Caring for the body with Capricorn: Our 10th Earth Season
Welcome to Capricorn Season! The 10th Season of our year begins with the Winter Solstice, when our Sun enters the sign of Capricorn, and the winter season officially starts. To give context before we dive in: our aim here is to learn about the zodiac seasons in relation to the human body and how the cyclical/circular rhythm of the 12 zodiac signs is interconnected with the 12 seasons of Earth, the 12 divisions (months) of each annual year and the 12 processes and parts of the human body and form. From this lens, the zodiac signs and planetary bodies can be seen and experienced as celestial guides from above that have something to teach us about how to care for and nourish ourselves naturally and holistically as we revolve and spiral around and around together here on Earth.
Throughout each year, we are given guidance from the zodiac about which parts of the human body are emphasized and worth paying a little more attention to, while also being taught how to care for and tend to the part of our health/body that is most sensitized during that specific season using natural methods and tools such as: movement, sound, herbs/diet, lifestyle practices and different types of body/energy work. In these seasonal posts, I will be sharing about the zodiac season and the natural health tools I most love to use to explore them, the Earth season we are in, and the way our human bodies work in cycle with these greater cycles.
There will be videos (eventually), health information information and suggestions and creative expressions given each zodiac season for you to enjoy, learn about and try as you experience Nature's energies in your own way, body, health and life.
I hope this exploration will open, for each of us, an individual experience into how we can uniquely live more in rhythm, in cycle, in circle and in pulse with the natural world around us – loving ourselves, each other and loving the world around us as One. To me, this is a form of rebellion and resistance against the current in place death systems and structures that aim to distort and destroy our relationship to our health, body, Life, Nature, Creative Essence and with God.
If we immerse ourselves into this cyclical and circular rhythm and blueprint that Nature and the Cosmos offers us, we will find that we are able to care for ourselves in a true holistic, circular and cyclical method...we can begin to flow with Nature instead of against Her. By following this rhythm through an entire yearly cycle, we will have arrived at the end and taken note of, interacted with, replenished and nourished each part of our body and our health. We will have tended and nourished our form in wholeness while nourishing and tending to our connection with the All through the recognition of these pulses and changes both within the body and externally in the world and seasons around us, year after year.
This is just one of Nature and Spirits many gifts to us.
We can begin to learn more about the winter season, by learning about the sign of Capricorn - which rules the beginning of the 3 energies that make up the Winter season in whole: Capricorn, Aquarius and Pisces season.
CAPRICORN ENERGETICS and ELEMENT:
CAPRICORN IS CONSIDERED "CARDINAL" ENERGY - Cardinal energy is "initiating" - as in: the energy begins the season of winter. Cardinal energy gives the strength of initiation and ability to take the first leap of a new journey, change or creative path.
CAPRICORN IS CONSIDERED AN "EARTH" ELEMENT (the 4 elements used in astrological medicine are: Fire, Water, Earth and Air) - Capricorn is an earth element sign that can be imaged in the mind as massive granite stone or the intensity and awe of gazing at a snow covered mountain. The Earth Element is known to be warming, heavy, drying and has to do with the building of structure, the holding of minerals/energy, and stamina/endurance
CAPRICORN IS RULED BY THE PLANET SATURN - Saturn gives off a "blue ray" and creates the cold, restricting, disciplining, astringent, focused (sometimes lonely/depressing), gritty and hard working energy and nature attributed to this time of year and the season of Winter.
In medical astrology, Capricorn rules and emphasizes the foundations that build and hold the body together. This sign rules discipline and structure and gives the spirit an earthly form with which to create, ascend and evolve with throughout the lifetime.
CAPRICORN PHYSICAL BODY RULERSHIPS:
These parts of the body are sensitized during this season and call for our love, attention and nourishment. If, individually, we discover any health imbalances or health concerns in these body parts/processes through the season, it means it is simply a time to make a deeper care plan or seek further guidance and assistance with care.
>The Bones (the foundation, structure and "Earth" of the body)
>The Teeth (in general)
>The Ligaments, Fascia & Connective Tissue (partial rulership)
>Joints (***Specifically, the Knees!)
>Shares influence over the skin and gallbladder health
MOVEMENT AND EXERCISE CONSIDERATIONS FOR CAPRICORN SEASON:
In upcoming posts - I'll be sharing movement flows in video format with you all that focus on the the parts/processes of the body that we are focused on during these 30 day seasons. For now, this will do:
In your workouts this season - special emphasis should be placed on the health of your joints (the knees especially) and the fascia/connective tissue. Spend extra time warming up with rotational movements (for example: hip 90/90' rotations, spinal rotations/twists) of the major joints of the body: the shoulder, wrists, spine, hip, knee, ankles. Rotations bring "food" to the joints and nourish/moisturize them during a season where they can become dry and irritated.
CONSIDER: The sauna (get warm to balance the cold!), mineral clay/detox baths for recovery, Foam rolling, rebounding, high impact exercise / resistance training (critical for bone health and regeneration), hiking / incline training / endurance training sessions that take you to your edge or even a bit past it (channel the energy of the Mountain Goat).
Capricorn and Saturn's energy demand discipline and that we each take incredible responsibility for ourselves, our goals, our ideas, our health and our power (and how we would like to use it). Get focused, set movement/meditation/health/training goals and stick to them. Discipline your desires and delay instant gratifications. There is pleasure and power to be found in observing your "longings" and not indulging in them. When you feel an itch, can you channel the energy toward a project, a training session, a meditation etc? This is how we learn to use energy, instead of getting used by it.
SOUNDS OF CAPRICORN PLAYLIST :
Mac Miller (who had a stellium in Capricorn) and Billie Eilish (who has her Mercury placement in Capricorn) are emphasized here. FKA Twigs is also a Capricorn Sun and her album "CAPRISONGS" can be a fun listen. The "sound" of Capricorn can be heard and explored in these artists. The Saturnian nature of this sign comes through in their music and it gives the sound of self-awareness, grit, longing, a certain expression of pain/loneliness/power that touches us beyond the words being said. Saturn teaches us the path of longing, difficult/challenging experience, and disciplining our desires as the path to true power, self awareness and evolution.
* Enjoy this playlist, or if not your style, create your own. Whatever you enjoy listening to this time of year will teach you about how you uniquely experience this season and your own personal preferences, moods and energy during this time of year.
HERBAL CONSIDERATIONS FOR CAPRICORN SEASON BODY & BEAUTY CARE: PEARL <3
I really love incorporating pearls this time of year. Pearl is a medicine of the moon and the sign of Cancer. Cancer is Capricorn's opposite and offers balance and harmony to the tendencies of Capricorn energy and so we can look to the nourishing, fertile and watery energy of Cancer for remedies to balance and beautify the body during this drying earth season.
Pearl can be worn as jewelry, applied to the body externally (a great medicine to heal the eyes when mixed with castor oil :)), or can be taken internally as PEARL POWDER. Pearl is known to be a beauty and anti-aging tonic for the skin. It is rich in trace minerals, natural calcium, and signals the body to stimulate collagen and regenerate and renew the skin, joints and connective tissues. Perfect for Capricorn Season.
I recommend Crucial Four's pearl powder if you are looking for a source.
***Please take radical responsibility for yourself when considering whether the incorporation of herbs/supplements into your life is right for you. Do your own research, talk with and consult your health practitioner if you have health projects, conditions or take other supplements or medications that should be considered before starting something new. I almost never support the use of many different herbs, vitamins and supplements at one time as I feel it can confuse the nervous system and body.
DIETARY CONSIDERATIONS:
With the focus on the bones, connective tissue, joints, skin and teeth, 'tis the season to incorporate warm, mineral dense and easy to digest foods to nurture the body.
Consider incorporating bone broths, seaweed broths, soups, stews, slow-cooked meats, bone marrow and warming spices into your weekly routine. Taking an herbal bitters tincture or digestive enzymes before meals can support warming of the digestion to allow for proper digestion and absorption while improving and nourishing the liver/gallbladder and reducing tendencies to bloating, constipation or feelings of slow/cold digestion. Limit the drinking/eating of raw, cold foods.
To end, I'll share one of my very favorite poems (of all time) that I feel conveys the energy of this season well and has been a balancing and grounding guide in my own life:
"Longing is the core of mystery.
Longing itself brings the cure.
The only rule is, suffer the pain.
Your desire must be disciplined, and what you want to happen in time, sacrificed."
-Rumi
I hope you've found something useful and interesting here - please let me know if you have any questions or comments!
In Joy,
Jaz