GEMINI May 22 – June 21

The symbol for Gemini is The Twins, alluding to the dextrous, multi-tasking, adaptable nature of those born under this sign. Perhaps the best way to understand this attribute would be to ponder that the ruling metal for Gemini is Mercury. For those of you old enough to have been given the metal Mercury to explore during school science classes, you will know that it is liquid at room temperature, skates rapidly across any surface – “like quicksilver”- and has a tendency to split into many fragments which then take quite an amount of effort chase down and reintegrate. Likewise, Geminis think fast, move fast, and can get more things done in a day than any other sign (even Aries). Out of balance though, they can become split, unfocused, scattered and frazzled.

Out of Balance Gemini Energy

Stressed, burnt out, lacking discernment, impatient, changeable, easily bored, fickle, gossipy, sarcastic, superficial, bends the truth, can’t switch off mentally

Balanced Gemini Energy

Adaptable, witty, charming, sociable, agile, intelligent, curious, persuasive, industrious, multi-talented, communicative, playful

Gemini is ruled by Mercury, the God of Communication in ancient Roman mythology. Twice a year this planet goes retrograde, meaning it appears to be moving backwards in the sky due to its relative motion to Earth’s. This lasts for about 3 weeks each time and is a renowned time for delays, misunderstandings, missed calls, packages going astray, travel delays, getting lost, things breaking and contracts falling over. Good advice is to know when this is happening and make plans to minimise the disruption as much as possible by staying close to home and not buying or signing anything. On the up side, it is a good time to dedicate to anything starting with “re” – repair, redo, reorganise, revisit… For the inevitable frustration as things unravel, take some Black-Eyed Susan, remind yourself you are in the right place at the right time (even if it doesn’t seem like it), and give thanks to Mercury for normally keeping things running so smoothly. If this is difficult, try some Pink Flannel Flower.

It is one of the key roles of the Geminis of this world to circulate information – to communicate. Their gift is to be able to talk to just about anyone about anything, and they are both interested and interesting as conversationalists. There is a great deal of charm and often a razor sharp wit. They therefore can make careers in sales, marketing, customer service and within the mainstream media.

Analysing the information they hear and read is not a natural strong point, and the need to do so is often learned the hard way, with discernment being one of the major spiritual lessons for this sign. Angelsword helps enormously with this. Any problems with communication for Gemini natives are going to have a significant impact, and Bush Fuchsia would be appropriate.

On a physical level, Gemini rules the nervous system, the arms, the hands and the lungs. In medical astrology these body parts are most vulnerable when a person is under load – i.e. under pressure these areas will be the most likely to be affected and experience dis-ease. To energetically support them you can use the following Essences: Nervous system -  Black- Eyed Susan and Spinifex;  Arms and hands – Bush Fuchsia and Flannel Flower; Lungs – Sturt Desert Pea.

Jacaranda is also a very important flower for Gemini, because scatteredness can be one of their greatest downfalls. If you look at the Doctrine of Signatures of the Jacaranda tree, you will see that its branches often criss cross and go off in many different directions. A person who does this in life, no matter how much energy and talent they have, will not be as effective or successful as they could be, because their efforts are fragmented and erratic. Their endeavours scatter to the four winds, like Jacaranda leaves. However one of the most beautiful aspects of the Jacaranda tree is the gorgeous purple carpet that forms as it drops its flowers; these are quite sticky and stay in a clearly defined area beneath the branches.  This is the positive healing quality of Jacaranda – to bring much needed focus and stick-ability. It is also good for those who gossip.

An out-of-balance Gemini is prone to stress, rushing and impatience. If these are chronic, this wreaks havoc with the adrenal glands and the person can be in real danger of physical burnout, so I would also rank Macrocarpa quite high on the list of Gemini flowers. To prevent it going this far in the first place, a daily dose of Calm and Clear will never go astray. The lady in a workshop who said we should invent an atomiser to mist Calm and Clear over every person who crosses the threshold of our homes, was probably living with a Gemini!

For those Geminis with a tendency to become emotionally split, Sundew is good, as are Bluebell, Crowea and Pink Mulla Mulla.

Keep an eye on the website for when the next One Day Workshop “Astrology and the Australian Bush Flower Essences” is being held near you. In it I go into each sign in more detail.

Copyright Linn Wiggins.

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TAURUS April 21 – May 21

Taurus can be equated to the toddler of the zodiac – exploring the physical world and the five senses. The symbol for Taurus is The Bull, and it is always useful to contemplate a Sign’s symbol for it gives deep insights into the nature of people born under it. The Bull is slow, steady, strong and hard working, helping to build many a solid structure. He cannot be pushed around with brute force, but can be enticed to go in any direction with food (or the promise of other goodies). Bulls are very patient and even tempered but it is unwise to goad them for then they have the potential to charge and wreak havoc (think of the running of the bulls). Cows provide nourishment amply and generously by way of their milk and all that can then be made from it. Many societies rely on cattle for food and assistance with farming.

Out of Balance Taurean Energy

Stubborn, pessimistic, materialistic, sluggish, stuck, controlling, possessive, chauvinistic, black and white views

Balanced Taurus Energy

Patient, sensual, affectionate, practical, sensible, reliable, strong, tranquil, persevering, grounded, artistic, kind

Taurus is ruled by Venus, who, in ancient Roman mythology was the Goddess of Beauty, Art, Love and Luxury. Taureans do enjoy the finer things in life, husband their resources well, and fully appreciate all the rewards that hard work and money can bring on a material level. Some also say that Taurus’s true ruler is Vulcan, the smithy of the Gods, who could bend steel to his will in his forge – symbolising the Taurean mastery of the material plane. Many an empire builder, architect, sculptor, and style guru has a strong Taurean influence in their chart.

On a physical level, Taurus rules the neck and shoulders of the physical body, as well as the ears, nose and throat. Think again of the bull – how his shoulders and neck are where his strength are and where he pushes into the yoke as he transports enormous loads.  It is also where the matador aims in the bull ring. In medical astrology the body part where we hold our greatest strength is also our most vulnerable. Carrying large loads over an extended period of time can leave one feeling tired and burdened. Old Man Banksia addresses these issues beautifully and also balances the thyroid gland, located in the neck. The thyroid gland regulates our metabolism and Taureans are prone to slowed metabolism and all that implies. Bush Fuchsia is also valuable for its balancing effect on the throat area and the ears.

Isopogon is a very important flower for Taurus, for it addresses stubbornness and controlling tendencies, bringing more flexibility. In mind-body medicine, a rigid mind can ultimately lead to a rigid body, so Isopogon can also be a valuable preventative remedy for arthritis.

Bush Iris is very high on the list of Essences for Taureans who are the earthiest Earth sign and so very grounded and strongly attached to the material plane. The five senses rule supreme and it is the spiritual lesson of Taurus to see beyond this, which is not always easy for them. Bush Iris opens one up to the sixth sense and the world beyond this physical one. Buddha was a Taurean. Born a prince, his life and philosophy embody this lesson.

Bush Iris is also good for balancing greed, avarice, materialism and overindulgence in physical delights – extreme manifestations of an over attachment to the earth plane.

Along with Autumn Leaves, Lichen and Bottlebrush in Transition Essence, Bush Iris helps the Taurean who is so attached to being here they are having difficulty passing over. Transition is equally valuable for Taureans finding it difficult to let go of a dying loved one because they so need their physical presence here.

Storing toxins and heavy metals can also occur in this Sign, which Wild Potato Bush is especially useful for releasing. It can be taken alone or within the Purifying Essence.

For the potential for depression in this phlegmatic sign, Tall Yellow Top is very useful.

For much more on how the Bush Essences can be used to help balance each Sun Sign, see our workshop schedule for when the next Astrology and ABFE workshop will be held near you.

Copyright Linn Wiggins.

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ARIES March 21 – April 20

Each Sun Sign can be roughly equated to a life phase, and Aries is the baby of the zodiac. In the Northern Hemisphere, where western astrology originated, the 21^st March is the Spring Equinox, the official start of the solar year, as Mother Earth stirs from her long wintery sleep. It is a time of new beginnings and new life – green shoots, blossoms, birth. Everything is fresh, shiny and new. There is an air of optimism, renewal and hope – an awareness of all the possibilities contained by this new year, and in the new life that we see all around. Such is also the energy of Aries.

POSITIVE QUALITIES

Fearless, pioneering, honest, energetic, enthusiastic, independent, generous, confident, inspirational, passionate, decisive and idealistic. Natural leaders who get the ball rolling.

NEGATIVE QUALITIES

Impulsive, naïve, arrogant, impatient, bossy, aggressive, violent, bloody minded, extravagant.

If you study ancient Roman mythology you will see these traits embodied in Mars, the God of War, and ruler of Aries. According to Carl Jung, myths are archetypes; stories reflective of actual personality types – their strengths,  weaknesses and challenges, and the way to resolve these. Myths can be viewed as therapeutic stories – stories as medicine.

Equally, the Bush Essences, as medicines for the emotions, can be used to help heal and bring into balance the negative traits of any sun sign, allowing the positive traits to be more easily expressed. For each sign, there are certain flowers that are frequently needed, and these can be viewed as constitution remedies.

Black-Eyed Susan is a very important flower for Aries. It is very useful for rushing, something Aries are renown for, so it helps them to slow down (and smell the roses). Unchecked, this tendency to speediness can become impatience or impulsiveness and can further escalate into frustration, anger and aggression. As the mind goes, energy flows. An imbalance in the thoughts and emotions will ultimately be reflected in the physical body, in a very predictable manner. Physically, rushing can manifest as hyperactivity, clumsiness, stress, burnout, aggression, violence or accidents.  Bolting down one’s food leads to indigestion. Black-Eyed Susan addresses all these issues at a causal level. Antarctic Essence is also very appropriate.

Mountain Devil too, is very high on the list of Essences for fiery Aries. If impatience has progressed into anger, aggression, violence or hatred, Mountain Devil is called for. It is also very good for the Aries tendency to become overly ambitious and overly competitive (they like to win). With fire comes passion, and at times jealousy – which Mountain Devil will also help soothe. In western herbal medicine, anger is held in the spleen; in Chinese Medicine anger is held in the liver. Either way, I have found Mountain Devil very useful for assisting restore health in these organs. In medical astrology, the spleen is ruled by Aries, and is vulnerable under stress, so therefore needs to be especially supported. Mountain Devil supports the spleen energetically, and therefore physically.

Aries natives are at risk of burnout. They have so much natural energy that, like children, they go and go and go and then suddenly they drop. Usually, following a good sleep they awaken refreshed – and off they go again. However, as with the young, Aries can take this enormous vitality for granted, and get into a habit of burning the candle at both ends. They’ll get away with this for quite some time, especially in their youth. Sooner or later though, it will catch up. Down they go in a flaming burnt out heap of squandered energy. Macrocarpa is the flower they need to get back up again (Aries always gets back up again). Better still, give Macrocarpa before they crash and burn (prevention is better than cure). Macrocarpa also brings with it the wisdom to ‘eat when you are hungry, sleep when you are tired’ – to leave something in reserve, to husband your energy well. Macrocarpa is specific for balancing the adrenal glands, another of the vulnerable organs in Aries.

It has to be said that Aries is not naturally the most elegant of signs. Like children, they can be socially inept, gauche and naïve. Kangaroo Paw is very beneficial for helping them develop and grow in this direction. The tendency to rush can bring physical clumsiness no matter what their age. Apart from Black-Eyed Susan to slow down, try some Bush Fuchsia to help improve their physical co-ordination.

Fortunately we have Mulla Mulla to help Aries with their tendency to frequently burn themselves – on the iron, cappacino machine, stovetop, oven, kettle…  you get the idea. Put it on the outside and give it on the inside. Leave a bottle in the kitchen. Aries often have a reddish tinge to their hair, courtesy of their ruling planet Mars. This can bring the temper to match, and a tendency to sunburn. Try Mulla Mulla before, during and after sun exposure.

There are several other Essences that deserve a quick mention – Gymea Lily if they have become bossy or domineering, Isopogon to learn from their mistakes, and Wedding Bush to help them complete their projects (not just start them). And of course Emergency Essence – this enthusiastic, fiery, loyal, adventurous, clumsy trail blazer, with an appetite for life and the exuberance of youth, is going to need it. Oh, and some Calm and Clear + Mountain Devil for when they are driving.

More Information on the Astrology & ABFE workshop

Linn’s Workshop Schedule

Copyright  Linn Wiggins.

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