This Month: Astrological Trends * Probiotics and Iron
August 2016 Astrological Trends
Let’s redefine August a bit with significant astrological event parentheses—as beginning on July 29, when Uranus turns retrograde in Aries, and ending on September 1, when the Solar eclipse in Virgo occurs. (On September 16, its paired lunar eclipse in Pisces will occur.) It’s the prerogative of Uranus influences to do things “their own way,” so this change and redefinition is in alignment with the times!
This retrograde lasts until December and tends to make Uranus even more Uranian. Expect increased innovation, inventiveness, intuition, flashes of insight, and quick paths to brilliant solutions. Along with that, side effects could be incurred—including an increase in anxiety, impulse, insomnia, and a sense of nervous energy.
What helps? An ever-present focus on connecting with your higher-self, practicing a large measure of patience when you’re faced with change, falling back on habits that work for you when it comes to your mental and sleep hygiene, plenty of outdoor activity and exercise, fresh and healthy foods, and kindness. It’s an absolutely fabulous time to investigate and research, write and explore. Many “Eureka!” moments are sure to emerge during the last part of the year. It’s okay to do the internal work or the research during the final part of 2016. Publish and share when Uranus turns direct again after December. The nice thing about Uranus is that it helps us change and get out of any ruts we’ve been experiencing.
Adding to a sense of progression and energy is the New Moon in Leo and the movement of Mars into Sagittarius—both on August 2. Leo and Sagittarius are both FIRE signs—meaning power, creativity, and enthusiasm. It’s a message that movement now, infused with joy, will be supportive for us. Dance, sing, get dramatic—let it all out somehow. Especially with the Sun moving through Leo during the first part of August.
Venus moves into Virgo on August 5. This signals a change in the realm of our relationship, financial, and creative focus to a more grounded energy where we may be more interested in finding a sense of sanctuary, service, and hygiene rather than seeking a sense of devotion, attention, and/or shared understanding. On August 29, this shifts again as Venus moves pretty swiftly through Virgo and into Libra. The energy will shift to seeking balance, harmony, and the redefinition of relations. Relational vibes shift into Libra air energy, which is more detached than either the Leo fire energy or the Virgo earth energy.
On August 7, Jupiter reaches 23 degrees Virgo—the point at which it began its retrograde movement way back in January, 2016. In effect, this is Jupiter finally beginning to move forward after going backward and then retracing its steps. It opposes retrograde Chiron in Pisces as it moves forward and moves on during mid-August, exactly opposite on August 12. This is asking us to increase our bandwidth on the Pisces/Virgo continuum, and so far, this year, one of the major questions emerging appears to be whether we want the world (both personally and publicly) to be a diverse place. Before answering with a stock, rehearsed answer, we need to look into our hearts to see how open we are to allowing others to be different. Do we expect others to be carbon copies of us, or are we genuinely doing the work to make a place and space in the world for everyone? What a dull and vulnerable world it would be if there were only one kind of vegetable or fruit; one type of flower or tree. Diversity is a protective force of nature, and our fixed mindsets are mere delusions. They won’t be outrunning nature’s ways any time soon, even if we go so far as to wage war over beliefs in our own righteousness. Jupiter and Chiron work together to illuminate where in our life we still have work to do. Jupiter will expand it—whatever it is. Chiron will make it hurt worse or heal better. When they come together in the middle, the resolution of an opposition’s energy, we find ourselves radiating instead of polarizing. Imagine the ability to choose one’s Virgoan daily choices and activities from the sense of surrendered oneness that Pisces offers. Personally, I’ve been affected profoundly by some recent aspects so I wouldn’t purport to be beyond the human space of needing to do some of this work and being somewhere in the middle of the journey, but I can imagine the integration and synthesis so I know I’m getting there along with everyone else. Chiron is an astrological body that helps us work out our karma. Jupiter has touched the North Node, a destiny point, recently, and now is showing us how to clean up some karma by integrating our ideals with the practical. It’s nice to know this is the time to move forward instead of go over and over it like we’ve done for months during Jupiter and Chiron retrogrades. Now, with Jupiter direct, we’ll have the chance to feel things shift for good.
On August 13, Saturn turns direct and leaves its retrograde movement, too. It will begin to retrace its steps through Sagittarius. Mars approaches its conjunction with Saturn during the middle of August, with exact conjunction on August 24. They are both square Uranus in Pisces. This is a major sign that making impulsive changes could backfire at this time. Saturn and Mars together in a fire sign could lead to a sense of impulsiveness and a feeling that things MUST change, or even a positive sense that you wish to expand something. It seems like with the Uranus square, it would be better to wait for a few months and see if you would make the same decision after the Saturn-Uranus square has ended or AT LEAST until after the Mars-Uranus square is no longer in effect (since the Saturn-Uranus square lasts pretty much the entire year). Especially if there is conflict involved, it’s just not the best time to make a major life decision. And it’s a time when you may also feel a lot of pressure to clean stuff up, especially with so much Virgo energy happening at the same time. If there is a way to be patient beyond what you feel you can handle and find ways to care for yourself, rather than do things that cause an effect on those around you, that is a better option at this time. Things could possibly feel like the steam has built up and you just cannot tolerate any more—you need to release the steam valve–but please remember there is no rush on the big decisions in life and all you need to do is keep yourself well cared-for. Beyond that, the paperwork can wait! (That is a metaphor for many things that can be delayed.)
An August 18, there is an Aquarius Full Moon. It’s a great day to cement any healing activities or work on your own unique metaphysical activities. Pay attention to the divine and your link to your higher purpose.
The sun enters Virgo on August 22. About that time, the world starts to get ready for both Mercury retrograde in Virgo to occur on August 30 (While Mercury is conjunct Jupiter in Virgo, and also while Venus is conjunct both of them!) and the New Moon Solar Eclipse at 9 degrees Virgo on September 1 (opposing Neptune in Pisces and squaring Saturn in Sagittarius—forming a T-square aspect pattern). There is a lot of fear and worry being tossed around for personal gain in the world right now, and your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to create your own personal boundaries against propaganda in order to protect your heart, mind, and soul. You can end up a victim of the mass mind, infected with the sad, violent images being traded about—or you can end up creating the future through your own clearing energy work. Sometimes we underestimate the importance of clearing our energy fields. We need to take the time beginning in late August through September to schedule and practice clearing our environments of toxic energy very deliberately—especially of media that brings us nothing but grief and negativity. This will help us and everyone around us. This can be biological / physical—our space. It can be our cognitive mindsets. It can be our social activities and our willingness to engage in things such as watching violence in the media. It can be our spiritual practices. There are many dimensions to attend. This will be about our personal response to wider issues.
It’s a month of movement and clarity. However, it also requires excellent focus on self-reflection and self-care. While things will be moving along, we needn’t feel rushed and can expect lots of joy and healing along with the new business that comes along in August!
Meditation
Guided audio meditations posted for free this month:
Nurture Your Inner Child Guided Meditation
Take Advantage of these while they are free this month!!
Let me know what you think and if you want more in this series of wellness, relaxation, and healing. Send an email to domikajama@gmail.com.
Nourishment for the Body and Soul
August tips:
If you’re a female, pair probiotics with iron-rich foods to increase your body’s uptake of iron by 50%. In 2015, researchers reported in the British Journal of Nutrition that non-haem, or plant-based, iron uptake was increased significantly when paired in a fruit drink containing the probiotic Lactobacillus plantarum 299v (Lp299v).
Non-meat foods that are high in iron include dark leafy greens such as spinach and kale as well as dry beans. Probiotics can be found in fermented foods, which I at first assumed meant vinegars—so vinaigrettes on salads are a great option along with those foods that have gone through fermenting processes. Fermented foods include options such as yogurt, kefir, kombucha, kimchi, good old pickles, and some types of cheeses (cheddar, mozzarella and gouda can contain probiotics, for example). To add on to the picture, vegetarian options paired with Vitamin C also increase iron absorption.
Both my mother and my sister have experienced anemia at times in their lives. There are many women (and others) who experience iron deficiencies. Women are a principally vulnerable population, and that’s why I think this information is particularly relevant. After my mother had surgery, one of its effects was anemia—and she had never had this issue previously! So it can occur for many unexpectedly and knowing some hints in how we can use nutrition to support us could be beneficial in the long run.
It’s not gender-specific as a problem, but the research had a gender aspect to its hypothesis. It’s hard, therefore, to say anything scientifically conclusive about other populations. One would guess, however, that further research would show similar results for all people.
Read more scientific information here: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4594053/
Nourishing Recommendations
You can learn so much about Tarot from Susyn Blair-Hunt, my wonderful mentor, in her book, Tarot Prediction & Divination, Unveiling 3 Layers of Meaning.
(Llewellyn also publishes the best selection of Tarot decks that I’ve discovered.)
Homeopathy and Core Synchronism have changed my life. First, I was immediately able to breathe after experiencing asthma-like symptoms for years. Many other improvements followed. Here are practitioners I recommend:
Eva Lipton-Ormand, CHoM, CCSP – in Albuquerque, NM
Elizabeth Battarbee of Flourish, Doctor of Homeopathy – available via Skype everywhere and in-person in Louisiana!
Elise Hensley, LISW, an amazing healer, specializing in EMDR and Neurofeedback. Elise is one of only a few people trained in Neurofeedback in our area. She is someone who is a skilled and amazing mentor. Better yet, your insurance may cover your sessions.
Thank you for enjoying this month’s newsletter! You can contact me anytime via email: domikajama@gmail.com for consultations. Visit at Intuitivemoon.com.
Be well!
Blessings,
Dominique