Embrace - Eclipse Season is Here
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Dear Bestie,
We're officially a week into eclipse season. Have you been feeling it? I sure as hell know that I am! Amongst all the chaos, I have still been finding time to reach out to my friends, lovers, and community — I would recommend y'all do the same if you can. But also, don't take too much offense if people don't get back to you right away, it is eclipse season for us all. Especially those of you who have anxious attachment, it's a time for ALL OF US to embrace and surrender to the energy of this transition of seasons — so feel those emotions, process them, and let them fly away as we approach the Equinox next week. Anyway, I'll touch more on the astrology in our next section.
As expected with the chaos of eclipse season, I didn't get as much done this past week as I had hoped. However, I have healed in so many ways that I couldn't imagine. As is the reality of a new moon and north node in Pisces. I've been leaning into the unknown, embracing the chaos, and here I am thriving in ways that I couldn't imagine four days ago, let alone last Sunday. I had the honor of exchanging tarot readings with one of my favorite artists / tarot readers / punk activists. Her name is Cristy C. Road and her deck, Next World Tarot was my first deck, and my favorite deck to this day. It's truly a decolonized approach to tarot that makes energy work and spirituality more approachable for all those who question this important aspect of our being. Long story, short, I lost one of my cards in the deck and reached out to CCR. As I am beginning this journey, I never expected to find support from one of the people who inspired me to embark on it in the first place, last December. But here we are, full of joy and excitement for the future!
Last night, at Iolani Palace in Honolulu, Kingdom of Hawai'i, Kumulipo was chanted for the first time in its entirety, and livestreamed internationally for all Kānako 'Ōiwi and our allies to experience. That is why the image today is Iolani Palace. Because last night history was made, elders and youth cried across this Honua (Earth), and in a time of great uncertainty for our lāhui (people), we showed up still with pride for our language, our people, and our genealogies. I am nearing my 2nd year of practicing 'oli, which has been a deeply healing practice. Connecting me to my kūpuna (ancestors), pilina (connection), and 'āina, even while living 1000s of miles away in diaspora. Because this whole planet is connected, and if you heal the lands upon which you settle, the elements, spirits, and sacred places where you originate from will feel it too.
Mahalo nui, salamat, thank you for your time and energy. If you would like to listen to Kumulipo, it is linked. Mad respect if you listen to the full 3 hours <3
Salamat Po,
Kawika
Astrology:
Oppositions for All!
Saturn & Neptune are throwing hands at Mercury & the Sun
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Ho! You feeling all this energy, lately? I know that I have been.. Besides that cazimi in Virgo last Friday, it's been kinda rough. A cazimi is when mercury and the sun are next to each other in the sky and hanging out, by the way. It provides clarity and warmth in our communication, and with mercury being in Virgo, which is its ruler, it feels at home and provides an opportunity for us to dive deeper into our wants, needs, and desires. So that was a nice breather! But we're still halfway through eclipse season, so here are some of the major transits that we're feeling this week as we approach the partial solar eclipse in Virgo on September 21st.
Oppositions! You remember, how I mentioned that Mercury and the Sun are having a little cazimi moment and having fun in Virgo, just vibing and snuggling? Well, Saturn in Pisces and Neptune in Aries have other ideas. They're in direct opposition to our Mercury and Sun snuggle sesh. Now, when I take away all the cutesy, we're left with chaos and intensity surrounding discipline and rationality.
A crash course in oppositions: think of aspects between planets as everyone hanging out at a dinner table. Those who are sitting next to you will be the easiest to converse with, yeah? So, our cazimi situation leads to harmony between communication and ideas surrounding our core identity because the Sun and Mercury are conjunct, snuggling. Oppositions are exactly that. This person is sitting directly across the table from you. It's going to be more difficult to hear their conversations, show that you're actively listening, and even asking for clarity can be a struggle. We've all been there.
Well, Saturn rules discipline, slow-intentional action and is in Pisces, which is the sister sign, direct opposite of Virgo, which is where the Sun finds itself. Virgo energy is often associated with perfectionism, a routine, and the need for structure, while Saturn which normally helps with those ideas is actually in Pisces, a very watery, flowy, and surrender-to-the-universe kind of energy. In opposition with each other, this can lead to feelings of being limited or constrained in your pursuits. Mercury in Virgo is also experiencing this opposition to Saturn, meaning there can be blockages in communication or resistance and miscommunications. These aspects are all about identifying the most important tasks and prioritizing them amidst all the chaos, while double or triple thinking how you're going to communicate it to others. Think of it like trying to support your friend who is normally the most down-to-earth and disciplined person in your life, however this week they're crashing out left and right. You're not going to want to be in the line of fire, but you want to be there for them, so buy them their favorite drink, drop it off with a caring note, and let them cool off. Remember, we're all feeling the chaos of eclipse season.
Neptune in Aries is also in opposition to Mercury in Virgo, another pot hole in our attempt to communicate effectively with others during this eclipse season. This aspect is highlighting the difference between the reality of situations and communication surrounding them, compared to the ideal or what we would like those situations to be. Neptune is associated with imagination, spirituality, and compassion to name a few things. As we continue through this week and near the end of eclipse season, use your discernment and critical thinking to make sure that you're not living in a fantastical world of your own delusional creation. Remember, Aries is the first sign, the baby of the zodiac. That energy of "Let's do this! Let's do that! Let's go here! Let's go there!" is well-intentioned, but doesn't mingle well with Virgo energy, especially whilst these two are in opposition. Prepare for confusion, brace for misunderstandings, and try your best to communicate effectively this week. Because we're all trying to figure out how to put it into words right now..
AND... We're officially offering tarot and astrology readings! Learn more below:
Written Readings are Live! Video Readings coming later this week <3
This is a new journey for me and I'm building its foundation as we speak. Please share your interests, insights, and what you would like to learn and discover in future letters!
I'm currently creating educational resources, a Discord community, a podcast, and publishing opportunities for those interested <3