New Moon of Intimate Relating in Aries with Morels and Turkey Tails
Welcome to the New Moon of Intimate Relating on April 5th 01:50 (PST) in 15°17' Aries, the 9th New Moon in this lunar year. Sandwiched in between two Libra full moons, we are experiencing intense awareness of how we relate to others, ourselves, and to what is present in our lives. We are exploring the inherent tension that exists in all relationships; the Aries/Libra axis of autonomy and connection. This is an axis that helps us embody that the healing of the self is the healing of the collective. The New Moon of Aries (self-actualization) shows the importance of revitalizing the self and of giving space between interaction with the other (Libra). This time asks if we are in conscious partnership with what is in our lives. And, importantly, are we in conscious partnership with ourselves?
This New Moon features the Morel (Morchella and Verpa species) and Turkey Tail (Trametes versicolor) fungus. The Morel is a coveted mushroom that grows from sites that have been burned in previous seasons or from the first warming of springtime. Much like Aries, the initial flame of life itself and the first sign that begins a new cycle of the zodiac wheel, the Morel is synonymous with spring. The Turkey Tail is a highly medicinal mushroom of many colors to remind us of the iridescent and technicolor light that each of us reflects through our interacting and relating with one another. Neptune is still bearing its many watery gifts with Mercury and Venus in Pisces. As a rainbow reflects light from the water droplets in the air, each of us creates our own rainbow reflection when we form relationship.
Aries New Moon April 5, 2019 MycoAstrological Associations:
1) Black morel (Morchella snyderi): DNA, fear, secrecy, projection, shadowboxing
MycoAstrological Correspondences: Planet: Mars; Secondary Planet: Neptune; Day: Tuesday; Main Organ: Blood; 2nd Organ: Gallbladder; System: Immune; Tissue: Muscles/tendons; Action: Hot/Dry
2) Turkey Tail (Trametes versicolor): authenticity, relaxation, envy, obsession, criticism
MycoAstrological Correspondences: Planet: Venus; Secondary Planet: Jupiter/Saturn; Day: Friday; Main Organ: Kidney; 2nd Organ: Bladder; System: Genitourinary; Tissue: Mucous; Action: Warm/Dry
Fostering intimacy requires both togetherness and separateness. The most satisfying and sustaining relationships are those that make space in togetherness. This New Moon asks how we can invite space into all of what we relate to and with in life. How do we relate not only with others, but also with yourself? How do we relate between ourselves? To the feminine, the masculine? To yin, yang? Have we given too much or not enough space somewhere? Aries loves to let things show...
Astrology reminds us of life's animism -- how it is possible to relate to all things. All of our connections breath life. Our career, friends, partner(s), sacred plants, ancestors, spirit guides, and spirit self. To allow flame to breathe -- fire (Aries) needs air (Libra) so it can grow!
The Sun and Moon are both positioned in the middle degrees of Aries, a strong placement in any sign. Aries has just entered it's transit through Chiron for the next 7 years. Vesta is conjunct with Chiron in Aries. Vesta is one of the brightest asteroids and is the keeper of the hearth and its flame, of focus, dedication, and mental-clarity. She represents the flame that burns away what is no longer serving us. Where are you feeling the impulse to initiate new steps in your healing process?
The Moon is opposite asteroid Pallas, the androgynous, warrior-protecting goddess of wisdom, who, like Libra, sees both sides. Pallas, or Athena to the Greeks, was the protecting goddess of Athens and used her compassionate wisdom to teach merciful justice and peaceful resolution of disputes. Through her myths we also see the how the restoration of the feminine can balance constructive ambition.
The New Moon forms a square to Saturn and Pluto suggesting that some blockages could arise in this new beginning and they could relate to our shadow selves.
On April 17th, Mercury enters Aries and communication springs forward into a tangible life that it may have once dreamt of in Pisces. With Mercury in Pisces our thinking world has been more visual, intuitive, and pulled by the boundless currents of the ocean. Emotion colors our communication processes and we express ourselves well with symbols, sounds, imagery, and any medium that might not be straightforward conversation.
Venus, the planet that forms relationship and wants to love (in all its forms), has also been in Pisces and will move into Aries on April 20th. Venus has an urge to connect, establish, and maintain rapport with a person, and while being in Pisces is invited to learn that something is never truly knowable or attainable. Pisces relates to the 12th house of "troubles" (release, spirituality, necessary loss) and with Neptune, the sea of consciousness itself. This sea of pure being is highly compassionate, although it can be hard to "reach". There may be a longing for something just beyond what's there or feelings of getting just shy of resolution or satisfaction. Boundaries may blur, insecurities may arise, and perspectives may change. It is in this space of surrendering to being present in the moment instead of seeking escape that we will hear what we need to grow.
Pisces and its immeasurable empathy continue to flush through our subtle energies. Remember to invite questioning rather than just swimming alongside. To feel the emotions of another is not just assuming and intuitively picking up on something without recognition. To empathize is to invite, listen, open, support, and receive.
Mars, our ability to be assertive, just entered Gemini on March 31st (until May 15th). Gemini is the curious and curiouser sign of the twins who emphasize communication, versatility, conversing, and listening. Our will and action is conversing with the mind. Gemini takes in information from its immediate surroundings. Be mindful of Gemini's negative flares of superficiality and attachment to intellect.
In this New Moon cycle, Jupiter stations retrograde (about every 9 months) on April 10th in Sagittarius until August 11, 2019. Jupiter is expansion, optimism, generosity, the desire to gain through experience, and to inspire and improve. Astrologically, a retrograde marks an internal, introspective process pertaining to the nature of the planet in retrograde. This retrograde experience suggests that the gifts we give come from within. This represents a phase of intense spiritual or philosophical questioning, one that turns inward on a predominantly personal level.
1) Morels and False Morels (Morchella snyderi & Morchella spp., Verpa bohemica & Verpa spp.): DNA, fear, secrecy, projection, shadowboxing
MycoAstrological Correspondences: Planet: Mars; Secondary Planet: Neptune; Day: Tuesday; Main Organ: Blood; 2nd Organ: Gallbladder; System: Immune; Tissue: Muscles/tendons; Action: Hot/Dry
Morels are some of the most sought-after mushrooms in North America. As the forager strategizes their search for Morels, Aries New Moon commits to the goals of the energy of the Ram. It's time to take action, initiative, and direction. Begin planning for steps ahead to where the sun warms the first slopes of springtime. Aries is the first sign of the zodiac, the initial flame of life that precedes a new turning of the cycle. Remember that with the Moon square to Saturn and Pluto, move with tenderness, patience, and understanding as we are bound to have some setbacks.
During this New Moon, develop and innovate without acting through assertion or insensitivity. It's time to take charge and discover your own courage. Follow a hunch, take a risk, and relate to yourself honestly and humbly. Revitalize the self in the newness of spring sunshine.
Morels are classified as either True Morels, fungi in the genus Morchella, or False Morels, fungi in the genus Verpa, both in the Morchellaceae family. Morel mushrooms have a cap and stalk, but no veil or volva, and the spores are on the exposed surface of the cap. True Morels have a hollow, honey-combed cap that is intergrown with the stalk. False Morel caps are not intergrown with the stalk.
True and False Morels (or Early Morels) share the same edibility status, which is that they are edible (and highly delicious) to most people -- some people do have sensitive stomachs for them, though. Morels should always be cooked as they contain a gastro-irritant that is destroyed with heat. Morels are Myco-accumulators, absorbing lead from their environment seventy to one hundred times, so exercise caution with picking sites near industrial sites or roadways.
Morels develop slowly and can take several weeks to reach a mature size. Morel season can span weeks to months. As the season of springtime begins at a lower elevation, it slowly shifts up the mountains, gaining elevation, as the days become warmer. Morels can be found when the soil temperature reaches a consistent ~50 degrees and above. To forage for Morels is to observe the changing environment, strategize, and with courage follow the fresh warmth of the sunlight. To start off the season, many search wherever the sun's light has warmed first, like South facing hillsides or roads, trails, and open areas wherever the sun's light has fewer trees and obstructions to pass before hitting the earth.
Morels are often associated with Elm, Cottonwoods, Ash, Poplar, and Apple trees, but they've also been found under coniferous pines, Dogwood, Maple, and Oak trees.
In "Mushroom Essences", Robert Rogers describes Morel essence as one that helps couples discover a deeper soul connection beyond the painful and repetitive exchanges associated with rejecting the other's disowned qualities or shadow selves. "Projective identification" is when one partner unconsciously identifies the other's shadow and acts it out, which is where shadowboxing arises. Morels help us uncover the unwanted shadow that can appear when relating with others and relating with ourselves. Our shadows can be "othered" and disowned or neglected in our own healing. Instead of abandoning our shadow selves, when shadow aspects of ourself arise, we can learn to invite it in, care for it, love it, laugh at it, and find ways to live with it or perhaps translate the energy. Morel mushroom essence will help establish connections based on the needs of the soul, not the personality. By acknowledging the needs to learn and differentiate between our desires of the ego, soul, and shadow, we can come to a more deeply rewarding partnership of intimacy, with ourselves and the other.
Giving space to yourself means connecting to spirit. To allow yourself to step out of our daily thoughts in spaces of meditation or other sacred practices can allow us to see through a bigger, cosmic perspective that aligns with our spirit. Giving space gives the awareness to practice stepping back from a small point of view. Giving space helps improve your commitment to yourself and to others, allowing us to give greater love to ourselves and what and who we relate to.
The Black Morel (Verpa conica) is used in traditional Chinese medicine to tone the stomach and intestines, reduce phlegm, and regulate the flow of Qi or vital energy in the body. Morel species have antioxidant activity, significantly inhibit acute and chronic inflammation, and prevent growth of solid cancer tumors.
2) Turkey Tail (Trametes versicolor): authenticity, relaxation, envy, obsession, criticism
MycoAstrological Correspondences: Planet: Venus; Secondary Planet: Jupiter/Saturn; Day: Friday; Main Organ: Kidney; 2nd Organ: Bladder; System: Genitourinary; Tissue: Mucous; Action: Warm/Dry
Turkey Tail fungus is a rainbow in a mushroom, reminding us that we are charmed and that with each interaction light reflects into an infinite multitude of colors out into the universe. Trametes means "one who is thin: and versicolor means "various colorings". The incredibly medicinal Turkey Tail symbolizes the many colors and shadows that live inside our consciousness, that when invited into relation, can increase our capacity for self-awareness and connection with our spirit. In Holland, Turkey Tail is known as elfenbankje, or "fairy bench", and in Germany, schmetterlings-tramete meaning "butterfly tramete". The fruiting body is fan shaped and is blue, brown, grey, and white.
Turkey Tail mushroom essence is about feeling comfortable with our true authentic self by supporting and sifting through the cosmic veils of our experience, whether good or bad. Turkey Tail brings clarity and helps us slice through emotional clutter to find what is honest for ourselves. Turkey Tail allows us to accept criticism for what it is -- somebody else's opinion! All parts of you belong, and when we discover the darkness, we can find a greater whole. Our capacity for self-awareness helps us recognize what the outside influences are. In doing so we can further solidify ourselves in the grounding of ourselves versus vampiric or parasitic energies.
Turkey Tail essence works through the energy circuits that influence the chemical structures holding the imprint of trauma at the cellular level.
Turkey Tail use is documented as early as the 15th century. It is used in Japanese cancer treatment and holds anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, anti-bacterial properties. The fungus is rich in antioxidants and helps liver functioning, fights chronic hepatitis and hepatitis B, HIV, and is a natural cancer cell killer.
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| Transit Chart for New Moon in Aries on April 5th, 2019 at 1:50 (PST) for Seattle, WA. (astrotheme.com) |
Aries New Moon April 5, 2019 MycoAstrological Associations:
1) Black morel (Morchella snyderi): DNA, fear, secrecy, projection, shadowboxing
MycoAstrological Correspondences: Planet: Mars; Secondary Planet: Neptune; Day: Tuesday; Main Organ: Blood; 2nd Organ: Gallbladder; System: Immune; Tissue: Muscles/tendons; Action: Hot/Dry
2) Turkey Tail (Trametes versicolor): authenticity, relaxation, envy, obsession, criticism
MycoAstrological Correspondences: Planet: Venus; Secondary Planet: Jupiter/Saturn; Day: Friday; Main Organ: Kidney; 2nd Organ: Bladder; System: Genitourinary; Tissue: Mucous; Action: Warm/Dry
Fostering intimacy requires both togetherness and separateness. The most satisfying and sustaining relationships are those that make space in togetherness. This New Moon asks how we can invite space into all of what we relate to and with in life. How do we relate not only with others, but also with yourself? How do we relate between ourselves? To the feminine, the masculine? To yin, yang? Have we given too much or not enough space somewhere? Aries loves to let things show...
Astrology reminds us of life's animism -- how it is possible to relate to all things. All of our connections breath life. Our career, friends, partner(s), sacred plants, ancestors, spirit guides, and spirit self. To allow flame to breathe -- fire (Aries) needs air (Libra) so it can grow!
The Sun and Moon are both positioned in the middle degrees of Aries, a strong placement in any sign. Aries has just entered it's transit through Chiron for the next 7 years. Vesta is conjunct with Chiron in Aries. Vesta is one of the brightest asteroids and is the keeper of the hearth and its flame, of focus, dedication, and mental-clarity. She represents the flame that burns away what is no longer serving us. Where are you feeling the impulse to initiate new steps in your healing process?
The Moon is opposite asteroid Pallas, the androgynous, warrior-protecting goddess of wisdom, who, like Libra, sees both sides. Pallas, or Athena to the Greeks, was the protecting goddess of Athens and used her compassionate wisdom to teach merciful justice and peaceful resolution of disputes. Through her myths we also see the how the restoration of the feminine can balance constructive ambition.
The New Moon forms a square to Saturn and Pluto suggesting that some blockages could arise in this new beginning and they could relate to our shadow selves.
On April 17th, Mercury enters Aries and communication springs forward into a tangible life that it may have once dreamt of in Pisces. With Mercury in Pisces our thinking world has been more visual, intuitive, and pulled by the boundless currents of the ocean. Emotion colors our communication processes and we express ourselves well with symbols, sounds, imagery, and any medium that might not be straightforward conversation.
Venus, the planet that forms relationship and wants to love (in all its forms), has also been in Pisces and will move into Aries on April 20th. Venus has an urge to connect, establish, and maintain rapport with a person, and while being in Pisces is invited to learn that something is never truly knowable or attainable. Pisces relates to the 12th house of "troubles" (release, spirituality, necessary loss) and with Neptune, the sea of consciousness itself. This sea of pure being is highly compassionate, although it can be hard to "reach". There may be a longing for something just beyond what's there or feelings of getting just shy of resolution or satisfaction. Boundaries may blur, insecurities may arise, and perspectives may change. It is in this space of surrendering to being present in the moment instead of seeking escape that we will hear what we need to grow.
Pisces and its immeasurable empathy continue to flush through our subtle energies. Remember to invite questioning rather than just swimming alongside. To feel the emotions of another is not just assuming and intuitively picking up on something without recognition. To empathize is to invite, listen, open, support, and receive.
Mars, our ability to be assertive, just entered Gemini on March 31st (until May 15th). Gemini is the curious and curiouser sign of the twins who emphasize communication, versatility, conversing, and listening. Our will and action is conversing with the mind. Gemini takes in information from its immediate surroundings. Be mindful of Gemini's negative flares of superficiality and attachment to intellect.
In this New Moon cycle, Jupiter stations retrograde (about every 9 months) on April 10th in Sagittarius until August 11, 2019. Jupiter is expansion, optimism, generosity, the desire to gain through experience, and to inspire and improve. Astrologically, a retrograde marks an internal, introspective process pertaining to the nature of the planet in retrograde. This retrograde experience suggests that the gifts we give come from within. This represents a phase of intense spiritual or philosophical questioning, one that turns inward on a predominantly personal level.
MycoAstrological Correspondences: Planet: Mars; Secondary Planet: Neptune; Day: Tuesday; Main Organ: Blood; 2nd Organ: Gallbladder; System: Immune; Tissue: Muscles/tendons; Action: Hot/Dry
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| A basket of Morels and a few Boletes. (Dolly Smith) |
During this New Moon, develop and innovate without acting through assertion or insensitivity. It's time to take charge and discover your own courage. Follow a hunch, take a risk, and relate to yourself honestly and humbly. Revitalize the self in the newness of spring sunshine.
 |
| Cross Section of True Morels showing cap intergrown with the stalk. (Paul Queneau, Montana Outdoors) |
True and False Morels (or Early Morels) share the same edibility status, which is that they are edible (and highly delicious) to most people -- some people do have sensitive stomachs for them, though. Morels should always be cooked as they contain a gastro-irritant that is destroyed with heat. Morels are Myco-accumulators, absorbing lead from their environment seventy to one hundred times, so exercise caution with picking sites near industrial sites or roadways.
Morels develop slowly and can take several weeks to reach a mature size. Morel season can span weeks to months. As the season of springtime begins at a lower elevation, it slowly shifts up the mountains, gaining elevation, as the days become warmer. Morels can be found when the soil temperature reaches a consistent ~50 degrees and above. To forage for Morels is to observe the changing environment, strategize, and with courage follow the fresh warmth of the sunlight. To start off the season, many search wherever the sun's light has warmed first, like South facing hillsides or roads, trails, and open areas wherever the sun's light has fewer trees and obstructions to pass before hitting the earth.
Morels are often associated with Elm, Cottonwoods, Ash, Poplar, and Apple trees, but they've also been found under coniferous pines, Dogwood, Maple, and Oak trees.
 |
| Verpa bohemica or False Morels (still edible for most people if cooked). Cap not joined to the stem along its full length, or intergrown. (Marion Richards) |
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| Verpa bohemica or False Morel (Marion Richards). |
With Chiron in Aries, whatever house Aries falls in line in your chart will see a lot of healing in the next 8-9 years. What has formed in that area and how do you relate to it?
Morels remind us that after the flame has ignited and the wind has swept the forest into a blazing inferno, after a short while, the ashes will make home to the fruiting bodies of the delectable and highly revered Morel mushroom. Aries is ruled by Mars who takes action -- Aries goes forth to get what it seeks (like the forager searches for Morels).
The Black Morel (Verpa conica) is used in traditional Chinese medicine to tone the stomach and intestines, reduce phlegm, and regulate the flow of Qi or vital energy in the body. Morel species have antioxidant activity, significantly inhibit acute and chronic inflammation, and prevent growth of solid cancer tumors.
2) Turkey Tail (Trametes versicolor): authenticity, relaxation, envy, obsession, criticism
MycoAstrological Correspondences: Planet: Venus; Secondary Planet: Jupiter/Saturn; Day: Friday; Main Organ: Kidney; 2nd Organ: Bladder; System: Genitourinary; Tissue: Mucous; Action: Warm/Dry
 |
| Trametes versicolor (@fungiwoman). |
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| Trametes versicolor |
Turkey Tail essence works through the energy circuits that influence the chemical structures holding the imprint of trauma at the cellular level.
Turkey Tail use is documented as early as the 15th century. It is used in Japanese cancer treatment and holds anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, anti-bacterial properties. The fungus is rich in antioxidants and helps liver functioning, fights chronic hepatitis and hepatitis B, HIV, and is a natural cancer cell killer.
Citations
- Arora, David (1996). All That the Rain Promises and More...:A Hip Pocket Guide to Western Mushrooms. Berkeley, California: Ten Speed Press
- Rogers, Robert (2016). Mushroom Essences: Vibrational Healing From the Kingdom Fungi. Berkley, California: North Atlantic Books
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