A million easy steps to a more magickal life...

Begin (again).

Re-member and dream anew.

Shift towards the sacred.

Set your head on fire. 

Follow your desire.

Forget.

Re-member.

Fight with teeth bared.

Love with hands open.

Speak the name of your Beloveds.

Hear your name being spoken.

Forget.

Re-member.

Avoid your shadow if you don't want to discover anything.

Pay attention to the moon, stretch towards sun.

Count every star that has ever wished on you.

Forget.

Re-member.

Get really, really scared.

Come undone.

Get really, really brave.

Come undone.

Forget.

Re-member.

Practice your art with every intake of breath.

Gift your art with every outbreathing.

Forget.

Re-member.

Take another step.

Begin (again).

Fire + Fields : A Beltane Tarot Spread

Beltane is a time of pleasure + joy!

At Beltane we have an opportunity to glimpse our slumbering selves dwelling deep below at Samhain (for these points on the wheel of the year mirror each other) as well as connect with our growing fires of desire, direction, and determination. The Fire + Fields spread explores the energy of the season focusing on the central fire of our soul's desire.

1. THE SLUMBERING SELF. The unconscious murmuring that guides our bright year adventures. What part of you remains dreaming from Samhain and the dark part of the year?

2. THE SEEDLING. Nurtured since the Spring Equinox, the seedlings have grown into young plants. What has been growing in your life and now is ready for the maturity of summer?

3. THE WOOD. That which supports your fire – your ambitions, drive, work, relationships, and service to the world.

4 + 5. THE SPARKS.  How your work is perceived agains the night and the multitudes of works in the universe. Your particular role in community, family, romantic relationships, workplace, circle + more.  Also the way you spark fires in others (especially romantically).

6 + 7. THE EMBERS.  The fire we carry with us through the rest of the year until next Beltane.  What should you seek to carry and preserve? What path of desire are you to follow?

8. THE YEAR + A DAY VOW. What is the vow you are making this Beltane to keep for a year and a day?  What can you be brave enough to change for that period that will best strengthen you and your hopes, dreams, and goals?

Looking for more magickally inspired Tarot spreads? 

You're invited to peruse my tarot + divination series. Or do you want to learn about herbalism and tarot? Check out The Tarot Apothecary. Find all the tarot spreads in my Wheel of the Year series via the links below:

• Hallowing: Samhain Spread

• Darkest Night: Winter Solstice Spread

• Quickening: Imbolc Spread

• Brightening: Spring Equinox Spread

• Fire + Fields: Beltane Spread

• Bonfire Offerings: Summer Solstice Spread

• First Harvest: Lammas

• Balancing: Autumn Equinox Spread

Blessed Beltane, sacred ones!

Aries: The Astroherbology Profile

Welcome, friends, to the sign of Aries and the first of my Astroherbology Zodiac Series!

I will be exploring all twelve signs from a medical astrology perspective with an emphasis on herbal healing. Learn more about the series and what all the correspondences mean check out the introduction to The Introduction to Astroherbology Zodiac Series.

We start in the realm of the ram, known as Aries, and the start of Spring in the Northern Hemisphere and Autumn in the Southern Hemisphere.

Looking to learn about Aries season? Come this way!

Element: Fire
Mode: Cardinal
Guardian Planet: Mars
Direction: East
Season: Spring (NH), Autumn (SH)
Wheel of the Year: Spring Equinox
House: 1st House / Angular
Lunar Mansions: 1st Mansion, 2nd Mansion, + 3rd Mansion
Solar Gemstone: Bloodstone
Tarot: The Emporer, The Tower, 2 of Wands (Mar 21 - Mar 30), 3 of Wands (Mar 31 - Apr 10), 4 of Wands (Apr 11 - Apr 20), Queen of Wands
Tissue State: Heat/Excitation (learn more about the energetic system of traditional western herbalism)

Body Systems: Head, Face (especially forehead), Nose (with bones of the nose being guarded by Scorpio), Mouth, and Eyes, including optic nerves and lens of the eyes. The Brain, including its blood vessels, motor centers and frontal and lateral lobes. Cerebro-Spinal system and Muscular system. Teeth (with Saturn + Taurus), especially upper jaw.

Imbalances + Diseases: Tends towards excess. Fevers, headaches, sore eyes and poor eyesight. Tension headaches. Inflammation, especially when excess energy is present, dryness, and heat. Muscle spasms. Ruptured blood vessels, especially in the head. Mental afflictions and disorders of the brain including congestion of the brain, memory loss, delirium caused by blood rushing to the head, encephalitis, epilepsy. Can be very emotionally rash manifesting sometimes as rashes on the head, face, and ears, and conditions such as very red or inflamed acne. Anger, arrogance, and taking up too much space. Ruptures on the skin including shingles, measles, chickenpox. Muscle spasms of the face, facial tics, and sore or tight jaw as well as swelling of the face. Migraines, especially if triggered by or include anger and/or irritation. All diseases of heat and dryness that proceed from dreams. Baldness and hair loss on the top of the hair, sometimes with excess hair growing elsewhere. Uncontrolled anger, “seeing red.” Fits of giddiness and hyperactivity. Insomnia due to disorders of the kidney. Bell’s palsy and general paralysis of the face. Stroke, rheumatic fever, rheumatism, and hemorrhage. Conjunctivitis (especially when caused by excess eye makeup).

Disease Degrees: 3 – 4 degrees: goiter, abscesses; 5 degrees; hair issues 9 – 12 degrees: fevers; 6 – 7 degrees: jaundice; 13 – 14 degrees: rheumatic fever, rheumatism; hemorrhage; 15 – 16 degrees: stroke; 20 – 21 degrees: abscesses; 25 – 26 degrees: tuberculosis, digestive troubles; 26 – 27 degrees: blindness, weak eyes, tuberculosis; 28 – 29 degrees: bronchitis.

Remedies for Imbalanced and/or Weakened Aries: Cooling + cold activities, including cooling herbs in the form of teas and baths. Relaxing nervines and moistening herbs (if there is excess dryness). Stillness. Active listening and inclusive communication training. Activities that allow Aries folks to appropriately express their Martial energy including athletic competitions, high intensity interval training, and studying the arts of fighting and self-defense.

Gifts of Aries: Energy, athleticism, bravery, courage, the energy of new beginnings, freshness, initiation, spontaneity, and vitality.

Rituals of Aries: New project blessings, rites of passage especially for children and teenagers, elements of fire in ritual, especially bonfires (including jumping over them or passing through them) and firewalking.

Aries Guardian Herbs: Ginger (Zingiber officinale), Nettles (Urtica dioica), Bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi), Vitex (Vitex agnus castus), Wormwood (Artemisia absinthium)

Aries Remedy Herbs: Yarrow (Achillea millefolium), Vervain (Verbena officinalis), Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus), Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna), Hops (Humulus lupulus)

Flower + Gem Essences: Impatiens, Black Eyed Susan, Beech, Wild Oat, Vine, Scarlet Monkeyflower, Citrine, Bloodstone

Bloodstone - photo by author

The Sun in Aries

When the Sun enters the sign of Aries each year this is known as the Vernal or Spring Equinox which should tell you something about the energy of the sign. Aries burst forth in the spring with the energy of a headstrong thing that wants to do. To do it* now!  The ram is a sign of great vitality and those born with Aries as their Ascendant or Rising sign may especially benefit from the ram’s inherent vitality throughout their lives. H.L. Cornell notes that Aries “is known as the ‘Cerebral Pole of Paracelsus.’ The Sympathetic Nervous System begins with this sign, and ends with the other Mars Sign Scorpio, which latter sign is known as the ‘Genital Pole of Paracelsus.’” The Sun is exalted in the sign of Aries which means that it’s inherent qualities are easily expressed and empowered by the ability and energy of Aries.

Aries Sun folks often rely on a very strong, sometimes forceful, expression of individuality when it comes to self-expression. They like to be the first to do something, to go somewhere, to think of a new idea, or explore new galaxies. Aries folk can be aggravating for others who are overwhelmed (or not impressed) by their bravado, but a balanced Aries can bring the spark of inspiration and the energy to get the job done so needed for a successful endeavor. Aries typically have bucket loads of energy and are up for an adventure – their confidence in their internal compass (when they remember to check what direction their heading) is inspiring. They aren’t afraid to make mistakes even if they don’t always know how to handle their pride getting dented by a fall.

Folks with a strong Aries Sun in their natal chart can be long-lived (if they don’t die early by accident or war – two areas they can be inherently attracted to) with a robust immune system that fights off infection and disease. Learning how to take up appropriate space and find outlets for their energy before it stagnates into anger is an important lesson for our adventurous Ram. The gift of Aries Sun folk is that they teach us to do it now and do it with confidence. Aries helps us to not only welcome in change, but to change before the change even opens the door.

*What “it” is isn’t always an important concern for Aries folk.

Aries Guardian Herb

Ginger (Zingiber officinale) - source

Ginger (Zingiber officinale)

Fiery and dry Ginger embodies the warming and energizing gifts of Aries. The root stimulates an underperforming circulatory system, moving blood and heat throughout the body. Ginger awakens the senses and calls the body to action!  It clears out lingering colds, damp conditions, clears catarrh, and lifts the spirits wherever dourness or melancholy might dwell. Additionally the herb is useful for indigestion, nausea, and morning sickness. It is an ideal remedy for Damp/Stagnation tissue states.

As a sign guarded by Mars, it is good to know that most Aries herbs can be used to alleviate symptoms of maladies brought on by the cold ray of Saturn. Ginger, in particular, also works to alleviate Venusian conditions of menstruation which include cold and damp cycles that bring on excessive cramps.

Aries Remedy Herbs

Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) - photo by AJ Cunningfolk

Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)

One of my primary herbs for imbalanced Aries conditions is Yarrow. Known as an herb for the Wounded Warrior, Wounded Healer, Yarrow offers a cooling and balancing energy to our rush-about rams. Traditional indications for Yarrow match-up to an overabundance of Aries or Mars energy in the system : redness and splotchiness of the skin, inflammation, persistent fevers, a red, pointed tongue, and a rapid pulse. Yarrow assists those Aries folks who are overheated, hot-blooded, as well as those Aries who have lost the fire – both types usually have a build up of toxins in the blood as well as in the liver. Aries imbalances can often manifest with ruptures on the skin, whether hives or acne, chickenpox, or eczema. Another connection between Yarrow and Aries is that Yarrow is a primary blood remedy in traditional western herbalism and is especially useful for nosebleeds (remember, Aries rules the nose and the blood of the head). Yarrow is an herb of the blood: it both stops bleeding, moves stagnant blood, and clears old blood (blood cuts and excess toxins). Through its ability to move blood, by releasing and contracting, it is able to help regulate high, persistent fevers by opening up the skin. Yarrow releases trapped heat. When releasing heat, Yarrow goes through a cycle of sweating, purifying, and finally relaxing, making it very useful for relieving persistent fevers in children and adults alike. Since many Aries-type imbalances deal with the regulation or lack of regulation of heat and inflammation in the body, Yarrow’s ability to move heat within and out of the body is invaluable.

I find that the energy of Yarrow acts like a wise guide to Aries energies – it reminds Aries to slow down and practice going with the flow of energy both forwards and back instead of onwards, onwards, onwards. Yarrow helps to bring our body systems back to a state of homeostasis, which Aries folk and conditions can sometimes run from because they like pushing the limits, riding on adrenal, and challenging themselves to go just a little further.

Aries Sun Flower Essence

Impatiens helps bring out Aries ability to be patient and mindful of the needs of others by bringing out their ability to empathize and see the value of the opinions and contributions of others. The flower essences helps to develop the all-important pause that many Aries folk need to learn – to wait a moment before running in, speaking up, or taking over. With the gift of Impatiens, Aries folk can learn how to effectively use their energetic impulses and incredible vitality to move forward together with those they are in relationship with.

Ready to learn more?

• Check out the rest of my Astroherbology series including Starry-Hearted + Wild-Rooted: An Introduction to Astroherbology which includes additional study resources.

• Need a visual guide? Starmaps: The Astrological Body is for you!

• Looking to learn about Aries season? Come this way!

• The Lunar Apothecary is a full length course using the tools of moon-centered herbalism and ritual to help you discover who you are as a healer.

Opre Roma! Happy International Roma Day!

Happy International Roma Day!

A few years back I wrote an blog post called The "G" Word: Honoring the Roma which was my first sojourn in talking about the Roma culture and our relationship to it as herbfolk. As a mix-d creature of Roma heritage, I've have found hope and frustration in the ensuing years as there has been an increase in organizing amongst Roma folk to stand up for our rights and a continuing rise of racism and misinformation against Roma, especially in Europe.  

While I have offline conversations quite a lot in regards to the Roma community, my own family's story, and the continuing struggle for Roma rights, I am always hesitant to engage in these same conversations online. I did do that once and it was frustrating to say the least. If you'd like to get a snapshot of how conversations about the Roma community often play out (and though the one that took place on Etsy was extremely frustrating it was not as vile as most "conversations" you find happening on the internets about the Roma), I encourage you to have a cup of calming tea beside you...

If you're unfamiliar with Roma culture and want to learn more, I think the Open Society Foundation has some great resources for English speakers. The following video highlights some of the most pressing issues faced by Roma folk and ways that Roma folk are fighting for change for their communities.

Today is also about celebrating Roma culture and it's easier to celebrate the beauty of a culture when you understand its origin story a bit better. The following video is a simple, funny, and informative look at the history of the Roma. 

So Happy International Roma Day, clever ones! In the work of inclusivity and social justice I've learned many, many things but one of the most important that I've learned is to be kind - something that is so often missing from the conversation when we begin to talk about the Roma. I wish kindness to you and your communities and it is with kindness that I invite you to the table to learn more about the reality of Roma life and the gifts of our culture. Because to learn and know the so-called "other" is to know our own selves better, to release our projections of fear, and be more kind, more just, and more able to live with one another in peace. 

Opre Roma!

The 12 Paths of Healing: An Introduction to the Astroherbology Series

Ever since I created The Lunar Apothecary and started to talk about astroherbology, I have met amazing folks who are just as inspired by roots and stars as I am.

I've also had lots of folks asking to know more and this series is, in part, my answer. I have learned so much and to keep the conversation going I wanted to start a series exploring the medical astrology correspondences of each sign with a focus on herbal healing. For those of you who are thinking wait, what is astorherbology? - come this way.

Find the Astroherbology Profiles for each sign of the zodiac:

• Aries

• Taurus

• Gemini

• Cancer

• Leo

• Virgo

• Libra

• Scorpio

• Sagittarius

• Capricorn

• Aquarius

• Pisces

Every post will use the same template and I wanted to begin the series by taking a look at just what I'm going to be writing about. 

Element: Western astrology has four elements – Earth, Air, Fire, Water – and each sign is predominant in one of these elements.

Mode: There are three modes in astrology which describe the movement of energy. Briefly, Cardinal signs have fast-moving and quick to start energy, Fixed, is sturdy and foundational, while Mutable tend to be fluid and flexible.

Guardian Planet: Also known as Ruling Planets or Rulership, I use the language Guarding and Guardian because a) it pleases my collective heart and b) I think it more accurately describes the relationship between signs and the planets that love them.

Direction: The wheel of the zodiac corresponds with the terrestial wheel of the year, so each sign can be directionally situated.

An Ottoman Calendar made for Sultan Abdulmecid I, drafted by Mehmet Sadullah, Turkey, dated 1260 AH/1844 CE.

Season: See above!

House: There are twelve astrological houses and each sign corresponds with one of them, embodying the energy of the that house.

Lunar Mansion: The Lunar Mansions or Mansions of the Moon is one of the oldest forms of astrology worldwide. There are 28 Lunar Mansions and the Moon visits a new one every two days or so completing the cycle in about a month’s time. Each Lunar Mansion is corresponds with one or two of the signs of the zodiac. I think the Lunar Mansions are incredible tools of healing and magick and I explore each one in the Lunar Apothecary.

Solar Gemstone: There are several gemstones associated with each sign and I will list the one that I most often use in my practice.

Tarot: The Tarot is based off of the astrological system codified by the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn. Each card has an astrological correspondence that can be used for timing in readings as well as remedy making.

Tissue State: The tissue states are a way of describing physical and energetic qualities of a person, herb, and imbalances similar to the five element systems of Traditional Chinese Medicine or the three doshas of Ayurveda. These are my current correspondences between tissue states and signs that I have developed as part of my ongoing explorations as an astroherbologist.

Body Systems : Each sign has resonance with certain parts and systems of the body. To learn more check out Starmaps: The Astrological Body.

Imbalances + Diseases: Every sign has the opportunity to become weakened or imbalanced when overexposed to food, environments, thoughts, and practices that pull them out of their happy flow. I’ll be listing the ways these imbalances manifest and the diseases each sign is more prone to.

Disease Degrees: Each degree of the zodiac has an associated disease and these correspondences have been observed and recorded by herbalist such as Elsbeth and Reinhold Ebertin, Charles Carter, and Judith Hill.

Remedies: These suggested activities and healing modalities that can help bring a sign back into balance.

Gifts: Every sign has healing gifts and energies to offer.

Rituals: These are suggested ritual and magickal actions you might take to tap into the energy of a sign.

The phases of the moon from the 17th-century Ars Magna Lucis et Umbrae (The Great Art of Light and Shadow).

Guardian Herbs: These are herbs that embody the energy of a sign. Aries herbs, for example, are generally warming and invigorating such as Ginger (Zingiber officinalis).

Remedy Herbs: These are herbs that help bring errant, imbalanced or weakened signs back to a place of balance.

Flower + Gem Essences: I think Flower + Gem Essences are accessible, easy-to-use, and effective remedies so I’ve included some of my favorite for each sign.

The Sun in {Sign}: I will be including brief descriptions of people whose natal Sun is in the sign being discussed. There are many talented astrologers provided wise and in-depth description of each sign of the zodiac, so I will be focusing medical astrology traits of each sign.

I will also be briefly discussing one Guardian Herb, Remedy Herb, and Flower or Gem Essence of each sign. If you are interested in more in-depth plant profiles and recipes and exploration of herbalism from a lunar-perspective, I invite you to join the The Lunar Apothecary.