These Wandering Stars

august

2019-08-20T21:36:00.002-04:00

Opening up a page on here certainly feels like a blast from the past. I'm not sure exactly why I felt drawn to revisit my blog, but I did feel curious to see if it even still existed- I had had some issues with the address a while ago and couldn't remember if they had ever been resolved. It feels so retro to be sharing in this way, since now all I really use is social media. It's so funny to see my writing style and just like my tone back in, like, the 2012 posts. That was so long ago now! It's such a weird feeling.

Anyway, I don't fully know what purpose I even want this to serve. I could have started a new site, but I like the familiarity of this one. Once upon a time this was a learn astrology blog. I don't think I feel so called to write about that publicly anymore. I have a couple other ideas in mind, but they're still brewing. So, I hope to try writing a little on here when I can, and just seeing how it goes and if I'm into it or not. If you're interested in booking an astrology reading, there's more info here. Thanks for reading, feel free to say hey in the comments if you feel so compelled. :)

2019-08-20T20:53:00.002-04:00

I have more drafts than published posts here. This is one of the drafts, that was near the top, no title, the first two sentences caught my eye, so I am sharing it now. Oh the time it really does fly.

2015 was a whirlwind.

Today I am home, it's a snow day, shuffling around the house, tending to small children. Today is a slow day. Snow day slow day. My being is reverberating like a bell, still. Slowing down can be such a challenge. And an asset. But you burn out if you can't find pockets of relative stillness here and there.

It all comes back to self-care, meditation, rest. For me, at least. Nourishing the self. There are two days after today before the new year.

Faves so far

2017-01-12T13:23:00.000-05:00

Hey and Happy 2017! I don't post on here much anymore, but I've stumbled across a few things recently that I really wanted to share in a kind of organized format, so here we are! I'd love to hear your feedback, and what your faves of the moment are as well!

New Age Hipster January Tarot Challenge
I've recently started journaling a lot again (it is normally my default but I had gotten a bit off track recently), and I absolutely love using these tarot prompts. Plus, it gets me to take a sliver of time for myself to sit with my cards, draw one, and do some reflection. It's been interesting to see where it's taken me just in twelve short days. Also- she has a free 2017 e-book available on her site as well. You can use it to figure out what your tarot card for the year is and get some more info on that.

Don't Let Anything Dull Your Sparkle, by Doreen Virtue
This is a great deal- 99 cents for the Kindle version (which, psst, you can download the app for free on your phone/computer/tablet if you don't have it already). The title is fluffy, but inside it's chock-full of new research and understanding of post traumatic stress response (which isn't exactly what you'd necessarily think it is!), as well as effective healing methods. I'm a psych geek (it's what I got my BA in) so this is right up my alley. I think she did a good job of summarizing the research so it's not boring or full of jargon.

This Tibetan singing bowl meditation series on YouTube! He does one for each chakra, each around ten minutes long (he offers longer ones as well, but I've been stuck on the 10 min ones which are down toward the bottom of the playlist). I love to listen to these on headphones because I think you get the most benefit this way- you can literally feel it clearing and balancing. Just having them in while you work at the computer or whatever is totally effective.

These are great, way underpriced astro planners by Mystic Medusa. I got one for both my Sun and Rising sign. She details everything coming up in '17, *plus* has a whole section on new and full moons and how to work them to your advantage. She has a very positive yet pragmatic approach that I really appreciate!

Jessica Snow Meditations! Every month she offers a free guided meditation on her site (scroll down to access it), and has others for purchase (totally reasonably) on her site too. I signed up for her mailing list so I'd just automatically get tipped off when a new free meditation went up. Most guided meditations totally annoy me, but these ones are cool and definitely help tune me up.

Scorpio Season

2016-10-24T18:11:00.001-04:00

Hey, here's my video for this week! I try to keep them right around 10 minutes so they don't eat up a lot of time to watch. This week has major Scorpio energy, due to the Sun now being in this sign AND the upcoming Scorpio New Moon (which means both the Sun and Moon are in Scorpio). Basically, this is an amazingly supportive time to look at your life and to see if you like where you're going, and if not, what can be done to tweak things. Thanks for watching!

Annoyingly, the tool to embed the video right here on the blog is not currently working; please mosey on over here to watch.

First video!

2016-10-11T20:05:00.000-04:00

Hey guys, here is my astro and tarot video for this week! We're coming up to an Aries full moon this weekend and the cards remind us to stay cool so we can access the higher vibrations of this energy.

This is my first video, let me know what you think! x

gemini

2016-02-16T14:50:00.001-05:00

My progressed moon is in Gemini. I happened across this Gemini moon aesthetic on tumblr, which reminded me.

Normally, admittedly, I don't pay much attention to my progressed stuff. The Future. This almost feels Uranian to me, this image, but I'll take it as a Gemini moon, I like the electrical undercurrents (get it) and that shade of green and the somewhat dystopian feel. I don't love the creepy wall thing but whatever. Anyway I'm going to think on this and consider the frequency... Gemini always has at least two trains of thought going but now I'm thinking about accessing different consciousness/dimensions and how meditation could enhance these qualities. I like the movement and stillness of these images as well.

Do you have a Gemini moon? Where is your progressed moon?

bring on the aquarius

2016-02-15T09:06:00.002-05:00

The latest Mercury retrograde in Capricorn was a doozy for me. I have Mercury retrograde natally, so I feel like I should have a better handle on them in general, but this one had Mercury dragging back and forth over the most sensitive point of any chart, my IC (aka the bottom of the chart). This is also where transiting Pluto is situated, so... yeah. Kinda ouchy on my psyche. ANYway, Mercury hath moved on into Aquarius and is nearly out of shadow. I feel some relief, but still kind of bogged down... then this morning realized that Venus, my ruling planet (Libra rising), is still in Capricorn.

Tuesday it shall move into Aquarius. Bring it on. In the meantime, on my spiritual to do list:

-smudge myself and my home

-do some housewitchery aka do some cleaning // make the home a sanctuary (the planetary action I'm referring to above is occurring in my fourth house, house of home and the like)

-meditate every day, even if only for 15 min.

-take a magical bath with epsom salt and lavender

-continue to diffuse essential oils (I am getting over a cold so they're useful on that level as well)

-listen to high-vibe YouTube videos (loving Buddhist talks by Pema Chodron and Thich Nhat Hahn, and this great Louise Hay talk from my friend B) and lots of music (as usual)

I'm keeping it simple, as simplicity is everything and, to be practical, it's Feb break so things will be a bit crazier than usual around my place.

What do you think?

Card of the Day

2016-02-13T12:41:00.003-05:00

Okay then. Later today, Mercury finally, finally moves from Capricorn into Aquarius. The intense Mercurial vibe of the last couple months may have found you trudging through less than desirable mental pastures. This card, The Devil in trad Tarot (and ruled by Capricorn/Saturn), says to release your fears and anxieties- they don't stem from a real place. Give your fears to Source, and ask for help navigating a positive perspective. Smudge your home, yourself to symbolize clearing out the gunk to make way for a fresher, clearer vibe. XO.

How are you? xoxo

This post is from instagram. Keep up with me @thesewanderingstars

new moon in capricorn time!

2016-01-07T20:56:00.001-05:00

(This entry is a re-post from early 2013, but it still feels relevant. I have updated the new moon information so it is accurate for 2016.)

The moon enters Capricorn tomorrow (Friday) morning at 10:07 eastern time. The new moon is exact Saturday evening, 8:31 p.m. eastern time. It is at 19* Capricorn.

There's other Capricorn action in the sky right now, as well- Mercury retrograde, Pluto, and lastly, the sun, which is why it's a new moon. (Full moons, by contrast, occur when the sun and moon are in opposite signs).

Do you have planets in Capricorn? If so, there's a good chance they are being transited by the planets in Capricorn right now. If you peek at your chart and see the house(s) where Capricorn lies (even if you don't have any planets there), it will give you clues as to the areas of your life being affected right now.

Let's say you have a Capricorn moon. All the planetary movement in Capricorn, then, is raising topics surrounding your needs and security. What do you need to feel secure, and do you feel as though it is attainable? How are you striving for this security- from outside sources, or from within yourself ? Either way, creating a strong foundation is paramount.

Taking it one step further- say your Capricorn moon is in the third house. This house is very mentally based, and has to do with things pertaining to communication (verbal and written), light daily travel, and relationships with brothers and sisters. How are you feeling about these topics? Perhaps relationships with siblings are feeling tested, or you're trying to communicate more openly with your loved ones but you're running into speed bumps. The new moon here is going to bring a focus to these topics, and if you are receptive to a solution- rather than just focusing on the problem itself- you may have a revelation, OR at least realize that you want to move forward with these things.

If you're a Capricorn sun, you may feel as though your entire being is on a wild ride. And I don't necessarily mean that in a bad way! You are growing. Up or down? Shying away or trying to embrace it?

I've talked about different meanings of the houses here. Take a minute, put your info into Astro and see what number your Capricorn house is. We ALL have a Capricorn house, so even if you don't have any planets there you still have an area of life (house) being affected. Then you can refer to this handy cheat sheet to see the area of your life being brought into focus- remember, this is where the sun and moon will be, as they are conjunct (in the same sign) during a new moon. Illumination inside and out!

Thanks so much to everyone reading this! I wasn't sure for a while if I was going to continue with this blog or not. I'm going to be doing some light re-vamping this month (Mercury retrograde), and as a challenge to myself will post once weekly and see where it goes from there. Thanks again lovelies. x

2015-12-14T17:37:00.002-05:00

A new post of mine is up on Sasstrology! This was really fun to write. I mean, it's about Instagram and hashtags, so how could it not be?

Here's an excerpt:

#nofilter ARIES

They have a “what you see is what you get” attitude in general, and it extends to insta selfies and the like.

#instanature TAURUS

This Venus-ruled sign revels in the beauty all around them, and loves to inspire others to connect with Mother Earth.

To read about the rest of the signs, click here. Thanks for your support, guys! Please leave any comments on the Sasstrology site. :)

Speaking of Instagram, follow me here or @thesewanderingstars

What I'm Into...

2015-10-22T20:38:00.002-04:00

Wanted to play catch up and tell you guys a few things I've been into/up to lately...

-Epsom salt + dried lavender baths. They're amazing. Sometimes I like to burn sage while soaking to freshen up my/the general vibes. Epsom salt, in addition to acting like a saline and making the bathwater super clean, also draws out toxins AND infuses your body with magnesium, which many people could use more of. I find it very relaxing, and am usually ready for bed afterward! It's super economical, you can get it at the dollar store, etc.

-Binaural beats. While researching the science of them, I came across a handy guide to different brain waves. It appears that while I awake I have a tendency to be at beta level, which is connected with "active, busy or anxious thinking." Binaural beats help to stimulate other brain waves, which can help you relax or experience a different consciousness. For example, Theta waves are connected with deep meditation/relaxation, while Gamma waves are connected with higher mental activity. Mu waves intrigue me and I need to do more research on them. I know there is a Mu tea (hi, Nancy!)... coincidence? There are tons of binaural beats you can listen to on YouTube. My oldest calls them "outer space music."
(wiki link for those interested).

-Art. Nothing crazy, but I got some new coloured pencils and I'm in love. Drawing and painting are activities I love, but have made very little time for over the past few years so it feels nice to bring it back. I realized that I hadn't been making enough time for doing certain things I love to do, so it's something I'm working on. I get burned out and crazy acting if I don't keep my self-care game tight.

-Working on getting my house in order. We moved in August and we're still working on getting our home the way we want it, although we've made a ton of progress that I don't want to discredit, ha. I'm on the lookout for a bench that doubles as a bookshelf for the kids' books.

-My social media management business. I love doing this work and helping small businesses (my forte) thrive.

-Fiverr! I mentioned this in my previous post, but after receiving positive feedback from a client on there I have to plug my cheapo astro/Tarot readings again. This is my dream work, what I absolutely love to do. One goal I have is to make actual business plans for this and my social media stuff, and take action steps in expanding both.
(cheapo readings!)

Thanks for reading, guys! What have you been up to lately?

P.S. Follow me on instagram if you're on there! I pull cards and do witchy stuff on a regular basis. Come play!

2015-10-05T09:25:00.003-04:00

The Moon/Pisces

2015-08-25T16:02:00.004-04:00

The ‪Moon‬ is the card of the day. This card is ruled by ‪‎Pisces‬. We are currently building to a Pisces full moon on Saturday. Now til then is an extra special potent time to access your intuition & follow your own flow. Also great for therapy or work on your psyche. Just don't get sucked into lower depths that don't serve you. If all else fails, listen to music or take a nap. Howl at the moon.

What do you think about this card?

Card of the day

2015-08-24T15:48:00.003-04:00

Knight of Pentacles is card of the day. Pentacles=Money. What are you doing for your finances today? Any ideas of generating income or building your wealth are to be explored. Be open to receiving the abundance the Knight is handing you. A scarcity mindset does not benefit you now.

(Yes, could also represent a youngish earthy guy coming into your life. ;) Earth signs= Taurus, Virgo, & Capricorn).

mercury retro

2015-07-28T12:30:00.000-04:00

Thinking about having Mercury retrograde in your chart. I have it, in Pisces, but when Mercury actually *turned* retrograde, it was in Aries. I'm wondering how this manifests, if at all. I have other Aries in my chart as well, which could blur any distinctions I try to make, along with a tricky Mars Uranus aspects to my Mercury. Sometimes I speak out of turn, put my foot in my mouth, or just don't *think* before I say something. It's so annoying. But this is juxtaposed with times of incredible shyness, awkwardness, and not feeling like I want to talk at all. Perhaps this is both the Aries and Pisces being expressed, going back and forth. An Aries Mercury gone sliding back into the choppy waters of Pisces, trying to be direct etc but getting lost in the waves. Or perhaps it is fully Piscean, and the other aspects to my Mercury is what screws me up. In any case, I would be completely lost without a journal for processing.

Who here has Mercury retrograde? Thoughts?

Vitamin C Amazingness

2015-07-24T12:00:00.000-04:00

I have to share this DIY Homemade Vitamin C Serum recipe because I made it and it is amazing. Wellness Mama is a plethora of knowledge and recipes about all things natural. I made both versions, one with glycerin and one without, and I prefer the one without, the toner. The one with glycerin was too heavy for me, but those with dry skin may prefer it. I spray the toner on my skin and gently massage it in, and it brighten, tightens, and tones my skin. You literally see the results immediately. The first few times I used it I thought I was seeing things until I asked other people who had used Vitamin C products and they said the same thing! If your skin is super sensitive you may want to start with 1/4 tsp. of Vitamin C powder to begin with instead of the 1/2. Full recipe here. Enjoy!

*I am not affiliated with Wellness Mama in any way, I'm just obsessed with this skin care recipe! If you try it, share how it works for you in the comments! Orange image from http://www.sealdsweet.com/

Links

2015-07-23T12:00:00.000-04:00

I recently had two articles published on Sasstrology, and thought I would post them here in case anyone would like to read them! These were so fun to write. Let me know what you think in the comments or over on Sasstrology's site. Thanks!

10 Things You Didn't Know About Taurus

8 Things Gemini Hates in a Partner

Cloud Divination

2015-07-21T12:00:00.001-04:00

It is amazing to me the things we do in everyday, mundane life that have magical roots (which, as it turns out, is pretty much everything). Something that I thought was so cool that I read in a book was how people actually used to/magical people still do, use the clouds for divination/psychological insight like others may with tea leaves, dreams, or Tarot. Totally makes sense, right? The archetypes span all of these, but you can come up with your own personal meanings based on experience. Nature was the original religion, and people were connected and saw signs everywhere within it. A few symbols from the book include bird for psychic power or other communication, while horse symbolizes strength and grace. You should be able to use a Dream Dictionary for any cloud divining you do.

I just love that something we all do as kids actually tunes us in with our ancestors, who would have been watching the clouds during the day and the stars, moon, and planets at night. And it is a lovely excuse to stop adulting for a few, clear your mind, and gaze softly up at the sky. btw, This is one way that ancient traditions have survived- by being rebranded as mundane.

What do you think?

PS I can't even type the word "divination" without loling to myself and thinking of Trewalney from Harry Potter warning Harry about The Grim. Also I kind of want to do posts on the astro of various HP characters but it's just so nerdy.

on chi

2015-07-19T10:24:00.003-04:00

Lately I've been thinking about chi, or Qi, or prana, life energy force, what have you. And how when you have thoughts / anxieties / whatever circling around in your brain, or body, it stagnates your chi. Overthinking stagnates it. Maybe you're familiar with this feeling, feeling stuck, frustrated, powerless. So, how do you offset the stagnation? By doing. For some, this may mean writing, as this generates the chi as well as helps you work through that which is cycling about in your brain. For others, this may mean art, or talking about it, or playing music, or yoga, or running. I think what this "thing" is, is very personal. Whatever your natural inclination is. But often the act of doing / creating helps to move things along.

What do you think?

Moon is currently in Virgo, supports organization and all that good stuff...

Days

2015-04-20T17:54:00.002-04:00

Each one is a gift, no doubt,
mysteriously placed in your waking hand
or set upon your forehead
moments before you open your eyes.

Today begins cold and bright,
the ground heavy with snow
and the thick masonry of ice,
the sun glinting off the turrets of clouds.

Through the calm eye of the window
everything is in its place
but so precariously
this day might be resting somehow

on the ones before it,
all the days of the past stacked high
like the impossible tower of dishes
entertainers used to build on stage.

No wonder you find yourself
perched on the top of a tall ladder
hoping to add one more.
Just another Wednesday

you whisper,
then holding your breath,
place this cup on yesterday's saucer
without the slightest clink.

--Billy Collins

This gave me chills so I felt compelled to share. Today is the first day of Taurus. May you find time for comfort, leisure, enjoying your bed, and delicious eats and drinks. I am mostly vegetarian but craving steak (and red wine). Some of his poems have a bit of a Taurean feel to them but Collins is an Aries (he does, however, have a Taurus stellium of Jupiter, Saturn, and Uranus).

Taurus is an earth sign. Speaking of earth, today my oldest received a gift of a beautiful stone from Mt. Everest:

The rain is pouring and my windows are open. One of my favorite sounds. x.

pre-eclipse//heavy fog//pisces

2015-03-19T19:42:00.002-04:00

Total solar eclipse happening at 5 am-ish tomorrow et. As if the recent, final, square between Uranus and Pluto wasn't enough, occurring just three days ago (I'm still reverberating, et toi?). People report feeling as though their head is spinning, like they're in a funk, or a fog, or just have the blues and feel overwhelmed. I've been getting the message that these things can actually be symptoms of a psychological/emotional detox, that there is something happening at a deeper level in your consciousness, even if it doesn't *feel* like anything's happening. Trippy, right?

And I got the craving to create, maybe to try to deal with it, even though "create" merely consisted of taking some pictures (with my phone... so creative), and this here blog post on this nearly-forgotten blog. I've been feeling a connection to either ancient ancestory of the witchy variety, or perhaps a past self. I asked for clues in my dreams last night but I don't remember anything obvious. So much water in my dreams lately. Emotions, the psyche. I'm a late-degree Piscean and I am feeling this eclipse buildup strongly.

I hope you are well, wherever this finds you. Hello.

hashtag current mood

Post-eclipse

2014-10-08T10:49:00.001-04:00

The Aries full moon this month was also a total eclipse. It occurred early in the morning here on the east coast. You've probably heard about it before now. :) This eclipse, personally, was all up in my business as it affected my first and seventh houses. First house=the self. Seventh house=the other. Relationships. The balance between the two, or highlighting the lack thereof.

Lately I've been trying to get a self-care routine going. I've been neglecting me. Libra rising. Libra anything. It's what you do. There is so much else, always, to be tended besides myself. But like the stereotypical saying goes, if you aren't consciously filling your own needs you're not really of any use to anyone else, anyway.

So this morning, due to having some rare child care, I decided to spend some time feeding my soul and spending time in meditation. I thought I would share the meditations I did (two are guided), in case anyone was curious, along with the crystals I used to meditate with. Have I mentioned I'm obsessed with crystals these days?

Here's a shot I shared on my instagram of the crystals I worked with this morning:

Amethyst to clear the mind, Shungite (the black stone) for grounding, protection, and for the energy field, and White Howlite to absorb and transmute any negativity.

How are you experiencing the eclipse? Share below if you so please. :) Peace and Love.

Meditation Inspiration

2014-05-01T19:06:00.001-04:00

I love the beach. I live seaside and visit frequently for the air and quieting of the mind that goes with it, among other reasons, such as my kid can run wild which he needs on a daily basis.

I'm beginning to meditate more regularly (again, my track record is pretty inconsistent), and if you are too then here are some images that I hope will help to relax and center you.

All I do is find a quiet space, but if I'm desperate I stay where I am and put on my headphones and press play.

For hectic days I like to just keep it simple. Sit. Eyes open, eyes closed, whatever floats your boat. Slow, deep down to your belly breaths. Thoughts will come, let them flutter in and out. Observe them but you don't need to feed them. If I'm particularly jittery I'll focus on the very top of my head, the crown chakra. For some reason this seems to help me literally feel above the thoughts and static. Sit for as long or as short a time as you like. Two minutes, ten minutes, twelve minutes. You choose. And you're done. You carved out a little bit of time in your busy day just for you and your much deserving brain. Something to be happy about. Congrats. <3

Please feel free to share your experiences, tips, journeys with meditating in the comments. :)

blurry beach

i love seaweed

overlooking portland, oregon

Right Now / Taurus

2014-04-26T17:10:00.000-04:00

Hello Taurus. Happy Birthday, Bulls. Spring and flowers blooming and sun and rain and the grass has become so green so suddenly it shocked my eyes when I was out walking earlier in this drizzly weather.

Some of my favorite weather. In the northeastern sector of America that I call home, spring has finally arrived.

Taurus energy can be slow, mindful. Not rushing, not thinking of the cheapest or the fastest or the biggest but the most value. Yes Taurus is associated with material things like money but I wonder if how they spend their time isn't just as important. Noticing, seeking out, life's little luxuries. From the little things like being able to spend some time outdoors in the morning sun, your favorite song coming on while in transit, treating yourself to, and savoring every drop of, a coffee beverage when you get a break because it satisfies your tastebuds. A stroll around town or through the woods or along the shore. Noticing what's there, the beauty everywhere, because your state of mind isn't HURRY, but instead, ENJOY. Taurus may seem like they're plodding along at a maddeningly slow pace for no reason at all, but they are simply savoring the path.

(Side note: something else I want to mention about Taurus that I learned from Jan Spiller's amazing Soul Astrology is how they posses the ability to use their bodies as barometers. How they are able to tap into what choices to make, activities to do, based on the way their physical bodies FEEL. And it's Taurus season now so I say we can all try this now. :) )

Some proof of spring:

Glimpses of the week

2014-04-20T17:16:00.001-04:00

Early spring in downeast Maine.

Happy Easter!

Moon in Capricorn will shortly conjunct Pluto, in orb now. I say lay low if possible. I'm about to have another slice of pie. :) That may be more of a Taurus influence on me though, heh heh.

Hope to have a Tarot video for you next time.

If you like my photos and are on instagram, please follow me @sightsofmaine