Chapter II Astro-nutrition series: An initiatory guide on the wisdom & nutrition of Libra & kidney season βοΈοΈ
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 Iβve 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. 1484β1486) 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 β 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.
The idea of 'homeo-dynamus' as a potential adjustment to the well known bio medical use of the term 'homeostasis'.
Homeostasis is considered the process of maintaining a stable state, an "ideal state" within the body..re: blood sugar, body temperature and so on even throughout changes of internal and external environments ..Although this is helpful to attune to, to a degree ~ certain markers that suggest "good health" can be very helpful at times. Moreover, the word 'stasis' translates to static and I believe Libra can help us reframe this a little..
stasis (n.) The general sense of "immobility, stagnation" "standing still," means a tendency toward stability among interdependent elements.
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 this felt sense of stability..however, seeing through the eyes of Libra, the scales are always subject to movement, to flow & flux, to alteration to adjustment..to the artistry of spontaneous improvisation; like the moving waters of a rushing river.. it may seem like the same river if you were to revisit again and again ~ yet .. it is not somehow. That water is ever flowing..just like our experiences, thoughts, and the world itself is in a constant state of micro-macro-movement.
What I am trying to say is that particularly this term homeostasis, kind of grates on me a little because it suggests a need to consistently strive for an optimal state of being. It feels ridged and quite frankly unattainable. We are dynamic beings, and true balance is not static. Giving ourselves the permission to soften our grip, release the pressure to uphold unnatural, fixed states of being and to keep adjusting accordingly feels a lot more wholistic, gracious and beneficial to the health of our hue-man experience.
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.'
βDo not swear by the moon, for she changes constantly. then your love would also change.β
β 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 Relationship, Libra & Venus teach the art of relating, of listening deeply, and 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.
What small adjustments can I make today to move closer to a felt sense of inner equilibrium?
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 awareness in all directions.
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".
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 our ancient remembering.
Psycho-spiritually, the kidneys are the seat of instinctual power, knowing and aligned will β 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 doesnβt 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, take a moment to connect in with your kidney's energy - maybe ask them, is there any constriction or tension that requires some attention/adjustment.. ask them if they need anything specific and listen to see if something arrises from the subconscious ~ possibly an image, a word or phrase..
Some simple suggestions below as a reminder that cultivating ritual doesn't need to be Xtra or overly time consuming..
THE LIBRAN KITCHEN ::
Food, Drink & Herbs ~Warmth is essential: The Kidneys dislike cold & thrive on foods that warm, moisten, nourish, and restore..
In Libra's kitchen the air is clear yet warm with the sweet scent of Lavender and cooked berries .. soft Autumnal jazz plays from the radio in the corner of the kitchen whilst tea lights glow and flicker casting tiny shadows of moons and stars in the centre of the table..
Golden leaves continue to blow over the ground and through the air outside the window, a blanket of nourishment and warmth for the land. The air is feeling colder now and the desire for warmth and cosiness is beginning to be all that you crave..
A broth is simmering gently on the stove, there is Nettle leaf, Jujube dates, Goji berries, Bay Laurel, Burdock and Angelica root. As you wait patiently for it to bubble and steam, a black tahini latte is calling for you to indulge in and sip slowly with a good book on your lap..
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, they can help 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 ventral vagus response (feelings of safety and connection).
Red Clover (Trifolium pratense)
Nutritive and moistening, Red Clover supports hormone balance, metabolism, and restoration. They are especially linked with estrogen, gently aiding in the harmonising of the feminine cycle.
Ashwagandha Root (Withania somnifera)
Ashwagandha is adaptogenic also, working to root, regulate, and balance energy. Particularly suited for the βtired but wiredβ type, this plant spirit can help smooth out extremes, restoring grounded vitality.
Wild Rose (Rosa)
Rose, in all their divinity, is an embodiment of Venus. Moistening, nutritive, and profoundly nurturing, they support the physical and energetic heart, tending the inner waters with gentleness and unconditional Love.
Burdock Root (Arctium lappa)
A potent bitter tonic for processing and metabolising ~ not just food and fats, but also nutrients, hormones, toxins and even βlifeβ itself. Burdock can help the body integrate what calls to be digested and
flow like a river with its moistening energetics..particularly helpful for dry, clogged pathways that call for release.
Lavender: (Lavandula angustifolia)
Here to soften & soothe any tension & to coax & conjure a deep surrendering and forgiveness for 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 this plant symbolises the rebirth of Joy, they are a glimmer of hope one may look for when feeling run down or unsure about next steps, or the world.
They give 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.
They are one of the most divinely fragrant plants I've ever known..the scent is all encompassing in their sweetness, 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 post has brought you something you resonate with. Maybe an insight gathered no matter how small you can carry closely as talisman as we walk through this seasonal shift and beyond.
I hope it to be a companion in honouring your flow & recognising your uniqueness in your body, your beauty, your truth & discernment in a world that often feels loud, unjust, and deeply imbalanced.
Journey well & thankyou for being here x
Giorgia Lamola Glenville
