© Alex Carrillo

April 24, 2009: Taurus New Moon (exact at 8:23 pm PDT)

The Taurus New Moon yields a great opportunity to look within and see what it is that brings you comfort and a greater sense of security. Taking the time today to examine what activities and earthly delights yield pleasure can help you discover a sense of rootedness that can serve you well in the coming year. As part of this exercise, think about your routines and habits: Do they actually serve your personal needs for health and happiness or is the pleasure they provide mostly linked to to their familiarity?

As Taurus is a very sensual sign, it’s a good time to go to a concert, buy yourself some fragrant flowers, work for hours in the garden, or engage in other experiences that give you pleasure. Your kinesthetic senses may be especially heightened today and can serve as an additional tool to tune into how you feel about certain situations and people. For example, if you’re wondering whether you should pursue a certain project, let the idea of it sit within you and tune into how your body feels. Do you feel relaxed and comforted or jumpy and agitated? Your body may be able to help you filter truths that your mind is unable to clearly perceive.

This month’s New Moon falls at 5 degrees of Taurus (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 Taurus or the other fixed signs—Leo, Scorpio, Aquarius—it may impact you more intensely.

New Moon Apothecary Suggestions

Taurus rules the neck, throat, inner ears, and thyroid. Pay extra attention to these parts of the body around the time of this New Moon.

Cow pose: Do a few rounds of the yoga asana Cow Pose to open up the energy in your neck and throat. Here’s simple how-to instructions: Place your hands and knees on the floor in tabletop (knees under hips, and elbows and wrists below shoulders) with your neck in a neutral position and your eyes gazing towards the floor below. While inhaling, lift your chest and sitting bones towards the ceiling while dropping your belly to create a gentle arch in your back. Lift your head and look straight in front of you. Hold for several seconds. Exhale, moving your spine back to tabletop position for several seconds. Repeat sequence twelve times.

Honey & lemon tea: Enjoy a soothing cup of honey and lemon tea. Its warmth is nurturing while the honey and lemon serve as wonderful balms for the throat. If possible, use raw honey, which has more antioxidants, and juice from a fresh lemon rather than a bottle. For more throat support, add a tea bag of slippery elm or marshmallow root, two herbs known for their palliative qualities.

I’m dotting my I’s and crossing my T’s, putting the finishing touches on the wellness astrology presentation that I am giving Saturday at the Portland Body Mind Spirit Expo.

I’m also thinking through the other details of the trip. I’ve confirmed the hotel. I’ve Mapquested directions to the Convention Center. I’ve packed up the books. I figured out what I am going to wear. And, last but definitely not least, I’ve packed the Cosmos in my handbag.

And while as an astrologer I’m always traveling with the Cosmos ( ), the actual Cosmos I am referring to is the essence made from this beautiful flower. That’s because Cosmos flower essence is, as I note in my book in the Gemini chapter, “a great aid for public speaking” that helps “focus the mind and create a clear channel between thoughts and the spoken words used to express them.” While I am not nervous, per se, to give the lecture, I know that there is so much information that I want to convey that having energetic assistance synthesizing it in a clear way is something I won’t turn down. I’ve used Cosmos before when I’ve given other lectures, and I definitely have found it to be of great benefit. (For those of you not familiar with flower essences, they are elixirs made from flower-infused water that work energetically to restore emotional and mental balance. They are available at natural food stores and holistic pharmacies.)

I’m looking forward to the lecture and looking forward to the weekend in Portland. If you’re in the area, consider coming to the Expo and dropping by my lecture. It’s slated for 4pm – 6pm in room 2.

Have a great weekend!

Venus ends her current retrograde period today , April 17, at 12:24 pm PDT. Reflect upon the last six weeks to inventory the insights you gained into the things that are truly valuable to yourself as well as what you learned about what most matters to you in relationships. If you want a refresher on what Venus retrograde period is about, click here. Now that Venus is direct, you can transform your insights into actions (and reconsider the shoes, sofa, or spa treatment you’ve put off purchasing).

Photo © Alex Carrillo

Is your anxiety level one of the few things growing in your personal portfolio? Are you feeling blue because of fears of being in the red? Is the bear market becoming more than you can bear?

If so, you’re not alone.

In fact, an American Psychological Association poll found that the majority of people—eight out of ten to be more exact—cite the state of the economy as a significant source of stress. Among those most feeling the emotional crunch brought on by the credit crunch are women aged 44 and older. As this study was conducted in the summer of 2008, before the stock market really began to unfold, its findings serve as a bellweather. Likely if the poll took place today, even more of us would cite the economy as a reason that explained the disquietude that we feel.

I wanted to write about this subject—including citing these statistics—not to add to any anxiety that you may be feeling. Rather, I’m hoping that if you feel emotionally taxed, that realizing that you are among the majority will help to ameliorate some of the stress. After all, it’s always nice to know that you’re not alone, that you are not walking any path solo. Additionally, I hope that through the astrological insights and self-care suggestions I will present that you will feel more empowered and that your sense of well-being will be fortified. Read More…

Photo © Alex Carrillo

April 9, 2009: Aries/Libra Full Moon (exact at 7:56 am PDT)

The Aries/Libra Full Moon calls upon us to integrate our desires with those of the people with whom we are in relationship. It can help you gain insight into whether your approach to accommodating your needs and those of others is a balanced one or whether the scale is tipped to one side (i.e., do you over accommodate theirs to the detriment of your own, or vice versa?). Additionally, it’s an opportunity to inventory whether you are being your true self when relating to others or being the person you think they want you to be.

Different people draw out distinct parts of who we are. With some people, we may find ourselves more connected to our humorous side, others our serious nature, and with others our adventurous disposition. Use the Full Moon energies to get a sense of which aspects of yourself are brought to light when interacting with different friends and family members as well as your romantic partner(s).

This month’s Full Moon falls at 20 degrees of Aries (Sun) and Libra (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 Aries, Libra, or the other cardinal signs—Cancer and Capricorn—it may impact you more intensely.

Full Moon Apothecary Suggestions

Aries is associated with the head, muscles, and circulatory system while Libra is associated with the skin, lower back, and blood sugar balance. Pay extra attention to these parts of the body and areas of health around the time of this Full Moon.

Exercise with a friend: Looking for an additional spark of motivation to help your spring get-in-shape resolution get underway? Instead of going solo to that yoga class or taking a walk alone in the park, invite a friend. Not only will the exercise pump your blood, work your muscles, and regulate your blood sugar, but you’ll get to enjoy it while having a social experience, which is always nice to do when Libran energy is around.

Don’t forget to eat: Both Aries as well as Full Moons bring out ramped-up energy. While you may feel a go-go-go rush in the air today, don’t let it distract you from eating nutritious well-balanced meals. If not, you’re more likely to be on a blood sugar rollercoaster with crashes followed by quick carb-infused highs, potentially leading to the headaches and that “brain fog” feeling that come with glucose swings. If you know you are going to be on-the-go all day, pack snacks such as trail mix, goji berries, or mini PB+J sandwiches.

(excerpted from April Wellness Horoscope)

Photo © Alex Carrillo

Don’t food shop for one week.

That was the premise behind Eating Down the Fridge, a seven-day culinary adventure spearheaded by Washington Post food blogger, Kim O’Donnel, from an idea inspired by eGullet co-founder, Steven Shaw.

Even though previous commitments during that early March week prevented me from following it to a tee, I still decided to embark on eating down my fridge–as well as my freezer and pantry–with a hearty commitment. It proved to be an odyssey of minimizing my household food waste while maximizing my understanding of my personal eating and cooking habits.

One of the questions I posed to myself when the week began was which foods would turn out to the tried and true, those that I relied upon the most. I also questioned whether one food would emerge from the pack as my most favorite. I wondered whether by week’s end I would discover the answer to that proverbial question, “If you could only bring one food with you to a deserted island, what would it be?”

I found that, again and again, I turned to my favorite condiments—lemon juice, cashew butter, coconut milk, sea salt, Syrian zahtar—to embellish dishes I was making from bits of this and bites of that. Yet, as the week progressed, I noticed that when I was looking for a foundation food from which I could create a dish—whether for breakfast, lunch, or dinner—I would instinctively turn to my go-to grain, quinoa. By the end of the week, it was this food that I declared to be my culinary coxswain, as it was quinoa that steered me through a week of delicious and nutritious meals.

What is quinoa?

Quinoa (pronounced KEEN-wha) is a grain that’s not a grain. It’s a grain in the sense that it is served like one, used in recipes similar to rice, wheat, or oats. Yet, from a botanical perspective, the quinoa plant is not related to these foods; rather it belongs to the goosefoot (Chenopodium) family and is cousins with spinach, beets, and Swiss chard. While the leaves of the plant can be enjoyed, it is the seed to which most people refer when they say “quinoa.” Read More…

Photo © Alex Carrillo

April 3, 2009: Venus Square Pluto (exact at 3:27 am PDT)

This celestial alignment has Pluto, the god of the underworld, in a challenging aspect to Venus, the goddess of love and beauty.

During this time, passions escalate and relationships may feel more intense. The concept of control—maintaining it and/or releasing it—takes center stage, with a feeling of all-or-nothing enveloping romantic and/or creative pursuits. If you’ve been looking for some help pushing through self-imposed limits, now may be a good time. There’s an intensity in the air, which may have you replacing the “I should” in your sentences with “I must” when it comes to experiences that can bring you joy and pleasure.

Ardor abounds, with desire—whether it be sexual or a deep yearning to be truly known by another—the name of the game. Pluto-Venus energy helps to draw forward buried feelings, whether those to which you’ve turned a blind eye or just didn’t want to express to another.

Tensions may be stirred both in romantic liaisons as well as friendships (notably those with women). If you can stay true to your deep needs and express them, it will help your relationships to transform and become more integrated and authentic. Or you will see that, in fact, certain ones have run their course and do not necessarily offer you the value that you truly seek.

This is the second of three times that Pluto and Venus will be in this alignment this year. Reflect back to February 5, when the first one occurred, to see how these themes played out during this time. There should be some resolution in related areas of your life around May 2, when these two planets finish this season’s tension-filled dance.

Venus Square Pluto Apothecary Suggestions

Ylang-ylang essential oil: Ylang-ylang is a romantic fragrance well known for its aphrodisiac qualities. In fact, in a traditional Indonesian wedding ritual, the flower’s petals are strewn across the marriage bed as a means to foster intimacy and sexual connection. Enjoy an enchanting candle-lit bath by sprinkling in a few drops of ylang-ylang, or lift the libido-elevating effects of a couple’s massage by adding some to unscented body oil.

Basil flower essence: During a Venus-Pluto square, deep-seated sexual issues may come to the surface making it a great time for us to connect with this intimate part of ourselves. If you find that your sexual expression is not as connected to your emotions and the core of your being as you would like, you may want to explore Basil flower essence. It may also help when there is a draw towards keeping sexual encounters clandestine, when they not only happen under the sheets but are also swept under the rug. (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.)

© Alex Carrillo

April 3, 2009: Venus Square Pluto (exact at 3:27 am PDT)

This celestial alignment has Pluto, the god of the underworld, in a challenging aspect to Venus, the goddess of love and beauty.

During this time, passions escalate and relationships may feel more intense. The concept of control—maintaining it and/or releasing it—takes center stage, with a feeling of all-or-nothing enveloping romantic and/or creative pursuits. If you’ve been looking for some help pushing through self-imposed limits, now may be a good time. There’s an intensity in the air, which may have you replacing the “I should” in your sentences with “I must” when it comes to experiences that can bring you joy and pleasure.

Ardor abounds, with desire—whether it be sexual or a deep yearning to be truly known by another—the name of the game. Pluto-Venus energy helps to draw forward buried feelings, whether those to which you’ve turned a blind eye or just didn’t want to express to another.

Tensions may be stirred both in romantic liaisons as well as friendships (notably those with women). If you can stay true to your deep needs and express them, it will help your relationships to transform and become more integrated and authentic. Or you will see that, in fact, certain ones have run their course and do not necessarily offer you the value that you truly seek.

This is the second of three times that Pluto and Venus will be in this alignment this year. Reflect back to February 5, when the first one occurred, to see how these themes played out during this time. There should be some resolution in related areas of your life around May 2, when these two planets finish this season’s tension-filled dance.

Venus Square Pluto Apothecary Suggestions

Ylang-ylang essential oil: Ylang-ylang is a romantic fragrance well known for its aphrodisiac qualities. In fact, in a traditional Indonesian wedding ritual, the flower’s petals are strewn across the marriage bed as a means to foster intimacy and sexual connection. Enjoy an enchanting candle-lit bath by sprinkling in a few drops of ylang-ylang, or lift the libido-elevating effects of a couple’s massage by adding some to unscented body oil.

Basil flower essence: During a Venus-Pluto square, deep-seated sexual issues may come to the surface making it a great time for us to connect with this intimate part of ourselves. If you find that your sexual expression is not as connected to your emotions and the core of your being as you would like, you may want to explore Basil flower essence. It may also help when there is a draw towards keeping sexual encounters clandestine, when they not only happen under the sheets but are also swept under the rug. (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.)

April 9, 2009: Aries/Libra Full Moon (exact at 7:56 am PDT)

The Aries/Libra Full Moon calls upon us to integrate our desires with those of the people with whom we are in relationship. It can help you gain insight into whether your approach to accommodating your needs and those of others is a balanced one or whether the scale is tipped to one side (i.e., do you over accommodate theirs to the detriment of your own, or vice versa?). Additionally, it’s an opportunity to inventory whether you are being your true self when relating to others or being the person you think they want you to be. Read More…