How phytonutrients can help support us during Sagittarius Season

Preface

If you have not read the Introductory to the Holographic Herbal post, I recommend doing so! If you are new to astrology, tarot, and chakras, you may become lost. The Introductory Post walks you through how I use color, intuition, astrology and anatomy, and phytonutrients in one.

Remember that the information found on this blog post, across this blog website, and any associated social media profiles is for educational and entertainment purposes only. The information is not meant to replace advice provided by licensed professionals, and astrology is not intended to diagnose illnesses or prescribe treatments. Do not self-diagnose. You can cause serious harm to yourself. Please work with a licensed professional. For more information, please see my Terms & Conditions Page.

Of note: I merge a lot of ancient wisdom/practices and modern scientific literature in one practice to help strengthen my relationship with food, my intuition, my body, and to heal my chronic conditions. As it relates to Astrology/Medical Astrology coming together with The Seven Chakra System, I think it is really important to remember that these two practices are completely whole on their own, and do not need to lean on one another. I want to be really careful to not appropriate by merging two different healing modalities/practices together to fit my own narrative. On the other hand, every fabric of my being lights up when I thread knowledge and wisdom, and that thread continues when I consult modern scientific literature. While we do not need anything to legitimize the validity of Astrology or Ayurveda and Chakras, I cannot ignore that our ancestors were onto something, and I want to loudly pass this knowledge on with everyone who has trouble finding safety in their own bodies. It is important that we find our own path of healing that works uniquely with us, but it is also crucial to remember the wisdom of our ancestors or people who have gone before us.

One last note: The knowledge I am sharing with everyone is inspired by different teachers. I will give credit when credit is due, and you can find their websites in this links provided when they are mentioned.

What we learn in this post:

• What is Sagittarius?

• Tarot and Element related to Sagittarius

• What is a phytonutrient?

• Which phytonutrients correspond to Sagittarius?

• The Throat Chakra

• Jupiter and Neptune

• Lutein and Zeaxanthin

• Anthocyanins

• Vitamin C

• Resveratrol

• Vitamin B6

• Sea vegetables [Blue-green food and its connection to the thyroid as taught by Dr. Deanna Minich]

• The tarot card Temperance and the relation to Jupiter, Cysts, and Insulin

Sagittarius Season is Upon Us!

          It is Sagittarius season, and I wanted to continue my Phytonutrients for the Astro Seasons Series! Today we are going to discuss Phytonutrients for Sagittarius Season, and how these phytonutrients can support us during this month! Sagittarius Season started on the 22nd of November, and will end on the 22nd of December. Sagittarius is the 9th zodiac sign that is represented by the centaur [half-man, half-horse]. Sagittarius is the explorer, the adventurer, truth-seeker, and philosopher. It is a mutable fire sign, which means it transfers energy in adaptable ways. Sagittarius is the opposing sign of Gemini, who enjoys data, information, and communication. Both Sagittarius and Gemini are sociable signs who prefer intellectualizing concepts, but Sagittarius can take that information and bring esoteric meaning to it. In the tarot, fire is connected to our movement, energy, passion, will, and drive. The tarot card that is associated with Sagittarius is Temperance, or La Temperanza in the Italian Tarot Decks. This card depicts an angel pouring liquid from one chalice into another, and this is supposed to signify the act of tempering. Temperance’s symbolism is harmony, moderation, and tempering. There can be many ways to interpret why Temperance is related to Sagittarius, but for me personally, I always view it as the ability to take higher education, and assimilate it into your own way of doing things. Alternatively, it can also be the act of taking esoteric concepts, and ground them a bit more in reality. Because Sagittarius is connected to higher education, as well as philosophy and religion, both things can be tempered and co-exist together.

I have written an in-depth post about Sagittarius, but more specifically my natal placement: Mars in Sagittarius in the 8th House. Check that out for more information about Sagittarius in all of its passionate adventuring! 

Sagittarius’ realm is the Ninth House of Mental Exploration, Long-Distance Travel, Philosophy, Publishing, and Liminal Spaces. Sagittarius is also ruled by Jupiter and Neptune. Jupiter is the planet of expansion, optimism, higher understanding, abundance, luck, and wisdom. Neptune is the planet of fantasy, the imaginal realms, illusion, escapism, deceit, healing, the dissolution of boundaries, dreamy themes or dreams, and I give the antioxidant hormone melatonin to Neptune. So, can phytonutrients help support us as it relates to the previously mentioned themes during this Sagittarius season? Yes! Let’s walk through it all together.

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. I connect Sagittarius with the color blue, and blue foods contain lutein, zeaxanthin, anthocyanin, resveratrol, vitamin C, and vitamin B6. Nutrients associated with Sagittarius include, but not limited to: fats, herbs that support the circulatory system [hawthorn berries, etc], B6 [pyridoxine], and inositol.

Blue is associated with the Throat Chakra, and this aligns with our larynx and thyroid. The Throat Chakra is associated with our authenticity, our expression, our voice, and as Dr. Deanna Minich PhD. puts it, “our truth”. Dr. Minich is one of the wonderful leaders in Quantum Healing that has inspired this work of mine. I highly recommend her book Whole Detox if you truly want a better relationship with food from the perspective of a creative or magician.

The color blue’s frequency in light is:

¬ 609.50 - 742.90 THz

It’s frequency in sound is:

¬ 554.40 - 659.30 Hz

In Medical Astrology, Sagittarius rules our thighs, hips, sciatica, Neuromuscular system, and locomotion. As mentioned before, Jupiter and Neptune co-rule this sign, and Jupiter rules the liver, gallbladder, metabolism, and fat. Neptune doesn’t exactly correspond to an organ or system in Medical Astrology, but I associate it with our fluids, pineal gland, melatonin production, lymphatic fluid/system, and sleep cycles.

Lutein and Zeaxanthin

           I have mentioned this before in my Phytonutrients for Venus post, but just to reiterate: lutein and zeaxanthin usually are coupled together in green-colored foods. However, they show up in blue foods, as well. They are both carotenoids that are found in the macula and retina of the eye [1], and they further protect the eyes from UV damage [2]. In TCM, the eyes are part of the Liver meridian, and the liver is ruled by Jupiter in Medical Astrology [Remember: Jupiter rules Sagittarius]. Lutein and zeaxanthin are prevalent in heart-opening green foods which contain nitrates that literally widen and relax the blood vessels in the heart, which allow blood to flow with ease [4]. Green is associated with the Heart Chakra, and correlates to Libra. Libra is ruled by Venus. However, Venus also rules Taurus who corresponds to our throat and larynx in Medical Astrology! Since we are focusing on the Throat Chakra, the throat and larynx are emphasized here through Venus. Interestingly, Dr. Deanna Minich associates blue-green sea vegetables with the Throat Chakra, as they contain iodine. Iodine is needed to bolster the efficacy of the thyroid, and supports the production of the hormones thyroxine and triiodothyronine. These hormones assist in supporting proteins and enzyme activity. Iodine also helps to regulate healthy metabolism in the process [13].

Anthocyanins

Studies also show that anthocyanins support the body's ability to manage blood sugar levels [improving glucose tolerance] [5], with some studies showing that it may aid the body in recognizing and using insulin [6]. The body needs insulin, which is a hormone ruled by Jupiter, to utilize blood sugar into energy. The liver [ruled by Jupiter] also uses insulin as a messenger to tell it to store blood sugar for later use.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C is a beauty nutrient among a handful of others! Vitamin C and collagen work together to improve the health of tissues, skin, hair, joints, and nails. Sagittarius, who rules locomotion, likes to be free, explore, and move with ease. Without the appropriate amount of vitamin C, our motility is inhibited. Moreover, vitamin C’s role in inflammation works by protecting the endothelial barrier, which is the blood vessel lining [7]. This brings us back again to locomotion and the circulatory system!

Resveratrol

Because Sagittarius corresponds to philosophy, mental expansion, higher education, and wisdom, taking care of the brain is crucial. Resveratrol can possibly help slow the progression of age-related cognitive decline, and studies show that it may interfere with beta-amyloids, which are protein fragments. These protein fragments form plaques that coincide with Alzheimer's Disease [8]. As it relates to insulin, which is associated with Jupiter, resveratrol may increase insulin sensitivity, which could help diabetic complications. Its action on insulin can be explained by its potential to stop an enzyme from turning glucose into a sugar alcohol called sorbitol, and it may activate AMPK, which is a protein that helps the body metabolize glucose and helps keep blood sugars low [9, 10, 11].

Vitamin B6

Okay, so this one is pretty cool. If you have been following me for a while, you know how much Dream Work has always been important to me. I have been listening to Theresa Cheung’s insight on precognitive dreaming and Dream Work. I highly recommend The Premonition Code - The Science of Premonition by Theresa Cheung and Dr Julia Mossbridge. Theresa mentions that studies have been done on sleep studies and nutrients. According to some studies, vitamin B6 may aid us in dream recall, which is a significant part of Dream Work [12]. As mentioned before, Neptune, who co-rules Sagittarius along with Jupiter, can relate to our dreams and sleep.

A Note On Insulin, Jupiter, and The Temperance Card

The Tarot has a funny way of talking to us in our own unique ways. When I sat with Temperance, I immediately thought of insulin and PCOS [Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome]. Because I connect insulin to Jupiter, and the Temperance card has some association to Jupiter through the sign that it rules [Sagittarius], there was a message here for me that I’d like to share with you. Before I go on, I would like to mention that I also think of Virgo as it relates to Insulin. This is because the pancreas, ruled by Virgo, produces insulin. The symbol of Virgo is the maiden holding wheat, and eating wheat [or carbs] converts to glucose. Then, glucose is absorbed into the bloodstream. This causes a rise in blood sugar levels. The increase in blood sugar sends a message to the pancreas to release insulin, and this helps our cells store glucose as energy to be used for later use. However, there is a link between insulin resistance and liver ailments. Meaning, if there is an issue with the liver, the body has a difficult time utilizing insulin.

Insulin is a hot topic today in reference to insulin sensitivity and/or insulin resistance. Insulin resistance is when your muscles, fat, and liver cannot properly use the insulin the body makes, or the insulin you give it in the form of medication, and this increases your blood sugar levels. The pancreas will compensate, and continue to produce insulin, and this further increases your blood sugar levels. So, as you can see, maintaining healthy levels of insulin is important, and the connection with the pancreas, body fat, muscles, and liver all work together to maintain this balance.

Jupiter is the Greater Benefic, meaning it symbolizes highest rewards, luck, and abundance. We want growth and abundance, but those wonderful gifts from Jupiter need to be tempered. We don’t want growth for the sake of growth, and we especially don’t want an abundance of something that we do not want. PCOS can be diagnosed due to many reasons, but one of those reasons is the appearance of cysts on the ovaries that resemble pearls on a necklace. Cysts, which are unwanted growths, can be associated with an out of control Jupiterian expansion of something that is not desired. This is why I refuse to call other folks with PCOS my “cysters”. Not only is that term not gender neutral, but it feeds the energy of Jupiter in the opposing way that we would rather prefer. Take it from me: natally, I have Jupiter in Cancer. Jupiter exalts in Cancer. This means that, even though Cancer is technically ruled by The Moon, Jupiter actually really loves to be in this sign and does really well here. Jupiter’s wisdom-loving tendencies come together with Cancer’s innate skill of being emotionally intelligent. Paired up, we get a protective and generous emotionally evolved teacher. However, Cancer is associated with the womb and the menstrual cycle, and I cannot unsee the connection to this natal placement and the fact that I have both PCOS and adenomyosis. If you don’t know what adenomyosis is, it is a condition that is similar to endometriosis. Whereas endometriosis is a condition in which the endometrium grows on other organs, adenomyosis is a condition in which the endometrium grows inside the muscle wall of the uterus.

So, all of this is to say that this is the message I got from the Temperance card as it relates to Jupiter: even in its exaltation, Jupiter can stir up some trouble, and its desire to expand should be directed in helpful ways.

What Blue and Blue-Green Foods Will You Incorporate into Your Daily Dietary Ritual This Season?

Resources and Research Citing:

Bonny Casel, ND

Dr. Deanna Minich, PhD, CNS

Sajah Popham [Holistic Herbalist]

Kira Sutherland [Medical Astrologer]

Judith Hill [Astrologer]

Theresa Cheung [Author and Spiritualist]

[1] https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-754/lutein

[2] https://www.webmd.com/diet/foods-high-in-lutein

[3] https://www.naturaleyecare.com/articles/chinese-meridians-vision-series-liver.asp

[4] https://www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/heart-matters-magazine/medical/drugcabinet/nitrates

[5,6] Speer, Hollie et al. “Anthocyanins and Human Health-A Focus on Oxidative Stress, Inflammation and Disease.” Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland) vol. 9,5 366. 28 Apr. 2020, doi:10.3390/antiox9050366

[7] https://www.jbc.org/article/S0021-9258(20)44915-4/fulltext

[8] 7 Health Benefits of Resveratrol Supplements

[9] Vallianou, Natalia G et al. “Resveratrol and diabetes.” The review of diabetic studies : RDS vol. 10,4 (2013): 236-42. doi:10.1900/RDS.2013.10.236

[10] Chang CC, Chang CY, Wu YT, Huang JP, Yen TH, Hung LM. Resveratrol retards progression of diabetic nephropathy through modulations of oxidative stress, proinflammatory cytokines, and AMP-activated protein kinase. J Biomed Sci. 2011 Jun 23;18(1):47. doi: 10.1186/1423-0127-18-47. PMID: 21699681; PMCID: PMC3150248.

[11] Fröjdö S, Durand C, Pirola L. Metabolic effects of resveratrol in mammals--a link between improved insulin action and aging. Curr Aging Sci. 2008 Dec;1(3):145-51. doi: 10.2174/1874609810801030145. PMID: 20021385.

[12] Adventure-Heart DJ, Madden NA, Delfabbro P. Effects of Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine) and a B Complex Preparation on Dreaming and Sleep. Percept Mot Skills. 2018 Jun;125(3):451-462. doi: 10.1177/0031512518770326. Epub 2018 Apr 17. PMID: 29665762.

[13] https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/iodine/

https://www.yourhormones.info/hormones/insulin/

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