Astro-Herbal Calendar: Fall 2019

Image by Anna Pugh

Astrology by Juliana McCarthy of Ethereal Culture. The suggested herbal remedies in this calendar are brought to you by medical astrologer Emily McDonald of Ethos Rising.

September 23-December 21

 

Fall Zodiac Signs: Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius

Fall begins with the Autumnal Equinox in the Northern Hemisphere, when the Sun crosses the Earth’s equator, making day and night of equal length. The next day, the Sun moves into Libra—sign of balance, relationships, and harmony. Ruled by Venus, Libra fills the earth with color. In the Northern Hemisphere, trees turn to oranges, reds, and golds—a peak of natural beauty. Summer is now over, and the weather is growing colder. Astrologically, we’re beginning to mature and think outside of ourselves—relating to others (Libra), our deeper psychological drives and desires (Scorpio), and our broader culture and philosophical frameworks (Sagittarius).

This fall holds significant and inspiring transits as we make our way toward the paradigm shift of 2020. We’re working toward healing unnecessary divisiveness as we learn to communicate better, listen more, and dissolve our fundamentalist thinking. Where have our beliefs been too rigid? Where have we resisted owning our mistakes? The masculine within us is continuing to heal and revolutionize, as the feminine steps into greater power. These two polarities are now better harmonizing as we become more receptive and at the same time, upright and strong. We’re learning to confront ourselves and each other in healthy ways as we forge deeper and more compassionate bonds. Revolutionary new energies are on the horizon—a new reality forming from the rubble. It’s time to join forces and work hard toward building the new paradigm—with the abundance of hope, inspiration, and meaning that are available to us this season.

Supportive Remedies for Fall:

Herbs that soothe the nervous system, which will help us settle from a summer’s livelier energies, and herbs that help us prepare for a season of growing darkness. 

Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum) — balances adrenals, grounds spiritual energy
Red Clover (Trifolium pratense) — detoxifies the circulatory system, instills confidence
Mimosa (Albizia julibrissin) – stabilizes mood, facilitates processing of grief and and sorrow

Fall 2019 Astrology Transits:

September 23–October 22 — Sun in Libra

Good time for: Love, Socializing, Finding peace and emotional harmony, Creating art, Connecting with beauty

September 28 (2:26pm) — Libra New Moon (Supermoon)

Good time for: Fresh starts in our relationships, Rectifying past wrongs, Owning our mistakes with others, Healing old relationship wounds, Being vulnerable, Listening, Receiving, Conflict resolution, Hugging each other

New Moons are a time for fresh starts and setting intentions. Falling into complete darkness, the New Moon marks the beginning of a new lunar cycle—when the Sun and Moon meet at the same degree. It presents a clean slate that helps us recharge and begin again. What projects or relationships do we now want to initiate and continue over the next six months? 

Falling in Libra, sign of relationships, beauty, and balance, we are experiencing fresh starts around love, peace, and beauty with this New Moon. Falling opposite to Chiron, the Wounded Healer, we have the chance now to heal relationship wounds, and harmonize our inner masculine and feminine. On this same day, Saturn exactly conjuncts the South Node of the Moon, so we are rectifying past mistakes and karma—particularly any pain we’ve caused because of our rigid beliefs, conditioning, or repression. We can now take ownership of our wrongs, with grace and diplomacy. The North Node is pointing to Cancer, and we’re learning to become more vulnerable with each other, establishing relationships that are more caring and emotionally expressive. We’re balancing our individual needs with our concern for others. As we open to different perspectives, without bias or judgment, we can hold more loving space for each other restoring balance and justice as we improve our abilities to listen and receive.

Supportive Remedies for Libra New Moon:

Libra rules the kidneys, while the Moon rules our bodily fluids, emotional memories, and biological rhythms.  In working to open through relationship, now is a potent time to work with remedies that resonate with the heart.

Amla (Emblica officinalis) — nourishes the heart, rejuvenates youthfulness
Mullein (Verbascum thapus) — softens resistance, supports energetic receptivity
Arjuana (Terminalia arjuna) — strengthens the heart, helps open channels for spiritual connections

October 13 — Aries Full Moon

Good time for:  Clearing karma, Liberating from old traumas and conditioning, Making peace, Healing anger issues, Resolving past conflicts and relationship wounds

Full Moons are a time to let go and release anything that no longer serves us. They’re a moment of culmination and fruition as the Moon reaches maximum brightness—falling directly opposite the Sun. The Full Moon exposes the night, tapping us into magic, hidden dimensions, and our unconscious minds.

Falling along the Aries-Libra axis, the Aries Full Moon exposes tension between our individual desires and our relationships to others. With both the Sun and the Moon squaring Saturn, Pluto, and the South Node, we’re releasing old conditioning—from our parents and society—while purifying old habits and karma. The feminine is continuing to revolutionize and come into her power, as we move toward a paradigm that is deeper, more spiritual, and caring. At the same time, the masculine is continuing to heal. This journey is reaching a powerful crescendo on this Full Moon, as Mars in Libra opposes Chiron in Aries. We’re learning to lay down our arms and listen to each other, as we soften our anger and divisiveness. How do we balance our anger with openness, our diplomacy with fearlessness and strength?

Supportive Remedies for Aries Full Moon:

Aries rules the head, brain, and adrenals, while the Moon rules our bodily fluids, emotional memories, and biological rhythms. Now is an excellent time to work with adaptogenic herbs to support our equilibrium. 

Reishi Mushroom (Ganoderma lucidum) — nourishes adrenal glands and hormonal axis, promotes longevity and endurance
Ashwaganda (Grifola frondosa) — balances hormonal axis, improves energy levels
Schizandra (Schisandra chinensis) — restores balance between organ systems, promotes peace through spiritual quietude

October 23–November 21 — Sun in Scorpio

Good time for: Deep psychological work, Shamanic ceremonies, Sexuality, Purification

October 27 (11:38pm) — Scorpio New Moon

Good time for: Deep alchemical transformation, Powerful creative work, Relationship breakthroughs, Necessary conflict, Releasing old traumas, Surrender

New Moons are a time for fresh starts and setting intentions. Falling into complete darkness, the New Moon marks the beginning of a new lunar cycle—when the Sun and Moon meet at the same degree. It presents a clean slate that helps us recharge and begin again. What projects or relationships do we now want to initiate and continue over the next six months? 

Scorpio is the sign of our shadows, sexuality, and inner power. A Scorpio New Moon allows us to begin again on a deep level, shifting us alchemically into a new internal phase. This New Moon is particularly transformative, since it falls exactly opposite to revolutionary Uranus. We have the chance now to dive into the depths of our shadows, within ourselves and with each other, and liberate from the places where we’re most stuck. As we move closer to the new paradigm of 2020, revolutionary energies are brewing. With sudden shock, we’re dislodging from unconscious matter that’s been blocking us from a more aligned future. Conflicts could arise now, but for the sake of establishing peace. Meanwhile, Mars in Libra is squaring the Nodes, Saturn, and Pluto. We’re becoming more active in healing our anger and divides—owning our mistakes while alleviating rifts and psychological traumas. As the leaves fall, there’s nowhere to hide. We have no choice but to become more authentic with ourselves and each other. All we can do now is flow and surrender to the tides of change, as they crash over us and carry us forward.

Supportive Remedies for Scorpio New Moon:

Scorpio rules the reproductive organs and energetic transformations, such as birth and death. The Moon oversees our bodily fluids, emotional memories, and biological rhythms. During this time, it would be powerful to work with herbs that clear perceptive limitations and facilitate shifts in our consciousness. 

Damiana (Turnera diffusa) — tonifying to pelvic organs and nervous system, supports sexual expansion
San Pedro* (Trichocereus pachanoi):  the Grandfather Spirit who helps to heal our inner masculine and release addictions, while working as a highly revelatory and transformative agent of higher consciousness
Yohimbe* (Pausinystalia yohimba) —  relaxes blood vessels, sexual stimulant and aphrodisiac

*Vibrational remedies, as these are highly potent, potentially hallucinogenic plants – highest degree of caution is warranted.

October 31–November 20 — Mercury Retrograde in Scorpio

Good time for: Review, Introspection, Magic, Psychic communication

Mercury retrograde occurs when Mercury appears to move backward from the perspective of Earth. Energetically, this has the effect of distorting our communication. It can mess up our listening, speaking, writing, texting, and negotiating. Travel, shipping, and computer codes can also go off kilter, earning Mercury retrograde its negative reputation. 

However, this transit is also beneficial. As the planet of intellect and communication turns its powers inward, we enter a potent period of reflection, review, and introspection—as well as dreams, magic, and psychic communication. We can find much deeper ways to communicate now, beyond ordinary language and mundane reality.

Supportive Remedies for Mercury Retrograde in Scorpio:

Passionflower(Passiflora incarnata) – alleviates agitation, eases us into sleep
Milky Oats(Avena sativa) – supplies nutrients, strengthens faith in decision-making
Damiana (Turnera diffusa) — tonifying to pelvic organs and nervous system, supports sexual expansion

November 12 (8:48pm) — Taurus Full Moon

Good time for: Yoga, Body work, Eating nourishing foods, Creating visionary art, Working through fear, Healing our fragility, Deep emotional transformation

Full Moons are a time to let go and release anything that no longer serves us. They’re a moment of culmination and fruition as the Moon reaches maximum brightness—falling directly opposite the Sun. The Full Moon exposes the night, tapping us into magic, hidden dimensions, and our unconscious minds.

Taurus rules sensuality, the earth, and our places of stubbornness and stuckness. This Taurus Full Moon presents a potent time to ground and release any stagnancy that’s holding us back. The Moon is trining Pluto in Capricorn, so we’re positively supported in activities that are transformative, yet practical. Do we need to adjust the structures in our lives? Make new agreements? Change the way we relate to indulgences or finances? With Mercury trining Neptune while Mars squares Pluto, we may be working through our passion and anger, finding gentler ways to communicate. We’re becoming more authentic and confrontational, yet at the same time, kinder, simpler, and more forgiving. We’re working through all sorts of fragility as we learn to face the shadows within us and the collective more honestly. This way, we can better help to bring about positive change.

Supportive Remedies for Taurus Full Moon:

Taurus rules the neck and throat, while the Moon rules our bodily fluids, emotional memories, and biological rhythms. Now is an excellent time to work with nutritive herbs to support grounding, presence, and acceptance.

Cordyceps(Cordyceps sinensis) – stimulates energy, provokes sexuality
Turkey Tail (Trametes versicolor) — checks unregulated impulses, refines relational balances
Shiitake (Lenintula edodes) — moves stagnant energy, imparts vitality and longevity

 November 22–December 21 — Sun in Sagittarius

Good time for: Adventure, Travel, Studying, Teaching, Following our inspiration, Expansion, Meeting new people

November 26 (10:05am) — Sagittarius New Moon

Good time for: Releasing outworn beliefs, Honesty, Adventure, Traveling, Authentic expression, Breaking free

New Moons are a time for fresh starts and setting intentions. Falling into complete darkness, the New Moon marks the beginning of a new lunar cycle—when the Sun and Moon meet at the same degree. It presents a clean slate that helps us recharge and begin again. What projects or relationships do we now want to initiate and continue over the next six months?

Sagittarius is all about truth, beliefs, and adventure. This fall, we’ve been looking at our belief systems, seeing where they’ve led us to fundamentalism and divisiveness. On this Sagittarius Full Moon, Mars is opposing Uranus, so we’re continuing themes of revolutionary breakthroughs, especially around our anger, passions, and inner masculine. We’re learning to be fearless and direct, while we also exhibit integrity and genuine kindness. We’re stepping into a more feminine world as our receptivity, peace, and ease take the lead, helping us dissolve of old conflicts and rigidity. This would be a good time to start a trip or new studies, or break out of limitations that have kept us from living with freedom and truth.

Supportive Remedies for Sagittarius New Moon:

Sagittarius rules the hips and thighs, while managing integration of our nerves and hormones. The Moon oversees our bodily fluids, emotional memories, and biological rhythms.  This Full Moon is an excellent time to work with herbs that integrate heart and mind, intuition and intellect.

Lion’s Mane (Hericium erinaceus) — promotes new brain connections, helps spirit manifest physically
Blue Lotus(Nymphaea caerulea)  – heightens spiritual senses, brings tranquility
Willow (Salix vitellina): shifts mental patterns, encourages perseverance

December 12 (12:12am) —Gemini Full Moon

Good time for: Healing communication problems, Curiosity, Meaningful socializing, Dissolving dogma and faulty thinking, Moving out of the head and into the heart, Establishing deeper and more committed relationships, Forgiveness, Clarifying our desires

Full Moons are a time to let go and release anything that no longer serves us. They’re a moment of culmination and fruition as the Moon reaches maximum brightness—falling directly opposite the Sun. The Full Moon exposes the night, tapping us into magic, hidden dimensions, and our unconscious minds.

Falling in Gemini, this New Moon is mentally active and social, bringing adaptability and spontaneity. However, Neptune is squaring the Sun and Moon, so Gemini’s usual intellectualism and mental agility is softened by the planet of confusion and spirituality. We’re still working to dissolve our fundamentalist beliefs and faulty thinking, while returning to open-heartedness and oneness. At the same time, we’re healing our communication with one another as we move into greater forgiveness and empathy. Uranus is trining Jupiter, both in Earth signs, and we’re seeing positive revolution taking place in society and the systems and structures around us. We’re learning to work with the Earth in positive and innovative ways as we join together to establish a saner, more egalitarian world. With Venus conjunct Pluto in Capricorn, the power and love of our inner feminine are at the helms, bringing about widespread change and potentially more peace. This is helping us forge deeper relationships with one another that demonstrate far more honesty, integrity, and emotional depth. This is a good moment to ask: What do we truly desire, and how can we make stronger commitments to building that reality?

Supportive Remedies for Gemini Full Moon:

Gemini rules the shoulders, arms, hands, and the energetics of breath. The Moon rules our bodily fluids, emotional memories, and biological rhythms. Now is an excellent time to work with herbs that tonify the nervous system and recalibrate our mentality.

Rhodiola(Rhodiola rosea) – improves oxygenation, illuminates and clarifies
Marshmallow(Althea officinalis): soothes friable tissues, supports softening of willpower and desires
Gotu Kola (Centella asiatica): nourishes the nervous system, promotes meditative states

-Juliana McCarthy, Astrologer for Ethereal Culture

Follow Juliana on Instagram (@etherealculture), and visit her website (etherealculture.com). She also wrote a book, The Stars Within You: A Modern Guide to Astrology, which you can purchase here.

Medical astrologer Emily McDonald has published in peer-reviewed journals, presented at academic conferences, co-managed a non-profit medical clinic for individuals without health insurance, organized large scale interdisciplinary events, delivered more than 100 newborns, cared for thousands of patients through the hospital system, and most recently, opened Chrysalis.

Read an interview with Juliana and Emily here!