Spiraling into the New Year
the astrology of Aquarius season, what I'm herbcrafting, new episodes of Sol Connections, and my latest hyperfixations
The Capricorn New Moon, ruled by mystical Saturn in Pisces, rang in the new year. This New Moon was potent for mapping out plans to midwife our dreams into being. The night before the New Moon, I dreamt about Capricorn and Gemini. Capricorn moves mountains to actualize their visions, and Gemini follows a nonlinear, spiraling path. Capricorn represents the discipline to set boundaries and take sustained action toward goals. Gemini represents flexibility and playfulness to prevent boredom and monotony.
2025 is the year I devote myself to a two-year online herbalism program offered through the Herbal Academy. On New Year’s Day, I received a year-ahead tarot reading from my friend
. They pulled the Chariot for January which mirrors the message I received in my dream. In the Herbcrafter’s Tarot, Latisha Guthrie writes, “Be disciplined yet flexible in your pursuits. Like strong, flexible Cedar roots finding their way through the forest, be determined and opportunistic.” The Capricorn New Moon in my 6th house of routines, labor, and service helped me establish a structured yet fluid routine to commit to my studies.I embrace Winter as a season of slowing down and sinking into darkness. Here, everything becomes quiet, and I hear my intuition and inner guidance more clearly. While I don’t subscribe to New Year’s resolutions, I pull cards and set a simple intention to guide me in the year ahead.
In 2024, my intention was more magic. It proved to be quite a magical year. I married the love of my life, began my herbcrafting journey, and rooted deeper in my community. My intention for 2025 is to be resourceful. The definition of resourceful I’m working with is to be good at problem-solving by creatively using available resources to find solutions. This is how I intend to approach the year, and I’m off to a great start.
I have been a fan of Cody Cook-Parrott since I first listened to their podcast, Common Shapes, in 2023. Cody is a teacher and writer of books and insightful, honest newsletters. Their work inspires me to be more vulnerable in my writing. Cody co-teaches a course called Writing the Personal, and my heart longed to take it.
I have a Gemini Moon, and my Venus and Mercury are in the 9th house, which is to say, I yearn for knowledge and wisdom. My insatiable curiosity and impulsive tendencies (did I mention my Venus and Mercury are in Aries?) lead me to spend a lot on books and courses. However, after enrolling in a long-term herbalism program, I promised myself I wouldn’t spend money on books or courses until I finish the program.
One morning during the liminal space between Christmas and New Year’s Eve, I read Cody’s newsletter and felt compelled to reply. I introduced myself, shared what their newsletter and podcast meant to me, and pitched a trade. I offered an astrology reading in exchange for access to Writing the Personal. Several hours later, to my surprise, Cody replied and said yes they would love an astrology reading.
I was over the Moon! Trading with Cody was a thrilling convergence of my 2024 and 2025 intentions. It was magical to give an astrology reading to an artist and writer I deeply admire. Through a resourceful barter, I received access to a beautiful course to nourish my writing practice. This exchange excites me to participate more fully in barter and gift economies in the year ahead.
Astrology of Aquarius Season
Aquarius is the fixed air sign ruled by Saturn. They are the water bearer, walking miles to bestow their community with life-sustaining water. I like to picture Aquarius sitting on Saturn’s rings, gazing at the solar system from afar, deep in thought. Aquarius is an out-of-the-box thinker who understands deep time and systems theory. They have a reputation for being an outcast, but this is a conscious decision. Aquarius is the one holding space for the lyrics of Defying Gravity. “And if I’m flying solo at least I’m flying free,” might as well be the Aquarian national anthem.
Let’s get into the major transits of Aquarius season…
Sun enters Aquarius - Jan 19th 2:01 p.m. CST
Sun conjoins Pluto in Aquarius - Jan 21st 6:06 a.m. CST
Mercury enters Aquarius - Jan 27th 8:53 p.m. CST
New Moon in Aquarius - Jan 29th 6:36 a.m. CST
Venus enters Aries - Feb 4th 1:57 a.m. CST
Jupiter stations direct in Gemini - Feb 4th 3:41 a.m. CST
Mercury Cazimi aka Mercury conjoined the Sun - Feb 9th 5:47 a.m. CST
Full Moon in Leo square Uranus in Taurus - Feb 12th 7:54 a.m. CST
Mercury enters Pisces - Feb 14th 6:07 a.m. CST
Sun leaves Aquarius - Feb 18th 4:07 a.m. CST
Herbcrafting
This year, I’m facilitating a year-long Ancestral Medicine book club. I’ve longed for a deeper connection with my ancestors after feeling like I reached a plateau in our communication. I intuited that my ancestors communicate with me in my dreams. However, I struggled to maintain a consistent dream journal practice and felt overwhelmed with deciphering the symbols. In preparation for the book club, I called out for support. My beloved, Mugwort, answered the call.
Mugwort is a child of the Moon and is said to enhance dreams and strengthen intuition. Herbalists, mystics, and witches sleep with Mugwort beneath their pillows to receive divine messages in their dreams. The Polish Folk Witch says, “Mugwort is one of the most sacred plants in Slavic folk traditions - used in smoke cleansing, magical brooms, or hung by doors for protection.” I am a descendant of Polish immigrants, and Mugwort is my most cherished ancestral plant.
I made a batch of Mugwort oil1 in July when the Sun and Moon were in Cancer. I wasn’t sure how to incorporate the oil into my life, so it sat untouched for six months. It wasn’t until Capricorn season (Cancer’s opposite) that I received a download to combine Mugwort and Lavender oil. I named the blend Prophetic Dreams, and I keep it on my bedside table. When I want to invite my ancestors to visit me in my dreams, I massage the oil into my feet, temples, and third eye. After a few nights of using the oil, I had a breakthrough. I finally deciphered the meaning of a recurring dream I’ve had all my life. This experience is a testament to the mystical abilities of Mugwort.
Sol Connections
Ep. 4 & Ep. 5 of Sol Connections are out now. Enjoy!
My Latest Hyperfixations
🌱 We Are the Great Turning is the most profound and heart-opening podcast I have ever listened to. Joanna Macy is the balm for anxiety and fear triggered by my growing awareness of collapse. This podcast is a glimpse into Joanna’s work, The Work That Reconnects, which guides us through the spiral of gratitude, honoring our pain, seeing through new and ancient eyes, and going forth as we navigate the Great Turning. This is a podcast I will turn to again and again.
🌱 The Sister Spinster newsletter makes me feel seen as my relationship with plants grows in mystical and mysterious ways.
🌱 I just received an intuitive reading from my beloved Kristen, and it was so affirming, expansive, and joyful. If you need some guidance, Kristen has an abundance of offerings to support you on your path.
In Mugwort & dreams, Emily
The information in this newsletter is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace medical advice or treatment.
I make herb-infused oils not to be confused with essential oils. My Mugwort oil is made with dried Mugwort leaves, Sunflower oil, and a little vodka for extraction. If you are pregnant, nursing, or trying to conceive it is not safe to consume Mugwort.