Chodesh Chai Videos
Chodesh Chai is a Rosh Chodesh (New Moon) project brought to you by Lauren Fries, Amanda Nube and Ariela Sharon. By studying astrology, herbalism, somatics and Jewish text, we create informative videos and materials about the months connecting them to the body, the earth and to our faith.
Check out our videos and subscribe to our you tube channel here!
Ariela Sharon is a creative, herbalist, and bodyworker, who loves working with women going through life transitions. She is currently a student at the McKinnon Institute and the American College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, and has studied with ArborVitae, the Hadar Institute and the School of Evolutionary Herbalism. She believes that through our bodies, we can touch our souls.
Amanda Nube is a practitioner of traditional medicine and bodywork, yoga, well-womb care, and sacred birthing. Her writing, workshops, new moon, and mother-daughter circles bring earth based customs and spirituality back to life. She is ordained as a ceremonialist by The Kohenet Institute and is the author of Healing Mama. More information and monthly new moon blog posts can be found at www.HealingMama.com
Lauren has practiced herbal medicine for over ten years. Her focus is on Women’s Health, especially during the childbearing years. And the more magical, alchemical use of herbs and flowers for emotional/mental well being.
Resources that we use for our content include:
- Rabbi Jill Hammer’s books
- Rabbi Pinson’s books and lectures
- Sefer Yetzirah
- Kabbalah month by month
- Rabbi Trugman’s lectures
- Ancient Moon Wisdom
- School of Evolutionary Herbalism Course on Herbal Astrology
- Anatomy of the Soul
Covid 19 resources Elotus TCM
Traditional Chinese Medicine and Covid 19
Prevention -herbs that have anti viral effect and clear toxin
astragalus - contraindicated in autoimmune disease or taking immune depressants
atractaloydes
saposhnikoviae
dryopteridis
nicer japonica
orange peel
pei lan herba eupatorii do not use for pre existing liver conditions.
ST 36, CV 6, CV12
Early phase
S -Wind cold invading exterior - onset of fever ( mostly low grade), aversion to cold, chills, headache, ticklish throat, soreness of muscles or limbs, eat or night sweats.
Exam -Lung CT negative. Tongue pale, coating white and thin, floating pulse
Treatment - Expel Wind, release the exterior, clear heat, detoxify
Ge Gen Tang -kudzu decoction or chai. Ge Jie Ji Tang - Bupleurum and kudzu decoction to release muscle layer. Help body help themself. Isatis root if heat present.
Toxic heat attacking lung -
S - Fever, aversion to cold, sore and dry throat, dry cough scanty sputum, sore and painful muscles in the limbs, weakness, headache
Exam- CT scan reveals both lungs have ground glass opacity (GGO). Tip and sides of tongue are red, thin white or yellow coating. Floating and rapid pulse.
Treatment: Expel Wind, Release the exterior, clear heat, detoxify.
Yin Qiao San - honeysuckle and forsythia powder (exterior) and Qing Wen Bai Du San (clear epidemics and overcome pathogenic influences powder, modified (as it moves interior)
Coptidis rhizome huang lian
Damp cold in lung
Early phase
S Aversion to co or absence of fever, dry cough, dry throat, fatigue, weakness, chest stuffiness, epigastric distention, nausea, diarrhea.
Exam Pale tongue, white greasy coating, slippery pulse.
Treatment: Expel Wind, Release the exterior, dispel damp cold.
Stregthen Spleen Dry Dampness - atractaloydes, orange peel, magnolia bark, ephedra, ginger, semen arecae - betel nut.. stimulates metabolism open up lungs..use as decoction but illegal in california.
LI 4, LR 3, ST36, CV8
Pneumonia phase
shaoyang syndrome with damp
damp heat afflicting lung
toxic stagnation obstructing lung
closed interior/abandoned exterior syndrome
Virus enters lung cell, multiply, affects function and hyperactivity damages organ.
lung damage yin - shaoyang affects exterior and interior..
S Fever more pronounced in afternoon, alternate chills with fever, cough, absence of wheezing, bitter taste in mouth, dry mouth, chest stuffiness, stifling sensation, chest and hypochondriac fullness and distention, irritability, nausea or vomiting, no appetite, weakness. Similar to beginning stages of pneumonia.
Exam - CT scan rev both lungs to have multiple scattered or large pieces of ground glass opacity (GGO).
Slightly red tongue, thick and greasy, white or yellow coating, slippery, rapid pulse.
Treatment - harmonize shaoyang syndrome, clear damp heat.
Minor Bupleurum -Xiao Chai Hu Tang with
San Ren Tang ( three nut decoction).
Or Gan Lu Xiao Du Dan (sweet dew special pill to eliminate toxins).
radix bupleuri, radix scuttellariae, pinelliae.
Semen armeniacea amarum, fructus amomi rotundus and semen coicis help expectorate lungs - loosens phlegm deep inside the lung that’s hard to cough out, get rid of phlegm and toxins.
smilacis glabrae - clears heat, eliminates toxin, has good anti viral affects.
Pneumonia phase - damp heat afflicting the lung
S - low grade fever or absence of fever, dry cough, scanty sputum, dry and sore throats fatigue, weakness, poor appetite,hest stuffiness, epigastric distention, nausea or vomiting, loose stool
Exam CT scan reveals both lungs to have multiple scattered or large pieces of glass opacity. Pale or pink, puffy tongue with teeth marks. White or greasy white coating. Soft or slippery pulse.
Treatment Transform dampness, detoxify, disperse the lungs and expel pathogens.
damp = plug in lung, heat = inflammation
Ephedra, apricot kernel, coicis and licorice decoction Ma Xing Yi Gan Tang - to get rid of damp and open up airways.
Xiao Xian Xiong Tang Minor sinking into the chest decoction
and Cao Guo Zhi Mu Tang (Tsaoko and Anemarrhena decoction)
huang lian - yu xing cao houttuyniae - detoxify opens lungs clears heat.
Pa phase - toxic stagnation obstructing the lung
S- cough, stifling sensation, stuffiness and distention in chest, asthma and wheezing that worsens with exertion, accelerated respiration, thirst, irritability, reddish, yellow urine.
Exam CT reveals both have multiple scattered GGO Fibrotic changes of lungs also visible. Dark purplish tongue yellow dry coating or thick greasy yellow coating rapid slippery pulse.
Treatment detoxify, arrest wheezing, transform blissing open collaterals
Bai Hu Jia Ren Shen Tang - white tiger plus ginseng decoction treat lung heat with underlying chi deficiency. Gypsum and anemarrhenae - cold to clear heat.
help clear heat and underlying chi deficiency
with Si Tu Tang four wild decoction. eliminate toxins
Pneumonia phase - Closed interior abandoned exterior syndrome - cytokine storm less o2 getting organ failure, losing consciousness.
Use herbs that Resucitate heart and lungs
Si Ni Jia Ren Shen Tang - frigid extremities plus ginseng taken with An Gong Niu Huang Wan Calm the palace pill with cattle gallstone) and Zi Xue San - purple snow powder.
Recovery Phase - discharge from hospital.. inflammation from virus, western drugs, anti viral and antibiotic tends to be v cold and bitter, chi deficiency, spleen stomach organ damage
S absence of fever dry cough chest stuffiness shortness of breath, esp on exertion, dry mouth weakness.
Exam CT inflammation begins to subside as well as pulmonary interstitial changes. Pale red tongue, thick or greasy coating, thread, rapid pulse.
Treatment - Tonify Qi, Nourish Yin, Tonify lung, open collaterals.
Sha Shen Mai Dong Tang - Glehnia and Ophiopogonis decoction)
GV 14, BL17, BL 13, ST 36, LU6 - 15 mins once a day.
Wuhan Union Hospital Protocol
Prevention
Wind heat invading exterior syndrome
Damp warmth in early phase
Damp heat obstructing the lung syndrome
Epidemic Toxins blocking lung
Closed interior and abandoned exterior
Insufficiency of Qi and Yin, Deficiency of Lung and Spleen.
Tiny Folk
Her sweet breeze blesses every bough
Caressed the leaves do chime
And tiny folk
from Elm and Oak
Make heard their song and rhyme
So bring me now
thy sweetest mead
Gather friend and kin to side
For cherished days and laughter
are where inner peace resides.
~written by my brother Gav~
Coronavirus
There are so many words of advice out there, I will throw my two pennies in, to reaffirm that we can use our past to help pull us up and eventually, out of this.
Our immediate ancestors have been through epidemics, not the same germs, or the same way, but there is age old wisdom, passed down through the wise women of each generation that teaches us how to support ourselves with what is around us. Let's dig deep, remember what our grandparents did, the foods they ate, the medicine they swore by, ask our families, and support ourselves and each other, in addition to the wisdom of our modern day medicine. In these coming weeks, there will be more cases and the health care systems will be overwhelmed.
The more self care we can do at home for ourselves, our families, and our community, the better off we will all be. Now, don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying that onion or chicken soup, lemon balm and gargling with salt water will cure you, or maybe even stop you getting this virus. What I am saying is, In these coming weeks, there will be more cases and the health care systems will be overwhelmed. The more self care we can do at home for ourselves, our families, and our community, the better off we will all be, literally. This is a painful awakening of how we are all interconnected. We must wise up and help each other, as the only way through.
I don’t claim to have answers, but this is my semblance of a regime; (in addition to all the hand washing, surface cleaning and social distancing already recommended).
We take Vitamin D3, Liposomal Vitamin C and Zinc everyday. My kids take Elderberry syrup (Elderberries, Elderflowers, Thyme, Rose Petals, Orange, Peels, Milk Thistle, Cinnamon, Fenugreek, Rose Water, Apple Cider Vinegar, Brown Sugar.)
I know there has been some controversy as to whether to take Elderberry because it can increase the cytokine storm that occurs with Covid 19, but as a preventative it is a great remedy. If symptoms of Covid 19 begin, stop taking the Elderberry. https://www.donnieyance.com/the-truth-about-elderberry-sambucus-nigra/
I’ve been drinking lemon balm and mint tea with my kids, fresh from the garden. Lemon Balm is an antiviral and Mint keeps your pores open (diaphoretic) which allows your skin to become an elimination route for lymphatic load. The skin and your body’s temperature regulating mechanism is a key first line of defense for releasing the overload of pathogens (Matthew Wood). Keeping pores open and allowing sweating to occur can mean the difference between allowing the virus to pass or the stagnation of fluids into the lungs where it can become more serious.
I woke up with a sore throat, hurrah! I thought. Luckily, I have so many herbs and vitamins and remedies at home, and most of us can use what’s already in our kitchen or growing nearby to help us. First up, gargle with warm salt water. Salt kills the microbes on the back of your throat. You can also use warm salt water up your nose to clear the nasal passageways and then use a barrier oil such as a Herbal salve, with calendula (antimicrobial) and other herbs up each nostril. Take care to apply using separate fingers when dipping back into the salve.
Sage is a strong and potent antiseptic, antibacterial and astringent with a long use for sore throats. Sage often grows near us or in our gardens and may not have run out on the shelves of the market just yet! Other helpful herbs or foods are thyme, rosemary, ginger, marshmallow root, garlic, cayenne, propolis apple cider vinegar, onions, chicken soup, and hot lemon and honey.
For Coughs, use herbal steams, warm baths with epsom salts and lavender oil, skin brushing to increase circulation and open pores - use salt scrubs. Warm broths with onion and garlic, astragalus and medicinal mushrooms. Use diaphoretic herbs such as yarrow and peppermint to increase sweating. Use an aromatherapy diffuser in the rooms where you spend the most time. Put pots of boiling water on the stove and add aromatic herbs (eg Rosemary, thyme, lavender, pine etc.. ) allow it to steam up the windows. Use an onion poultice in cases of deep lung congestion and bronchial inflammation. It can bring relief to lungs when it hurts too much to cough. Thinly slice 3 large onions (organic if possible) and saute them, covered in a small amount of water until transparent. Fold half of the onions in a cloth and apply as hot as the patient can stand it (without burning them of course!)Immediately cover with towels so the heat is retained. Begin preparing next poultice. When first has cooled, replace with second immediately. Then when therapy is complete, dry the chest and tuck the patient in bed to rest. For an excellent article on Onion and all other works from this brilliant mind https://enchantersgreen.com/onion Make a garlic decoction... chop up 3 or 4 garlic cloves and simmer in water for 20 mins. The heat will relieve some of the sharp taste and be easier to digest. Take teaspoons by themselves or add honey, throughout the day.
Lots of different herbal actions can benefit and help coughs whether they are spasmodic, wet, or dry. Allow your body to use its own innate wisdom, follow the pathways of elimination so that the virus can be released from your body and not accumulate and stagnate and encourage the growth of bacteria.
Here are some remedies I have made recently - I have a lot of some, a few of others, but I want to make it available to people if they are interested.
FEVER REDUCER- Ingredients: Old Gypsy Cold Care and Fever reducer.. Elderflowers, Yarrow and Peppermint, alcohol. Has cooling and Diaphoretic properties - which means it opens the pores and allows you to sweat, thereby cooling temperatures from the inside out. Safe for kids, but very Minty! Will need diluting - add a dropperful to a large glass of water and sip continuously.
2 oz Bottles
COUGH SYRUP;
Ingredients: fennel seeds, marshmallow, licorice, slippery elm, burdock, plantain, red clover, elecampane, lobelia, schisandra, honey, brandy.
This is sweet and yummy and great for soothing and resolving dry coughs. Do not use for wet coughs.
1 oz Bottle 2 oz Bottle
Dose: 1-2 Dropperfuls 3 or 4 times daily.
IMMUNE FORMULA - useful for supporting our immune systems, lymph, lungs, blood and adrenals.
Ingredients: Burdock, Yarrow, Olive leaf, Rhodiola, Yerba Mansa, Lemon Balm, Elecampane, Red root, Licorice, Marshmallow, Turmeric, Reishi, Lobelia.
ACUTE FORMULA FOR ONSET OF SYMPTOMS: mullein, chinese skullcap, Reishi, american ginseng, licorice, ginger, turmeric.
TEA FOR CHILLS AND PAIN, COUGHS AND FEVER - Boneset, Jamaican Dogwood and Fennel
I also have a bundle of other cough syrups and immune tonics, Boneset tea and can make up custom herbs. Talk to me if you cannot afford these prices and I will see how we can make a plan for you. If you can afford more, please consider offering more so that I can make more medicines or pass them out to people in need. Thank you and Be Well
My number is 510-478-5776 [email protected]
Here is a link to the Traditional Chinese Medicine approach to the Coronavirus - it has been employed in China and Hong Kong and had a noticeable effect on lessening the chance for pneumonia and secondary infection by giving the pathogen an elimination pathway. https://www.acuhealcenter.com/…/coronavirus-treatment-acco…/
Here is Stephen Buhner’s protocol for Sars virus which is very similar and also a coronavirus - Written by Stephen Harrod Buhner January 23, 2020 - Used by permission
"Corona virus treatment. I have an analysis of how corona viruses infect tissues, what tissues they infect, and the herbs that are useful to interrupt that process, as well as the herbs useful to shut down the cytokine cascade they create on pages 52-55 of Herbal Antivirals. It is useful reading in that it can inform treatment from a knowledgeable place (there are also some suggestions, not often used by medical professionals, for specific pharmaceuticals that have been found to be useful). Here is a sample protocol.
Please note it is rather more extensive than the ones i normally suggest, this is because the particular corona virus that is now spreading world wide is exceptionally potent in its impacts. Again, this is only a suggested protocol, but all the herbs are specific in one way or another for this virus. A number of the herbs are strongly antiviral for corona viruses. In general, I would only begin using these formulations IF there is good reason to believe that the virus is entering your area. The formulations are preventative as well as specific for acute infections, the only alteration is the dosage.
Core tincture formulation (#1): Baikal skullcap, japanese knotweed root, kudzu, licorice, elderberry. Dosage: 1 tsp 3x day, 6x if active infection.
Immune system, cellular protection, cytokine interruption tincture formulation, supportive for core tincture activity (#2): Cordyceps, Dong Quai, rhodiola, astragalus. Dosage: same as above.
Cellular proten, spleen/lymph support tincture formulation (#3): Dan Shen, red root, cinnamon. Dosage as above.
With active infection: very strong boneset tea, to 6x day.
I have used this with other corona virus infections, including SARS, it works well."
If you are partial to a bit of homeopathy here are some old remedies that were used in the Spanish flu of 1918.
If you should have chilly spells, and your nose feels stuffed up, great thirst, very restless and feverish, put five drops Tincture Aconite in half a glass of water, take one teaspoonful every hour. Put your feet in hot water, as hot as you can bear it, keep them in the water for 15 minutes. Drink plenty of hot lemonade.
Gelsemium 3x: Controlled the fatigue cases having chilliness, moderate fever, sneezing, watery nasal discharge. No thirst. Yawning. Drowsy but often sleepless. Deep-seated, dull aching in the limbs and joints. Banded feeling around head or occiput fullness.
Eupatorium 3x: Marked chill followed by fever 103° to 105° F/39° to 41° C. Pulsating frontal or occipital headache. Intense aching in back. Deep bone aching. Nausea. Vomiting. Larynx rough, scraping sensation producing cough. Oppression of chest with soreness.
Bryonia 1x: Much chilliness, frequently with heat in head. Flushed face and much thirst. Heat more internal. Transient sweats of single parts. Dry cough which yields to blood specked expectoration. Constriction of chest and pressure on sternum. The symptoms all aggravated by motion… Desire to but unable to take deep breath.
Astrology and Herbal Correspondances
Sign Ram, Aries Acts
Cardinal Fire Masculine
Planet: Mars
Tissue State: Heat, Excitation.
Energetics: Hot and Dry
Season/Earth Expression: Early Spring, Birth, New Beginnings, Seeds and Shoots
Body: Rules Head, Adrenal Glands, Blood, Febrile Mechanism
Face (especially forehead), Nose (with bones of the nose being guarded by Scorpio), Mouth, and Eyes, including optic nerves and lens of the eyes. The Brain, including its blood vessels, motor centers and frontal and lateral lobes. Cerebro-Spinal system and Muscular system. Teeth (with Saturn + Taurus), especially upper jaw.
Cell Salt: Kali Phos Blood, Brain and Nerves
Herbal Actions: Diaphoretic, Circulatory Stimulant, Blood Tonic.
Herbs: Nettles, Yarrow, Bloodroot, Rosemary. Cayenne. Yellow Dock.
TAURUS ~IYYAR April 20-May 20
Sign Bull, Taurus Senses
Fixed, Earth, Feminine
Planet: Venus
Tissue State: Damp, Relaxation
Energetics: Warm and Wet
Season/Earth Expression : Peak of Spring, Taking Root, Fertility, Growth and Generation
Body: Rules Neck, Throat, Thyroid, Ears and Vocal Chords,voice, and middle ear. Metabolic system, medulla oblongata, and hearing. Salivary glands, taste buds, and teeth of the lower jaw. Jugular veins, cervical nerves of the blood vessels, and bladder. Procreative desire. Base of the skull.
Cell Salt: Nat Sulph
Herbal Actions: Alterative, Bitter, Lymphatic.
Herbs: Black Walnut (Thyroid), Licorice, Calamus (throat chakra affinity),
GEMINI ~SIVAN May 21-June 21
Sign Twins, Gemini Thinks
Mutable, Air, Masculine
Planet: Mercury
Tissue State: Tension/Atrophy
Energetics: Dry/Tense
Season/Earth Expression: End of Spring, Change, Polarity, Duality, Mercurial, Communication between realms.
Body: Rules Arms, Shoulders, Hands, Fingers, Lungs, Nerves. The Nervous System. Breathing. Tubes, tunnels, and connectors of the body including fallopian tubes, urinary tubes, bronchial tubes, etc. Blood capillaries. Sensory receptors.
Two Hemispheres of Brain
Cell Salt: Kali Mur
Herbal Action: Nervine, Antispasmodic, Expectorant.
Herbs: Lobelia, Mullein, Horehound, Angelica, Osha, Lomatium (aerial parts as doctrine of signatures) for respiratory system
Kava Kava, Lobelia, Valerian for spasmodic states.
Gotu Kola, Bacopa, Gingko for Mercurial/Mind correspondence.
CANCER ~ SIVAN June22-July 22
Sign Crab, Cancer Feels
Cardinal, Water, Feminine
Planet: Moon
Tissue State: Damp,Stagnation
Energetics: Wet.
Season/Earth Expression: Early Summer, Water, Protection, Feeling Body
Body: Rules Breasts, Stomach, Fluids, Mucous Membranes, Lower part of lungs and ribcage.The Chest, Diaphragm. Pituitary Gland and hormones. Upper Alimentary System. Brain covering. Ribs, Sternum, and Elbow joint. Lungs. Serum of Blood. Thoracic Duct. Peristaltic pump. Pleura and Pleural Cavity. Bladder. Protective coverings of the organs including the Pericardium and Meningeal coverings.
Cell Salt: Calc Fluor
Herbal Actions: Diaphoretic, Demulcent, Lymphatic, Astringent, Alterative.
Herbs: Bitters - Mugwort, Sweet Annie, Wormwood, Sagebrush, Marshmallow, Milky Oats, Goldenseal - tone mucous membranes of gut.
Ladys Mantle and Rose - Astringents tone and tighten tissues. Peppermint.
LEO ~ AV July 23- Aug 22
Sign Lion, Leo Wills
Fixed, Fire, Masculine
Planet: Sun
Tissue State: Excitation
Energetics: Heat
Season/Earth Expression: Peak of Summer, Fire, Ego, Fullness of Being, Creative Expression, Attention.
Body: Rules Heart and Blood via circulatory system, Vitality, Also Spine and Back.Chest, spine, and upper back. Dorsal region of the back and spine including nerves and specifically the second dorsal vertebra. Marrow of the spine. Heart, vena cava, and aorta. Myelin sheaths. Cardiac system. Circulation and distribution of nutrients and vital energy through the blood. Radius, ulna, wrists, and forearm. Constructive forces of the body.
Cell Salt: Mag Phos
Herbal actions: Diaphoretic, Circulatory Stimulant.
Herbs: Hawthorn, Motherwort, Borage, St John’s Wort, Linden, Calendula, Rosemary
VIRGO~ELUL August 23- Sept 22
Sign Virgin, Virgo Discerns
Mutable Earth Feminine
Planet: Mercury
Tissue State:TenseAtrophy
Energetics: Cold, Dry
Season/Earth Expression: End of Summer, Harvest, Discrimination, Purifying,
Body: Digestive System, Enteric Gut, Abdomen. Gut brain and intelligence. Intestines, lower liver (especially the purifying functions), alimentary canal, spleen. Digestive enzymes. Absorption and assimilation. The nervous system as related to digestion. Diaphragm. Spleen. Pancreas.
Cell Salt: Kali Sulph
Herbal Actions: Nervine, Antispasmodic, Digestive,
Herbs: Dill, Fennel, Agrimony, Wood betony, Valerian, Licorice, Agrimony, Angelica
LIBRA ~ TISHREI Sept 23- Oct 22
Sign Scales, Libra Balances
Cardinal Air Masculine
Planet: Venus
Tissue State: Damp Relaxation
Energetics: Warm, Relaxed
Season/Earth Expression: Early Autumn, precipice, balance, temperance, equinox, balance of seasons, drawing inward after yang of summer, filtration
Body: Kidneys, lower back, excretory systems (skin, kidneys), adrenals.Urinary system. Anus. Hormones in general. Endocrine system. Estrogen. Ovaries. Veins. Acid-alkaline balance. Lumber region of the back. Distillation and filtration systems of the body. Posture.
Cell Salt: Nat Phos
Herbal Actions: Astringent, Diuretic, Expectorant,
Herbs
amiana, Violet, Roses, Goldenrod, Ashwagandha, Uva Ursi, Nettles, SCORPIO ~ CHESHVAN Oct 23-Nov 21
Sign Scorpion, Scorpio desires
Fixed Water Feminine
Planets: Mars and Pluto
Tissue State: Damp Stagnation
Energetics: Cold Wet
Season/Earth Expression: Late Autumn, Early Winter, establishing depth, secrets, unconscious and conscious desires
Body: Genitals and groin area. Colon, prostate gland, sex organs, gall bladder, rectum. Sphincter muscle. Uterus, cervix, clitoris. Coccyx and pelvis. Urogenital system. Reproductive system, sexual drive, and procreation. Appendix. Nasal bones and nose. Glands. Excretory systems. Orifices. Thyroid and thymus glands. Catabolism and anabolism.
Cell Salt: Calc Sulph
Herbal Actions: Diuretic, demulcent, lymphatic
Herbs: Black Cohosh, Chaga, Queen Anne’s Lace, Yarrow, Blessed Thistle,
SAGITTARIUS ~ KISLEV NOV 22- DEC 21
Sign Archer, Sagittarius perceives
Mutable Fire Masculine
Planets: Jupiter
Tissue State: Stagnation, Heat/Excitation
Energetics: Warm, Moist
Season/Earth Expression: Mid Winter, inspiration, wisdom, philosophy, reaching for the stars, making conscious connection of above and below.
Body: Liver, Gallbladder, Hips and thighs. Buttocks. Sciatic nerve. Lower spine and liver. Autonomic nervous system. Cerebrum, especially the left hemisphere. Powers of reasoning. Systems of growth and preservation. Locomotion. Stimuli response (relationship between the endocrine + nervous system).
Cell Salt: Silica
Herbal Actions: Diaphoretic, Circulatory Stimulant, Alterative,
Herbs: Burdock, Dandelion, St John’s Wort, Lemon Balm
‘
CAPRICORN ~ TEVET DEC 22-JAN 19
Sign Goat, Capricorn Utilizes
Cardinal Earth Feminine
Planet: Saturn
Tissue State: Cold/Depression
Energetics: cold/dry, tense
Season/Earth Expression: Late Winter
Body: Skin, hair, and knees. Teeth. Joints, especially the knees. Bones and the skeletal system. Anterior pituitary gland. Gall bladder. Processing and maintaining energy reserves. Regulation of body systems, especially through the hormonal system. Antiperistaltic movement.
Cell Salt: Calc Phos
Herbal Actions: Bitter, Astringent, Alterative,
Herbs: Thyme, Mullein, Comfrey, Boneset, Solomon’s Seal, Horsetail, Oak.
AQUARIUS ~ SHEVAT JAN 20-FEB 18
Sign Water Bearer, Aquarius Knows
Fixed Air Masculine
Planets: Saturn/Uranus
Tissue State: Dry atrophy
Energetics:cold, dry, tense
Season/Earth Expression: Late Winter, Rising up from the earth (Imbolc),originality and vision, individuality within community, service and revolution
Body: Lower leg, calves, and ankles. Shin bone, tibia, and fibula. Achilles tendon. Teeth. Electrical impulses of the nerves. Circulatory system and elimination. Rods and cones of the retina. Oxygenation of cells. Pyramidal tract and active transport mechanism.
Cell Salt: Sodium Chloride
Herbal Actions: Expectorant, Nervine, Circulatory Stimulant,
Herbs: Horsetail, Milky Oats, Vervain, Kava Kava, Lavender, Passionflower, Motherwort, Skullcap
PISCES~ ADAR FEB 19-MAR 20
Sign Fish, Pisces Believes
Mutable Water Feminine
Planets: Jupiter/Neptune
Tissue State: Damp Relaxation
Energetics: Wet, cold
Season/Earth Expression: Transition from Winter into Spring, movement between realms, ego dissolution, unity and empathy
Body: Feet and toes. All body fluids including synovial fluids, mucus, and blood. Lymphatic, glandular, and endocrine systems. The ability of tissues and body systems to relax. Pineal gland.
Cell Salt:Ferrous Phos
Herbal Actions: Diuretic, Lymphatic, Demulcent
Herbs: Bladderwrack, Ocotillo, Elder, Cleavers, Chickweed, Reishi,
Shvat Herbs ~Aquarius
January/February
Tribe ~Asher
Quality~ Taste
Direction~North
House~ 11th/Friends
Body Parts ~ Korkeban (esophagus, stomach area) Ankles, shins, calves/lower legs, also nervous system and mind. Arms - areas of movement
Cell Salt ~Nat Mur
Aquarius - ruled by Uranus - planet of change, as well as the first of three planets outside of the 7 ‘inner’ planets. It was discovered in the 18th century, bringing a radical change of perspective on our solar system. It represents that unorthodox, unexpected change from tradition, law and order (Saturn). Or from the known, seeable, and predictable universe.
Uranus is known as planet of eccentrics and unconventional - and Aquarians display Uranian attributes of being determined, stubborn and unpredictable. They tend towards both tradition and uniqueness.
Medically, and externally Aquarius governs the ankles, calves and tibia (lower leg).
Internally, vision, blood circulation and breathing. Structurally Aquarius affects the bones of the lower limbs, and circulation and blood.
The herbs that would seem appropriate therefore, for Aquarius, would be circulatory stimulants, to increase the flow of and purity of blood and breath, so they circulate to the outer extremes of the limbs of the body. Bringing nourishment and fresh air/blood to the furthest parts, involving lots of movement and exchange.
Tissue State: Damp/Stagnation, Tense/Constriction
Aquarius rules the shins, calves and ankles, as well as the sympathetic nervous system and the peripheral vascular system. The peripheral vascular and veinous system, which returns blood back to the heart, ruled by opposing Leo. Rare illnesses and nervous ailments. It is involved in blood circulation and the oxidation processes in the body.
Body Systems:
Primarily lower limbs and ankles – Lower leg / shins, calves, and ankles. Shin bone, tibia, and fibula. Achilles tendon. Sympathetic nervous system and the peripheral vascular system (Circulatory system and elimination), Teeth. Electrical impulses of the nerves. Rods and cones of the retina. Oxygenation of cells.
Shevat Rosh Chodesh Circle
Sign - Aquarius
Planets - Saturn and Uranus
Body: externally -Ankles, lower legs, extremities,
internally - vision, blood circulation, breathing
Judaism - Shvat - Taste, Oesophagus
Exodus - beginning of freedom, within a group
Beginning of spring, sap rising
Letter -tzaddi
Tribe -asher
Herbal energetics - to increase circulation of blood, fortify nervous system and relax tension
How do we go about choosing herbs for this month - connecting planets, plants and people?
The beauty of both astrology and Judaism are that they show us the energetic properties of planets and symbols that are reflected in the body.
Aquarius - ruled by Uranus - planet of change, as well as the first of three planets outside of the 7 ‘inner’ planets.
It was discovered in the 18th century, bringing a radical change of perspective on our solar system. It represents that unorthodox, unexpected change from tradition, law and order (Saturn). Or from the known, seeable, and predictable universe.
Uranus is known as planet of eccentrics and unconventional - and Aquarians display Uranian attributes of being determined, stubborn and unpredictable. They tend towards both tradition and uniqueness.
The tension between the states of these two planets can be reflected in the body, in the areas that are ruled by Aquarius.. namely the lower limbs - calves and ankles, as well as our nervous system and circulation.
These are all areas that require great movement - energy to move beyond that which is limited and not serving us any longer, or restricts us to just ego and self.. and to move beyond towards a greater connection to hashem, light, humanity and the outer reaches of our body/tribe.
Shevat means tribe. It also means scepter. Tribe is your extension of family and related very much to the 11th house of friends and community which is the traditional house for Aquarius. It is the house of love, giving and sharing without an expectation of return. The scepter is held by the head of a tribe or community, showing leadership and individualism for the benefit of all.
Shevat = Aquarius, the water bearer, holds the pitcher (delee in Hebrew)and is the vessel pouring the water of chesed or compassion to the people.
That is actually the Tikune during Shevat to become a channel for the Light of HaShem and remove your own ego from the equation. Of course, this is the Tikune in any month; only in Shevat it is more concentrated.
Include relaxing nervines that help ease constriction, perhaps beginning in the oesophagus. The oesophagus is the near the beginning of our intake of food and air, connecting to digestion and circulating the nutrients to the areas of our bodies that use movement/action to share it with the world around us. Shevat also relates to the sense of taste and how we are taking in the energy from food, using consciousness, to bring us out of constricted places to one of freedom.
HERBS FOR SHEVAT TEA ~ Nettles.. Oatstraw. Horsetail. Fennel. Hawthorn.
The herbs that would seem appropriate for Aquarius, would be circulatory stimulants, to increase the flow of and purity of blood and breath, so they circulate to the outer extremes of the limbs of the body. Bringing nourishment and fresh air/blood to the furthest parts, involving lots of movement and exchange.
Nettles ~ nourishes our blood, rich in Iron, silica and potassium. It has the external action of being hot and dry - bringing irritation and redness to our skin if we are stung. Internally however, it’s actions are more cooling and moistening. It softens hard tissues and gives our blood strength.
Horsetail ~ works well alongside nettles to nourish blood, horsetail also adds silica and structure (calcium) to build blood condition thus aiding movement and circulation through better nourishment. Strengthens hair, skin and nails. Horsetail is a herb of Saturn.
Fennel ~ Gentle, antispasmodic and aiding digestion, allowing greater room for ease of movement. Expels mucus and gas and increases lactation.
Hawthorn ~ a heart centered circulatory tonic that can regulate blood pressure and cholesterol.
Oatstraw ~ A nourishing nervine that relaxes stress and tension, used for depression, insomnia, anxiety. Helpful in breaking addictions.
The “Bnei Yissaskhar”, a kabbalist from the 19th century, claims that Aquarius is the sign of Israel. The Torah tells us about Jacob the patriarch, that his name derived from the word Akev (heel עקב) due to the fact that that when he was born he held to his brother’s heel trying to come out first. The heel is the roughest and the lowest part of the human body and it connects us to the earth. The Torah also tells us that after Jacob struggled all night with the angel, the angel was forced to bless him in order to be released, so he changed Jacob’s name into Israel ישראל, which combined of the words לי ראש (my head). Meaning, the heel was raised to be the head, and that indicates of the Aquarius ability to transcend above boundaries and overcome limits and boundaries. Aquarius people have no tolerance to the things that connect everyone else to the earth – habits, tradition, commitments, etc. They have to exchange boundaries with freedom.
According to Sefer Yetsira (The Book of Formation) – attributed to Abraham the Patriarch – the building blocks of the universe consist of 22 different frequencies, spiritual forces, represented by the 22 Hebrew letters. Each month is ruled by two Hebrew letters. One letter rules the planet that dominates the sign. The other letter rules the astrological sign of the month. Shevat’s planet is Saturn and is ruled by the letter ב (Beit). Its astrological sign is Aquarius, which is ruled by the letter צ (Tsadik).
People of the sign of Aquarius are also related to redemption and the arrival of the Messiah. The connection between them is the enormous hunger for drawing knowledge from the universe. Knowledge is power and also the base for true freedom. The redemption will come when we all are Tsadikim (righteous) – hence the letter Tsadik (or Tsadi) צ , when everyone converts their selfish desires into receiving only for the purpose sharing.
The letter צ (Tsadik) represents the spiritual power behind Aquarius that also represents the connection between the upper spirituals worlds and our material world. This connection manifests in Tu BeShevat (Shevat 15th , the full moon in Aquarius) – The Year for the Trees – the Ilan (trees). The numerical value (Gematria) of Ilan (tree) is 91 which is the connection between God’s name, The Tetragrammaton יהו”ה which represent the upper worlds and its value is 26, and God’s name אדנ”י which represents our material world and its value is 65 (and together 91).
The physical tree represents the spiritual Tree of Life. As the material physical tree has a revealed part (trunk and branches) and a hidden part (roots) so is our reality – our physical body and our soul. The same way the tree grows opposing gravity, so are Aquarians, going against nature and what is acceptable. This is the power of life – to be creative and original. This is the purpose of us all, to connect to the abundance that The Age of Aquarius is offering us, to the tree of life and to the arrival of the Messiah. As Rav Ashlag, the founder of the modern Kabbalah movement, said that every person is unique and his purpose is to bring something to our world that only he can bring, and when each of us will fulfill his destiny and share it with the rest of mankind we will finally experience the redemption and The Age of Aquarius will come to its completion.
Capricorn Tevet Herbal Astrology
Sign Goat, Capricorn Utilizes
Cardinal Earth Feminine
Planet: Saturn
Tissue State: Cold/Depression
Energetics: cold/dry, tense
Season/Earth Expression: Late Winter
Body: Skin, hair, and knees. Teeth. Joints, especially the knees. Bones and the skeletal system. Anterior pituitary gland. Gall bladder. Processing and maintaining energy reserves. Regulation of body systems, especially through the hormonal system. Antiperistaltic movement.
Cell Salt: Calc Phos
Herbal Actions: Bitter, Astringent, Alterative,
Herbs: Thyme, Mullein, Comfrey, Boneset, Solomon’s Seal, Horsetail, Oak.
Sense: Anger
The sense of holy anger, or righteous indignation (the rectification of the month of Tevet) is the ability of the soul to arouse one’s good inclination to become angry at one’s evil inclination. This our sages teach us in their commentary on the verse in Psalms: “Be angry and don’t sin.”
Positive anger expresses the deepest care and concern of the soul that reality become good. Though even to this anger there is a certain element of immaturity (for absolute maturity, that of the Creator of reality, sees [with the ayin of Tevet] all as good), nonetheless, of it is said: “for Israel is [behaves as] a lad, and [therefore] I [G-d] love him.”
In Chassidut we are taught that one must direct his left (“evil&rdquo
eye towards himself (with the holy anger of his innate good against his innate evil), to lower and subdue his ego, while simultaneously directing his right (“good&rdquo eye towards outer reality (by which power he helps reality perfect itself).
Controller: Liver
The sages teach us that “the liver is angry.” The function of the liver [kaved, in Hebrew] is to purify the blood with which it is saturated. In Kabbalah, the liver corresponds to the primordial snake, whose rectification is personified by Dan. (The three “rulers” of the body and soul are the brain, the heart, and the liver, which correspond to Adam, Eve, and the snake, respectively).
The snake, in Kabbalah, represents the initial state of immaturity of the soul, as characterized by the unrectified attribute of anger. The venom of the snake is hot (see above, the month of Cheshvan), like the fire of anger. When converted to the good, the fire (and blood of the liver) serve to warm the cold month of Tevet.
Kaved = 26 = Havayah. This reflects the secret mentioned above, that the sum of the four months which “fast” over the destruction of the Temple (by the venom of the primordial snake), which culminate in Tevet, together equal 26. By fasting over the destruction one rectifies one’s liver–mellows one’s anger–and thereby “sweetens” the anger of G-d (with Israel, the cause of the destruction) and arouses the mercy of Havayah to rebuild the Temple.
This article is from Rabbi Yitzchak Ginsburg ~ www.inner.org
Kislev Moon Sagittarius
Astrology and Modes: Sagittarius Mutable, Fire, Jupiter, Yang.
Energetics - sympathetic warming, drying.
Antipathetic cooling, moistening.
Actions - Bitter taste and action helps ground Mutable (Vata) energy by anchoring our vital force down the spine and into our solar plexus. e.g. Dandelion which purifies blood and supports all the organs of digestion.
Tumeric (bitter and circulatory stimulant)
Jupiter is often associated with benevolence, abundance, higher wisdom, expansiveness. It is a gaseous planet, and can give rise to a tendency toward excess and overdoing things in terms of energy, eating, and using our resources.
In our bodies, Jupiter governs the arterial circulatory system, liver, gallbladder, digestion in terms of metabolism. Sagittarius rules the thighs, buttocks, hips and sciatic nerve.
Plants with broad leaves and oily nature fixed oils like Burdock root and seed, or volatile oils such as Sage are signatures of Jupiter and can help lubricate dryness and ground excess airy energy.
Mandrake root is very powerful and should only be used in small doses, under guidance of qualified health care practitioner. Used for treatment of chronic liver disease, bile imbalances, lymph and digestive troubles.
Oregon grape root - stimulates bile production and purifies blood. Contains Berberine and helps stimulate liver/gallbladder.
Circulatory Stimulant - Jupiter and Sagittarius both rule arteries, therefore we can apply herbs that increase our circulation and oxygen through blood, heart and brain e.g. Rosemary, Bacopa, Gingko.
Nervines - e.g. St Johns wort which is a specific for nerve pain, especially sciatic pain which is under the imbalances of Sagittarius. (Sagittarius rules the hips and thighs)
Kislev _ dreaming over the darkness, inside the dark, bringing to light the mystery of creation, allowing space and pause before the mystery, a place where magic can happen. Pausing to breathe and choose wisely before another journey or decision is made. Miracles happen when you least expect them, therefore release expectation. As in the miracle of Chanukah. Dissolve into the darkness where all possibilities can open up into new form.
The pause over the kiddish cup, a full brim of darkness and the utterance of prayers to bless the void and welcome shabbat.
