Golden Threads
the astrology of Sagittarius season, what I'm herbcrafting, and my latest hyperfixations
Since my herbcrafting journey kicked off, I’ve learned some basics. I can infuse plants into oil, vinegar, and honey. I’ve made eight batches of luscious oils and love sharing them with friends and family. I’m learning to ferment cabbage, and I pray the third time’s the charm! When I contracted COVID last month, I whipped up herbal steams with thyme, oregano, and rosemary from my spice cabinet. I take daily doses of homemade antioxidant-rich oxymel and invigorating fire cider. I energetically cleanse my body and home with mugwort wands I grew from seed. I’m slowly building up a home apothecary, and my cabinets overflow with dried herbs, teas, tinctures, oils, vinegars, and elixirs.
Along my herbcrafting journey, my ancestors have sent golden threads to guide and support me. Golden threads are opportunities, synchronicities, and encounters that lead us through the labyrinth. Golden threads can be subtle or change the trajectory of our lives. In 2023, I was becoming more interested in plants and gardening. That summer, I learned Four Elements Herbals hosted a farm tour in the driftless region. Will and I loved their tea, so we decided to go. It was a life-changing experience. We met Jane Hawley Stevens who gave us a tour of her planetary chakra garden and herb farm. It was the first time I saw the weaving of astrology, farming, and herbalism. That visit opened me to the possibility of becoming a farmer and herbalist one day.
I received another golden thread on this year’s Aries solar eclipse, and it felt like a cosmic initiation. That evening, I attended my first gathering as an herbal apprentice with Alice’s Garden. We gathered at Honeybee Sage Wellness & Apothecary and met the owner who shared her herbal journey with us. I left the cafe excited to devote myself to my herbal studies.
Another golden thread appeared during my honeymoon. Will and I visited the Marquette farmers market and encountered Seeds and Spores Family Farm. I was enchanted by the abundance of their offerings, including an array of organic vegetables, pasture-raised meats, and herbal tinctures and elixirs. I briefly chatted with Leanne, the herbalist of Seeds and Spores, about my herbal studies as I bought her Hawthorn & Rose elixir. After leaving the market, Will found the farm on Instagram, and we noticed Leanne had been interviewed on the Herb Rally podcast. We listened to the episode later that day. Near the end of the interview, Mason asked, “For the budding herbalist interested in farming do you have any advice?” Leanne replied, “Start small and just have faith.” Those words felt like a divine message encouraging us to pursue our dreams.
I no longer believe in coincidences, and I embrace meaningful synchronicity. I believe in the spirit realms and the animacy of the universe. Golden threads give me hope and lead me through struggle and uncertainty. They reassure me I’m never alone. What golden threads have led you here today?
Astrology of Sagittarius Season
The Gemini-Sagittarius axis is supercharged this month and it may feel overwhelming, especially for those with mutable placements (Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius & Pisces) or mutable angular houses (1st, 4th, 7th & 10th). Jupiter, the ruler of Sagittarius, is retrograde in Gemini until February 4th. Mercury, the ruler of Gemini, is about to station retrograde in Sagittarius on November 25th. Mercury retrograde is a time to revise, review, and reflect. However, with Jupiter in Gemini, we may feel scattered and spread too thin. If you love to journal and want to dive deeper into astrological cycles, I recommend Pallas K. Augustine’s Mercury/Jupiter rx workbook.
This month’s Mercury rx ruled by Jupiter rx reminds me of an early 2000s TLC’s Trading Spaces episode. Fellow Millennials, who remembers?! Trading Spaces was a reality home improvement show where two friends swap homes, redecorate one room, and surprise each other with a big reveal. Some redecorations were successes while others were flops. How will this double retrograde period turn out? We’ll have to wait for the big reveal.
Sun enters Sagittarius on Nov 21st 1:57 p.m. CST
Mercury stations retrograde in Sagittarius on Nov 25th 8:43 p.m. CST
New Moon in Sagittarius on Dec 1st 12:20 a.m. CST
Mercury Cazimi in Sagittarius - Sun conjunct Mercury & midpoint of retrograde on Dec 5th 8:18 p.m. CST
Mars stations retrograde in Leo on Dec 6th 5:34 p.m. CST
Venus enters Aquarius and conjoins Pluto on Dec 7th 12:14 a.m. CST
Full Moon in Gemini on Dec 15th 3:01 a.m. CST
Mercury stations direct in Sagittarius on Dec 15th 2:57 p.m. CST
Sun leaves Sagittarius on Dec 21st 3:21 a.m. CST
Herbcrafting
I love sourcing locally, and Sacred Blossom Farm is now selling bulk herbs! It was hard not to go overboard and buy everything. With some impulse control, I bought Lemon Balm, Nettle, and Raspberry leaf. I placed my order on Friday, and the herbs arrived on Monday - another benefit of sourcing locally.
I blended the herbs into a tea and recipe-tested to find the golden ratio. The recipe I liked best is 2 parts Lemon Balm, 1 part Nettle, and 2 parts Raspberry leaf. This ratio balances the citrus notes of Lemon Balm, the fruity astringency of Raspberry leaf, and the mineral-rich earthiness of Nettle.
My favorite way to drink tea is a long infusion. I put 2-3 TBSP of tea into a 32 oz mason jar, pour boiling water to the top, and cover. I like to do this in the evening and let it steep overnight. The next morning, I strain the herbs and drink the tea throughout the day.
My Latest Hyperfixations
🌱 I met the lovely farmers of Rhubarb Botanicals at the Madison Herb Fair. They grow herbs and flowers and pasture raise sheep in Iowa. I am over the Moon for their Vitality tea, Nourish tea, and Milky Oats tincture.
🌱 adrienne maree brown’s and Autumn Brown’s podcast How to Survive the End of the World got me through election week. I found adrienne’s election time interviews grounding and empowering.
🌱 Full Circle Healing is a local farm doing more than growing food! They center racial justice, land stewardship, and healing in everything they do. Will and I attended their annual fundraiser to support their efforts to buy a farm. Check out their vision, and support them if you can!
🌱 I recently subscribed to the Bioneers newsletter, and they shared a video of Sage Lenier’s talk, Toward a Just Transition: Blueprint for a Green Economy. I love how she frames the need for a circular economy!
In golden threads & retrogrades, Emily
The information in this newsletter is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace medical advice or treatment.