Dear Friend and Reader:
Beltane season has at least two more turning points in store, offering us a mini-cluster of events over the next few days. One would be Mercury stationing retrograde in early Gemini overnight tonight; and the second would be the Scorpio Full Moon overnight Friday.
This combination together would qualify as interesting, given their respective movements: an emotional, deep Full Moon pushing pending matters to a head; and Mercury stationing retrograde in one of its own signs. This is about revealing information and doing its best to create some focus in our minds that is sufficiently removed from the emotional level that we actually have a clue what is going on in us or around us. I don’t see a conflict between these two dimensions of sensation — more like a gradual integration. We will need the perspective offered by this Mercury station in the midst of so much deep lunar energy.
One thing I’ve noticed many times about Mercury retrograde that I have never read anywhere is how it reveals thinly veiled truths. It’s almost as if a costume comes off of people, circumstances or events and we can see them for what they really are; this might be ‘bad’ or ‘good’ given the usual ambivalence of Mercury (and Gemini) but what I have noticed is that the information is just about always beneficial to those who need it. (This aspect would serve as a warning to those trying to maintain their anonymity for any reason.)
Mercury makes its station in a square aspect to Ceres in early Virgo. It’s an almost-near-miss; Mercury comes within 1 degree and 10 minutes of the exact square before stationing, suggesting that the mental contact point or awareness is working on the edge of an issue: and if you follow the basic sketch of Ceres, that issue will involve food, deep emotions, or a contact point with how you feel about your mother or powerful mother-figure.
Ceres in Virgo is a strong statement about food, and in particular, grain. Moments ago I visited the ‘continental breakfast’ of the motel I am staying in, and I got a fast recap of our obsession with eating grains in the United States and Europe. At this particular place, the only things available were breads and cereals (all of which contained wheat protein, even the corn flakes which have wheat protein added in the form of barley malt). What exactly do we eat? What is the impact of consuming so much genetically modified grain? What about all the carbs in general? Why exactly do we drink an ocean of high0-fructose corn syrup, or corn-syrup substitute diet soda, which is about as safe as drinking antifreeze?
This is an meaningful opportunity to rethink the whole matter of diet, and to see the extent to which our diets are a matter of dictatorship and not of conscious choice, and that dictatorship generally involves heavily hybridized or GMO wheat.
Taken on an emotional/biographical level, this arrangement suggests that we shy away from plunging into grief or another emotion but rather, for now, work the edge, be aware of a situation (potentially old) and begin a process of making and implementing decisions that will take about six weeks. That would be around the time of the solstice.
We are getting another see-through episode with Chiron edging into the same degree as Neptune; the two are now less than one-half of a degree apart. The closest alignment of Chiron and Neptune in the current time neighborhood occurs during a triple conjunction with Jupiter in about two weeks.
Currently the Full Moon will be increasing the emotional flow for the next 48 hours. The setup as it stands suggests that we might be feeling things on a deep level but not quite aware of what they are. If a clue comes a long, it could be a mental or intellectual clue that does not quite make contact with the deeper level, so it might not have credibility — but the chances are, it’s actually correct. It’s coming through as an idea to make it easier to process, address and respond to.
All in all, we are under a sky that is poised to make information, and by that I mean the truth, available to any who seek it, with certain specific kinds of assistance that make denial more difficult to sustain. On this planet, a brilliant thing.
Brattleboro, VT
Moonrose,
thx – lovely suggestions.
All,
has anyone current info on the concept that genetically modified grain might have something to do with the upsurge of ‘wheat’ intolerence (especially in middle-aged women who’s digestive systems have been overworked and underpayed for so long) -? I am curious too about what is currently legal and what has just sort of, well, “happened” as far as GM crops grown in the US.
So well put, Eric, accurate for me on every point, and with the Scorpio moon cruising through my 12th. And so today (Thursday), thinly veiled truths I wasn’t seeking are suddenly being revealed (reaffirmed, really) quite casually, innocently, all by themselves. Masks being stripped away, scales falling from my eyes; choose your metaphor. And I find myself reacting with a sense of calm I have never known before under such intense life circumstances, which for me is a great relief in itself, although somewhat eerie, given that it was never my nature. A page turning, a new chapter, and the sense that all is evolving at least gracefully, if not entirely to my satisfaction. Of course all this leaves me not quite knowing whether to be happy or sad. Perhaps a little of both. Sigh.
Regarding diet, I came across the book “Nourishing Traditions, The Cookbook that Challenges Politically Correct Nutrition and the Diet Dictocrats” a couple of years ago, as well as groups of people (quite political too, fighting for food rights and small farmers/farms) that follow the principles within, and changed my diet quite a bit.
Whereas once I was no-fat/low fat, I now do not regulate my fat intake, only the source of fat (animal fats either from meat or dairy, olive oil, avocados, nuts (soaked first), coconut oil, etc). I also eat mainly whole foods and very very little processed foods, and this summer I’m excited to be a part of a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) whereas a person prepays a farmer and invests in his/her failure or success for the upcoming growing season. Organic produce, no chemicals or pesticides, and you get to meet the person growing your food. Very cool.
Regarding grains, the book advocates soaking grains first to neutralize phytic acid. Untreated phytic acid blocks the absorption of certain minerals which leads to deficiencies and bone loss, over time, and also puts a strain on the digestive system. Soaking grains allows enzymes, lactobacilli and other organisms to break down and neutralize phytic acid. Sprouted grains count bigtime.
About gluten, it’s a difficult to digest protein, which is why many people have gluten-intolerance or allergy. Sometimes it’s so mild that it goes unnoticed or unidentified, but time and time again people that eliminate gluten from their diet see incredible improvements in their health.
When I plan to have oatmeal, which I also use steel cut oats, I soak it overnight in whey (if you strain your plain whole milk yogurt you’ll get whey and a wonderful yogurt cheese you can use like cream cheese) for reasons above but it also reduces cooking time as well, a side bonus. : )
I will say that food preparation in the way of days gone by takes time and effort, but the rewards are plenty.
awordedgewise, jlo, and others – thank you for the info & recommendations. i am aware of those other foods but i will check them out now.
Nance – PS, thanks for picking up on my intent re: dramatic weight yo-yoing in a beautiful, successful well-known woman/actress just recently splashed all over the tabloids again for her recent gain-back. Surely we are now (radically) raising awareness/changing our perspective on what is nourishment and what is not. We can choose nourishment — or not, but from the posts on this one blog alone it is clear how much we have to do regarding education/enlightenment/perspective etc for many more (including me) to get back in balance. –Linda
Nance, Indeed that is an interesting tidbit on KA’s weight gain post going vegan.
On jlo’s suggestion of millet — I cannot eat millett either, unfortunately discovered that the very hard way — seems there’s gluten hiding in many places.
I too, find Quinoa to be an excellent choice.
And a little creativity goes a long way. I was still in “rice cake” mode this evening (LOL!) so spread a little Tofutti “Better’n’Cream Cheese” on one, strategically placed some thin-sliced radish, sprinkled on a handful of chopped cilantro, a squeeze of lime and sprinkle of salt later……ymmmmm!
Like so much we are doing/experiencing/going through these days, it’s a shift of perspective, yes?
Linda
This is excellent, I’ve been waiting for the food conversation to come up.
Grains… I buy a yummy sprouted grain bread and tortillas, and ever since switching to the sprouted grains, when I eat the ‘unsprouted’ grain foods I feel it very directly in the form of blood-sugar spikes and energy draining. I also eat oatmeal for breakfast, but the oats are thick-cut, cooked ‘al dente’, so the oatmeal sticks with me, and doesn’t give me the glycemic heebiejeebies.
I quit eating dairy about 15 years ago to alleviate asthma, and have been a much more healthy person ever since. At about the same time I made a commitment to buy organic, even on my small budget. I have continued to buy organic ever since and my budget has shifted to keep that commitment.
Aword – I had to look up Kirsty Alley, being a nonTV person, I couldn’t remember who she is. I read a quick bit about her weight gain – she said she gained the weight by becoming a ‘vegetarian’ which to her meant eating grains.
Interesting. There really is a deep health care crisis in the US and yet the health care conversation has not yet connected to the food issue. We all know the culprits – sugar, dairy, processed grains, high-fructose corn syrup, artificial colors, artificial flavors, artificial sweeteners, factory produced animals – it’s a wonder this stuff passes for food at all. Even the ‘health food’ uses cane sugars in so much of the food.
A recommended place for info is the Organic Consumers Association http://www.organicconsumers.org/
well worth a gander – get on their mailing list, they send out a great newsletter.
I was excited to see the White House starting an organic garden, and they shunned efforts of Big Ag to turn it into an advertisement for chemicals. We have Big Pharma, Big Ag and the military, all complexes in our culture pushing on us to buy into their world view. It’s time to push back.
I live in a land-connected place full of fruit growers – pears, apples, cherries, blueberries, raspberries, blackberries… I can get locally grown happy chicken, and beef, and we pick alot of our own fruit and freeze/dry/store it. We are down to our last 2 1-gallon bags of frozen blueberries that we picked last summer (300 lbs total). 2 months to go before we can pick some more!
Embrace the divine mother within and without. Gaia supports us.
Nice! I have my metaphorical jaw on the floor. There is a lot of talk about grain at the Kushi Institute, which (the KI) is slowly morphing into God knows what — but certainly there is a lot of change occuring and many people seem to be handling it with half a bulb in their heads. Maybe I don’t get much credit for a statement like that but it is interesting to note that (and you can do the fact checking since it’s dinner time here) Michio Kushi, a Japanese guy who experienced war first hand, between the US and Japan, basically spearheaded the organic grains movement in the United States during that same, oh, five year time frame. Check out kushiinstitute.org for all sorts of organic grains, seaweed, cooking supplies and such.
-Jude V.
Ceres also shares New Jersey’s state coat of arms, seal, and flag with goddess, Liberty.
Liberty already marginalizing Ceres with stereotypes to the kids.
http://www.nj.gov/hangout_nj/games_seal.html
Ace of Pentacles- Whole Grains- Root Power of Earth
“We must live our truths – as the Native Americans put it, “walk our talk”- and be cognizant beings right here on the earth. We must seek a balance with our families, our actions, our foods, our bodies, and our words… One’s desires should not be ignored, nor should one become a slave to them…Work at weeding out desires that are empty and unsubstantial and support those that nourish on a deep level…”
– “The Spirit of Herbs: A Guide to the Herbal Tarot” By Michael Tierra & Candis Cantin
“Now I’m a Farmer” by The Who
[Taurus Cock] Pete (Townshend): “This is from the same bale of hay as ‘Postcard’, recorded at home for an EP. It’s a drug song, all about the good life in the fields growing those fantastic phallic ornamental gourds you can use to… to… to make gorgeous fruit bowl arrangements. See if you can catch the immensely subtle reference to ‘Air’ in this song. This track is from the period when The Who went slightly mad, we put out several records called ‘Dogs’ and at least one about finding ‘ones inner self’. Gourds mate, that’s the secret of life… gourds.”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Y-uiiAgcKc
Shape, check out Millet, Quinoa, and Amaranth, all very fine, nurturing grains, a bit yin if you will. Millet is my staple grain, the others have protein/structure capabilities that add value. No wheat if you’re so inclined. I’ve been vegan for 15 years though. My body speaks volumes to me, I’ve learned to explore various rawer substances, such as various staple foods of various cultures, especially on the agrarian front.
Seaweed, algae, and nutritional yeast are also of great value toward health.
I love food talk,
Jere
Shape,
My body kept trying to get my attention – took years to figure out that I needed to get off wheat. I tried to omit EVERYTHING BUT, until wheat was the ONLY thing left to omit. This past Thanksgiving I finally tried to omit wheat from my diet and KAZAMM! -wow what a difference. Like a miracle.
And yes, then everything feels “out of balance” but only ’cause it wasn’t in balance to begin with.
Every “taste test” i’ve done since has proven that I cannot get near Wheat. (That is, whever I simply can’t resist something with wheat – or don’t know it’s there – and think that SURELY my body’s reaction to it CAN’T be REAL, POW! it hits me up again; Whole Body Sickness. The mental fog stays log after the nausea and other obvious symtoms subside.)
I too, am in awesome shape and never did Wonder Bread or Micky Dee’s; have eaten a very “healthy” diet since I was old enough to tell mom I wouldn’t eat unless she bought me yogurt and stuff like that. (In my mid-western farm family, that was considered really strange hippie food.)
Stick it out. Listen to your body. Try different stuff to balance yourself. There’s tons of info out there on the internet as well as books etc.
Good Luck and Goddess Bless!
Linda
WOW, ok this one totally blew me away:
“Ceres in Virgo is a strong statement about food, and in particular, grain.”
this is the biggest topic in my life right now for the past several days! my psychic/healer/nutritionist has gotten me to try cutting out grain from my diet b/c it was causing all these problems in my body b/c i cant metabolize it. well the past 4 1/2 days i’ve had none and i think my body is having withdrawals or something b/c i feel extremely drained – no energy and thus have pretty bad depression b/c i cant really do much and can barely work without drinking an expresso or 2 (mind you i’m in shape like a pro-athlete and young). this started for a week before i went off it and she said i was having an insulin insufficiency problem and that’s why i needed to switch but everything has gotten worse since.
it’s not like i was eating wonder bread, big subway rolls, doughnuts, and frosted flakes. mainly just organic cereal or granola for breakfast and the very thin Eli’s hearty health loaf bread with sandwiches. now my food options are very repetitive and very expensive. food was already my biggest expense and now it’s basically doubled. anyway, hopefully this pays off soon and my body stabilizes. most importantly, i needed this confirmation here that what i’m going thru is linked to a shift much bigger than myself.
Hi Antigone,
Glad to see some one’s alive and “wired” today.
Um, yes, the mother within – and without (I’m mom to two almost-adults).
“Problem” though it be not, your thoughts are very much appreciated. I agree wholeheartedly — the switch always has (at least) two positions.
Love’n’Light
aword
What, no one else is up and eating rice cakes yet this morning?
OK, I’ll just do Improve for the Loan Actor (Viola Spolin): just got “spam” from a friend with link to a KFC coupon on – yes – Oprah’s website.
http://www.oprah.com/article/oprahshow/20090430-tows-kfc-coupon-download
THIS is why we have nutritional/health issues in the USA. Oprah (or her marketing team) is now on my “you must be kidding me” list. A woman/company who puts it out there about health/well-being is promoting KFC?????
And then there’s the latest “headline” about Kristey Alley and her latest weight gain. I mean, common – she’s carrying one of me around on her ass. What’s that ABOUT boy’n’girlfriend/s????!!!!
Something else that struck me from your post re: the Wheat issue, or the What We Choose to Disguise from Ourselves About What We Consume issue.
I discovered yesterday that a very close friend has been taking Lipitor for some time now. A little research will disclose the serious probable side-effects from taking this drug which is currently dispensed like aspirin in the USA. My friend’s reaction to my discussion of what I had learned and my concerns was met with a venomous counter-attack.
Something very deeply seated in our need for denial. It’s so easily seen everywhere, yet this personal attack was, well, freaky.
Why do we have this need for such extreme denail re: of our sickening (literally) choices of what we choose to ‘nourish’ ourselves; the building blocks we choose for our physical, emotional, intellectual health?
Fascinating:
“working on the edge of an issue: and if you follow the basic sketch of Ceres, that issue will involve food, deep emotions, or a contact point with how you feel about your mother.”
Personally I am working to resolve a core issue that has to do with my mom – I see it as:
MOTHER:
Always revolving around her – never being able to make contact – never being able to get to the heart of the situation – never being able to get to her heart, or to get her heart to get to me.
Everything (on this planet) is my MOTHER. I seem to have spent my life revolving around everything but never making actual contact.
Yet I am deperate for contact, real connection. One exercise I am utilizing is my version of a method used acting improv: that is, to ACCEPT everything I hear, see, experience as real and true but knowing that I do not have to take it on as my own in terms of “baggage” or other negatives. (That is, I have the right to do with any gift as I choose, not per the givers wishes.)
xo
Hi Eric,
If I’m not mistaken, it is Ceres that adorns the peak of the capitol building in Montpelier, Vermont–an interesting aside–for the Green Mountain State. Here’s a view:http://www.pictureninja.com/pages/united-states/vermont/image-montpelier-capital-vermont.htm
Thanks for all the connections,
Jude