Header photo by Robert Fuhro
Sun and Moon are in the sign of Sagittarius, the seeker, who remembers that what we see is only a tiny slice of what exists. ‘Reality’ and ‘practicality’ are not meant to be the final judge of our life choices. It is the Sagittarian part of ourselves, which has a vision larger than that which we have been handed by our particular culture. We live in the midst of a vast mystery, and whatever tiny segment we observe is as large as a universe.
Sagittarius reminds us to shine our souls, a process not taught or respected in our culture. The Sabian Symbol for the degree where Sun and Moon meet on Monday is: ‘In the left section of an archaic temple, a lamp burns in a container shaped like a human body.’ If no time is allowed for the process of shedding our light, we begin to flicker and fade no matter how successful we appear. Each soul yearns for the opportunity to shine in her unique manner in our particular body. Each of us, when we live beyond the circumstances of our birth and past history, know where our truth lies, when our way is lit by our soul’s light.
Uranus, the lightening bolt of perception, makes a trine to Sun and Moon. And wherever, Uranus is found, Pluto is connected as well by their enduring square to one another. In this case Pluto makes an inconjunct to sun and Moon, perhaps challenging our perceptions, and demanding we look ever deeper.
Chiron the healer squares the two, and asks if our look within is of benefit to the world at large.
When we can truly feel that our soul’s health and freedom is the source of our peace, we will find the way we can best serve others as well.
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Ruis the Elder is a plant of healing. You can find her easily when she is in bloom, often in wet areas. Each time we go to the depths of darkness, we find the inner light we had thought lost. Elder offers us care and protection from infection. Here is a recipe for elder syrup which I make each fall to keep away winter colds and flues:
Herbalist Terry Anya Hayes:
“As an herbalist, the finest remedy I know for flu is elderberry syrup. It stops many viruses from replicating (including Avian Flu). Sambucol is the pricey, commercially available version, but it is as easy to make your own as to make a pot of soup. Here’s my recipe. Add a few squirts of Echinacea tincture and you’ve further upped your chances against invasion. Raw garlic is a good antiviral also, for those who can take it without upset; elderberry tops everything I know of for flu virus, though.“
Recipe: Elderberry Ginger Syrup
from Herbal Syrups and Remedies © Terry-Anya Hayes 2007
Ingredients
3/4 cup dried elderberries
1 thumb-size chunk of fresh ginger, thinly sliced
1 quart spring water or filtered wate
2 cups honey (preferably raw & unfiltered)
Procedure
Place elderberries, ginger, and water into a non-reactive pan and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and barely simmer until liquid is reduced to half its original volume. This takes time; be patient! Strain out solids, squeezing spent herbs to reclaim as much liquid as possible.Cool strained liquid to lukewarm, measure it, and add an equal amount of honey, stirring until dissolved. Refrigerate syrup in clearly labeled glass bottles. It will stay fresh 6 months or more.
Notes
Elderberry is a food, not a medicine, and is exceptionally high in antioxidants. For support, traditional herbalists suggest that at the first sign of flu adults take 2 teaspoons every 2 hours, and 2 teaspoons 3-4 times per day when symptoms lessen. As a preventive, the recommendation is a tablespoon every morning. Children love elderberry syrup; adjust the amount according to age. DO NOT GIVE products containing honey to infants under 1 year of age.
photo by Bob Fuhro all rights reserved
November Wren
Three thirty– afternoon
of dark and light November,
the voice of the wren
lifts me from my book
to turn and kneel
before the window’s shining altar.
In the pear tree, just outside,
a tiny messenger,
no bigger than a baby’s fist,
leaps like a beating heart,
her tail, a lever
of sweet uncounted notes,
her throat a channel
for the sound of liquid silver.
She dances to keep her place secure
wedged within the crotch
of the dark branch,
a tiny burst of voice
who sings of interruption,
the piping hymn to the god
who arrives unbidden
in smiling silence, spirit insistent,
a star’s spark in silver twilight.
Wren is the voice of initiation,
and where she leads
beyond the pear tree,
is land uncharted.
She is the last pear left
upon the winter tree,
where next May
a tower of white blossom
will celebrate her visit
from the world of song.
November 29, 2008 Sarah Fuhro
Keeping our Ancient Wisdom Alive
The Wisdom Tradition evolved over the centuries to address our deepest human needs. Sarah Fuhro is a practitioner of its many forms; including Astrology, Tarot, Flower Essences and Druidry. In addition to personal consultations, Sarah teaches workshops and private classes, offering both clients and students knowledge powerfully rooted in the past, presented in the language of the present. To learn more, please visit www.sarahfuhro.com.
