It’s an interesting time of year, Halloween.  Halfway between the beginning of fall and the beginning of winter here in south central Pennsylvania.  It has the feeling of hovering somewhere ‘between.’  If you think of the world and everything in it from the framework of an energy construct, It’s not hard, therefore, to understand the concept that at this time of year the ‘veil,’ the field or energy or whatever you choose to believe might separate this plane of existence from the next (or just ‘others’) is thinner, more permeable.  You may have also noticed that same feeling around Beltane (around May 1), halfway between the beginning of spring and beginning of summer, creating the balance of polarity.

Evolutionary Astrologers recognize this feeling, too, when we look at natal horoscopes, those amazing symbolic portraits, chronicling in glyphs the positions of all the planets and luminaries and astral bodies, of the moments each of us drew breath for the first time.  For me, personally, the joy of karmic astrology is the ability to ‘pierce the veil’, so to speak, and find out some of the profound patterns a soul has been struggling to make sense of in this lifetime and determine the energy of their sources.  Sometimes awareness is enough to break an old, non-functioning pattern.  Sometimes it takes harder work than awareness, but always, that awareness brings an individual to the next layer of resolving karma.

While the entire chart plays into this kind of reading, it’s important to realize how profound a knowledge of the sign and position of the Sun and Moon are in the birth chart.  For example, someone born with the Moon in the sign of Scorpio can clearly indicate previous lifetimes of digging into the deepest, darkest parts of human existence; likely a tangible awareness of collective human suffering.  The extent of that awareness rests a great deal on the readiness of the individual to deal with the sources of this karma in this lifetime, but the essence is there.  It plays itself out in emotional connections that are fraught with themes of trust and betrayal, power struggles or even actual violence.  

This is not to say that every human being on the planet is operating with the reality of sexual abuse in their life today!!!  It is saying, though, that the Moon in Scorpio is energetically equipped to understand it, from the standpoint of both victim and perpetrator.  That’s the essence of Scorpio.  Someone with Sun in Libra has come into this world to understand the karma of relationship: how does one enter into this kind of balanced partnership without losing the self?  How does one maintain the need for integrity in communication while risking the fearful concept of pushing away the one you need so badly to complete yourself?  That’s the journey of the Libra sun.

So, at this time of year, I always find myself talking to clients seeking out an astrologer for the first time because they’re trying to understand what got them to today… and it could be a yesterday (or several yesterdays!) from many previous lifetimes.

Understanding your own Sun and Moon goes a long way to understand the essence of who you are, where you’re going and emotional responses that either propel you toward your destiny or perhaps hinder you from taking the steps needed to find the magic and glory waiting for you. 

Which step will YOU take?

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Pat is teaching Astro 101: The Lights on Saturday, October 19^th, from 10:00 a.m. until 4:30 and part of the class will be focusing on the evolutionary facets of the Sun and Moon in the birth chart.  For more information, contact Pat at Pat.Dumas.Astrologer@gmail.com or Firefly Hollow Wellness Center at (717) 914-8136. Pre-registration is required! 

Ingredients:

- 1 Tbsp olive oil

- Juice of 1 lime

- ½ tsp salt

- Freshly ground black pepper to taste

- Parsley finely chopped to taste

- 1 avocado, cubed

- 1 pint organic cherry tomatoes, halved

- ½ small onion, chopped

Directions

In a small bowl whisk together olive oil, lime juice and season with salt and pepper.

In a medium size serving bowl combine avocado, tomatoes and onions. Gently toss with dressing, sprinkle parsley and serve immediately.

Samia Abreu offers Ayurveda services at Firefly Hollow Wellness. Click here to learn more! 

Pan Seared Summer (Yellow) Squash

Slice your squash to roughly ½ inch thickness and place in a medium bowl. Heat oil in an 11 to 12 inch skillet (preferably cast iron) over medium high heat until hot.

Arrange the squash in a skillet in a single layer. (If you have extra squash, freeze for later!)

Season with salt and a bit of pepper. Sprinkle rosemary leaves over the squash and sear the squash undisturbed until a deep golden brown, approximately 3 to 5 minutes.

Turn the squash onto the other side. Sprinkle with another ½ tsp salt. Sear the second side until crisp, about 2 minutes. Enjoy!

Did you know that Firefly Hollow is a drop off site on Thursdays for the Spoutwood Farms CSA? Learn more here! 

At 3:17 in the afternoon on Tuesday, July 2^nd, we’re not only enjoying a Cancer New Moon, but it’s also a total solar Eclipse, and on the brink of a Mercury Retrograde cycle that will last until the end of July.  That’s a lot of power churning.

All new moons, regardless of whether or not an eclipse is involved, are signals of new starts, of the end of a cycle, or of allowing the energy of the sign to begin a new phase in your life.  Married to a solar eclipse, there is additional energy offering bright spotlights on areas of your life that need attention.  

So let’s take a look, shall we?

This is a new moon in Cancer, resting in the 9^th house of your personal philosophy, expansion of your world view; learning that stretches your mind beyond the parochial into the realms of broadening your experience to something new, something foreign, something hitherto not  experienced.  Cancer asks how are you nurturing (or BEING nurtured and supported)?  Where are you creating or supporting family (Cancer), or perhaps are you recreating your concept of family (especially with the New Moon resting in the 9^th house of your personal philosophy).  How does the concept of matriarch (the Moon, the ruler of Cancer) resonate for you right now?  What is the status of your intimate relationships? What are your views (9^th house) of who is worthy of your nurturing, caring and support (Cancer)?  How does your religion or personal philosophy (9^th house) figure into your concept of nurturing others (Cancer)?

Now let’s bring in the energy of the Mercury Retrograde as well  (July 7^th).   Perhaps, this isn’t the moment to signal a NEW relationship, but to instead do a serious, personal review of your current relationships?  Perhaps there is an uncomfortable situation in your life or the world around you that is placing what you’ve always believed should be the goal of nurturing at odds with how you are interacting with the world (or not, as the case may be).  

With the 9^th house so deeply involved, perhaps you are questioning “What do I really believe? Am I LIVING what I say I believe??” based upon emotional tugs that feel at odds with what you’ve always believed or have been taught.

There is also a wide opposition of Saturn in Capricorn (the Establishment) to the Sun and Moon in this scenario, which adds new strata to this whole deeply and intricately layered situation.  The opposition signals being pushed into something, or forced to examine your philosophy using the lens of difficult news or images/information of hardship, loss or difficulty.

While this could be reflected  in so many different scenarios, my bleeding liberal heart tugged immediately thinking of the heartbreaking situations of foreign (9^th house) children and families (Cancer) at detention centers (the Establishment! Boundaries! Saturn in Capricorn) on our Southern Border.  Without getting into the politics, what human being can truly look upon the suffering experienced there and not have their ‘nurturing muscles’ want to DO something?   This is just one example, of course.  Tied to the destiny-related North Node (any Full or New Moon within 17 degrees of the Node constitutes an eclipse; this new Moon is just 7 degrees from the North Node) I can’t help but wonder how much of our country’s destiny rests in how we deal with this situation… pulled into the mix is Uranus in Taurus, making an advantageous sextile to the Moon.  Put into English… as difficult as this situation is, we, as a people, CAN work to level the playing field and utilize our ability to revolutionize (Uranus’ energy in a nutshell!)  the way we deal with immigration in this country.

So some questions to ask yourself over the next few weeks as this solar eclipse and New Moon in Cancer ripens during a Mercury retrograde:

The most important of all, perhaps:  where am I not exhibiting self-care, self-nurturing?  We can only help others when WE are not depleted.

MINT SUGAR SNAP PEA SALAD

From Alison Hunley – Intuitive Herbalist

What is CBD?  

CBD is a molecule found in grown industrial hemp plants that offers a variety of health and pain benefits.  Hemp Seeds do NOT contain CBD as they have not matured and grown into the full plant. If a product only states hemp seed oil on the package or ingredient listing there is no actual CBD in the product.

Is it legal?  Yes, CBD from the Industrial Hemp Plant was legalized with the passing of the Farm Bill in December of 2018.  While some states have decided to not allow products derived from Industrial Hemp it is indeed legal.

Can it get you high? Will you pass a drug test?  

You will not get high.  Even CBD products with the allowed legal limit of .3% of THC will not induce a feeling of being high.  There is not enough THC to create a feeling of high in the HEMP plant, unlike its sister Marijuana.  You could still FAIL A DRUG TEST if you are using a full spectrum HEMP CBD product. If you need to pass a drug screening you would want to stick to products produced with CBD ISOLATE that is FREE of THC completely.

What should one look for in a quality product?  

Current up to date 3rd party tests matching the batch numbers of the product you have purchased. If a test on a company’s website is from 2018 you should request a current batch test.  The MG’s of CBD should be clearly listed on the product. If you cannot locate this, you could be misled with fancy verbiage or less specific terms of what is inside the products.  Another important factor to consider is if the ingredient list is INCI (The International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients, abbreviated INCI, is a system of names for waxes, oils, pigments, chemicals, and other ingredients of soaps, cosmetics, and the like, based on scientific names and other Latin and English words). If this is not the way ingredients are listed, they could be producing it in their homes or other non-approved manufacturing facility. Therefore, you could be introduced to a product that could include ingredients you are allergic to!

How does it affect your brain differently than TCH?

 CBD oil is extracted from the cannabis plant and contains chemicals known as cannabinoids. These may bind to receptors in the brain to help relieve symptoms of pain. CBD oil is rich in chemicals called cannabinoids that bind to specialized receptors in the brain.

Are there bad side effects? 

No.

Any people who should not take CBD?  

The one study we are aware of and advise customers on is Blood Thinners. We always advise checking with your doctor or health professional.

Difference between oral & topical CBD?  

The form of the products will be different for one.  Topical products offer the most bio availability as our skin is our largest organ. If you are an individual who has inflamed joints as a result of Crohn’s disease you may require so much topical CBD product that you would be better served to utilize an oral oil. This could be more cost effective and is best for chronic pain that is too large of an area for a topical product.

CBD for children? Pets?

Yes and Yes. HOWEVER, each parent should follow their own preferences and moral compass when incorporating CBD with a child.  Weight should be considered as should the symptoms you are trying to treat. Always consult a physician. The same goes for pets along with all I have listed above.

How much should you take?

This truly differs from each user in regards to weight, experience with CBD or Marijuana, as well as weight and other medical conditions or medications. 

What symptom does it help?  

There are a lot of amazing benefits of CBD. We know that there is indeed CBD from Marijuana in a current pharmaceutical product for Epilepsy. CBD is great for pain due to inflammation, arthritis, nerve damage, joint pain, nausea from cancer treatment, and anxiety to name a few. It does not, however, cure everything so be sure to not fall prey to a company that makes a claim for a cure-all.

Can one overdose on CBD?  

NOPE.