Sturm Und Drang
Overtones churn as decaying and distorted tones crush each other and suppress sounds sustaining on rails of grinding and squealing metallic song, like the strings and sirens of scrapyards, tank treads crossing alternating colors in square set patterns of ivory and jet; or if you look deep enough and can find a torch to take down you might find that what seemed black was in fact deep jade, worry stones carried by giants whose oils entered and infused long ago in wars they spent behind protective walls pacing before their tables and positioning pieces in a game; while outside fires lashed whole hamlets, like licking dragon tongues, throats let souls escape in decapitated tempests dapple and mottle the canvas like some wound coated canine costume condemned to carry the festooned flesh from charred carcass cavern to cavern where city spires hung over ashen simulating conifers bowed by snow; the gleaming coinage lifted by wings of bats called to the sounds of demonic geese which hiss elsewhere unseen as if they do not exist instead inserted memories that found hosts while hibernating, waiting for the picture to correct, the scum to race away in the eventual rains. But even those drops that congregate beneath the tarp and drip upon the stacks of books, they melt the words within so when we see the tear streamed glass and drive without wiping windshields off, into futures wreathed with decorum sanctum sordid stolen and spying on ourselves in spades, the shovels that we transport are ghosts whose graves have been upset on purpose, its all part of the plan.
Mars, with the strike of strings cum Sturm und Drang, has entered Capricorn with Saturn; the former in exaltation and the latter in rulership. This for many may be the silent cue which summons their ultimate antagonist to the stage; where for others, especially the wise, it is the moment you turn dangerous; Clint Eastwood gulping down whiskey at the end of Unforgiven; you’re obstacles and adversaries should probably just flee now as you are no longer fucking around. Either way, someone is dangerous and no longer fucking around, is it you or them? This is occurring somewhere in all our charts, and a quick glance can reveal what is being attacked, or where the hammer is going to come down from. We would do well to choose this ordeal as our own now, and start setting up our strategies to checkmate our opponents.
Meanwhile, Mercury is steadily applying to Venus in Aries, finding us illustrating what we read in the Art Of War. Conflict is beautiful, and we paint ourselves into the narrative, render ourselves the focal warrior in the picture. We may aim our weapon at the viewer, or the viewer may aim their weapon at the canvas, or the frame around it threatens destruction like a set of closing jaws, the castle itself clamps down upon and digests its inhabitants or the inhabitants detonate the kingdom from a distant hill, having set its coordinates in the crosshairs. As the museum establishment attacks the rights to hang our painting in its galleries we struggle as artists to build a body of work that can withstand the pressure and lift the monolith off ourselves, as in a wrestling match, we flip the Guggenheim onto its belly and holding its arm across its back lay our likeness over its form… or, the other way around. What we are forced to do, how we out-maneuver our enemies, and what picture of us gets painted inaugurate these final moments of the astrological year, while the Sun catches up in Pisces, having touched angels wings and messiah’s wounds along the way to Springs equinoctial gate.
Sunday March 18th
At 6:30am (EST) the Moon in Aries squares Saturn in Capricorn, a heavy stone burns in our bowels with this emotional fight for individuation and independence torsion against laws of nature and of society’s systems. The key is to understand which direction the gun points. People might each be to individuated to relate with one another; every Man and Woman is a Star, but in this case, they all might consider themselves the Sun.
By 6:00pm the Moon conjoins Venus and an impulse to socialize and indulge incites mouthing off and arguing, savoring the pleasures of obnoxious social clamor. Feeling like wearing battle clothes and the need to indulge in edgy aesthetics, generating or creating strife for fun; think of stir crazy cabin cats, archetypal feline or feminine aggression. We find this upon Alpheratz degree, 14 Aries; the topics being shouted about and gnawed upon may revolve around demanding social and religious freedom or education in relation to society.
Only an hour later Luna contacts Mercury; when our logic is only as clear as our emotions people speak their feelings, but in this case perhaps rashly and impulsively, blurting out whatever your heart and mind might hold with no filter sparking off heated and emotionally charged debates, or even chanting passionate slogans.
Before the Sun’s exit he comes across Chiron nestled near the fixed star Scheat and sees a vision of riding emotional and intuitive waves of tragedy and mystical ecstasy which radiate and personify core wounds and lifelong trips and how they might either be held within and contaminate the waters or finally let flow away. Whether this is a soaked bandage or final wound washing depends on the person.
Monday March 19th
The waxing Moon then collides with Uranus at 3pm on Monday creating a potential lack in concentration and discipline, inflaming the feeling of doing something else, although we could achieve impulsive moments of intuitive innovation amidst a normally disturbing and distracting few hours, all performed outwardly as if a play you’ve been cast in without realizing it.
That evening at 9:00pm the Moon ingresses Taurus, achieving organic pace and natural rhythm, which will likely be much appreciated, allowing us to take the spike of epiphany from the morning and start slowly rolling out the dough which we will bake it into bread with. Two hours later Venus conjoins Mercury, expressing love by making art and music, writing poetically, panting with hot artistic artistic logic, we unroll our maps and plan our pleasure trips. We might even move the map onto the floor and dance on the world, or take some utensil and sketch ourselves into the topography. Staccato strokes stipulate seductive personal vortexes of which you are at the center, singing in a signature style unique to your voice. The Moon, now exalted, is trine Mars exalted, with the Moon near Mirach, her organic rhythms receptivity to fecundity (but acutely disturbed by the antithesis to such signatures) harmonized with calculated action and heavy stratagem, imbuing courage and leadership abilities as the natural needs of action are understood. The way to proceed through the opponents defenses is slowly and steadily, doing only what is necessary, having the courage to keep putting one foot before the next while advancing toward obstacles and adversaries. As with any Moon transit, it will be over in a few hours, so take advantage while you can.
Tuesday March 20th
Astrological New Year begins as the Sun ingresses Aries just after noon, light and darkness reaching balance in Spring Equinox. A time for new beginnings, visions of raw personal power. Where the planets are in the zodiac at this moment implies not just what happens on this day but describes signatures that over arch the year. We may recall that the 2018 calendar year chart has the Moon in rulership in Cancer opposing Saturn tightly, and here in the Aries ingress chart Luna trines Saturn almost exactly from exaltation in Taurus. In both cases a dignified Moon aspects Saturn in rulership. A year of what we need and what the earth needs to be tested, restructured and stabilized on deep and foundational levels, requiring many big power moves and reorganization of the gameboard. As Mercury and Venus are less than a degree apart in Aries, we know these game changes will incite much art and individual expression, loud voices expressing themselves as the world around them goes through dramatic changes, like the voices of the crowd which rise up when a trophy is passed or a ballot is read in a ceremony, or something critical happens in a sporting tournament. Angrily we demand beauty and insist on hearing our own voices, our own aesthetic logic rippling in the tumult. The cult of the individual persists, but at least art is likely to result from it.
The Moon is trine Saturn while she is near the stars Hamal and Schedar. The organic pace and fecund preparations practiced by strong, noble women known for their challenges to convention harmonized with the laws of nature and the rigid hierarchies of foundational systems enabling the ability to withstand considerable strain and practical control of emotions. Not necessarily an easy time, but a sobering one where the material needs of women, the world and the earth itself are exceedingly cut and dry.
Thursday March 22nd
Mercury stations retrograde around 8pm on Thursday beginning a review and reinvestigation of the details and logic of impulsive communication and the particular details of individuals and their expressions. We may ask ourselves during this period, what is my unique voice, what is my personal logic, what paradigm persists in my personal vortex? Circumstances arise to confuse us, but only as diversions which force our focus into facing these questions if we don’t look on our own. The regular array of technological upsets and travel setbacks and do-overs will, of course occur while Mercury is absent; he heads into the underworld to communicate with the dead and other spirits of Hades; a good time to search into and through materiality to find inner personal fire and spirit within. To look below and inward to find yang mojo you might have had once and later lost but can now reclaim. On the surface we might summon to us any lost personal item or locate links back to personal sovereignty.
Friday March 23rd
Venus squares Pluto Friday night at 7pm igniting intense and mysterious relationships, obscure sexual art, dark power pleasure, attraction and aesthetic experiences of uncommon, traumatic, and obsessive or awe inspiring nature. Being pushed through initiatory tension and perhaps transgressing out of the social structure safe system into the totality of the mystical divine on the other side. Truly a night for Babylon to manifest in both temple and in Budoire or really any place she wants, but as she is attracted to roses, blood and bomb blasts, you might know where to go and find her or simply invite her over for a while. We could be brought to face blindspots in personal pleasure or aesthetic atrocities as our desires pulsate toward pleasures wildly beyond what is possible on earth or even in reality.
Saturday March 24th
At 11am Saturday a Cancer Moon opposes Capricornian Mars and we become both emotionally excited and easily irritated around strategic actions. There is danger here to become horribly distraught if we don’t bring both emotions and basic needs in balance with larger strategies. This is the moment you might realize there is really no escape. You’re in the Marines and your shipping out tomorrow, so make sure you have everything you need. Also, it might be a time to make sure all these war games and high stakes Monopoly are really bringing you the things that you need. You have to play, there is no changing that fact, so if you must compete, at least choose the prizes that are most crucial and most fulfilling.
By noon the newly exalted Sun squares an exalted Mars from a sign Mars rules. Ego conflicts erupt from the statues on the squares of life, the game pieces animate, take a look around and decide they have personal beef with each other based around hang ups and trips they tote around . With any Mars or Sun aspect and always with square aspects as well, find constructive expression and strategic outlets for energy or end up in these dire disputes. As things may reach a fevered pitch keep watch for health and injury. Support you immune system, avoid dangers and protect yourself from harm. Get active and physical and remember to concentrate. If you’ve followed all of these prescriptions you might find you hit incredible productive peaks. These are the basic things you keep in mind when designing a machine. How to get it to run like a freight train and not immediately destroy itself. You’ve got to be a high wattage generator, and that requires careful design, lubrication and cooling, as well as churning out the juice.
That night the Moon opposes Saturn while she applies to Alhena. We must balance our needs and restrictions, structure and nourishment. This can be serious, but get control of your moods and don’t over indulge in negative emotions. We can be looking at grave situations but we must not over-sacrifice personal needs for the needs of the system even when it helps other players. This is not a hollywood movie. In real life we are called to heroism at times, but if we are going to survive every pass the Moon makes through Capricorn for the next three Months, never mind the next three years, we must teach ourselves to not run into every burning building after the baby or collapsing castle to pull out the princess. This is serious, keep your heart in one hand and your head in the other, but most importantly, keep your feet firmly planted on the ground, even if you’ve got to step and pivot to avoid the arrows and javelins.
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Moon of Hyldemoer Herbal Notes for Liminal Light
March 18-24, 2018
These notes are suggestions for herbal allies to assist with the effects of the cosmic influences of this week. Before imbibing any of the herbs recommended, research recommended dosages, & ask yourself & research such questions as, Does this herb interfere with any medications I am taking?, Does this herb match with my constitution?, Do I really need to take this herb into my body? Be wise: listen to your own body, intuition, guiding spirits & the plants themselves.
Imbibing the herbs recommended is of course only one way of meeting the herbs. There are multitudinous manners of developing relationships with our herbal allies including sitting with the fresh or dry herbs, or a picture/drawing of the herb, making an amulet to wear or have on your altar (adhering to planetary hours/days), visioning or meditating with the plant, & taking an herbal body or foot bath (In this case remember your skin is the largest organ of your body). Use your imagination & listen to the plants, they have been on this planet much longer than we have, are our Elders & have much wisdom to offer.
For intense strategy times, when much pressure, stress & tension is all around us (Mars & Saturn both in Capricorn), it is recommended to call upon Adaptogens. Adaptogens are herbs & natural substances that assist our bodies in dealing with the inevitable stress in our lives. We obviously need some stress in our lives, a bridge would not hold up without stress, but having the buttresses, rebar support, and solid construction greatly adds to the bridges strength & longevity, just as Adaptogens support us in our work. They support our body’s stress response & help us to return to homeostasis (or dynamo-stasis) before/during & after a stressful situation. To be called an Adaptogen, a substance must meet three principles:
1. Be non-toxic: Causing minimal side effects on physical or mental health.
2. Create a nonspecific response in the body that enhances our ability to deal with stress: This is the adaptogen’s ability to create “adaptive energy”, keeping the body in balance when much stress is present. They also stimulate, activate or promote a response in many nonspecific ways, including creating this reserve of adaptive energy.
3. Apply a normalizing influence on the body’s processes: Adaptogens have bidirectional effects on the body, e.g. they stimulate & balance many body systems including the neuroendocrine & immune systems. (Secondary sites for adaptogen influence include the liver, cardiovascular system, kidneys & pancreas.) Adaptogens can decrease the activity of a hyperfunctioning system, or can strengthen the activity of a hypofunctioning system, thereby offering a normalizing effect.
Adaptogens have adapted to growing in many harsh environments like places with high altitude, cold weather, low oxygen or intense irradiation from the sun. The adaptogens American Ginseng, Cordyceps, Rhodiola are found in rugged mountain regions. Some adaptogens have medicinal roots that take many years to mature. e.g. American Ginseng (>7 yrs), Rhodiola (5-8 yrs), Astragalus (>3 yrs) & Licorice (3-4 yrs). Some unusual adaptogens are Ashwaganda & Holy Basil that are relatively easy to grow & are ready to harvest in less than one year. The majority of the adaptogens are native to China, India, Korea, & Russia (This is also where most of Adaptogen study has taken place.) A few adaptogens grow in Europe & North America & it is likely that more will be found in other parts of the world.
Most adaptogens have immunomodulating or immunostimulating properties. Immunomodulators, including American Ginseng, Eleuthero, Tulsi, Licorice (never used as as a simple & only 10% of the formula) & Reishi mushrooms, are immune amphoteric, balancing, regulating immune function in the body. Immunostimulants, including Astragalus & Schizandra, stimulate the immune system, but do not stabilize the extreme immune response. I call upon Astragalus to boost my immune system when I am in a relatively healing state, but if I am ill or feel myself becoming ill, I do not call upon Astragalus as such a line of defense is created by this adaptogen, that the illness can be kept in. In this situation, I instead call upon Ginger, Hyssop, Thyme, Elderberry, or Yarrow for acute care.
Adaptogens can be crucial allies as we all deal with different stressors in our lives. These dear friends help us to adapt to our ever-dynamic lives & to respond to the stress that lies therein. Adaptogens are like having magical, invisible armor woven by the Fey that enhance our own strengths & powers. Not all adaptogens are for everyone, so carefully research each one before deciding which one is for you.
Also calling upon our nerviness like Skullcap (Scutellaria laterfolia), St. Joan’s Wort (Hypericum perfolatum), Passionflower (Passiflora incarnate), Motherwort (Leonurus cardiac) & Milky Oats/Oatstraw (Avena sativa) to name a few, to support & nourish our nervous systems as we traverse through this new year. Look over past forecasts where I go into detail on each of these nervines.
Sunday, March 18
This could be a day of heated feminine aggression mixed with personal wounds spilling forth from the Sun squaring Chiron in Pisces. There may be a need to cool some of this energy with Venusian Violet (Viola odorata) & Milky Oats/Oatstraw (Avena sativa) so that ones heart is moistened & protected at the same time as one is offered stability to stand ones ground & state ones demands. As always, Rose (Rosa sp.) can be called upon to cool & strengthen ones self love & heart.
On the other hand, one may need to fully gather this Aries aggression & battle stance of an Amazonian warrior, calling on Martian Cayenne (Capsicum annuum) or Wormwood (Artemisia absinthum) wearing one as a crown & the other as a scepter if this is what is necessary to pierce the wound of Chiron & let it flow. Drinking Martian Nettle (Urtica dioica)/Sun ruled Chamomile (Chamomilla matricaria) tea will help to command the heated warrior while having a soild Sun calm to stand on after the wound has been cleared.
Monday, March 19
In the afternoon on this Moonday, when the Moon is conjunct Uranus, call upon Linden (Tillia cordata) & Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba) for concentration mixed with Lunar Jasmine (Jasminum sp.) & Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis) for guidance with listening to ones intuition. As the Moon trines Mars on this day, work with Nettle, Eleuthero, or Devil’s Club (Oplopanax horridus) to access ones courage & leadership abilities. (See Jan 7-14 herbal forecast for more about Devil’s Club.)
Tuesday, March 20
The Spring Equinox! The Sun enters into new beginnings of Aries. For this year, as stated earlier, begin working with an Adaptogen that suits your constitution to guide one though the tension of Saturn in Capricorn, so that ones strengths & hard work are augmented. Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) is a great warrior to meditate on this day as this liver supporting, spring foreteller will grant wishes as well as allow pathways to open internally & externally.
Thursday, March 22
As Mercury stations retrograde at 8 pm EST, place some Mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris) near ones bed, take a few drops of tincture before sleep, or carry some on ones person, so to access the Underworld messages that Mercury will bring forth. Continue working with Mugwort throughout retrograde. Juniper, Vertiver, Rosemary & Elder are all herbs to call upon to help find what may be lost.
Friday, March 23
As Venus squares Pluto, Venusian Rose is recommended to call upon for Babylon’s sake as well as ones own. (Separate offerings of course.) A bouquet of Roses, a Rose petal bath, Rose elixir taken at 7 pm & each hour before retiring, as well as Rose/Mugwort/Damiana/Jasmine tea will promote one to open to ones deep, wild desires.
Saturday, March 24
This day is full of oppositions & squares, a day of challenge & hopefully growth, letting go & balancing. Our two luminaries, the Sun & Moon, are opposing Mars, as well as the Moon opposing Saturn in the eve. One should be continuing daily with ones chosen Adaptogen, take a dose of Forty Thieves Vinegar as a boost to ones immune system, & have a pot of Lemon Balm/St, Joan/Spearmint/Oatstraw/Rose tea to protect & assure an even, thoughtful mind.
References:
Cunningham, Scott. Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs Llewellyn Publications, 1997.
Winston, David and Maimes, Steven. Adaptogens, Herbs for Strength, Stamina, and Stress Relief Healing Arts Press, 2007.
Moon of Hyldemoer, Suzanne Stone, Community Herbalist.
This information is not a substitute for a health care practitioner. Not to be reproduced without permission