Chapter II Astro-nutrition series: An initiatory guide on the wisdom & nutrition of Libra & kidney season ♎︎︎
In light of the coming Libra Sun and the shifting initiatory tides of season once again, I feel called to share another piece in this astro-nutrition series.
The information I’ve woven together here is gathered predominantly from teachers in the realms of Medical & Evolutionary Astrology and Evolutionary herbalism, with whom I personally resonate.. I intend to offer a somewhat snapshot of this huge body of study & philosophy, as a companion for this time. An invitation in possibility of restoring a sense of equilibrium within, a looking glass into the nourishment & enrichment through the beauty of opposites, &/or to honour the quiet ways harmony can be cultivated in & through body, heart, home, spirit and kitchen.
(This is symbolic guidance, not replacement for medical advice)
Let's take a journey back three thousand years ago, to the bustling streets of the market in old Damascus. A merchant carefully parses out gold dust on a platform balance, letting it find a point of equilibrium with a measured lead weight..
Lead & gold: that is Libra." - The Book of Air by Steven Forrest
"Here is our elemental Libran principle in three words, all based on balancing lead & gold: "equality between opposites."
Planetary Rulership :: VENUS
The Birth of Venus (c. 1484–1486) by the Italian artist Sandro Botticelli
Libra (along with Taurus) is ruled by the ancient & mythic Roman "Goddess of Love", Venus.
In a popular sense, Libran & Venusian energy can be described as a dance of balance, divine harmonics, and the art of relationship- with self, with others, and of course, beauty, in all her wondrous forms, flairs & aesthetic sensitivities~ The epitome of the divine feminine principle - The Holy Yin.
On one hand, this sign is symbolised in imagery by the antique tipping scales of truth..(We may find it interesting that Libra is the only sign represented symbolically by an inanimate object and not a natural form)..Whilst on the other hand, most interestingly, through this 7th sign of the zodiac- we invoke the mysterious realm of paradox into play- a realm where opposites converge, where balances are struck or where two truths might perceive each other, as lies.
"Yin and Yang must find a way to live in peace with each other."
Yin holds Yang as Yang holds Yin — a dance of duality in relationship, always in motion. No matter our sex or pronouns, we each carry both within us, in constant dialogue. The practice is in learning to see through both lenses, honouring their flux, and the balance they create together.
May I invite a potentially controversial pondering inspired by something that was touched on by a teacher of mine when speaking into Libra..
The idea of 'homeo-dynamus' over the well known bio medical term, 'homeostasis'
Homeostasis being the process of maintaining a stable state (ie: "ideal state" within the body..re: blood sugar, temperature and so on..Although this is helpful to attune to, the word 'stasis' does translate to static.
stasis (n.) The general sense of "immobility, stagnation" "standing still," means a tendency toward stability among interdependent elements ~a maintaining of <internal balance>
A sense of stability is definitely beneficial within our lives.. It helps us feel grounded, connected & safe. I'm not suggesting we move away from a cultivation of feeling stable/safe ..however,
Seeing this through the eyes of Libra, the scales are always subject to movement, to flow & flux, to alteration to adjustment..to the artistry of improvisation; like the moving waters of a river.. it may seem like the same river if you were to revisit it again and again~yet .. it is not; our experiences, thoughts, and the world itself are in a constant state of flux. It's about not staying the same, it feels more about softening our grip and releasing some pressure to uphold unnatural, fixed states of being.
I'll leave that one with you..
Heraclitus: 'You could not step twice into the same rivers; for other waters are ever flowing on to you.'
“Do not swear by the moon, for she changes constantly. then your love would also change.”
― William Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet
As a cardinal air sign, Libra and the Libra person, are initiators. (as are the other cardinal signs of the zodiac: Aries & Capricorn)
They are natural leaders~ Keepers of thresholds, beginners of seasons, they tend to lean into life & push for new experiences, new relationships, new conversations, new truths to uncover and weigh in..
As ruler of the 7th house of partnership & marriage, Libra & Venus teach the art of relating, of listening deeply, and of seeing ourselves reflected in those around us, both human & non human.
A quick reminder before we continue: You know your own body & life circumstances, I don't. so please do your own research alongside what I'm sharing, check in with yourself, take what resonates, leave the rest. <3
THE MIND::
Exploring Libra through the Thoth tarot deck:
I've chosen to further explore and move deeper into my study of the tarot, and a deck that very much draws my curiosity time and time again is Alistair Crowley's Thoth deck. (seen below)
My teacher Sajah uses these cards as reference to the zodiacal signs in his Botanical Constellations course which is a module in my Alchemical Herbalism program.. In the realm of the occult & magickal, it is not something new to correlate different bodies of work and find their inter-woven corresponding symbolism ..
I've chosen only to share the 3 cards below in relation to Libra however, there are others.. I enjoy sets of 3 so these were my pick.
Tarot cards linked with Libra from the Thoth deck by Alistair Crowley. Together, they paint Libra’s medicine as the pursuit of harmony in both the personal and cosmic sense: from fleeting inner peace, to relational truce, to the universal call toward justice and equilibrium.
Two of Swords – Peace (Moon in Libra)
"In the Thoth deck, the Two of Swords also known as the Lord of Peace brings a serene balance to the often turbulent realm of Air, ruled by Chokmah (wisdom) on the Tree of Life. A blue rose at the centre, radiant with white rays, unites two crossed swords, symbolising a fragile yet potent peace held in equilibrium"
Contemplation prompts:
- What truths may I be avoiding because they feel uncomfortable or potentially disruptive?
- How do I recognise when I am truly at peace with a situation, versus when I am merely pausing to avoid conflict?
Four of Swords – Truce (Jupiter in Libra)
"The Four of Swords is titled Truce, a symbol of temporary mental calm, the stillness after strain. Swords form a structured cross, crowned by a rose with 49 petals, offering social harmony and inner refuge. Jupiter in Libra brings benevolence to this space, encouraging a thoughtful pause"
Contemplation prompts:
- Where do I need a deliberate pause mentally, emotionally, or socially to regain clarity as I move forward?
- What practices or rituals help me feel restored and mentally spacious?
Adjustment (Libra – ruled by Venus, with Saturn’s discipline in the mix)
"In the Thoth deck, Adjustment is the embodiment of Libra itself, the scales of balance, truth, and cosmic order. The figure is poised in perfect equilibrium, holding the sword of discernment upright, reflecting the clarity and precision needed to cut through illusion. It’s about alignment with self, with universal law, with the harmony that arises when every part of us is in right proportion- the equality between opposites. Crowley called this the card of “constant motion yet perfect balance,” reminding us that balance is not static but a living, breathing act of continual adjustment."
Contemplation prompts:
- Which decisions or areas of my life require honest evaluation to ensure I’m acting in alignment with my values, my truth?
- Where am I holding on to illusions of truth, outdated habits, or unhelpful patterns, and how can I begin to release them?
- What small adjustments can I make today to move closer to beauty, clarity, equilibrium, and intentional action?
- Where or what can I immerse myself & my senses in to trigger the release of accumulated tension within?
THE BODY::
Libra predominantly is attributed to the kidney realm, the delicate organs of the water element that filter not only the fluids of the body (blood) but also the subtler waters of our emotions, most especially, fear (TCM). They are also the organs of discernment & truth.
Libra is also linked with parts of a woman's fertility (through Venus). Venus also has ties to the lymphatic system (inner waters), the throat (thyroid), the ever in flow scales of hormones, as well as the ears -the 5 senses are Venusian territory -How we take in the world, how we receive (yin) & process.
If we look carefully, we can start to see a pattern within Libra and the body..pairs in dual opposition (pairs & duality are also attributed to the sign Gemini as the sign of the twins although in a different way)
It can get a little complex & complicated with the many layers and over laps..stay with me..
We're focusing on the Libran scales of balance here, and the realm of our kidneys as north star this season...however, we can't overlook this clear nod to the relational patterns within. After all, Libra governs the realm of partnership & collaboration! Everything being in communicative (air) unison, working together as intrinsic collaborators within the whole.
A personal story:
The kidneys have become my achilles heal in this life. Since I was 12 years old, I have been challenged by chronic kidney related illness & pain..this 'mysteriously' manifested literally over night, interestingly, the exact evening that I challenged my spiritual beliefs of "God" to my mother after my devote catholic grandmother had had a traumatic accident that day..I was confused as to why a woman so devoted to this kind and life giving 'man in the sky' would be hurt in this way. Something felt amiss. The memory of this initiatory experience has forever been with me. It was the beginning of 'something', & for years now, I've striven to inner-stand the mystery of my spirituality, this chronic pattern in relation to the whole..It is the unravelling & often painful journey with my kidneys that has led me deeper into my sense of passion & purpose guiding me to where I am today. I've realised that it is true (for me) that our pains can lead us..that it's through our cracks where the light can shine through, offering us a hand into expanded being/awareness.
An important thing I've learned (often the hard way) is that Kidneys are highly sensitive organs in their magnitude of ancient power and purpose.. they are drastically depleted by the cold, overwork, over-effort, and the relentless pace and energy of the excessive push! And yet, this very pattern of depletion is so often mistaken in our culture as success or worthiness. ~ we are often groomed from a young age into revering the go go go hustle culture over slow slow slow.
"Can you make space for even the slightest adjustment into moving a little slower?!" -asks the kidneys
Our kidneys call for gentleness, warmth, and steadiness. When they are taxed and depleted, we may feel it as: fatigue (adrenal/thyroid related), forgetfulness, lack of drive, addictive patterns, harsh judgements may surface, back pain, menstrual cycle disturbances, insomnia, sore knees, frequent urination, night sweats, despair, or a deep existential fear (of the future)
As an extra note, through a German New Medicine lens & language, a "biological conflict" linked to the kidneys is the "feeling like a fish out of water, conflict".
With the Ocean/water being the primordial origin and home of all living organisms..there's a kind of cosmic memory held in the waters within~ as blood is linked to memory. Through this lens, we could see the potential fertility for existential fears to seed or rise from this realm of the body, linked with lineage and ancestry as through a Traditional Chinese Medicine view, Kidneys are the keepers of our ancestral Qi, holders of ancient remembering.
Psycho-spiritually, the kidneys are the seat of instinctual power, knowing and aligned will — they give us the courage to manifest, to trust life, to surrender our false sense of control or 'stasis' and exhale into the flow & flux of the Dao.
When kidney Qi is strong, the body radiates from its root and sacral centres, carrying ancestral vitality through the whole lineage of our being.
The medicine lies in befriending our fear, to stop resisting it! Pause and then follow the wisdom..breathe.
"surrender doesn’t mean detachment or blind acceptance. It means holding the full spectrum of your experience - grief, confusion, fear - without abandoning yourself. Without numbing or escaping. Without making yourself wrong." - Lily Ashwell & Blu of Earth
If you are fluent in reading your natal chart and you wish to look deeper through an astro-medical lens:: If we <sense> there are kidney related signs and symptoms surfacing, we may look to these 3 parts of our natal chart as indicators & as guidance into potential predispositions or tensions between other planets & signs:
- Where is Venus within our chart (what sign/house) ?
- Where is Libra within our chart? (what house)
- What's happening within (planets), and aspected to the 7th house?
To get to know Libra even better we can look to her axis partner, her opposite sign Aries.. Aries embodies the energy of immediacy..striving, the chase, the burning desire & inspired go go go.. the spark that awakens & initiates the sacred fire, as Libra simultaneously initiates a deep listening, taking in the wisdom of her surroundings, the whispers of her ancestors and contemplating the truths & tellings of this world.
RITUALS::
In the morning, connect with the kidney energy - ask if theres any constriction or tension that needs to be released?
THE KITCHEN ::
Food, Drink & Herbs ~Warmth is essential: The Kidneys dislike cold & thrive on foods that warm, moisten, nourish, and restore..
HERBAL ALLIES:
Nettle Leaf & Seed (Urtica dioica)
Nettle is a paradox — both warming and cooling — and rich with vitamins, minerals, and even protein. As a diuretic, she helps clear fluids and keep the waters moving. Nettle seeds are powerful in their adaptogenic support of the adrenal glands (which sit right on top of the kidneys). They encourage balanced energy, regulate stress hormones like cortisol, and bring resilience to our fight-or-flight response.
Red Clover (Trifolium pratense)
Nutritive and moistening, Red Clover supports hormone balance, metabolism, and restoration. She is especially linked with estrogen, gently aiding in the harmonizing of feminine cycles.
Ashwagandha Root (Withania somnifera)
Ashwagandha is adaptogenic also, working to root, regulate, and balance energy. Particularly suited for the “tired but wired” type, it helps smooth out extremes, restoring grounded vitality.
Wild Rose (Rosa)
Rose, in all her divinity, is the embodiment of Venus herself. Moistening, nutritive, and profoundly nurturing, she supports the physical and energetic heart, tending the inner waters with gentleness and love.
Burdock Root (Arctium lappa)
A humble but potent ally for processing and metabolising — not just food and fats, but also nutrients, hormones, and even “life” itself. Burdock helps the body integrate and flow.
Lavender: (Lavandula angustifolia)
She is here to soften & soothe any tension & to coax & conjure a deep surrendering to what is.
A final BONUS herb I'd love to add here at the end of this post as a lesser known medicine & a personal favourite is:
Pink Currant Flower (Ribes sanguineum)
For me she symbolises the rebirth of Joy, she is the glimmer of hope one may look for when feeling run down or unsure about next steps, or the world.
She gives a tender push into aligning with becoming the Alchemist of our experience, our emotions; & a loving whisper to follow the <scent> of our self worth toward what truly brings us into states of peaceful, all encompassing, simplistic sensations of joy & inner equilibrium.
She is one of the most divinely fragrant plants I've ever known..her scent is all encompassing in her sweetness, she is an in-bodiment of Libran qualities in my eyes - one of the first blooms of Spring to look out for after a cold, long & wet winter in the UK - a bright pink breath of fresh joyous air.
I hope this blog post has shared something you can resonate with, can take with you as talisman as we walk through this next seasonal shift together, I hope it to be a companion in finding your flow & recognising your uniqueness, your body, your beauty, your truth & discernment in a world that can easily feel loud, unjust, imbalanced~ everything all at once.
Journey well & thankyou for being here x
Giorgia Lamola Glenville
