I celebrated Mabon by switching to my oracle deck for that cycle. And am leaning into the colors orange and yellow (mums, tiny pumpkin, crystals). I love this time of year. It's not quite time for fresh cider.... but close! I'm off to open the workbook.
Susan, there is so much good information in this Libra Growing Green post! Thank you, thank you! I am in agreement with it at every turn! My Monday is quite full of must do chores, but I am looking forward to opening the work book later today.
On a side note, everything that is said towards the last of the post about there being more to plants than is generally thought of, or spoke of, rings very true to me. When one can observe an area undisturbed by man or one of nature's fits of upheaval, even an untrained eye like mine will see the 'choosing' of certain locations by various plants. Initially one may think it is just the best soil and light for that type of plant to thrive in, but over time other things reveal themselves. The insects and critters and other plants and fungi that it seems to 'want' to be near. As much as I appreciate what we know of eco-systems, this is something more which relatively few humans seem to have glimpsed. Luckily, though who knows if it is in time to save these treasures, with todays technology people are documenting and sharing what they do observe. I am glad to see that.
Sandy, thank you. If you have suggestions for the workbook, please do share.
There is so much interesting research these days into plants within their ecological communities--and an increasing awareness of how much damage humans have caused to the long-stable plant communities. I agree that the research and the new practices offer hope. I recently found this, for instance https://www.kosu.org/2024-09-23/prairie-strips-soil-water-wildlife. Just hope it's not too little, too late.
Thank you for the link to that very encouraging story! I will be passing it on. May be tomorrow before I get back to the work book. But I am still looking forward to it…. with visions of native plants being encouraged!
Such a life affirming post! I can feel the lush wholesomeness of the Libra garden between the lines of your descriptions. My hope is that our country and culture will begin to harmonize this season in the zodiac sign of Libra ♎. Libra on the rise!
Thank you, Kate. This archetypes of the zodiac give us so much to work with, whatever materials we choose to work with. But for us, now, at this crucial time in the planet's history, the environment (plants, gardens, wildscapes) is something we can all agree is important. Hope that's not too abstract. I'm feeling my way through new territory here.
Your post today is wonderful! I'm amazed and delighted to see you lean towards your "Ruby" side of mystery and knowing, drawing from the older traditions to inspire and—possibly anchor us in these critical times.
I've been eagerly awaiting this and preparing by reading Alice Bell's Libra report and checking in with Maria Luz's astro page. I'm getting ready to dig into my final (!) line editing of my manuscript and start formatting it for self-publishing, which is a huge, ambitious undertaking for me. I've already printed out both the Growing Green with the Zodiac and the workbook for Libra so I plan to read them during my breaks and in the evening. Oh, I can hardly wait!!!🍀💚
You mentioned Michael Pollan’s book The Botany of Desire in your column today. I also would recommend to you and others The Light Eaters by Zoë Schlanger. The discoveries being made about plants by scientists these days are mind-boggling. As one description states: “In recent years, scientists have learned about their ability to communicate, recognize their kin and behave socially, hear sounds, morph their bodies to blend into their surroundings, store useful memories that inform their life cycle, and trick animals into behaving to their benefit, to name just a few remarkable talents.”
Thanks, Carol. I agree, wonderful book, especially for the skillful way Schlanger traces the paradigm shift. I said: "Satisfy Virgo’s yen for outstanding science reporting. Read The Light Eaters: How the Unseen World of Plant Intelligence Offers a New Understanding of Life on Earth, by Zoë Schlanger. You’ll be amazed. I was." https://susanwittigalbert.substack.com/p/growing-green-with-the-zodiac
But it certainly wouldn't have hurt to list it again. And the book is worth another careful re-read!
I celebrated Mabon by switching to my oracle deck for that cycle. And am leaning into the colors orange and yellow (mums, tiny pumpkin, crystals). I love this time of year. It's not quite time for fresh cider.... but close! I'm off to open the workbook.
Susan, there is so much good information in this Libra Growing Green post! Thank you, thank you! I am in agreement with it at every turn! My Monday is quite full of must do chores, but I am looking forward to opening the work book later today.
On a side note, everything that is said towards the last of the post about there being more to plants than is generally thought of, or spoke of, rings very true to me. When one can observe an area undisturbed by man or one of nature's fits of upheaval, even an untrained eye like mine will see the 'choosing' of certain locations by various plants. Initially one may think it is just the best soil and light for that type of plant to thrive in, but over time other things reveal themselves. The insects and critters and other plants and fungi that it seems to 'want' to be near. As much as I appreciate what we know of eco-systems, this is something more which relatively few humans seem to have glimpsed. Luckily, though who knows if it is in time to save these treasures, with todays technology people are documenting and sharing what they do observe. I am glad to see that.
Sandy, thank you. If you have suggestions for the workbook, please do share.
There is so much interesting research these days into plants within their ecological communities--and an increasing awareness of how much damage humans have caused to the long-stable plant communities. I agree that the research and the new practices offer hope. I recently found this, for instance https://www.kosu.org/2024-09-23/prairie-strips-soil-water-wildlife. Just hope it's not too little, too late.
Thank you for the link to that very encouraging story! I will be passing it on. May be tomorrow before I get back to the work book. But I am still looking forward to it…. with visions of native plants being encouraged!
Such a life affirming post! I can feel the lush wholesomeness of the Libra garden between the lines of your descriptions. My hope is that our country and culture will begin to harmonize this season in the zodiac sign of Libra ♎. Libra on the rise!
Thank you, Kate. This archetypes of the zodiac give us so much to work with, whatever materials we choose to work with. But for us, now, at this crucial time in the planet's history, the environment (plants, gardens, wildscapes) is something we can all agree is important. Hope that's not too abstract. I'm feeling my way through new territory here.
Your post today is wonderful! I'm amazed and delighted to see you lean towards your "Ruby" side of mystery and knowing, drawing from the older traditions to inspire and—possibly anchor us in these critical times.
I've been eagerly awaiting this and preparing by reading Alice Bell's Libra report and checking in with Maria Luz's astro page. I'm getting ready to dig into my final (!) line editing of my manuscript and start formatting it for self-publishing, which is a huge, ambitious undertaking for me. I've already printed out both the Growing Green with the Zodiac and the workbook for Libra so I plan to read them during my breaks and in the evening. Oh, I can hardly wait!!!🍀💚
MS prep is a huge job, yes! Will you be including your art? How much of it are you carrying over from your Substack? Tell us more!
Glad the Libra material engages you! (I'm a little behind on my replies and I owe you one on another topic. I took yesterday off (mostly 😋).
You mentioned Michael Pollan’s book The Botany of Desire in your column today. I also would recommend to you and others The Light Eaters by Zoë Schlanger. The discoveries being made about plants by scientists these days are mind-boggling. As one description states: “In recent years, scientists have learned about their ability to communicate, recognize their kin and behave socially, hear sounds, morph their bodies to blend into their surroundings, store useful memories that inform their life cycle, and trick animals into behaving to their benefit, to name just a few remarkable talents.”
Thanks, Carol. I agree, wonderful book, especially for the skillful way Schlanger traces the paradigm shift. I said: "Satisfy Virgo’s yen for outstanding science reporting. Read The Light Eaters: How the Unseen World of Plant Intelligence Offers a New Understanding of Life on Earth, by Zoë Schlanger. You’ll be amazed. I was." https://susanwittigalbert.substack.com/p/growing-green-with-the-zodiac
But it certainly wouldn't have hurt to list it again. And the book is worth another careful re-read!