Astrological Mama

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SATURDAY SPELL

Reclaiming Your Space

Sprays & Cleansing Solutions

Your home is an extension of your energetic field, so being able to cleanse it easily, quickly and effectively when the balance has been disturbed or violated by negativity (an argument for example, or someone else’s low vibrations) is so important.

The most commonly known way to cleanse your energetic field is to smudge, which is the burning of herbs. Burning sage is the most widely known practice. While I do find smudging a space to be incredibly effective (and you can be very specific and targeted with different herbs, not just sage) it is time consuming. Finding the time, and the quiet to put the intention into smudging can be unrealistic for busy moms (hello, walking around your house with a swinging incense burner with a hot charcoal with little kids running around!) So I’ve found easier and equally effective ways to reclaim the calm in my space without spending tons of time on the process.

Your home is an extension of your energetic field, so being able to cleanse it easily, quickly and effectively when the balance has been disturbed… is so important.

What follows are two easy “recipes” – both can be done in spray form, or by creating a cleansing solution to be used with cloth wiping. Whichever feels easier and more available to you.

I usually spray when I need a quick fix (aka after an argument or after someone with bad energy leaves my home) and I wipe windows and doorways when I feel like there’s become a build-up of stagnant negative or resentful energy. Sometimes I just do one room, or one area of the house, depending on what’s led me to feel the need to cleanse. The kids like to get in on this process, so it can double as an afternoon activity too!

Peppermint (or Calendula) Tea/Oil

Ingredients

  • Peppermint or Calendula Tea
  • Peppermint or Calendula Oil
  • Spray bottle (if using the spray technique)
  • Soft cloth

Peppermint clears and balances the sacral and solar-plexus chakras, which lends you confidence and self-esteem; wonderfully centering after negative energy knocks you off balance. Peppermint is clearing and cleansing and can bring an alertness that refocuses the mind, giving you perspective when you get foggy after a tense emotional engagement.

Calendula is another wonderful option that offers a bit of a different energy shift than peppermint. Calendula brings softness to the spoken word, so if you said things you regret or that were harsh, unkind or sharp, Calendula can help take the edge off by generating good will, understanding and compassion. It also calms down the adrenal glands which get revved up during arguments and verbally aggressive situations.

Instructions: Spray

You can prepare the spray one of two ways, with tea, or oil.

Oil you add to room temperature distilled water, 3 drops oil to 4 ounces water to a spray bottle.

For the tea, let the water come to a boil in a teapot, add the teabag and let steep for at least 5 minutes, covered. When fully steeped remove teabag and let cool. When room temperature, pour into spray bottle.

Spray throughout the home, or wherever you need to dispel negative energy or low vibration. You may repeat a mantra if it feels right, something like:

“My home is my temple, my space is sacred, safe and secure, May all the energy here be healed, May I find peace within and peace around.”

Instructions: Cleansing Solution

For a cleansing solution, place distilled room temperature water in a bowl, and add oil, 6 drops to every 8 ounces of water, mix. Use a soft cloth to gently wipe the entryways (doorways and windows) of your home, creating a cleansed and protective seal. This practice will work to purify the energy of anyone who passes through.

Follow the same steps from the spray instructions to steep if you choose to use the tea. You can use a soft wipe on the entryways as with the oil, or simply dip your fingers in the tea and sprinkle droplets over the entryways; both are effective. Again, you can use a mantra here if it feels right.

Clove, Cinnamon & Myrrh Spray

Ingredients

  • Clove Oil
  • Cinnamon Oil
  • Myrrh

Clove is known to cut through hysteria, deep melancholy and get to the root of an issue. It can also bring levity when you’re in a deep state of depression or low, assist with clarity and give a sense of courage to face another day. It can also be beneficial overall in breaking behavioral patterns, shifting negative emotions, and repetitive tendencies. It will also help “lift the fog” of confusion and illusion in the aftermath of intense interaction.

Cinnamon is related to the lower chakras and can encourage self-confidence, self-esteem, self-acceptance and the clearing of trapped emotions. It also correlates to our sense of safety and security, which, when out of balance, leaves us feeling vulnerable, jealous, impulsive, insecure and unable to make rational decisions.

Myrrh has a sedative effect! It’s been known to calm negative moods, promote grounded-ness and help with spiritual awakening.

Clove is known to cut through hysteria… and give you courage. Cinnamon is related to the lower chakras and can encourage self-confidence, self-esteem… and the clearing of trapped emotions. Myrrh… calm[s] negative moods and promote[s] groundedness.

These three powerhouses mixed together pack quite the punch. I’d use these when you have those B-I-G arguments, the crossroads kind of arguments where you need to get your roots down, remember what you’re made of, get to the root of what you want, what is going on, and what you’re going to do next without the added weight of someone else’s energy or the lingering vibes of what was said weighing you down.

This one is strong and SO effective.

Instructions

To 4 ounces of distilled room temperature water, add 3-5 drops Clove, 3-5 drops Cinnamon and a pinch full of Myrrh. Shake well for a bit, spray as needed around the house, specific rooms, entry ways, furniture, etc, as well as around the crown of the head, and the lower chakra points.

Again, use a mantra here if it feels right, something like:

I reclaim this space from the negativity that resides here: I dispel it with love and light. I am grounded, I am clear, I am focused, I am forgiving. This space is safe, I am safe.

I’m all about the easiest ways to incorporate ritual into your life because it’s always worth it.

Let me know if any of these work for you! I’ve got a couple more coming next week, so stay tuned!

xo

Rebecca

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Cosmic Cocktail

Moscow Mule

This is SUCH a good holiday drink – again, super easy, and if you happen to have the copper mugs, it makes a nice touch and makes it feel like even more of a treat!

Sagittarians will love the unique, cool vibe of this cocktail and it’s a good one to go out on! Thanks for a fun season, Sagittarius!

Ingredients

  • 2 ounces Vodka
  • 3 ounces Ginger Beer
  • Lime Juice (of half lime)
  • Lime for Garnish

Instructions

Combine all ingredients into a copper Moscow Mule mug filled with ice. Garnish with lime slice. Drink, repeat!

We start Capricorn season on Christmas Eve and I have a good one for you!

xo

Rebecca

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Saturday Spell

Herb Filled Ornaments

This year we made our own, herbal infused ornaments and it was such a fun, and meaningful activity! All you need are dried flowers, herbs and grasses, these can even be collected and foraged from your property or neighborhood, and empty ornaments like these .

Letting my children express themselves with nature through art has always been one of my favorite pastimes. It’s simple, connective and sensory.

For our ornaments we used Lemongrass, White Sage, St John’s Wort, Rosebuds, Lavender, Jasmine flowers, and Purple Gomphrena.

Lavender is calming and fragrant, White Sage keeps negative energy at bay, Lemongrass is balancing and stimulating, and St John’s Wort expel’s unwanted spirits and energy.

Once we had all of our herbs and flowers, we just mixed and filled to our heart’s content! There’s no right or wrong way to do this! You can add tissue paper, glitter, really anything that makes you happy.

Roxie and I said a little blessing over hers, calling in a more balance 2021 and a winter solstice marked by rootedness, continued health and protection, before adding it to our tree.

Let me know if you decide to add this ritual to your holiday celebrations and what you add into yours!

xo

Rebecca

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Wednesday Wellness

Adaptogen Series Four

Vitality and Mental Clarity Smoothie

I have struggled with chronic migraine for over a decade and in addition to guidance from some wonderful doctors along the way, I have also sought out holistic ways to support mental clarity and wellness.

This smoothie incorporates a number of anti-inflammatory adaptogens. While migraine has never classically been considered an inflammatory disease, there is emerging research and theory that is moving in that direction.

In addition to Anima Mundi’s Guarana powder (which has been used by Brazilians for migraine as it naturally dilates blood vessels) I have found these supplements to be helpful in preventative care of my migraine condition.

What follows is a breakdown of the herbal supplments and then an ingredient list for the Vitality and Mental Clarity Smoothie (which for me, is the easiest and best way for me to pack all of these supplements into one one place!)

The Mind

  • Holy Basil Leaf
  • Mucuna
  • Ginko Leaf

This Adaptogenic Brain Tonic is chock full of adaptogenic, aruvedic herbs that boost mood, are anti-inflammatory, improve circulation, help cognitive function, relieve anxiety and have strong antioxidants. I use 1 tsp of this a day.

Mucuna

  • L-Dopa
  • White Mucuna Seed Extract Powder

Mucuna is one of the only naturally occurring sources of L-Dopa, or Dopamine, the mood-booster. It is attributed to lowering stress, and the high concentrations of L-Dopa encourage the brain to produce dopamine. This helps with stress (one of the leading triggers in headache/migraine). I use 1 tsp of this daily.

Mushroom Mocha Milk

  • Coconut Cream Powder
  • Heirloom Cacao
  • 7 mushrooms: Reishi, Chaga, Cordyceps, Lions Mane, Agaricus, Shiitake, Maitake

This Mushroom Mocha Milk is an amazing addition to anything (it’s really good in coffee too!) It’s a great way to get a super dose of these 7 adaptogenic mushrooms which carry anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, anti-depressive benefits, are helpful with cognition and beneficial in the recovery of nervous system injury. 1 tablespoon of this in coffee, tea or a smoothie does the trick!

Liver Vitality

  • Moringa
  • Chlorella
  • Spirulina
  • Burdock Root
  • Tumeric
  • Dandelion Root
  • Milk Thistle
  • Graviola

I mix this Liver Vitality into my smoothie because, honestly, it’s the easiest way I’ve found to work it in! It’s a wonderful way to get these super algae benefits including reduction in blood pressure, a large dose of high density nutrients, they can be helpful against anemia, are anti-inflammatory, and can lower “bad” cholesterol. It’s a mad detoxifier for your system and easy to add in. 1 tsp is all you need to get all the benefits.

Vitality and Mental Clarity Smoothie

Ingredients

  • Mucuna 1 tsp
  • The Mind 1 tsp
  • Liver Vitality 1 tsp
  • Mushroom Mocha Milk 1 tbsp
  • Almond Milk (or any milk of choice) 1/2 cup
  • Yogurt of choice 1 1/2 cup
  • Fresh fruit of choice, fresh or frozen (I did fresh berries) 1 Cup
  • 1-2 cups of ice
  • Agave or honey to sweeten if need be

As always, I’d love to hear if you know any other remedies for migraine or if you’re working with any other adaptogens and of course, if you try this smoothie, let me know how it is! Remember, to experience the benefits of any regime, you have to stick with it!

xo

Rebecca

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SATURDAY SPELL

Essential Oil Chapstick

With the holiday season coming up, I’m a big fan of gifting friends handmade goodies that have meaning and health benefits!

This year with my kids, we made homemade chapstick with essential oils and colored them with mica powder. Not only was it a fun afternoon, but we were able to use essential oils that carry different benefits and also tie in to this festive season.

Most of what we used had antimicrobial, antioxidant, antiseptic and anti-inflammatory benefits! See below what you’ll need to make them, and step-by-step instructions!

What You’ll Need

  • Beeswax Pellets (white pellets take the mica powder color better, and I use organic, sustainable, ethically sourced beeswax, the brand I use is here)
  • Essential oils of your choice – we used Cinnamon, Peppermint and Gingerbread for my daughter’s friends. Others for this season are Nutmeg, Clove and
  • Coconut or Olive Oil
  • Optional, Shea Butter
  • Mica Powder for color (this is the brand I use)
  • Chapstick mold and tubes (here is an inexpensive but good one you can order online, but you can find them at craft stores too!)
  • If you don’t want to use tubes or buy the kit, you can always pour into plastic, glass or tin jars too! Just follow instructions until you get to the steps involving the molds, and just pour into whatever container you prefer and add oils after that!

Instructions

The beginning process is similar to making a candle. If you’d like to add shea butter, add in equal parts shea butter as beeswax and olive oil. Shea butter will make the chapstick much softer, so if you like a firmer chapstick, skip the shea butter and just do the olive oil and beeswax in equal parts.

1. Fill up dutch oven or larger sauce pot halfway full with water; bring to a boil

2. Add wax and oil to the smaller sauce pot / 4 lb pouring pot / 2 cup glass measuring cup (if you’re using the measuring cup you’ll have to do this multiple times as the full recipe won’t fit in its entirety). Equal parts beeswax, olive oil (and shea butter if you’re adding it.)

3. Place smaller sauce pot / 4 lb pouring pot / 2 cup glass measuring cup into the boiling water, allow contents to melt until clear.

4. When the olive oil, beeswax (and shea butter) have melted you can add the mica power here if you want all of your chapsticks to be the same color. This is the easiest (and cleanest route to go!)

5. Mix the wax gently before pouring it slowly over the chapstick mold. Use the spatula to scrape the extra away. (Follow any additional steps included with your tray, each set may vary a bit.)

6.) Drop a few drops of the essential oil you want to use into each chapstick mold. Place the top of the mold and allow to cool.

Oil Benefits

Peppermint: antiseptic, cooling

Cinnamon: natural remedy for coughs, colds, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant

Clove: antimicrobial, moisturizing

Nutmeg: anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antioxidant

This really is a great activity with the kids and once you have the chapstick mold you can do this over and over, and for not a lot of cost. Plus, it’s a great gift! Let me know if you give it a whirl, heavens know we need activities to take up time over the holiday break with the kiddos! At least I know I do!

xo

Rebecca

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ASTROLOGY

On Tool Kits, Superpowers, Aspects and Planetary Placements

We have 5 kids, but it wasn’t until our 3rd that we experienced a Mickey Mouse kick. Milo, our now 7 year old, loved Mickey Mouse Club for about 6 months during his toddler years, which, as any parent knows, feels like a century. “It’s the Mickey Mouse clubhouse! Come inside it’s fun inside!” That song literally haunted my dreams.

But there was one section that I always found particularly interesting. In each episode, there was a challenge the characters had to sort out, and they had a bag of 4 tools they took with them: 3 they identified and one mystery tool.

As they proceeded on their adventure and were met with a hiccup, they’d turn to their big bag of “Mouseketools” and choose the best tool for the job. Flat tire, air pump. Lost cow, rope. Broken gate, hammer. And so on. If none of the obvious choices worked, or if they had all been used, you could call upon the “Mystery Mouseketool” and no matter the situation, it would always be the perfect fit for the job. That Mickey always had all the luck! 

We are responsible for creating the difficult situations in our lives because that’s how we grow.

Now, I believe the challenges in our lives are predestined. We come with karma and we manifest it. We are responsible for creating the difficult situations in our lives because that’s how we grow. The soul knows this.

The way we react to them are somewhat ingrained in us, and it’s our job to learn from the patterns in our reactions and to evolve from them: to grow into higher versions of ourselves. In short, life happens, we react and we learn to react better over time. 

The best part? Much like good ol’ Mickey, we came with the exact tools in our toolbox that we need to get through the journey we’re on. Only, their uses are not quite as “hit-you-over-the-head” – we need to get creative and use them the right way.

I’ve found through my work as an astrologer, that people usually want one of three things or a combination: to be seen, understood and forgiven.

I’ve learned through my work as an astrologer, that people usually want one of three things, or a combination: to be seen, understood and forgiven.

Or, more often, be seen, understood and then given permission to forgive themselves and usually for things they aren’t even responsible for. Literally they want permission to forgive themselves for personal qualities that came inherently and intrinsicly woven into their nature.

They’re emotional, they’re talkative, they’re ambitious, they’re analytical… whatever it is, somewhere along the way, someone important, or many people who weren’t important, told them these qualities were “wrong” or “bad” and now, after however many years of feeling broken and being incapable of changing (because to rid yourself of these things is no easier than changing your skin color, or your height) they come looking for someone to tell them it’s ok to be emotional. It’s ok to be ambitious. It’s ok to be talkative and analytical and all the other things that are as normal and natural as the 5 feet 5 inches tall they stand, or the freckles on their nose, or their double jointed-ness. This is how you came, darling. And it’s perfect. We need you just as you are.

It’s ok to be ambitious. It’s ok to be talkative and analytical and all the other things… This is how you came… And it’s perfect. We need you just as you are.

So when I meet you, I look at your planetary placements and you learn how to fall in love with yourself. And then we look at your aspects and understand where your strengths and challenges are, and we map out ideas around how to cope and manage your trending patterns. The chart reflects yourself back, and we can actually sit and look and see the beauty and the plan, not from a place of judgement, but a place of curiosity, of seeking.

The chart reflects yourself back, and we can actually sit and look and see the beauty and the plan, not from a place of judgement, but a place of curiosity, of seeking.

These things are your tool kit, they are the weapons you’ll use on this journey where you’ll weather many battles, and if you don’t know how to use them, they’ll be useless to you in these challenges. Astrology is like a specialized training class.

If you see them as inefficiencies, as weaknesses instead of resources, you won’t know how to weild them to your advantage. You’ll underestimate their power, their strength. They’ll get rusty, and clunky and jammed up. 

We have to accept and embrace the things that came here with us and maximize these gifts. The universe doesn’t make mistakes.

We have to accept and embrace the things that came here with us and maximize these gifts. The universe doesn’t make mistakes – there’s always balance – especially when you know where to look for it.

Remember, it’s like Mickey. The surprise tool always magically works, because the Universe wants you to succeed, you have to believe it, and when you reach for that Mystery Magic Tool, you bet your bottom dollar it will be the right one for the job.

xo

Rebecca

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ASTROLOGY

Pluto Square Eris

Earlier this week I wrote a post about the dwarf planet Eris – a quick primer on Eris’s vibe and her relationship with discord and chaos. I mentioned that she and Pluto, another dwarf planet that most are probably more familiar with, are squaring up again with each other for the third time this year (they will match up in this alignment a total of five times before Pluto moves out of Capricorn.)

Squares (when two planets align at a 90 degree angle) are points of tension and friction. I have always seen squares in a chart as a place of opportunity for growth and when moments like this come up, they’re often catalysts for action… if you’re paying attention and willing to do the work. If not, they can just be flat out devastating.

The first of the three squares this year took place on January 26, the second, June 14, the third today, December 10.

Squares are catalysts for action… if you’re paying attention and willing to do the work. If not, they can be flat out devastating.

Pluto hanging out in Capricorn (the sign of structure, and how we relate to the world around us) has brought some truly Plutonian things from the darkness of that world. Pluto has been there since 2008 and who can’t say that we’ve witnessed quite a bit of darkness from “behind the curtain” if you will of the “big societal structures” ruled by the Sea Goat? Big business, government and so on? It’s been almost overwhelming, almost numbing the things we’ve seen over the past 12 years. It’s also been uncomfortable. Why? Because Capricorn likes tradition, and the traditional way of life. But Pluto is forcing the shadow side forward, and that’s when things have to change.

Numerous influential planets lining up in Capricorn over the course of the year (Saturn, Jupiter and even Mars) has brought havoc to our world. We’ve watched, and experienced, it play out.

Numerous planets lining up in Capricorn over the course of the year have brought havoc… we have watched, and experienced it play out.

As I mentioned at the end of my last post on Eris, this planet on the other hand, is hanging out in Aries. The most aggressive, selfish sign in the zodiac. The first house, the first incarnation, identified by the “I AM” concept. Me first. In its lowest evolution Aries is incredibly selfish, impulsive, reactive and aggressive. In its highest evolution Aries is protective, ambitious, passionate and honest.

One way or another, Pluto brings the truth to the forefront, or the shadow into the light. One way or another. Always. Eris in Aries leaves us to decide whether we will take the high road, or the low road. So far, we’ve gone low.

One way or another, Pluto brings the truth to the forefront, or the shadow to the light… Eris in Aries leaves us to decide whether we will take the high road or the low road… so far it seems we’ve gone low.

Of all the analysis I’ve encountered, the one that aligns the most with mine, but is obviously more eloquently put, is from Steven Forrest. According to Steven the way we’re pushed into the truth happens one of two ways: either by liberation (through realization) or in the form of people reacting from being poked in their wounds (or shadowed) places.

Our fear of the “big bad world” (the shadow side of Capricorn) coming for us, taking away our liberties, makes us defend our rights to self-choice and independence. We don’t want to isolate, we don’t want to give up living the way we do. Even if it’s temporary. Even if it’s just an exercise in self-restraint. Even if it’s an evolution into the higher expression of the Eris in Aries placement: protective, ambitious, passionate, honest. But that’s the other side of Eris in Aries: I am. I am more important and I will fight against the darkness I see in the shadow of the BIG corporate and government world by doing what’s best for me. That’s the other way to learn. It’s just uglier, and harder.

Our fear of the “big bad world” or the shadow side of Capricorn, coming for us, taking away our liberties, makes us defend our rights to self-choice and independence. That’s the low evolution of Eris in Aries: I am. There’s no “other.”

Because when we zoom out, what’s really best for the individual here, is actually best for the group. Remember, “what Eris loves more than winning, is watching you lose.” So Eris won’t just let us see that and Pluto is setting us up to be challenged. No growth under Pluto’s watch comes without sacrifice. Will we realize that there is an I in team: it’s each of us, showing up doing the work – every team is made of “I’s” who decide the group is worth the effort and sacrifice.

Selfishness however, likely got us to a place where a vaccine is coming in the Spring. That’s Eris in Aries too. Remember there are two sides to each planet, placement, sign and house… remember also that Eris will force you to be the most excellent version of yourself when pushed to the extreme. But in Aries she will also bring out the carelessness of the shadow in Aries; the one who doesn’t care, or doesn’t think about how others might be affected by our choices.

No growth under Pluto’s watch comes without sacrifice.

So each of us, individually, are being called here, at the turning point of this season, to decide how to manifest this alignment. Which way will you allow this tension to show up for you? Are you an individualist, facing the shadow of Pluto’s pull with indignation? Or are you standing as ONE within the group, allowing the challenge to evolve you?

Which way will you allow this tension to show up for you? Are you an individualist facing the shadow of Pluto’s pull with indignation? Or are you standing as ONE within the GROUP, allowing the challenge to evolve you?

Only time will tell how the majority behaves and the consequences or rewards play out. But make no mistake, these are difficult days ahead, and as we move toward the portal of the Great Conjunction, we’ll feel misalignment much more strongly than in normal times, so be wise how you progress.

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COSMIC COCKTAIL

Horse’s Neck

Sagittarians are often symbolized by the mythological centaur – an archer that is half human, half horse. This creature is said to be able to traverse both the spiritual and physical worlds understanding both the need to grow spiritually in order to advance materially.

Sagittarians are often drawn to horses, so this cocktail may be right down their (mythological) alley! Also, it’s super simple to make, and really delicious and I’m all about a cocktail that doesn’t require too much time, effort or supplies and are low on the bells and whistles (if getting right to the point doesn’t embody the Sagittarius spirit, then I don’t know what does!)

Serves 1

2 ounces Whiskey

Ginger Ale to fill up

Long Strip Lemon Peel (for garnish)

Pour 2 ounces of Whiskey into a Collins glass already filled with ice. Top off with Ginger Ale and garnish with a long strip of lemon peel. The strip of peel is supposed to represent the long regal Horse’s Neck – hence the name of the drink!

Let me how many… um, I mean, if you like these! Haha. But seriously, it’s holiday season, and this is an easy one to put together, so let me know if you try it!

xo

Rebecca

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WELLNESS WEDNESDAY

Adaptogen Series Three!

Adaptogenic Skincare

So I am a big believer in choosing a skin routine that is good for you, and sticking with it. It has been said that you need up to 3 months using a product to see the results and I have definitely found that to be true.

In my teens I jumped around a lot in terms of routines, products and plans around my skin. Any new thing I read about (usually containing harsh chemicals) I was willing to try, but usually just once, or until the bottle ran out, and then I was on to something else.

Then in college the mom of one of my close friends came to visit for a week; she was a dermatologist and she changed everything. I mentioned that I grew up in Arizona and she inquired about my skin care as a child and teenager. Well, let’s see… I vividly remember using tanning oil with my mother around the age of 10, I worked in a tanning salon (IN ARIZONA!!) in my high school years where I tanned regularly, and I spent my fair share of time laying out by resort pools in Scottsdale… S-C-A-R-Y.

I learned that much like eye and dental health, skincare should be preventative, not reactive, which is why you should start treating for things before they become an issue.

Now living in Seattle, where my skin was having a break from the sun and dryness of of the desert, she then inquired into my current skincare routine. Cue the crickets.

What I learned that week when I was only 21 has made all the difference for how I’ve approached skincare overall, and it’s from the inside out and the outside in. Double attack and health (not necessarily vanity) focused. It includes supplements (there are specific probiotics that promote healthy skin!) for internal health of the skin, and topical products for external skin health.

I also understood that much like eye and dental health, skincare should be preventative, not reactive, which is why you should start treating for things before they become a problem. I also learned that products should be added from thinnest to thickest: liquids to creams. So for example, a liquid exfoliator like Moon Juice’s Acid Potion, which I share below, would be a first step in a skin care routine.

Products should be added from thinnest to thickest. Liquids to creams, so a liquid exfoliator, like Acid Potion, would be a first step in a skin care routine.

I’ve never been one for super harsh treatments or for products that have lots and lots of main, active ingredients I don’t understand or can’t pronounce, so when I came across the company Moon Juice in my adaptogen search (I wrote about their AMAZING adaptogenic collagen in another post you can find here) I was super intrigued by their adaptogenic skincare products.

How do Topical Adaptogenics Work?

So we know that ingested adaptogens work by managing your stress response by adapting to your own unique needs, and by working with your adrenal glands and nervous system internally to bring balance and calm to your overall system.

So how does it work when you use adaptogens directly on your skin?

Adaptogens can work directly to soothe and calm irritation (rashes and redness), inflammation (puffiness) and stress (which manifests as premature aging or, in other words, dryness, discoloration and the breakdown of collagen.)

Topical adaptogens work directly on skin to sooth and calm irritation (redness), inflammation (puffiness) and stress (which manifests as premature aging in the breakdown of collagen, dryness and discoloration.)

Don’t get me wrong, ingesting adaptogens is still incredibly beneficial for your overall system and your skin, but you can double up by using them directly on problem areas topically as well. Like I said, double attack!

Here are three of their products I’ve been incorporating into my tried-and-true routine over the last few months, that have acted as boosters in hydrating, reducing inflammation, increasing elasticity, diminishing redness, evening skin tone and even offering protection against blue light (YES!)

Acid Potion

Ingredients

  • Lactic Acid
  • Gylcolic Acid
  • Salicylic Acid
  • Niacinamide
  • Reishi

Moon Juice’s Acid Potion is a combination of Lactic, Glycol and Salicyclic Acid that works to unclog pores, promote cellular turnover and resurface skin for a smoother and softer texture. And the best part is that it’s REALLY gentle; it won’t dry you out!

It has Niacinamide, which supports the skin barrier by increasing it resiliency and making pores smaller. Reishi, an adaptogenic mushroom, helps to hydrate, soothe and balance the skin. I really love this. I use it at night after a gentle cleanser and let it almost completely dry before adding gels and creams on top.

Plump Jelly

Ingredients

  • Hyaluronic Acid
  • Peptides
  • Beet Amino Acid
  • Silver Ear Mushroom

This Plump Jelly lotion is smooth and light and absorbs really nicely. It’s really hydrating and I put it on directly after the Acid Potion. I had been using a very expensive Hyaluronic Serum from Germany for years, and this has taken its place, outright.

I was using an expensive Hyaluronic Serum from Germany for years and this has taken its place, outright.

The adaptogenic Silver Ear Mushroom (also known as the Tremella) helps brighten the complexion, and it helps boost blood circulation which is beneficial to making the skin look full and have more elasticity.

What’s remarkable is that it is almost identical in it’s chemical structure to hyaluronic acid, so it has almost an equivalent effect (and then add the glow from all that extra blood circulation and it’s a winner in my book! No other plain Hyaluronic Acid is going to do that!)

Cosmic Cream

Ingredients

  • Ashwaganda
  • Jojoba Oil
  • Grape Seed Oil
  • Silver Ear Mushroom
  • Reishi Mushroom

This Cosmic Cream is a buttery smooth cream that I apply as my final step at night. It smells SO good. Adaptogenic mushrooms (Silver Ear and Reishi) offer anti-inflammatory and hydrating benefits, while powerhouse Ashwaganda protects the skin against aging by blocking blue light and slowing collagen breakdown.

Ashwaganda is astringent, protects the skin again aging by blocking blue light and slowing collagen breakdown.

Ashwaganda also has astringent properties and helps the skin produce the appropriate amount of natural oils to keep the skin hydrated but not oily. This cream takes a bit of time to absorb so I only use it at night. It’s not greasy at all, just rich.

Final Thoughts

I’m just scratching the surface here, but I’m really into the benefits adaptogens can have for overall wellness. I’ve been able to incorporate these products in with my other products with no issues, and I’m happy so far!

Do you have any adaptogenic products you’re using that you love? Drop a comment below and share! I’ll check them out!

xo

Rebecca

[jetpack-related-posts]

ASTROLOGY

Eris

Later this week Pluto will square Eris for the third time this year. I’ll get to the specifics of this aspect toward the end of the week as this post is about Eris itself: a dwarf planet that doesn’t get, in my opinion, it’s fair share of attention in the astrology world, and when it does it’s esoteric and random.

I feel like it’s a planet that should be more considered, especially when casting charts about world-wide experiences, especially given what’s been happening across the globe since 2008. But we can just look at this year to see Eris’s impact, and we will when we look at the 2 squares that have already happened this year (January 26 and June 14th – I’ll leave you to recall the importance of these dates) and the upcoming square the end of this week (they’ll square 5 times total before Pluto moves out of Capricorn.)

So Eris. What do you need to know?

Like Pluto, Eris is a dwarf planet, it moves very slowly, taking 599 years to orbit the sun (compared to Pluto’s 248 years) but as astrologers, we believe the effects of Pluto are incredibly impactful, and so we should feel the same of Eris. 

Historically, Eris derives its name from Greek Mythology. She is the sister of Mars and well, let’s just say there’s a familial similarity. She delights in war and “the groans of men dying in battle” – it has even been inferred that in times of war she appears, mixing in with the wounded, increasing their pain. Yikes.

Whatever her affect, she brings chaos and pain wherever she goes. That being said, in astrology we believe all things (signs, planets, houses and therefore people as well) have two manifestations: high evolutions expressing the most refined vision of their qualities, and low evolutions expressing the more basic, underdeveloped qualities. The goal of course is to rise into your highest evolution of each placement in your chart, but the shadow side is always there. So for a dark-facing character like Eris, what is her “high evolution?”

[Eris] likes to win, but not as much as she likes to see you lose.”

STEVEN FORREST

Steven Forrest boils it down to “vicious competitiveness…she likes to win, but not as much as she likes to see you lose.”  While Pluto may bring transformation through darkness, searching our unconscious for the challenging realities we need to face, but there is always reward of growth on the other side; Pluto is rooting for your development. Eris… not so much. She’s not here to see if you can get better on the other side.

However, the intensity in which she’ll force you to participate will bring out your best. That’s the silver lining; she will drive you to your edge creatively, emotionally, physically, etc. And she will weed out the weak. I’m pretty sure if she had a slogan it would be: “Rise to the occasion or die.” 

If [Eris] had a slogan it would be: “Rise to the occasion or die.”

So, with just that little introduction and a glance around the world, can you feel her presence now?

Later this week I’ll talk about Pluto’s placement in Capricorn, Eris’s placement in Aries and the different potentials this upcoming square could manifest.

Consider this

I’ll leave you with this to consider: 

Eric is in Aries, the sign of “I AM” – self-oriented, focused on our right to live the way we want to, to create our lives independently and live by our own rules, the first house of the zodiac where spirit first incarnates into being and we become aware and responsible for our own autonomy. In it’s lowest evolution Aries is incredibly selfish, impulsive, reactive and aggressive. In its highest evolution Aries is protective, ambitious, passionate and honest.

Squares infer tension and friction. Friction in astrology means energy… and opportunity.

Capricorn is about structure and organization, the tenth house and our relationship to the structured world we live in, career, social circles, governmental structures and so on.  Pluto has been here since 2008 and Pluto’s work in a sign is to bring out the shadow of that sign. We have been seeing the shadow of “BIG” society for some time now. Capricorn in is lowest evolution is judgmental, unforgiving and negative and in its highest evolution is disciplined, responsible, practical and caring.

Squares infer tension, and friction. Friction in astrology means energy…and opportunity.

How do you think these two energies will interact when confronted with each other?  This is what I’ll dive into later this week, but I’d love to know your thoughts!

XO

Rebecca

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