by Serah Blackstone Fredericks
This week, we have some very good markers in the stars for love. Now, I want you to consider love and all that it means to you because it can be a very loaded word. It can stir up feelings of inadequacy and hurt, but it can also bring forth feelings of hope and deep grounding in having people who are there for you. As a solitary woman who spends — or tries to spend — most of her time without a partner, I recently challenged what that word actually meant. Love can be so much more than romantic love; this year, I have spread my bounty into friendship love and it has returned 100 fold. Pouring your proverbial cup of love into something that can continue to give back to you can actually be immensely healing and very good medicine for the heart. The right people around your sphere who have your back can make all the difference.
With Venus and Pluto having hefty activity this week, you may be feeling a sense of lack and you may be feeling love. Lean into what collective means to you: who do you spend time with and how do they make you feel?
Pluto stationed direct, coming out of retrograde on Monday and we all are likely to feel it in some way, shape or form. It might not occur all at once, but something is starting. Pluto entering Aquarius is revolutionary and will shake things up, especially in how you see yourself. Remember there is magic in not having clarity on how you see yourself. Being in that liminal space offers many different possibilities.
Venus, the planet of love is back in Libra and all about fairness. Make sure when you are speaking up, it is not from past wounds or for wanting things to be fair. Make sure you aren’t searching for apologies or guilt tripping people unintentionally. Show up for yourself by being clear on how you are showing up in your interpersonal dynamics. Be very very honest about this.
Venus and Pluto did a little dance Oct. 14, and had a trine in the sky. All of this is happening in air signs so the transit may feel a bit swift — like you’re losing your footing or you have many ideas. Simmer on which ideas are worth following and which ideas are simply ideas. Gather and share your thoughts once you have reflected.
Thursday offers a beautiful square with the Sun and Jupiter which is an incredible marker for luck, whatever luck means to you.
I’d like to touch on the loneliness that seems to be affecting many people this year. Maybe you feel a bit alienated from yourself, or maybe you feel a bit alienated from others. This is a good week for friends. If you are seeking community, I encourage you to show up to something new, as you are. It may be a bit uncomfortable, you may feel a bit vulnerable or emotionally exposed, but maybe you will meet a friend.
I went to the archery club on campus, where I met one of my best friends and favorite humans ever. I think that was the sole purpose of me going –to meet someone cool that I resonated with. So, simmer on who you are now and find time to go to a new club or to a community event and connect with someone new.
Looking ahead we have a conjunction with Mercury and Mars on Sunday. The pot may be stirred. Let it stir up and take advantage of the moment. Be aware of how you are showing up. Not ruminating and overthinking but present and conscious of what you have to offer.
Now onto some teas…
For fire signs Aries, Leo and Sagittarius (sun, moon, rising):
The fire is waning as we step into the precipice of the season of darkness and rest — winter. The next surge of fire will be during sagittarius season. Fuel your inner fire with candles, warm food and planning ways to keep your body active. Teas that will be supportive during this time will keep your flame going strong yet gentle. Think root herbs such as ginger or angelica, and some traditional herbs such as damiana and yerba mate.
For water signs Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces (sun, moon, rising):
Okay water signs — I am not sure about you, but my stomach has been sensitive. Feeling a lot of the weight of the world and experiencing many sleepless nights might feel like a regular occurrence. I wish I could say it will improve, but maybe the solution is to be more mindful and gentle with our bodies and nervous systems. How can we calm this inner storm? Nervine teas and maybe adding in some gentle mantras or visualizations into our bedtime routine.
I live with my daughter and don’t want to wake her up at 3 a.m., so my solution will be to keep some tea bedside in a thermos. That way, if I wake up, I can gently reset my nervous system without waking everyone else up, too. Good teas for this week will be milky oats, calendula, tulsi, St. John’s wort and kava if you don’t mind a bit of a sedated feel. For some extra support, I’d suggest milky oats, chamomile and lavender.
For air signs Gemini, Libra and Aquarius (sun, moon, rising):
Whooosh. Life’s been feeling windy and ungrounded. There is a lot of change and movement happening in the sky, and you may or may not be picking up on this. The world has a lot to experience and hold — there are so many possibilities. Make sure you pause and hold still long enough to recognize your own needs. Remember to take care of your mind as much as you do your body. Good teas this week will be ones to ground such as turmeric, raspberry leaf, ashwagandha and passion flower.
For earth signs Taurus, Virgo and Capricorn (sun, moon, rising):
We are still being blessed by Libra’s venusian magic. I hope you are reveling in the delights of simply existing and not trying to control it all. Lean into the energy and invite some relaxation and ease into your life. Supportive teas for this week will be ones that will help you take it down a notch like chamomile, lemon balm, valerian, dandelion and ginger.
May this week be whatever you need it to be, and may you find some quiet moments to reconnect with your why. Remember, how you handle the heaviness is up to you.
Serah Blackstone-Fredericks is a cross-disciplinary anthropology major, minoring in arts in health and narrative medicine. A writer, musician, and mother, she weaves together her studies with creative practices like gardening, cooking, fermenting, and natural dye experiments. Her work explores the ways culture, storytelling, and connection shape how we live and heal. Feel free to connect with her at sb625@humboldt.edu.