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If you read
the fairy tale of Sleeping Beauty as a child, you will remember that she
drank from a potion made by an evil witch that caused her to fall into
a deep sleep for many long years. Finally, the handsome prince came and
kissed her on the lips, restoring her from her long slumber.
Fairy tales
are replete with images of a hero or heroine going through a difficult
and harrowing experience and then finally emerging victorious over the
forces of darkness. In astrology, Pluto signifies these transformative
processes in our own lives. Though we may not need to slay dragons or
battle monsters, we can go through hard times in our lives when life gets
very difficult. These stressful times can affect our physical health and
can leave us feeling depleted, fatigued and depressed.
In my earlier
article on Pluto
and the psyche, I described activities that would help to explore
and understand the meaning behind these difficult experiences. In this
article, I will describe ways of working with nutrition and herbs to reduce
the stress that goes along with “Plutonic” transformations. In medical
astrology, Pluto is linked to the reproductive, sexual and eliminative
functions of the body. If Pluto or Scorpio (the sign it rules) is highly
accented in your chart,* then these areas of the body may be vulnerable
from time to time. The nutritional and herbal advice I give will address
concerns in these areas as well.
Diet in Times of Metamorphosis
What we eat
and how we eat our food is especially important in times of transition
and stress. If possible, it is helpful to clear the mind of stress and
worry when sitting down to a meal. Taking a few minutes before eating
to meditate, breathe a little slower and give thanks for the blessings
in life can be supremely beneficial for helping to digest food properly.
When making
a meal, avoid consuming an excessive amount of foods that are clogging
or tend to stagnate, like dairy products, fried food and red meats. When
we are stressed out, it is more difficult to assimilate foods like these,
and they can have an adverse affect on our health. Stagnating foods lead
to stuck and frustrated emotions, and it can become more difficult to
process and release stress from the body. Also, if a meal is eaten too
quickly, larger particles of food arrive in the digestive tract, and valuable
energy is used up in breaking down the food. This can also lead to fatigue
and indigestion.
Rejuvenate
With Blue-Green Algae
To help strengthen
the body to adapt to stressful situations, it is helpful to avoid processed
foods that leave toxic residue in the liver and kidneys. It is also helpful
to supplement the diet with certain beneficial nutrients.
One of the
most powerful sources of nutrients and minerals comes from micro-algae
such as spirulina and chlorella. These green food products are high in
chlorophyll, which has the power to purify, quell inflammations and rejuvenate
the body. In general, spirulina is highly nourishing and strengthening
to the system and will help restore the body in times of stress and disease.
Chlorella
is especially cleansing and will help to remove toxins such as heavy metals
and pesticides from the body. Chlorella is gentler in its affect than
spirulina and is more helpful for those who are very deficient and weak.
Like spirulina, chlorella is tremendously nourishing and regenerative.
By taking these supplements, stress can be reduced and the digestive and
eliminative functions are strengthened.
The
Healing Power of Herbs
Along with
eating a healthy diet supplemented with strengthening nutrients, it can
be very helpful to take some herbs when Pluto’s affect is strong in your
life. Herbs increase the natural self-healing power of the body. These
herbs can be taken in tea or tincture form.
Ginseng
and astragalus: These roots have
long been known in China for their strengthening and rejuvenating properties.
Known as adaptogens, these herbs help us to adapt to stress. When there
is depletion and fatigue due to stress, ginseng and astragalus help to
balance and enliven the body and prevent illness. Both these herbs help
strengthen the digestive and eliminative functions, as well as reduce
inflammations such as ulcers and sores that develop from stress.
Raspberry
leaf and dong quai: These herbs
are known for being supremely nourishing and tonifying for the female
reproductive system. Both help to regulate the menstrual cycle as well
as reduce the pain from cramps during labor. Dong quai is also known for
being a blood purifier and helps to detoxify the body of pollutants.
Cascara
and senna: Stress can sometimes
lead to constipation in the eliminative system. These herbs are profoundly
effective at bringing on a laxative effect as they stimulate the peristaltic
movements in the intestines. Both are also tonifying and nourishing to
that part of the body as well. Avoid prolonged use of these herbs as they
can be depleting over time.
Conclusion
Though Pluto
has only been known for about 70 years, astrologers quickly linked this
small planet with the process of intense emotional transformation. Though
we may tend to avoid these types of experiences, valuable insight and
meaning can be garnered from them which help us to become more whole and
complete people.
During these
times of stressful transition, it can be helpful to take nutritional and
herbal supplements to ease the difficulty of transformation. By maintaining
health and clarity, the deeper meaning of the process can then become
more transparent. By taking the twin approaches of both diving into the
experience in an effort to understand it, as well as strengthening one’s
health in order to avoid the extremes of Pluto’s effect, one can develop
a relationship with this planet that is positive and beneficial. Good
health to you!
Notes
*A
chart is said to be strongly influenced by Pluto if it has one or more
of the following factors: 1) The Sun, Moon or a group of planets in the
sign Scorpio; 2) several planets in the Eighth House, which is associated
with Scorpio and Pluto; 3) The planet Pluto “angular” in their charts,
meaning close to the cusp of the First, Fourth, Seventh or Tenth House
or 4) Pluto in a significant planetary configuration (conjunction, trine,
square or opposition) with the Sun, Moon or other planets.
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