Scorpio Season

October 22, 2024 Phyto-Holographic Sam

Chromatic Healing

Across the Zodiac

Chromotherapy, Phytonutrient Therapy, Astro-Colors, Astro-Anatomy, and Magic

Hello, Friends!

Welcome to Part Two of the Phytonutrients Per Zodiacal Series. Check out Libra through Virgo in the Holographic Herbal Chapter on this blog. Last year, we started this series in the sign of Libra, and continued until we reached Virgo this year. I took a small break, but now I am back with Part Two! Because I am focusing on more than just Phytonutrient Therapy, I wanted to call this series something different that encompasses everything that I want to convey in this series. This year I have titled it Chromatic Healing Across the Zodiac to encapsulate the idea I am trying to express in these blog posts.

If you’re new here, Hello! My name is Samantha Giacalone (Phyto-Holographic Sam). I am an Herbal Medicine Consultant, Healing Diets Coach, and Spiritual Practitioner. In this series, we walk through each zodiac sign every month and integrate different healing modalities for a richer, well-rounded, and creatively holistic program. This information is based on how I’ve come to understand the medicinal properties of all of our botanical allies. In this blog series, you get a glimpse into how I work with phytonutrients and Astro-Colors in my Holographic Phytomancy program in a 1:1 client setting.

We will explore the healing properties of aquamarine phytonutrients, with integrated concepts such as medical astrology, the colors associated with chakras, and color therapy, which is essentially the basis of how I approach food! I take on artists and magicians, and through focusing on food in their diet (instead of restrictive dieting), my clients rediscover their inner creativity. I want to help others find trust in their bodies (and intuition) by developing an allyship with whole foods and plants.

It is my belief that phytonutrients are the lost language between plants and humans, and our ancestors may have been able to determine the healing properties of their food just by observing their color. Of course, there is a lot of nuance, information, vitamins and minerals, herbs, and so much more that can be discussed and therefore, it’s best to work with me 1:1 so I can help you navigate through the Holographic Phytonutrients Program I created, and their vibrational medicine as I’ve come to understand them. It’s wonderful to incorporate the rainbow per each Zodiac Season, but never underestimate whole foods that are literally in season in your area.

Currently, I am offering Holistic Color Oracle Readings for the holiday season only (Oct 21 - Dec 30th). Click the button below to learn more.

So, what if we merge food, color, magic, and healing together? You’ve learned how I use the Zodiacal Color Wheel to enhance my intuition, and how Eating the Rainbow is something I am passionate about. I allow color to tell me how it can heal me, and I focus on ensuring I get more foods that are naturally the color I want or crave. In this post, we will learn about phytonutrients, specifically iodine which I utilize in the Blue-Green (Aquamarine)/Scorpio spectrum of The Holographic Phytomancy program.

Before we dive in, let’s run through the basics since this is the first post to part two of this series:

What is a phytonutrient?

Phytonutrients are chemical compounds that are found in plants, veggies, & fruits. They are what give our food their color, and are divided into categories depending on the color they express in different fruits and vegetables. Each color offers biological activities (health benefits).

What is Astro-Anatomy?

Astro-Anatomy is the study of how the zodiac signs and planetary influences correspond to different parts of the human body. It’s a fusion of astrology and anatomy, where each sign and planet is associated with specific organs, systems, or functions within the body. Astro-Anatomy differs from Medical Astrology in that it focuses on the symbolic and energetic connections between zodiac signs, planets, and specific parts of the body, helping individuals enhance body awareness and align with cosmic energies. In contrast, Medical Astrology is broader, using the entire natal chart to diagnose, treat, and predict health issues.

What is Holographic Phytomancy?

The Greek word phyto (Φυτό) means plant, and mancy (Μαντεία) means divination. A combination of these words would look something like: Φυτόμαντεία, meaning plant divination. Holographic Phytomancy is an Omnipathic and multidimensional healing practice that integrates astrology, color therapy, phytonutrients, and vibrational medicine to align the body, mind, and spirit. This unique approach begins with the client’s natal chart, which provides insight into their energetic blueprint. From there, I layer the artist’s color wheel over the zodiac wheel, starting with red for Aries, red-orange for Taurus, and so on, aligning each zodiac sign with its corresponding color. Each color on this zodiacal color wheel is then connected to the phytonutrients found in foods and herbs. For example, red phytonutrients are used for Aries, which also corresponds to the Root Chakra. This system creates a "wheel within a wheel," where the zodiac, chakras, and color energies intersect in a pattern that resembles a fractal—a repeating, self-similar structure that reveals deeper complexity and harmony at every level. The "phyto" (Φυτό) in Phytomancy refers to the use of botanicals and their chemical constituents, where I communicate with the spirits of the plants while also focusing on their scientifically studied properties to support the client's healing goals. The "mancy" (Μαντεία) aspect speaks to the divinatory nature of this work—reading the subtle signs and energies to guide the healing process. The "Holographic" part of Holographic Phytomancy reflects the layered, interconnected nature of this practice. It acknowledges that each part of the system—whether it be a color, a plant, or an astrological sign—contains the whole, and that healing can occur on multiple levels simultaneously. Like a fractal, this approach reveals that each element is part of a larger, infinite pattern of healing, incorporating vibrational medicine and quantum healing techniques, such as flower essences, meditation, dream magic, and the felt sense, to facilitate deep, holistic transformation.

Here is what we cover in this post:

Scorpio, Mars, and Pluto
Astro-Anatomy of Scorpio, Mars, and Pluto
Astro-Colors & Chromotherapy: Blue-Green and Aquamarine
Green, the Original Color of the Old Devil
Aquamarine, The Color of the Sea
Phytonutrient Therapy: Sea Vegetables and Iodine
Bonus: Pluto, Onyx, Polyphenols, Anthocyanins, and Intuition

Scorpio

Scorpio is the eighth sign of the zodiac and it is represented by the Scorpion. This is a sign that embodies themes of transformation, intensity, death, and rebirth. It’s a fixed water sign, meaning it sustains energy in determined, masterful, intuitive, and instinctual ways. This sign’s element of water represents the emotional depths and hidden forces that govern change. In Astro-Anatomy and Medical Astrology, Scorpio governs the reproductive organs, the genitals, bladder, and bowels, aligning it with its themes of regeneration and elimination, as well as creation and release, and mirrors Scorpio’s transformative nature.

Every sign is ruled by a planet or luminary ruler in Astrology. For Scorpio, Mars is the traditional ruler, and Pluto is the modern co-ruler. Mars is the planet of drive, sex, war, desire, will, and passion. In Astro-Anatomy, Mars also rules blood, muscles (strength; protein for “foundations” is crucial here), the head, adrenal glands, and stress hormones (adrenaline and cortisol) that help us survive. Mars typically refers to acute conditions which involve cuts, injuries, heat, inflammation, and fever.

Pluto, the planet associated with the Greek God of the Underworld Hades, governs cycles of death and regeneration, occulted mysteries, secrets, deep inner work, and transformation. This mysterious planet also rules reproductive organs, the cellular regeneration within the body, the excretory system, and the immune system (in my program, I align Scorpio with the thymus which is part of the immune system). Prolific Medical Astrology, Judith Hill, also notes that Pluto illnesses are of a paranormal nature, such as spirit possession or injury due to faery encounters. I also like to think of Pluto as the governance of chronic conditions in which an exploration of the self is involved to truly purify, detoxify, and transform the condition into a personal power. The difference between Mars and Pluto is that Mars rules more immediate physical responses and is connected to vitality and force. Whereas Pluto governs deeper, long-term regeneration of the body (especially after an illness), as well as eliminative functions.

Medical Astrologer A.T. Mann gives the following body parts to Scorpio: bladder, genitals, rectum, descending colon, prostate, nasal bones, cervix, excretion, genito-urinary system, sphincter, coccyx, uterus, scrotum, penis, and vagina. In addition, he lists the following as Scorpionic diseases and symptoms: bladder disorders, colitis, drunkenness, epidermis, venereal diseases, irregular or difficult menses, hernia, syphilis, nose disorders, piles, priapism, and prostate diseases. A.T. Mann also utilizes Astro-Colors in his work, and he gives the color blue-green to Scorpio, and I do as well. A lot of exploration of self is found in the sign of Scorpio since Mars rules the first sign of the zodiac (Aries), in the 1st House (House of Self), while Pluto beckons us to find the treasure found deep beneath the aquamarine sea, a concept we will circle back to.

ASTRO COLORS OF SCORPIO:

Green & AQUAMARINE

In my Holographic Phytomancy program, I use Astro-Colors to help weave a bespoke and holistic program for my clients. It is hard to pinpoint when Astro-Colors were first used in conjunction with Medical Astrology, but colors have been assigned to planetary energies spanning back to ancient Egypt and Greece. Many have used Astro-Colors as a way of harnessing astrological energies and applying Chromotherapy practices for holistic navigation through health and wellness.

As you can see from the charts created by Inez Eudora Perry and myself, Scorpio is aligned with the color blue-green, also known as teal or aquamarine. I typically like to associate Scorpio with the color black due to the sign’s intensity and death/rebirth significations, paired with Pluto’s connection to Hades, the Lord of the Underworld (more on this later). Scorpio’s realm is the 8th House, the House of Death and Rebirth. In ancient astrology, the 8th house is often referred to as the "Idle Place" or the "House of Idle Things" (domus otiosorum), because this house denotes inactivity and decline, further associating it with death, loss, and transformation. It also governs themes such as inheritance, collaboration, shared resources, the occult, magic, secrets, sex, and mysteries. This is befitting of Scorpio Season as well. When the sun first transits into the sign of Scorpio (October 23), we are about a week away from Halloween and Samhain, two celebrations held in reverence of ancestors, and a period where we collectively reflect on themes of death and rebirth. Interestingly, Halloween is a time when children go Trick-or-Treating, mirroring this collective remembrance by wearing costumes and “transforming” themselves into witches, ghouls, ghosts, zombies, and especially devils. When we think of the Devil, we imagine a deity with crimson skin lording over the fiery and torturous Realm of the Dead, but did you know that Satan used to be depicted with green skin instead?

Green is a color that is associated with fertility, the Earth, nature, and the renewal of life, and we discussed these themes in Libra and Virgo’s posts. However, it is also a color that represents illness, envy, and greed. In his book The Color Code, Paul Simpson makes an interesting observation that the Devil in the painting “The Devil Holding up the Book of Vices to St. Augustine” by Pacher, that the devil “looks like a prototype of the green aliens that pervaded so much twentieth-century pulp sci-fi.” Simpson goes on to explain that many creatures are associated with Satan, such as dragons, witches, and basilisks who are also portrayed with green skin. It could be that green is associated with nature and animals, and the artistic choice to use this color in devils and creatures may represent man’s primal instincts mirrored in the Devil. On the other hand, the green Devil could be an inspiration from older deities associated with The Green Man like Bacchus (Roman God of wine, fertility, and agriculture), Dionysus (Greek God of wine, pleasure, celebration, and drama/theater), and Dumuzi (Mesopotamian Deity associated with agriculture and shepherds; consort of the goddess Inanna/Ishtar). All four figures have been linked to concepts of sin and evil (through their connection to sex, pleasure, festivities, and wine drinking) and Satan himself.

L to R: Green Man, artwork of Karen Cater from Hedingham Fair. Bacchus. Dionysus. Dumuzi

In the fourteenth-century poem “Sir Gawain and the Green Knight”, the central antagonist, The Green Knight, is also thought to be the Devil, as his skin, clothes, and horse are all green. Moreover, Sir Gawain notes that The Green Chapel, the place where he and The Green Knight are to meet, is a place akin to hell.

The Green Knight

There is yet another depiction of a greenish horse with its rider from hell, and it is found in the story of The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse in the Book of Revelations. These four horsemen are figures that are symbolic catalysts to the apocalypse. Riding a different color horse, each horseman represents a specific form of destruction. The first horseman, riding a white horse, is called Conquest. The second horseman rides a red horse, and the rider is War. Famine is the rider on the black horse. Finally, upon the pale horse is the rider named Death. The color of Death's horse is described as pàllidus in Latin and χλωρός (khlōrós) in Greek, which can mean pale green, or ashen (gray). The term is often translated as "pale," but other interpretations like "pale green" or "yellowish green" are also possible. Scholars suggest that the color represents the sickly pallor color of a corpse. However, in modern art, the horse is distinctly green and Death carries a scythe, and curiously is said to be followed by Hades, the Lord of the Underworld.

Four Horsemen of Apocalypse, by Viktor Vasnetsov. Painted in 1887

In Egyptian Mythology, the God of the Afterlife and the chief judge of the dead, Osiris, was often depicted with green skin, and just like our Green Man and his predecessors, Osiris was also associated with vegetation. He was once the king of Egypt, but his brother Seth killed and dismembered him. His wife, Isis, collected and reassembled his body, and brought him back to life with magic. Osiris went on to become the ruler of the Afterlife, overseeing the dead and the cycle of rebirth. Interestingly, many hieroglyphic representations of Osiris show him with dark blue-green skin.

Osiris, God of The Afterlife

Scorpio is often associated with depth, whether it is emotional or spiritual, and I liken this to the fathomless blue-green oceans on Earth. Blue-green is a color that is symbolic of the sea, and this theme resonates with Scorpio’s connection to deep and dark waters that conceal treasures beneath their surface. Scorpio’s quest to uncover occulted truths in pursuit of deeper wisdom and holistic understanding only enhances this idea. Moreover, the archetypal nature of the abysmal ocean is connected to our subconscious, and it is up to us to unearth psychological and spiritual insights, just as the ocean floor holds ancient and undiscovered riches and treasures waiting to be discovered once again.

Aquamarine was a color quite popular for decor in the 1950's. It is thought to invoke feelings of ocean, water, and sea-themes. It is a color that is mixed with blue, green, and gray. Darker greens are used in the food industry to convey that something is natural. On the other hand, green is also the color to describe envy, sickness, and disease.

In Color Therapy, or Chromotherapy, Blue-Green, Aquamarine, Teal, or Turquoise are colors that enhance circulation (Mars) and support skin regeneration (Pluto), particularly for burns (Mars), offering protection from germs (Pluto) as a natural antiseptic. It is also used to protect the mucous membranes and produce beneficial changes in the process of repair and regeneration. Symbolically, it can help foster human connection, representing unity and empathy, often associated with original thinkers. This color increases sensitivity, intuition, and a desire to explore alternative ways of living. Those drawn to these colors seek solutions that benefit all. In contrast, those who avoid it tend to focus on personal stability, particularly in relationships, and resist straying from conventional paths.

This leads to my use of sea vegetables like spirulina and algae, which are rich in iodine and found in aquatic environments.

Phytonutrient Therapy: BLUE-GREEN algae & Iodine

In my program, I focus on blue-green sea vegetables, rich in iodine to boost immune support. Recall that Scorpio is a water sign, and it rules the excretory system and part of the immune system (with Pisces). Both of these systems depend on water flow for optimal function. We discussed why ease of flow is important for the immune/lymphatic system in the Pisces post. As for the excretory system, dehydration contributes to constipation and UTIs (urinary tract infections). When you become dehydrated, your body preserves water by absorbing fluids from the intestines, which results in hard stool that is often dry and painful to pass. The kidneys are part of the excretory system, and they require water to filter blood (Aries) waste products (Scorpio) efficiently. The kidneys are governed by Venus, who rules both Taurus and Libra, the opposing signs of Aries and Scorpio. Hydration helps flush toxins out of the body, but dehydration can impair kidney function, leading to the buildup of harmful substances and a greater risk of infection.

I mainly focus on waste, regeneration, and healing (especially after illness) in the Scorpio/Aquamarine spectrum of my program. However, a critical component of the immune system is an organ called the thymus located in the chest just in front and above the heart in between the lungs (in the Heart Chakra Anahata area). This organ plays a role in the body’s defense mechanisms and protects against many pathogens, antigens, and antagonists that cause tissue damage. Moreover, the thymus makes white blood cells called T lymphocytes, which are also known as T Cells, and they destroy pathogens and regulate the immune system in response to a threat.

The inclusion of sea vegetables in the program for this spectrum is to support the thymus and bolster immunity due to their rich iodine content. The thymus holds a high concentration of iodide, and studies show that populations that are deficient in iodine lack immune vitality. Moreover, iodine aids the immune processes such as myeloperoxidase activity in white blood cells, which helps fight infections. Additionally, iodine has historically been used therapeutically in diseases involving the immune system, including tubercular granulomatous, lepromatous, syphilitic, and mycotic lesions. Research also links iodine with anti-inflammatory functions and its role in ancient organisms as an antioxidant.

The thymus is also involved in cell regeneration, and recall that Scorpio’s themes include death and rebirth, with its Astro-Anatomical governance over cell regeneration. Researchers have identified stem cells in the human thymus called Poly keratin cells that can develop into many different cell types, including epithelial cells, muscle cells, and neuroendocrine cells. This discovery can potentially help us understand immune diseases while offering ways to enhance the immune system. Despite the thymus shrinking with age, these stem cells regenerate as much as those in the skin (three weeks!)

RISKS & BENEFITS OF MACROALGAE

PMID: 30840077

There have been some studies done on macroalgae (edible seaweeds), and as it turns out, there are both risks and benefits to consuming seaweeds, kelp, etc. Recall that Scorpio is ruled by both Mars and Pluto. Pluto can represent toxins, but can often signify healing and transformation in Astrology. Mars can represent inflammation, and we need pro-inflammatory cytokines and cortisol to help our bodies deal with toxins, stress, heightened emotions, and danger. However, when we are in chronic stress, we can be in cortisol overload. I’ve written about the harmful effects of the cortisol cycle in two blog posts: “The Stress Hormone Called Cortisol”, “Mars and The Stress Hormone Called Cortisol: Remediating Mars by Working With Cortisol”, and “Phytonutrients For Aries Season”.

It is well established that Mars and Pluto significations, while uncomfortable and not always welcome, can be very necessary: sometimes Mars severs harmful people or things from our lives. Sometimes Pluto comes along by transit and completely culls trauma from an old wound, makes you work with it, and heals it by transforming it. Sometimes the wound gets worse before it gets better. This is a very long way of saying: sea vegetables are sort of like this. On one hand, seaweed is harvested and consumed for its properties to detox the body of heavy metals. On the other, depending on where it is harvested, it could contain heavy metals itself. Moreover, iodine is needed for the healthy function of thyroid hormones. However, the benefits of seaweed on the thyroid remain inconclusive. A study done on the correlation between seaweed consumption and thyroid cancer showed that there was an increased risk in postmenopausal women, but strangely not in premenopausal women. PMID: 22414981

Then, another study was done and found that there was no association between the consumption of seaweed and the risk of thyroid cancer in either premenopausal or postmenopausal women. PMID: 26011104

In the conclusion portion of the study labeled above (PMID: 30840077), the researchers call for “legislative measures to ensure monitoring and labeling of food products are needed to safeguard against excessive intakes of salt, iodine, and heavy metals,” and because “heavy metal concentrations in edible seaweeds are generally below toxic levels, bioaccumulation of arsenic is a risk, and more studies of heavy metal toxicokinetics are needed are needed.” Like Pluto, who signifies research and deep-diving, and who takes small things and magnifies them so we can parse them out one by one, more acute research and caution are needed for macroalgae.

Interestingly, there are red seaweeds, which help the body absorb iron, and the color red and iron both belong to Mars without a doubt!

Bonus: Pluto and Onyx

We explored the connection with the color black and Saturn/Pluto in two blog posts titled “Coffee Mediumship” and Microbial Animism and Intuition where we discussed the importance of polyphenols and anthocyanins (the phytonutrients found in darker whole foods) in supporting our Gut-Brain connection, bones, and intuition. We talked about how we can inherit trauma during gestation in our pregnant parent, and chronic dysregulated gut biome (bacteria = Pluto) is a good indicator of this. Balancing our gut biome is a great physical practice to integrate into our ancestral healing devotionals, if this is something you are interested in. It’s best to check out the blog post itself, but for convenience, I am going to drop a passage from it below:

“The Benefits of Coffee & Polyphenols

Coffee has a lot of nutrients, and one of these nutrients is called polyphenols. Polyphenols are the largest class of phytochemicals and are thought to have over 8,000 compounds [2]. They are antioxidants, and interact with our gut microbiome [3]. Polyphenols also exhibit antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties [4].

Dark berries are the best source of high polyphenol content with a prebiotic effect on the gut microbiome [5]. Pomegranates and blueberries, two fruits that also have polyphenol content, are shown to reduce C. diff (Clostridium difficile), a bacterial infection that occurs while on antibiotic drugs [6].

Blueberries and strawberries, which also have polyphenol content, are linked to the improved cognition of healthy elderly individuals when they are eaten regularly [7]. When adjusted for age, polyphenols from dark berries have expressed a decrease in the risk of Alzheimer's disease [8]

Anthocyanins, also found in coffee, are part of the antioxidant polyphenol family. Many dark-colored foods contain anthocyanins, along with fiber, protein, vitamin A, iron, and magnesium. Anthocyanins are also found in foods that are black, red, blue, and purple. They are known to treat inflammation as well as oxidative stress. Their anti-oxidative properties protect our DNA from damage from free radicals [9], which further prevents the growth of tumors [10]. Anthocyanin is used as an alternative treatment paired with chemotherapy and has proven to be less aggressive than conventional cancer drugs [11]. Anthocyanins may protect the skin from skin cancer, as well as inhibit ovarian and leukemia cells from spreading [12, 13, 14].

Anthocyanins are also shown to treat age-related mental decline [15, 16]. They have been shown to improve memory, verbal learning, attention, and brain processing speed in children and adults with cognitive impairment, as well as those without cognitive impairment [17, 18]. Anthocyanins may have the ability to slow the progression of Alzheimer's Disease [19]. A study done on elderly participants with moderate dementia improved their verbal fluency and memory (both short & long-term) within 12 weeks by drinking 6.6 ounces/200mL of cherry juice every day [20]. Cherries are rich in anthocyanins.

A study showed that individuals who eat more anthocyanin-rich foods have a 15% lower risk of type 2 diabetes [21]. Studies also show that anthocyanins support the body's ability to manage blood sugar levels, improving glucose tolerance [22], with some studies expressing that it may aid the body in recognizing and using insulin [23]. This is monumental for people with diabetes, PCOS, and insulin resistance. However, more research is needed.

Coffee is also a pain-reliever and an antidepressant. One study proved that coffee drinkers are less likely to be depressed, especially among femmes [24], with a reduced risk of s*icide [25]. Studies also display coffee’s properties in pain modulation and management [26]. It's no wonder why society is obsessed with coffee, especially those of us who have PTSD and c-PTSD, as well as those of us who are neurodivergent, ADHD, ADD, and autistic. Considering the evidence, I think villainizing coffee (much like we villainize Saturn and Pluto) should be carefully re-evaluated.

The Spirit & Science on Coffee

You may often hear herbalists say that “green is connected to the heart”, and this is because the heart chakra is associated with the color green. Chakras are a part of an ancient system that originated in India, and they were mentioned in the Vedas, which was a large text of esoteric wisdom written from 1500 - 1000 BC. In Sanskrit, chakra means “spinning wheel”, and this refers to certain points in the body that are thought to give off specific energies, and they correspond to the neuroendocrine system within the body. According to New Age thought, it is said that there are chakras within the body, as well as outside the body, totaling in 117 different chakras. However, in the Traditional Seven Chakra System, there are only seven chakras: The Root, The Sacral, The Solar Plexus, The Heart, The Throat, The Third Eye, and The Crown.

In New Age practices, there is a chakra connected to the color black called the Earth Star Chakra (Vasundhara), or Super Root. This chakra represents our connection to Earth, and it apparently connects our own energy with the collective consciousness, past, present, and future. It is also linked to our ancestors, both by blood or by land. It does not align with any organ or part of the body, but sits directly under our Root Chakra (or sometimes under the soles of our feet) outside of our body.

Like many occultists, astrologers, and magicians, I associate black with Saturn and Pluto. Black is the color that is used to invoke these energies in spellwork. Saturn rules both Capricorn and Aquarius, and Pluto co-rules Scorpio (along with Mars). Capricorn, ruled by Saturn, is famously known for representing our foundations, structures, traditions, and ancestors. This is why it is associated with bones and dinosaurs: the bones are the literal structure of our bodies, and the dinosaurs (which we are only acquainted with through the bones they’ve left behind) were here on this Earth before us. Both Saturn and Pluto have protective qualities. Pluto being related to Hades, the Ruler of the Underworld, can be viewed as a deity who protects the spirit world. Hades is, if anything else, He Who Resides With Our Dearly Departed. Saturn, if you pay closer attention, sometimes works based on “Rejection is Protection”. When we are occulted, unseen, ignored, excluded, or rejected from something, sometimes it may mean we are being protected from it. Let’s parse out this notion of protection and occultation further.

Recall that the polyphenol content in coffee is beneficial for our gut microbiome. I talk more about the relationship between bacteria and the body’s health in another essay titled Microbial Animism and Intuition. Please check that out for more information, or head over to Dr. Siv Watkins’ work. Dr. Watkins is a biologist and ritualist, and she coined the term Microanimism. She is the pioneer in this work, and I want to give her the credit for bringing awareness to microorganisms (or as she calls them, The Smalls), and their impact on our everyday life.

Studies are being done that exhibit bacteria’s role in bone health. Non-beneficial bacteria can stimulate osteoclastogenesis and bone loss in mice, and some of these studies are being done on humans as well [27, 28]. Bacteria are microorganisms that evolved alongside humans and therefore are part of the body’s structure. Pluto is related to toxins, sickness, plague, and death. It is that which has been inherited from our ancestors: riches, land, personality traits, behaviors, appearance, and even disease. Pluto represents the riches found under the Earth. Scorpio, ruled by Pluto and Mars, is the opposing sign of Taurus who is ruled by Venus. Taurus represents our relationship to our material wealth, our possessions, our values, food production, gardens, nature, etc. So what happens when our verdant garden meets the fall and winter months? Its decay becomes fertilizer for the next generation of whatever grows in that garden in the spring and summer. So, here we have the two “structures” of our body, one ruled by Saturn, and the other possibly ruled by Pluto, and one affects the other when in negative health.

In my essay Microbial Animism and Intuition, I explain further how bacteria are the ancestors of our ancestors, and they’ve evolved parallel with us. Because of this intrinsic symbiotic relationship with the smalls, I believe it is reverence and respect that we must give to our gut flora. Venerating, by taking care and bringing awareness to our gut biome, can truly strengthen our spiritual gifts. Hopefully, science can explore this concept, and bring awareness to these very tiny ancestors of our ancestors. Maybe one day in the future, we can have a better holistic and symbiotic relationship with bacteria.

As it relates to our ancestors, the constellation Capricorn was known as The Gate of the Gods, where one’s soul passes beyond after they depart. Saturn and Pluto have some similarities as they both embody death. Pluto is the literal death, decay, and rebirth, and Saturn represents how the soul transcends time after death, spiritually speaking. One thing they both symbolize is the ancestors who exist outside of our linear time as we know it.

As it relates to cognitive health, as mentioned before, the polyphenols in coffee are shown to improve memory, verbal learning, and attention. Recall that Aries is associated with the head and brain. Aries is ruled by Mars, who co-rules Scorpio with Pluto. Alzheimer’s is more commonly known as a disease that affects people aged 65 or older, and Capricorn, ruled by Saturn, is connected to our elders. Again recall that polyphenols can protect our DNA from oxidative stress. This might be another blog post for another time, but when I read studies like that, I can’t help but think of Ancestral Work. Saturn and Pluto both strengthen our connection to our ancestors, and we can utilize both energies when doing Ancestral Work and Veneration.

Knowing all of this ties it all together, and brings back into view the concept of the Earth Star Chakra, and its connection to the color black. Lastly, polyphenols are found in dark-colored foods like coffee, blueberries, blackberries, sable grapes, olives, and dark chocolate. To reiterate, these darker foods have the ability to protect us. I will leave you with this: take for instance squid ink which is used in Japanese and Mediterranean culinary dishes. It has been traditionally utilized as a food additive, in cosmetics, and writing. It has been used in medicine since squid ink has antimicrobial and antioxidant properties [29, 30]. However, what does squid ink do for the squid? It protects it by helping it evade threats and danger by occulting its image from predators.

Considering the above studies, research, and esoteric knowledge, I think it is fair to say that the phytonutrients that are found in dark-colored foods have protective qualities, and coffee is the protecting plant spirit of my generation. My generation is a generation heavily ruled by both Saturn and Pluto. We have Pluto in its own sign of Scorpio, as well as Saturn in its own sign of Capricorn where most of us have that 1989 Capricorn Stellium. My offering for this Samhain and Halloween season is to challenge you to eat more naturally darker foods to invoke these energies, honor our ancestors [especially our gut microflora], protect our brain and cognition, and keep us overall healthy.

Of note: I want to make it absolutely clear that I am not talking about sun sign astrology. Meaning, that just because you’re a Capricorn or Aries, does not mean you will endure any type of cognitive degenerative disease. I am strictly speaking about astrological energies in general. Astrology is not meant to diagnose or cure illness, as it is meant only for entertainment. Please take this time to view my Terms & Conditions page for more information if you are still unclear.”

In Chromotherapy, black supports the physical by controlling movement and composure, and balancing one’s gait. Black is associated with the Underworld and themes of death, but it also conveys seriousness and a tendency to keep secrets. Individuals drawn to black may seek depth, self-reliance, protection, isolation, silence, and the desire to break bad habits and exercise self-control. This color can also indicate a desire for privacy, as those who favor it may wish to fade into the background or express mourning. Conversely, those who avoid black might fear the unknown and desire liberation from life's constraints.

RESOURCES AND RESEARCH CITING FOR ABOVE PASSAGE:

[2, 3] - Deanna Minich, PhD, CNS

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