Cosmic Insights 🌟 July 31 - August 7
#69 | Welcoming in creativity and saying goodbye to what's not working by...
In this newsletter, I’ll help you weave ancient wisdom from Hellenistic Astrology, guide you with tarot, share nurturing plant-based recipes, show you my tried & true herbal remedies, and help you nurture your connection with nature.
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Astrology forecast 🌠
Aug 4 | Refining your intentions around creativity…
Venus moves into Virgo
The perfect season to refine your craft and get clear on your intentions, but it’s not going to be easy. Get serious about what your passions in life are, and dedicate time to practice. Venus can show up in a myriad of ways depending on your natal chart. But Venus in your birth chart mainly signifies how you express your creativity, your relationship with your children, and what you’re attracted to.
Be aware of how much pressure you’ll feel once Venus moves into Virgo, as you’ll feel like your best is never good enough. This feeling isn’t permanent, just remember that. Venus doesn’t thrive in this sign, but walking into this ingress prepared can help you with with the energy of transit instead of against it.
I advise you to focus purely on dialing in your creativity and not starting any huge new projects or starting a new craft entirely. Things can feel a little too rigid or you might find it hard to tap into your sense of flow. You might feel resistant to trying a new medium with your art, or even taking some useful criticism too far. What matters is you’re penciling in time to care for yourself and your desires.
Let the inner saboteur fall the wayside and let your childlike sense of play have its moment.
Aug 4 | Pushing you to a higher dimension through karmic cycles…
New moon in Leo
There’s a lot of energy floating about, and there’s no denying you feel it in some capacity. Odds are you’re feeling good on the outside, but your mental state might be wavering. You’ll feel conflicted about your relationship, your family, or maybe your passion project; longing for a feeling of aesthetic perfection or social appreciation that you’ll never reach.
Give yourself a break, and try to go with the flow — even if it’s more wishy-washy than you anticipated. You’re probably working through karmic cycles, and feel vulnerable and apprehensive about the future. But rest assured that these thoughts will push you toward higher ground. You can’t learn if you’re stagnant.
Take the lessons that are popping up to heart, but also allow room for distance and assimilation. Allow your mind some time to let everything sink in, and don’t take anything too seriously right now. Try to view it from a bird’s eye, and see what can be working for you, and not to you. This new moon has a way of making things feel very personal and very isolated - but it’s a highly universal feeling.
Take note of the themes coming to light and see what can be released.
Aug 5 | Rethinking what it means to take a pause…
Mercury stations retrograde in the sign of Virgo
The energy will shift a little bit in regards to your occupation, communication, and travel plans. Don’t be surprised if delays happen in your commute, or you accidentally hit “reply all” on an important and personal email thread. Though mercury retrograde has a way of being sensationalized in pop culture, there are other ways to work with this transit.
If things do go awry, like they often do, it’s important not to panic. Not that something major will happen, but try to work on grounding techniques, self-care, and visualization skills. This retrograde has an emotional aura to it, so be prepared to be tested on your regulation skills. Make sure you’re not assuming the worst, or making mountains out of molehills. Get all the facts and data you can before confronting someone at work or assuming things in your relationship. Though there might be some unexpected twists and turns during this transit, it’s nothing that you can’t navigate.
Instead of focusing on what’s complicating things, focus on creative ways to deal with the shifting tides. Maybe experiment with carpooling, a new podcast, or maybe even a new digital form of organization. Now is the time to see what can work for you, without any commitments. By shaking things up you’re not only keeping it interesting, but you’re creating new neural connections in your brain and building resilience. When you play with your routine and your habits, you’re bound to find something that makes your day-to-day a bit easier. Focus on trying new things and seeing where they take you!
Remember low commitment and low stakes, just trial and error, baby!
Need insight into how astrological transits will influence your daily life? Look no further! Whether you're new to astrology or a seasoned enthusiast, a natal chart reading is your perfect starting point. Discover how astrology can bring clarity and foresight to your everyday experiences. Let me guide you toward a deeper understanding and peace through the wisdom of the stars.
Weekly favs 💚
On repeat 🎵 I’ve been listening to The Body Keeps the Score, which is a classic in terms of healing, trauma response, and self-development. It can be a little dense sometimes, but that’s usually my jam. If you’ve never done a deep dive on trauma, this is the perfect launching point.
On my nightstand 📚 I’m almost done with Joe Dispenza’s “Becoming Supernatural” and I can’t believe it’s taken me this long to make my way through it. In hindsight, reading it at the same time as the book above can be a bit redundant, but the meditations listed are really insightful. If you’re a bookworm too, let’s connect on Goodreads!
ICYMI 🗞
If we’re friends on Facebook and Instagram, you saw that Ellyse and I foraged some chicken of the woods mushrooms, something that’s been on my list since we moved here! Chicken of the Woods mushrooms, scientifically known as Laetiporus sulphureus, are a type of edible wild mushroom known for their distinctive appearance and flavor. If you’ve never tried them, they’re named "Chicken of the Woods" because their texture and flavor are reminiscent of chicken. When cooked, they have a meaty, slightly lemony taste.
🍄 Foraging tip: Make sure you triple-check your specimen. Utilize the help of community (either in-person or online, I’m happy to share my recommendations if you’re curious) and don’t rely on phone apps. Check your suspicions in textbooks and never consume something without 100% confirmation. Also make sure you’re leaving at least half of your findings there, as you want to build a healthy relationship with nature and not just take because “you can”. Think about the ecosystem and the balance within it, and also the repercussions of unethical foragers and the mark it leaves on the plants and mushrooms.
What’s in my cup ☕
Now that the mornings are a bit chilly where we’re situated along the Great Smokies, I’m longing for more warm beverages to start the day. Usually, it’s a cup of coffee and then I’m out the door, but recently I’ve added green tea back into the mix.
Green tea has a laundry list of health benefits — like antioxidants, aiding skin health, and boosting your mental clarity due to amino acids like l-theanine. This amino acid is known for its calming effects. It promotes relaxation by increasing the levels of neurotransmitters like GABA, serotonin, and dopamine, which can help improve mood and reduce stress without causing drowsiness. L-theanine can reduce anxiety and enhance feelings of well-being by altering brainwave patterns. It increases alpha waves, which are associated with a relaxed but alert mental state.
I also like to believe that the act of making, enjoying, and sitting with teas and herbs is medicine in itself. The pause from life where it’s just you, and your mug of soul-soothing tea — that’s good shit right there.
As far as loose-leaf teas go, this is my favorite way to make my infusions. Using a French press enables all of the leaves and herbs to fully expand and release all of their yummy compounds. Plus, keeping it covered helps keep all of that herbal goodness in your tea. This is the French press I use, and I have been using it for the better part of a year. I can’t stress enough how important it is to use a glass tea infuser. If not glass, stainless steel is second best!
Looking for some deeper self-reflection? How did last week’s newsletter manifest in your life?
Let me know if there are any connections by simply replying to this email, I’d love to feature them in next week’s newsletter!
If you’re longing for personalized Astrological guidance, or need clarification on a particular question with a tarot session, you can find some answers with an astrological or tarot reading!
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