Photo © Alex Carrillo

Daily Candy readers, as well as everyone visiting for the first time…

Welcome to Planetary Apothecary.

I am honored to have been included in today’s edition of Daily Candy. The timing seems especially auspicious given that the Moon is in Gemini today, crossing over my Ascendant, one of the pivotal points in a person’s natal horoscope.

The Ascendant represents the perspectives we hold as we navigate through life. It also signifies how we present ourselves to the world. The answer to the question “If someone met you for five minutes, how would they describe you?” is often reflected by the Ascendant. Additionally, its sign can provide you insights into your health as it describes characteristics of the physical body.

Along with your Sun sign (which represents your unfolding essence) and your Moon sign (the signifier of your emotional nature and that which nurtures you), your Ascendant sign can help you to better know yourself. While not as instructive as working with your complete astrology chart, this astrological triad can help you to uncover great jewels of self-understanding. Additionally in wellness astrology, the Moon and Ascendant signs are important facets in knowing how to best support your personal path to health and well-being (which is why in my book, Planetary Apothecary, I recommend that readers consult the chapter for their Sun sign as well as those of their Moon and Ascendant).

You probably know your Sun sign. That’s the sign you look up when reading your daily or weekly horoscope. But, if you’re like most people, it’s likely that you don’t know your Moon and Ascendant signs since these astrological factors not only depend upon the month and day that you were born but also the year, time, and location.

If you’re curious to find out your Moon and Ascendant signs, email me at stephanie@planetaryapothecary.com with your birth information (date, year, city/state/country, and exact time). Throughout March, I’ve been offering this service–whereby I calculate this astrological triad for readers and email them this information–for free (normally, I will charge a nominal fee). To welcome Daily Candy and other new readers this week, I’ve decided to extend this special offer through the Aries/Libra Full Moon (April 9). In addition, for all personal Astrological Wellness consultations booked through April 9, I am offering $20 off the Initial Consultation fee of $100 for all new clients (the appointment just needs to be booked by this date, it need not necessarily occur by then). Just email me at stephanie@planetaryapothecary.com to set an appointment or inquire more about my services.

One quick note before I finish this post: If you want to easily keep up with Planetary Apothecary articles–including the April Wellness Horoscope that’s coming out on Wednesday–you can sign up for updates via the “Subscribe” button in the sidebar (it gives you an option of doing so by RSS or email).

Happy Gemini Moon!

The Moon has been in earthy and sensual Taurus all weekend. During the Taurus Moon, that which is practical and pragmatic comes to the forefront as we lay the groundwork for the foundation upon which growth can occur.

I’m in this stage of creation for upcoming article for Planetary Apothecary and thought I’d take a moment to give you a glimpse of what’s coming up in the 7-10 days.

I’m currently working on the next installment of my Let Food Be Your Medicine series, with an article on fenugreek. This spice, a mainstay of curries and other Indian dishes, not only adds a unique flavor to recipes but also many healing benefits, balancing blood-sugar levels. This past week, I sprouted fenugreek seeds, which was delightful to do concurrent with the beginning of springtime. While I’ve sprouted beans, nuts, and other seeds before, it was my first time with fenugreek; yet, it will definitely not be my last time since I am enamored of its aromatic flavor.

I am also working on a post about sonopuncture, the use of vibrational tuning forks for healing. This morning, I was lucky enough to have a sonopuncture treatment courtesy of my friend Jeannie Lehner who is an herbalist. As she was using the forks to stimulate pressure points on my face and head, I realized how perfect the timing was for me to be enjoying this therapy, with the Moon in Taurus (which governs the senses, and the rhythms of sound) and the Sun in Aries (which rules the head and face in medical astrology). I included sonopuncture in my book and am excited to write more about it here.

And, with Wednesday signaling the commencement of a new month, look for the April Wellness Horoscope to be posted this week. Speaking of astrological events, we’re more than halfway through this year’s Venus Retrograde, which began March 6 and concludes April 17 (click here for a refresher on what this period signifies and the amazing lessons that can be gleaned during it).

I want to close this post by leaving you with this thought, which seems very reflective of the Taurus Moon. Yesterday, I was fortunate to attend a talk at Seattle’s Green Festival given by Alice Waters, the founder of Chez Panisse and a beacon in the sustainable food movement. From a space of humility, she said many things about food, culture, and agriculture that resonated strongly with me. Yet, the one that was most memorable and which I continue to reflect upon is that if you want to make change in this arena, the best way to do so is by “feeding people the message.” It’s not about talking or proselytizing. It’s about reaching out and helping people to actually eat a garden-grown vegetable, a dish prepared with local ingredients, or a piece of fruit right off the tree. When people taste and experience real food, something happens. They can taste the difference, which leads to knowing the difference (it’s a great example of the Taurean way of learning). This can lead to people really embracing the fact that, as Waters says (and I strongly believe), ” good food is a right and not a privilege.”

Tomorrow, March 26, is the Aries New Moon. To get a glimpse into the energies that this New Moon carries and find apothecary suggestions that can help enrich the day, please read this excerpt from the March Wellness Horoscope.

March 26, 2009: Aries New Moon (exact at 9:06 am PDT)

Since Aries and the New Moon both symbolize the ushering in of new beginnings, this lunar event is an auspicious time to start a new project. If you’re looking to kick off a diet or amp up your exercise regimen, the exuberance of palpable energy that the Aries New Moon affords may be a great motivator. Also, if you’ve wanted to tackle a problem but found yourself lacking in the moxie department, the Aries New Moon may give you an infusion of courage and daring that can help you persevere. Just watch out, though: Since Aries prizes immediacy, impatience and/or bursts of anger—within yourself or expressed by others—may be heightened around this time.

This New Moon takes on additional dimensions since it is conjunct Mercury and square Pluto. While you may find yourself with a deep desire to express what’s on your mind and in your heart, take an extra moment to reflect on what you want to say before doing so to avoid a rather revealing—and potentially regretful—Freudian slip of the tongue. Passions are also stirred up during this New Moon, whether in heated discourse or fiery outbursts of affection.

This month’s New Moon falls at 6 degrees of Aries (the location of both the Sun and Moon). While everyone experiences the energies of the New Moon, if you have planets or pivotal points (i.e., Ascendant/Descendant or Nadir/Midheaven) around this degree in Aries or the other cardinal signs—Cancer, Libra, Capricorn—it may impact you more intensely.

New Moon Apothecary Suggestions

Aries rules the head, muscles, and circulatory system. Pay extra attention to these parts of the body around the time of this New Moon.

Scalp massage: Start your New Moon morning with a scalp massage. It’s simple to do and only takes a few minutes. Just take a nourishing oil (such as coconut or avocado) and rub it into your scalp before you shampoo your hair. Start at your hairline and work backwards toward the nape of your neck, rubbing your scalp with moderate pressure in small circular motions. For additional scalp-health benefits, add some rosemary essential oil to the massage blend. Regular scalp massages—which you can even do without the oil—can help stimulate circulation, alleviate tension, and reduce flaky scalp conditions.

Impatiens flower essence: As its name implies, Impatiens flower essence help quell impatience, one of the premier characteristics associated with Aries. So, if you find yourself being overly impetuous or running a short fuse, consider this remedy. Take a few drops several times a day until you feel the impatience lifting. (Flower essences are made from flower-infused water and work energetically to restore emotional and mental balance. You can find them in natural food stores or holistic pharmacies.)

Ever since I began writing my cardamom article, the aroma of this enchanting spice has wafted through our house. It’s likely the result of the cardamom being strewn on the dining table for hours for the photo shoot as well as the pile of cardamom pods I placed upon my desk in the makeshift talismanic ritual I did when I posted the article, the first in my “Let Food Be Your Medicine” series. Yet, what’s probably making the greatest contributions to the billowing fragrance is the cardamon-infused coffee that I now brew every morning and even some afternoons.

With the essence of cardamom still surrounding me—and therefore still very much on my mind—I thought I’d write a follow-up blog post about another way to enjoy it in your healing repertoire: cardamom essential oil (made from green cardamom, Elletaria cardamomum). While not one of the more commonly found essential oils, cardamom can be a great addition to your personal apothecary. Read More…

It is the first day of spring, but the Seattle weather didn’t seem to get the memo. It is raining, damp and cold. Fortunately, though, I am feeling ensconced in a sense of nurturing warmth brought to me by the aromatic cardamom-infused soy latte I am drinking at the moment.

I have been thinking about cardamom for weeks now. It began one day when I noticed I was afloat in a cardamom meme stream; it seemed that in every note I read—from my Twitter feed to friends’ emails—almost everyone was talking about some delicious dish that featured this aromatic culinary treasure. In that moment, bolstered by my own fondness for this curry- and chai-staple, I decided that I would start my Let Food Be Your Medicine series—which will highlight the culinary and medicinal uses of herbs and spices—with a focus on cardamom.

And, as cardamom and coffee make a well-versed pairing, a marriage of flavors that represents hospitality in Middle Eastern countries, it seemed a natural idea to begin the writing of this post by enjoying this delightful and convivial beverage.

While cardamom may be today’s “it-spice” it has been a part of medicine cabinets and kitchens for thousands of years. Like many other spices, it was first used for its therapeutic, rather than culinary, properties. It was featured in Ebers Papyrus, the Egyptian book of medicinal plants that dates back to 1550 B.C. In addition to a healing remedy, it was also used by the ancient Egyptians as a perfume and an embalming agent. It plays an important role in Ayurvedic medicine as well as in Indian cooking where it is integral to dishes like curries and chai. Unlike some other spices, cardamom never really took hold across Europe, although it is a mainstay in Scandinavia where it is used in baked goods and sausages. Interestingly, it is not India or the Middle East that is the largest exporter of cardamom, but Guatemala, whose tropical climate is well suited to this plant.

Types of Cardamom

There are two types of cardamom: green and black. Both belong to the ginger family, but as their botanical genera show—the green’s is Ellettria while the black’s is Amomum—they are more like cousins than brethren.

Green cardamom (Ellettria cardamomum) is often called “true cardamom.” Read More…

I must say I was surprised this morning. Surprised, but delighted.

The four words that elicited my gleeful shock were “Pathogens in Our Pork.” It was the title of Nicholas Kristof’s Op-Ed piece, which ran yesterday but which first crossed my path this a.m. as I scanned the Sunday New York Times’ headlines residing in my inbox.

Of course, my surprised delight did not stem from the subject itself, as it is one of grave importance. Nor did it arise from the accompanying article being my introduction to this issue, as I have been tracking it for a few months. Rather, it was the fact that this morning, with the Moon still in excavating Scorpio, that this swept-under-the-rug food-safety concern was finally seeing more of the light of day. This gave my inner optimist hope that with increased awareness would come further cries of action for safeguarding our food supply, which was what brought a glint to my sleepy, pre-coffee eyes and a smile to my face.

What is the issue to which I—and Mr. Kristof—refer? Read More…

In a perfect world, 100% of the produce in our shopping cart would be organic, grown with methods that do not use health-compromising synthetic pesticides. But perfect world this is yet to be.

We may desire to purchase only organic and locally grown, chemical-free fruits and vegetables. Yet, due to their often-higher prices—let alone their more limited availability—this is not a realistic option for most people, myself included.

Luckily for us, the not-for-profit Environmental Working Group (EWG) just yesterday released their updated Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides. The Guide—which lists the 47 most commonly eaten fruits and vegetables ranked in the order of their pesticide-residue contamination—can help you navigate the produce aisle to make the most health-supporting choices for yourself and your family. Read More…

Today, March 10, is the Pisces/Virgo Full Moon. To get a glimpse into the energies that this Full Moon carries and find apothecary suggestions that can help enrich the day, please read this excerpt from the March Wellness Horoscope.

March 10, 2009: Pisces/Virgo Full Moon (exact at 7:38 pm PDT)

The Pisces/Virgo Full Moon calls on us to see both the differences and the similarities. While we may be drawn to classify and criticize, remembering that everything is connected—even if we can’t immediately perceive it—can yield a greater acceptance of self and others. This Full Moon provides an opportune time to heal imbalances in our physical bodies through meditation, prayer, and our creative imagination. If we find ourselves called on to be of assistance, it’s important to remember that service need not equal sacrifice.

This Full Moon takes on additional dimensions since it aligns with Saturn and Uranus, highlighting the need to make change manifest in a very thoughtful way. It can also emphasize the seesaw feeling of wanting to stay with the structure you’ve established at one moment and then, at the very next, wanting to break out and break free. Since this Full Moon maintains a similar position that Saturn and Uranus held during their opposition on February 5, watch for issues that manifested around that time to reappear.

This month’s Full Moon falls at 21 degrees of Pisces (the location of the Sun) and Virgo (the location of the Moon). While everyone experiences the energies of a Full Moon, if you have planets or pivotal points (i.e., Ascendant/Descendant or Nadir/Midheaven) around this degree in Pisces, Virgo, or the other mutable signs—Gemini and Sagittarius—it may impact you more intensely.

Full Moon Apothecary Suggestions

Pisces is associated with the feet and the immune/lymphatic systems while Virgo rules the intestines and digestive system. Pay extra attention to these parts of the body around the time of this Full Moon.

Pedicure: Why not give your Pisces-ruled feet a treat during this Full Moon? If it’s not convenient to schedule a salon pedicure, you can easily do one at home. Before applying polish, soak your feet for a few minutes in a warm mineral-salt bath. After drying your feet well, massage them with some lotion or body oil (if you have peppermint essential oil on hand, add a few drops to further invigorate your feet). Pay special attention to the area of your sole located at the front part of your heel in toward the ball of your foot, where the reflex points for the digestive organs are located.

Sandalwood: Sandalwood essential oil is a divine fragrance that can help you open to the Piscean gifts of imagination and connection that are more accessible during this time. It is a great aid for a meditation practice and said to stimulate the pineal gland, associated with psychic abilities in spiritual traditions. Sandalwood is calming and centering and may help alleviate spells of anxiety. Like with other essential oils, you can use sandalwood in many ways; for example, you can mix it with body lotion, use it in an aromatherapy diffuser, or add a few drops to a mister bottle of water and use as a room spray.

Many people ring in the New Year with a glass of champagne. This year, I rang it in with kitchari. No, not the latest kitschy cocktail creation. Rather, the rejuvenating “rice and beans” dish that is a staple of Indian cuisine and Ayurvedic healing practices.

I hadn’t made kitchari in years (five years, to be exact). It had fallen off my radar screen. But as I looked for a recipe that would symbolize a New Year’s toast to my well-being, thoughts of kitchari sprang back into my culinary consciousness.

So what is this celebratory dish I’m writing about?

Kitchari is a traditional dish composed of legumes, basmati rice, and spices. Simple ingredients, simply prepared.

Oh wait, I am forgetting what some may consider the piece de la resistance of the kitchari, the ghee. A type of clarified butter, ghee not only makes the kitchari creamy—and the kitchen smell amazing—but is also thought to add to its health-giving properties. And, unlike some other forms of cooking fat, ghee has a relatively high smoke point—400-500F/204-260C—and therefore can be used in cooking without much worry of oxidation.

Speaking of kitchari’s health-giving properties, there are many. Read More…

Today, March 6, Venus goes retrograde and stays in this backward-appearing motion until April 17. To understand how to best use the energies of this 6-week cycle and learn about some enriching apothecary suggestions for this time, please read this excerpt from the March Wellness Horoscope.

March 6–April 17, 2009: Venus Retrograde

Retrograde periods are times for reflection and heightened inner awareness. Since Venus symbolizes relationships, values, and pleasure, this period can yield great insights in related areas of your life. Venus retrogrades last about six weeks and occur approximately every 18 months; the last one took place July 27-September 8, 2007 (in Leo and Virgo).
Venus retrograde is a perfect time to re-evaluate what it is that we value. Its energy allows us to turn inward to receive clearer answers to such questions as:

• What brings me joy?
• What allows me to experience inner harmony?
• What inspires my creativity?
• What really fulfills me in a relationship?

Use these queries of reflection to guide you through this period. They can serve as great barometers to measure your reactions, attitudes, and motivations.

Yet, it’s important, if possible, to not act on this heightened awareness or undertake significant decisions related to Venus-ruled areas of life until after April 17, when this planet goes direct. The decisions that you come to, and from which to act, will likely have more clarity if you wait since outward action is often stymied during retrograde periods. This may be especially challenging, though, since Venus spends her retrograde in impulsive, now-or-never Aries. But remember, patience is a virtue and there are great rewards here for being virtuous.

As Venus is the ruler of Libra, relationships are always highlighted during the time that this planet goes retrograde. It’s a better time to focus on the past and the present rather than the future; so instead of beginning new relationships now, look to your current ones to see how they may better serve you. If you’re single, it’s a great time to inventory the qualities that you are looking for in a mate, and if you are in a relationship, you’ll likely gain deeper insights into the patterns that shape your partnership. Don’t forget, though, it’s better to sit with the relationship awareness that emerges rather than act on it now.

This time also heralds heightened creativity, notably if you can tune into your inner fire of inspiration. If you’ve already begun a project, now is a powerful time to look at it with fresh insights to gain another perspective on your unfolding masterpiece.

Venus retrograde periods are not a time to splurge on luxury items. Instead use these weeks to sincerely evaluate what you need. You’re likely to find new uses and applications for things that you already own. Once Venus goes direct, you’ll be able to better evaluate whether the need for something aligns with the monetary outlay required to attain it.

A Venus retrograde period can offer a gift of enlightenment, allowing you to discover what you need to allow your inner peace to more gracefully unfold. It can help you more clearly identify what it is that you value as well as the inherent value that you have.

During this retrograde period, Venus travels from 15 degrees Aries to 29 degrees Pisces. While everyone experiences the energies of Venus retrograde, if you have planets or pivotal points (i.e., Ascendant/Descendant or Nadir/Midheaven) around or aspecting these degrees, it may impact you more intensely.

Venus Retrograde Apothecary Suggestions

Journaling: As you reevaluate what you value, write about it in a journal. Since the energy of Venus retrograde is more internal than external, writing at this time may be especially helpful as a way to express pent-up energies. Plus, it will help your thoughts and feelings to become clearer, and you’ll have a record of your reflections that you can turn to in the future. While typing your thoughts into a computer may work well, consider using an actual journal; the tactile and tangible beauty of paper is well matched to Venusian aesthetics.

Get hot: Since Venus spends most of her time in fiery Aries during this phase, doing more sweat-inducing exercise or activities may prove helpful to release any excess energy or frustration you may be feeling. Try kickboxing, vinyasa yoga, or even twirling through a salsa dance class. You can also sweat away your worries (as well as toxins) by taking a sauna or steam bath.