by Serah Blackstone-Fredericks

There is an immense juxtaposition at the start of a new semester, especially in the new year. A clash of energies stir from the stillness of winter as we bid farewell to 2025 and dive back into the rigor of academia.

I find myself being energetically pulled into the madness of the news while the world simply loses its shit — maybe you feel this way too.

As the semester starts and you are being tugged out of stillness, remember to pause and rest. I’d like to invite you to find moments amidst your day of going from class to class to re-center and find the quiet our bodies need during this time of year.

The energy remains inwards with winter’s dormancy and it is important to lean into the fact that there are a lot of transitions externally but your inside world can still be still, slow and calibrating. 

Let it all flow and merge. Let yourself be still.

Now, I know we are in the middle of the week and a new semester is in full swing, but where are the spaces where you can invite stillness in? Where can you embrace your internal experiences while you process externally and move with your rhythms? 

If you can allow one thing to fall apart this week to allow space for rest, I encourage you to do it. If you live with other people, have a discussion about the importance of a pause and enlist in support from friends if you feel a bit overwhelmed. Maybe support looks like finding a time to head to the library together to collaborate on simply becoming oriented with your Canvas pages for the semester and calendar some preliminary due dates.

This week is the start of Aquarius season, a time of germinating ideas. This is not yet the season to do, it is the season to dream up what you will do when spring arrives. So remain in touch with your dreams, they might be telling you something.

Aquarius sort of wanders their own way and does things very unique and out of the box. Considering Aquarian energy can be quite rebellious and revolutionary, stepping into a week of pre-decided timelines and calendared events might not feel ideal. Although with Sunday’s new moon in Capricorn energy we are gifted with some clearness on what to focus on.

The new moon in Capricorn has me embodying my saturnian energy, so this week’s AstroloTea will feel especially practical. If we can drop into practicality with some grounding and clarity, our semester could go much differently and more positively than expected.

This week’s AstoloTea will be simple and sweet, offering tea recommendations to start the semester from a space of grounded clarity. 

For fire signs Aries, Leo and Sagittarius (sun, moon, rising):

I know you are assertive and want to get things going, but it’s not time for that yet. This week is a good time to plan and use your initiative energy to prepare for what is coming. Let your fire guide you to what you love to learn and immerse yourself fully in it. If you need something to feel passionate about, find a good non-academic book you can lose yourself in, or maybe write a short story about a season you love. Good tea for this week would be mint, passionflower and sage. Pair the sage with a bit of ginger and lemon balm for a nice combo.

For water signs Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces (sun, moon, rising):

Do not pre-stress. What does this mean? Try not to create things to worry about before they even occur. Try to focus on this week like a baby learning to walk — take in what needs to get done just for today. Then continue to process each day one moment at a time. Cancer placements, consider tracking the phases of the moon and cultivate a relationship. The moon impacts your mood a lot more than you may realize. Good tea for this week would be damiana, calendula, motherwort and rose.

For air signs Gemini, Libra and Aquarius (sun, moon, rising):

Disconnect from the news and social media this week for a factory reset. Watch when you are stressed. Are you turning to the screen to distract you? Maybe this distorts your reality. Watch how much you are engaging with media and even calling people to distract you from your own mind. Ground in what you need to get done with your classes and drop the distractions so you don’t scatter your energy and burnout. If you want to do something, maybe gather with your community for some art parties or a stroll at the market. Good tea for this week would be chamomile, lemon balm and tulsi.

For earth signs Taurus, Virgo and Capricorn (sun, moon, rising):

I know you want to hit the ground running and get so much done, but try not to burn it all out in the first few weeks. Work on maintaining a steady pace with classes. Your worth is not tied to how much you can do, it is your way in which you remain steady for yourself and for the collective. Simmer on what you want to grow in the spring. You don’t need to have all the answers. Good tea for this week would be nettle, lavender, milky oats and skullcap.

by Serah Blackstone Fredericks

This full moon in Taurus is set to activate some feelings. The moody, dark, rainy week will intensify whatever you might already be feeling. Today, on Nov. 5, we have a full moon at 9:19 a.m. PST calling in our desires for stability, persistence, comfort and material possessions. 

On Tuesday, Mars entered Sagittarius, joining Mercury in a moment of fire. With Mercury entering retrograde (Rx) soon, an opportunity presents itself. If you are behind on anything, Mercury Rx offers an opportunity to get caught up. This year’s Mercury Rx starts on Nov. 9 and ends on Nov. 29. With Rx starting and ending on days ending in 9, this feels like a good opportunity for endings and renewals.

Basically, it’s a bit of a tricky energy week, which we can approach with gentle care and neutrality. With Mars opposing Uranus, there is a possibility that some explosive arguments can ensue if we do not watch our words. Neptune is in Pisces, so we are in a fog and we may not know what happens next. With this, making impulsive decisions or reacting might actually cause some self-realized pain in the future when we see that we made a decision in a hazy energetic fog. Emotions can be difficult to put into words and we are in a collective period where we are reckoning with the state of living in a fucked up world. Find safe spaces to express your agency with those who lift you up.

Now onto some teas…

For fire signs Aries, Leo and Sagittarius (sun, moon, rising):

This week, ask yourself, ‘where can I fight less?’ We all need safe spaces to be ourselves and sometimes we just find unnecessary reasons to fight. With all of these planets in motion, there may be a sense of urgency to fight for something or with someone. If at all possible, channel that energy into something creative or a run in the rain. Possible teas to support your fire this week are cinnamon bark, astragalus, ginseng, linden, chamomile and schisandra berries.

For water signs Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces (sun, moon, rising):

Continue to hydrate and care for your body. Rest is always your friend, as is not being rushed. As you are very porous and absorbent, be mindful not to read too much into people’s energies and moods, unless they have invited you to do so. With all of the heightened sensitivity in the air, it is most supportive to give yourself as much space as possible for pauses in the day and a moment of transition for the energy of the time change. Snuggling up on the couch with a cup of tea, loved ones and a movie is the way to go. Remember that self care leads to liberation and that you deserve pleasure and to feel good. Supportive teas this week to help you drop into your best rain cry sesh ever are lemongrass, lavender, motherwort, chamomile and lemon balm.

For air signs Gemini, Libra and Aquarius (sun, moon, rising):

Lots of planetary movement this week means that you can potentially feel whipped up and ungrounded or simply not well. On the other end of the spectrum, things could be absolutely positive, neutral and calm. However this week plays out, pay attention to the way your body is feeling. As air signs, there can be a tendency to not check in with our bodies — this season yearns for us to pay attention to how our physical body is doing on this journey on earth. Continue to seek internal balance by not overscheduling your life as the days get shorter. Some supportive teas for this week would be tulsi, milky oats, rose and chamomile. 

For earth signs Taurus, Virgo and Capricorn (sun, moon, rising):

Taureans, this full moon is illuminating your sun sign, so it might feel like a flare is lit in your room. Dim lighting, rest, stillness and a pause away from those you love is a supportive way to treat your senses to some inner comfort and sensuality within. If you have a loved one near and they want to have a snuggle session — and you are not feeling prickly due to the high energetics of the moon — invite them over for cuddles and hugs to some candlelit soup by the fire.

To earth signs Taurus, Virgo and Capricorn, winter is approaching. The rain this week offers an opportunity to feel your feelings and really drop into what is holding you back. I support you in taking some time to excavate what is hiding — gently — and move it a bit with some deep breathing, stretching and tea. Supportive herbs this week would be kava, ashwaghanda, chamomile, ginger and reishi — not an herb, but a supportive thing to sip.

If there is one thing I want you to take out of this week, it is that chamomile is the absolute best for bringing your system down a bit in a transitory season where hibernation is calling and we still have a bunch of schoolwork to tend to. Gentleness as you start your own journey into the depths.

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.

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.

by Devin Bowen

by Serah Blackstone-Fredericks

So, we have made it through the eclipse portal and are in a new era of being.

As someone who has been working with and engaging with plants for many years, I find most joy in getting to know plants in great detail. As your resident mercurial being of calm and chaos, I invite you to see how you are feeling. 

This week, we have just transitioned into Libra after our second eclipse of the month, which was in Virgo on Sunday, Sept. 21. Maybe you said something to someone you need to simmer on before you circle back to apologize or try to fix anything. Pause is the best remedy, especially when you feel the urgency to overcorrect or apologize. An apology can only really land if it is sincere.

So, here we are, with Monday gifting us with a new season: Libra, which encompasses  romance, transitional weather and illuminates how our relationships are or are not working, and how we may be in or out of balance. I am enjoying my most magnificent hermit-girl era, which includes seeing as few people as possible, with respect to the energetics of a hermetic, Virgo year. If you are going to have some lush, enjoyable, romantic times, Libra season offers that lush venusian warmth which makes anyone able to swoon.

Questions we could simmer on are: 

How do you offer diplomacy in your life?

Are you leaning too heavily in one direction, closing yourself off to other people’s perspectives?

In what ways can you offer resolve to a situation or feeling that might have come up during the last couple of weeks that is compassionate, kind, and open?

How can you engage more with your community and still protect your peace?

What is coming up for you this week? What do you notice?

For water signs Cancer, Scorpio, and Pisces (sun, moon, rising):

This week is a really good week to stay hydrated. Watch your time around community and notice when you feel tired. If you need to, take a moment of pause away from the crowd. Stay in bed more just because your body calls for it. Rest is your friend this week.

Good tea herbs this week would be: chamomile, red raspberry leaf and hibiscus. If your nerves are shot, roots such as ginger, astragalus and ashwagandha can ground you and settle your tummy too.

For earth signs Taurus, Virgo, and Capricorn (sun, moon, rising):

This is a good week to tether to the earth. We are in a transitional axis and the sun has officially shifted in the sky. The greenery looks and feels different and how we engage with it as the days start to get shorter feels a bit different too. Shifting from earth — Virgo — to air — Libra — may feel supportive or it may feel a bit jarring. Invite in a gentleness this week with plenty of time to rest and transition from places.

Good tea herbs this week would be: lemon balm, skullcap, catnip, and valerian — the latter of which must be used with care. If you feel like you need some rooting, dandelion and burdock are good choices.

For fire signs Aries, Leo, and Sagittarius (sun, moon, rising):

The energy of summer is waning and I imagine you want to capture it and do all the things. Pace yourself and your fire as we exit eclipse season. Nurture it with some quality time dedicated to the season shift and to slowing down so you don’t burn out. If you find yourself moving way too fast, take a walk near a body of water. Even a pond will do.

Good tea herbs this week would be: tulsi, nettle, yarrow, passion flower, blue vervain and rose.

For air signs Gemini, Libra, and Aquarius (sun, moon, rising):

Okay, my swift moving air sign friends, it is time to start to decrease the acceleration and enjoy the magic of an air sign season. The chatter may be up and you may have many brilliant things to say with verbosity and be mindful and intentional with your words. Don’t be less you; be mindful and watch how much airtime you are taking with your friends who enjoy listening to your word magic.

Good tea herbs this week would be: gotu kola, milky oats, lavender, lemon balm and tulsi. A birthday herb blend for Libra’s would be rose and tulsi, a personal favorite. And happy birthday season!

Happy Libra season!

Gemini out,

Disclaimer: All of these herbs are merely suggestions. You can enjoy them individually, or mix and match. If mixing, let your nose tell you what will be good. I find any blends beyond 3-4 herbs tend to become less delicious, especially if you are new to making tea blends.

Supporting our local herbal ecosystem and voting with our dollars is where things count. A challenge about herbalism can be access, and we are beyond lucky to have two stores available to us in our area. Arcata is home to Moonrise Herbs while Humboldt Herbals provides in Eureka, and both are excellent. Support these stores so they can support your nervous system in return.

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