge to bless yourself as a sacred vessel of spiritual energy. Keep a small bowl or incense box of Myrrh on your altar to maintain rich levels of sacred energy. Carry Myrrh on you as a charm to help you find peace and quiet whenever you need to.

Myrrh is a supreme tooth and gum tonic, used traditionally in tincture and powdered form for a variety of mouth diseases including cavities, gingivitis, and halitosis. Use it as a tooth powder or a mouthwash to reduce swelling and alleviate sore throats. The herb is also useful for the treatment of inflamed skin conditions such as boils, hemorrhoids, and infected wounds. Overall, Myrrh alleviates feelings of stagnant, swollen heaviness.

Key Qualities : Alterative, analgesic, antibacterial, antimicrobial, carminative, diaphoretic, diuretic, emmenagogue, rejuvenative, vulnerary.

Contraindications : Avoid during pregnancy.

Dosage : Small amounts for a short period of time.

Star Temple Liniment

My ideal sacred space involves the adornment of sacred herbs on the body to restore balance. The following external use only liniment is anti- inflammatory and antiseptic - soothing sore muscles, painful bug bites, and irritated wounds. Combine the following herbs in an airtight jar, cover with rubbing alcohol for one cycle of the Moon, and then decant for use.

• 1 part Myrrh (Commiphora myrrha) powder

• 1 part ground Juniper Berries (Juniperus communis)

May you be loved and supported in your rest.

As I am currently off on sabbatical for three cycles of the Moon, this post was autoscheduled (you can find out more here). May these words have arrived with the magick of not quite knowing where it’ll land, but choosing to chance it anyways. Want to know when I get back? Sign-up for Magick Mail below.

I look forward to connecting with you all again upon my return.

This post was made possible through patron support.
❤︎ Thanks, friends. ❤︎

Self-care is a Necessary + Revolutionary Act

 

darling,
you are much to whole
to be loved in halves
- pavana -
 

I'm invested in a lot of things, dear readers, including good tea, the downfall of the patriarchy and the rising up of a more kind and just world, lurcher pups having enough couch space to sleep on, chai that inspires politically dissident discussions, and unicorns. One of the biggest most important things that I am invested in is making sure that you (yes, you) don't burn out in a crunchy ball of flame or drown in your sorrows or lose all sense of groundedness in order to (circle one or all) make change, live your dream, raise your family, be a "good" person.

What we need right now is longevity and communities who have created sustainable and long-term ways of thriving. We need to understand that self-care is a revolutionary act (of course it is because it is associated with softness and womyn and the anti-puritanical which are all dangerous to the powers-that-be). It is especially revolutionary to those who have been denied the space to do so - poor folks, folks of color, disabled folks, queer folks, immigrants, survivors (and current experiencers) of abuse, and more. Because to perform an act of self-care is to say that you are worth being cared for.

Self-care is an act of love. It is choosing to love yourself and renew that love of yourself. Self-care can be done in many ways and there is no right way. Your self-care will be different from my self-care. And, self-care isn't meant to enforce the hyper-individualism that some cultures promote (ahem, USA) because self-care doesn't happen in a bubble (unless it's in a bubble bath, but the point remains) and, in fact, is all the more powerful and easy when your need self-care is honored by others (and for us to do the same in turn).

California Mugwort (Artemisia californica)

So then, if I go on and on about self-care, I must have a pretty amazing and consistent self-care practice. Ugh, if only. I do practice self-care far more regularly than I used to, but damn if I struggle to allow myself to take a day off of work a week (please, please do not aspire to this, my entrepreneurial readers). And yet. I do meditate each morning and practice my devotional arts. I drink water. I allow myself to laugh freely (sadly, this was not always a given in my life). I am getting better at letting myself cry freely. I take really amazing herbal baths. And while self-care wasn't even on my radar a decade ago, it is something that I now consider to be essential to my wellbeing and ability to create change in the world.

Look, if self-care feels like an altogether too touchy-feely endeavor (but, I don't want to cry freely), than let me be real pragmatic about it. Without self-care folks burnout, drop out, and are unable to pursue that which they most desire. We're not going to change the world in a year or two - we need folks who are able to be around for the long haul. And to do that we need to practice and uphold self-care as a sacred right, not a privilege. 

Where are you when it comes to self-care?

A devotee? A skeptic? A newbie or seeker? Take a moment to answer the following questions:

• How do I practice self-care daily?
• How do I practice self-care weekly?
• How do I practice self-care monthly?
• How do I practice self-care annually?

It's useful to approach self-care on a spectrum as opposed to having to do it all at once (which can be burdensome and discouraging). A daily self-care practice might be giving yourself a short foot massage as you roll out of bed. A weekly self-care practice could consist of a coffee date with your favorite book. Monthly self-care practices might be a massage, visit to your local Goddess temple or sacred site, or a completely tech-free weekend. Annual self-care practices might consist of a solo retreat, a vacation or staycation,  or taking a class or course that is purely for pleasure not business. If you don't have answers for any of these questions - Congrats! - you get to create some. I hope you do, too, because paying attention to the way we care for ourselves is one of the ways we learn how to care for others. And if you're unable to choose to do self-care for you right now, do self-care for yourself on behalf of your ancestors who deserve healing kindness (because, remember, healing isn't linear). Then, when you're ready, do self-care for you and you only. You'll quickly realize what a dissident and radical and profoundly healing act of magick self-care is.

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Friends! I'll be teaching a quick class on tarot + self-care magick at Love Yo' Self! The event is being hosted by the very magickal botanical bruja known as Lola Venado of Branch + Bone. She's invited a number of amazing folks to offer their insight on magick and medicine for self-care during these tumultuous times. Space is limited - so get your tickets today! and the event is being held in my shared office space. And it's across the street from an ice cream place (with vegan options!), so overall we're looking at a pretty sweet evening. Heck yeah!

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You are worth all of your healing - so make time for it.

Like the self-care as revolution message? Click here to download a free wallpaper for your computer and to remind yourself of the power of self-care.

You know what else you're worth? The collapse of the overculture. Just sayin'. And if you're a sigil magick sort of healer, I recently posted a sigil of mine to help conjure the collapse of the overculture and bring about a more just and kind world. I also wrote about my 2017 motto: Witch Up! Hex Back!

The post was so popular that I'll be sharing more on creating your own sigils on the blog very soon. In the meantime, take care of yourself and let us together continue to take care of the most vulnerable in our communities.