Harmony - Rediscovering Balance

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Dear Bestie,

I'll admit, I've been grumpy. As the energy of last week's eclipse faded, I experienced a lot of cancelled plans, delays, and blockages that I didn't see coming. Including not sending this letter out on Monday, but Wednesday.. We'll be back on schedule next week! On a positive note, I braced for at least three Scorpio crash-outs and none of them had me at the center — even with my six Scorpio placements — mahalo nā akua. I have been feeling that energy, but many moments of mindfulness reminded me that my grief, rage, and grumpiness is all valid. I was furloughed from my amazing position as a cultural educator, my dream job as far as I'm concerned. I have been disregarded by quite a few close connections that I thought I had developed this past year — have you ever been ghosted out of an 8 month relationship? Not to mention what we all have been witnessing for years in Palestine, Congo, and in many other parts of the world. Suffering is abundant right now, and I have been feeling it deeply. Especially for our Indigenous communities on Turtle Island and across Pasifika, it's been a rollercoaster of a year..

Lately, spending time with and tending the land, stretching, and practices like chant, meditation, and crafts have kept me level-headed during this period of sensory overwhelm. Amongst all of these difficulties, I had my first TikTok live on Monday from 3:30PM to 5:30PM PST. The silly little dongle finally arrived! I'll also be streaming later today as well, from 5PM to 7PM PST.

All things considered, I am deeply grateful for this season of upheaval. I have been drawing The Tower from all of my tarot decks since May, and nowadays I am finally at a point where I can admire the sparkles and embers spread amongst the rubble. I am loving this newsletter, loving teaching in the community, and rekindling my love for creating videos and posts. I am profoundly aware of my many friends and family who cheer me on and proudly stand by my side. I am loved. I am seen. These letters are a beautiful reminder of that. Mahalo, salamat, and thank you for being here, Bestie.

E Mālama Pono,

Kawika <3

In-person events are HAPPENING! Learn more below:

Foundational Astrology, an introduction to the world of astrology through the 12 signs, personal planets, and the 12 houses will be taking place at Kindness Farm on Sunday, October 5, 2025 from 2PM - 5PM. This workshop will be sliding scale $25 - $100 / person and tea, light snacks, and digital resources will be provided. I also will be hosting this workshop on Wednesday, October 15, 2025 from 6-8:30pm at Nalu Kava Lounge and Teahouse.

Straw Lei Workshop, learn how to make a one-straw and two-straw lei while learning the history of this practice from Hawai'i. Please note, these are yarn lei and not flower lei. These lei are so soft and make amazing gifts or adornments for your loved ones, family, and yourself! I will be hosting this workshop on Monday, October 13, 2025 from 6-8pm at Nalu Kava Lounge and Teahouse. Please stop by, grab some awa or another wellness drink, and craft with us! This class will be offered for $10-$40 / person and materials will be provided.

Twined Bags, an introduction to twining and making small bags out of various materials — yarn, cotton, hemp. In my position with UTOPIA PDX, this was a huge hit amongst kids, adults, and elders alike! Twined bags have a basis in cultures all across the world, but I learned this from James and Stephanie at an educators conference hosted by Confluence, two years ago. Join me at Kindness Farm on Sunday, October 12, 2025 from 2PM - 4PM. This workshop will be sliding scale $20-$75 / person and tea, light snacks, and materials will be provided.

If you aren't able to attend these in-person events, I am planning to offer these in a virtual format later in October as well. You can register for all of these offerings on my Planoly site!

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The astrology lately and for the next week — thankfully — is about rediscovering balance in our lives. Libra season is entering its second week and the energy from eclipse season has dissipated. It was on the Astrology Podcast with Chris Brennan that I learned that the most intense effects of eclipse season typically come after the season as well. So, this is a good time to light incense, set intentions, and declutter to clean out those final remaining energetic bits from the eclipse.

Libra season officially marks our transition into the autumn season, taking place a day or two before or after the fall equinox. Libra is the transition of the leaves to orange and red hues, pumpkin spice everything, and your final harvests before you lay your land to rest for the winter. As our energy begins to slowly fade with less sunlight and shorter days, Libra season hangs onto the energy of the summer and channels that into intellectual pursuits: how can we prepare intentionally for the coldest, darkest, and harshest months of the year? What necessary changes have I been ignoring or refusing to take? Were the projects I invested in during this past summer worth it? Libra season is a time to take stock of your blessings, curses, and everything in between. Libra is a reminder to prioritize clarity and rediscover balance before Scorpio turns everything on its head and Sagittarius shakes everything up for the plot. Libra season, welcome. Love you, diva!

On 22nd September 2025, Mars finally left Libra and transitioned into Scorpio. Finally a placement that I can kind of work with — considering that my Mars is in Virgo, it could be worse. But, I do have an insane amount of Scorpio placements: Sun, Mercury, Venus, Lilith, and Chiron — mostly in the 6th house — and with a gemini rising, Scorpio rules my 6th as well. If you have no clue what that means, basically Scorpio placements feel like home for me; for better, for worse. Libra is considered in detriment in Mars, meaning that there are a lot of challenges that arise when Libra finds itself in this placement.

This idea of placements being exalted, in domicile, in detriment, and fallen are referred to as Essential Dignity in the astrology world. Many pop astrologers will try to tell you that placements that are fallen or in detriment mean that your life will be awful which creates a lot of misunderstandings of these placements in the astrological community. Sure, it isn't going to be easy — the energy of your planet and the sign it's in doesn't intuitively connect. However, that just means that there is so much more growth and awareness to be gained from exploring these placements that many would simply write off as "bad" to have. Believe me, I have three placements here that are difficult according to this concept: Capricorn Moon, Scorpio Venus, and Aries Saturn. I would like to think that few people in my life consider me emotionally repressed and refusing to be vulnerable with others, a manipulative and possessive lover and friend, or someone who lacks discipline entirely and can never get anything done. BECAUSE... I have tirelessly unpacked these tendencies, embracing my strengths and balancing my shortcomings.

If you felt wishy washy or indecisive these past eight to ten weeks, Libra Mars was definitely a factor. Scorpio is a fixed sign traditionally ruled by Mars, however! So it finds itself in domicile, it finds its home in Mars. Any projects, conversations, and changes you've been hesitant to undertake should be further illuminated over the next seven weeks or so. Scorpio is fixed in its cycles of rebirth: transitioning amongst life and death. In a poetic sense, Scorpio asks us to let older versions of ourselves pass away so that we can rise as more powerful and refined people. With the planet of Mars, this is tied to our outward facing actions, how we interact with the world, engage in conflict, and pursue our desires. With Scorpio at the helm, and sitting in its home of Mars, clarity is on its way. Be decisive, take action, and.. still exercise caution, we've got a lot of chaotic energy with retrogrades in Saturn, Uranus, Chiron, Neptune, and Pluto. Whatever decisions you make will be that much more potent, whether that's good or bad — only time can tell.

On 19 September 2025, Venus entered Virgo! Venus is our planet associated with the divine feminine, with receiving and embracing energy. Our Venus placement showcases what we love, how we relate to beauty, and how we receive the relationships and connections in our lives. Virgo is a sign associated with creating intentional systems that work for us, refining our expectations until we reach our personal understanding of perfection, and a life dedicated to service to others, whether that be family, friends, or a larger community. Virgo is comfortable in Venus. Not fallen, not exalted, just comfortable. Virgo is practical and as Venus transits through it, acts of service and practical gestures may come up more regularly — especially as a way to showcase how those folx care for you. On the darker side, Venus transiting through Virgo can bring up feelings of inadequacy, whether about our friendships, partnerships, or our Selves. Virgo energy can go off the rails and start hurtling towards perfectionism if we don't remind ourselves that life is a process and systems not only can change, but need to when the time calls for it. Overall, Venus transiting through Virgo is a reminder to embrace the support you need from others and understand that consistent practical love is deep, caring, and just as valuable as fast and fiery love.

Mahalo, salamat pō, thank you, for reading!

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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!
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I'm currently creating educational resources, a Discord community, a podcast, and publishing opportunities for those interested <3