Stress Reduction Tips for Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn

We are at an incredible crossroads, both collectively and personally, as we witness—and experience—an unprecedented planetary alignment between Saturn, Pluto, and Uranus (known as the Cardinal T-Square). Since these celestial bodies carry very distinct archetypal energies, we are being challenged to find a way to resolve and integrate the lessons that they are offering.

While ideally these times may be inspiring us to make great changes that connect us to our personal power, allowing us to more fully manifest our authentic selves, the path to this destination may not necessarily be a proverbial bed of roses (although it’s likely to be prickly and thorny). As we push through our limits and face the challenges that may present themselves over the coming years, maintaining a personal apothecary of stress-reduction tools can go a long way towards forging ahead in pursuit of peace, happiness, and your life’s goals.

Given that the cardinal signs—Aries, Cancer, Libra, and Capricorn—are the ones that will be most significantly impacted by this celestial line-up, this article will focus on wellness tips for these natives. In addition to suggestions for flower essences, aromatherapy, and well-being practices, it also includes insights into each sign’s unique relationship with stress, in hopes that greater knowledge about your personal coping methods can also be an avenue for healing.

Aries

Understanding Your Personal Stress Response

What an Aries may find unsettling about the Saturn/Pluto/Uranus alignment isn’t so much that there may be many challenges to face; after all, Aries is a strident warrior who loves a battle. Rather what may instigate stress is that the complexity of the unfolding issues may require a longer time frame to resolve than fix-it-immediately Aries is comfortable with. Additionally, with their ambitious act-quickly style, they may jump headfirst into the nexus of a situation without taking the time to understand the full range of nuances involved. Relying upon their strong will and formidable instincts can be great resources during this time. As Aries governs the head and muscles, emotional stress may manifest as headaches and muscular tension.

Stress-Relief Tips

Impatiens flower essence: As its name implies, Impatiens flower essence helps quell impatience, one of the premier characteristics associated with Aries. If you find yourself being overly impetuous—wanting the issues you are facing to be resolved now—this remedy can be a great one to turn to.

Vetiver essential oil: Vetiver’s sweet, woody aroma can help reduce mental and physical exhaustion. It’s said to dissipate excess heat in the body and mind, which may help explain its ability to calm and temper irritability.

Movement meditation: While meditation would be beneficial for centering Aries, the idea of sitting still for twenty-plus minutes is likely to not be of much interest to the on-the-go Ram. Instead, consider movement-oriented activities—such as walking meditation, tai chi, or qigong—that can be calming and melt away stress.

Cancer

Understanding Your Personal Stress Response

When responding to stresses inspired by the current planetary roadblocks, Cancers’ natural instinct may be to don their protective shell, withdrawing from friends and family into a deep well of moods and feelings. Alternatively, they may choose the other path of least resistance: setting aside their own needs to tend to those of others. To help navigate the waves of decisions that the planetary energies may demand, Cancers should rely upon their sense of intuition and astute ability to tune into what’s going on within and around them. As Cancer governs the stomach, emotional stress may manifest physically as a nervous stomach and/or heartburn.

Stress-Relief Tips

Honeysuckle flower essence: Cancers tend to rely upon the past for emotional comfort as well as fodder for present-day decisions. If you can’t get past the past and find that it’s disrupting your ability to be fully in the present moment, consider Honeysuckle flower essence.

Jasmine essential oil: Jasmine’s intoxicating fragrance is a mood elevator as well as an aphrodisiac. It can also help Cancers forge a deeper connection to their instinctive nurturing nature.

Don your chef’s hat: Hearth- and home-connected Cancers are the natural cooks of the zodiac. So if you’re feeling a bit under the Saturn/Pluto/Uranus weather, tend to yourself by lovingly preparing a delicious and nurturing meal.

Libra

Understanding Your Personal Stress Response

When faced with unfolding stress, Librans try to understand the dynamics of the presenting situation and quickly try to get things back to balance. After all, the potential for ruffled feathers and agitation is antithetical to the order and harmony that they so deeply desire. Not wanting to cause a stir, or appear ungraceful, they may be disinclined to acknowledge and express the stress to which they may be connecting. Talking through issues with their social network and surrounding themselves with beautiful things can help alleviate discord and anxiety and give them the resources they need to balance out the push-pull of the ongoing planetary energies. As Libra governs the skin and lower back, emotional stress may manifest physically as breakouts and/or backaches.

Stress-Relief Tips

Scarlet Monkeyflower flower essence: Librans’ propensity for having everything be “nice and tidy” may get in their way of honestly expressing their true emotions. If you need assistance connecting into and constructively releasing your feelings—including “unseemly” ones such as anger—Scarlet Monkeyflower may be of great value.

Rose geranium essential oil: When stress or fatigue depletes your energy reserves, try rose geranium. This energizing pick-me-up inspires relaxed spontaneity, a boon for Librans who are oft plagued by indecision.

Watch sugar and alcohol intake: Try to curb the Libran tendency towards (over)indulging in sweets and alcohol by marshalling your desire for balance. While desserts and libations may bring you pleasure, they can also disrupt blood sugar regulation, which can lead to a reduced capacity to deal with stress.

Capricorn

Understanding Your Personal Stress Response

Comfortable with the status quo, Capricorns may find it stressful to give up control and undergo the inherent changes that this planetary trio is ushering in. While not second nature, asking for assistance when faced with a challenge and acknowledging that they are doing the very best they can given the circumstances can be great boons in helping to mitigate anxiety. If they rely upon their facing-the-music tact and ability to productively work towards a formidable goal, they can persevere like the best of them. As Capricorn governs cartilage and bone, emotional stress may manifest as joint pain and stiffness.

Larch flower essence: For times when you may need to deeply ground a sense of self-confidence that can help you more effectively climb through present-day hurdles, try Larch flower essence. It will also instill a bit of spontaneity within the Capricorn, which may be a very valuable quality when navigating the energies inspired by this planetary alignment.

Cypress essential oil: Like Capricorns, cypress trees have incredible fortitude. Their essential oil can inspire calm during times of grief and crisis. A few drops mixed with massage oil can also help mitigate rheumatic pain.

Go for a hike: Not only is exercise a great stress reliever, but it can help to lubricate the joints, ensuring the health of this Capricorn-associated area of the body. If possible, exercise in nature—consider a hike or walk in the park—so as to tap into the nurturing earthly energies.

Aligning your well-being

The alignment of Saturn, Pluto, and Uranus can be an incredibly fruitful time where we can make choices that allow us to live a life in greater alignment with our essential nature. As we approach the challenges that we may find along the way, knowing more how about we respond to stress and having a personal apothecary filled with supporting remedies and wellness practices can be very empowering. I hope that the suggestions included will be beneficial and also inspire you to find other tools that can further bolster your well-being.

About this article

This article is featured in A Collection of Articles about How to Combine Astrology with Flower Essences published by Vibration Magazine as Part of the 2010 International Astrology Day Blogathon. The purpose of this web-based event is to create a permanent library of articles about how to deal with the stresses of the Cardinal T-Square of Pluto, Saturn and Uranus. The main page for the Blogathon collections is at The Cardinal T-Square of 2010: Saturn, Uranus, Pluto.

About the author

Stephanie Gailing, MS, CN is a certified nutritionist and natural health consultant who has been studying astrology for more than 16 years. In addition to the herbal astrology series she crafted for StarIQ, she has written on nutrition, dietary supplements, yoga, and other wellness topics for various publications and is an ongoing consultant to the World’s Healthiest Foods website. She is the author of Planetary Apothecary: An Astrological Approach to Health and Wellness (Crossing Press, 2009). Her blog, Planetary Apothecary, offers Monthly Wellness Horoscopes as well as daily astrological insights. Stephanie holds a masters degree in Nutrition from Bastyr University.

Where to find flower essences

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. Some of the companies that create and offer flower essences are Flower Essence Society, Pegasus Products, Alaskan Essences, Desert Alchemy, Healing Herbs, and Australian Bush Flower Essences.