Seasons of Change and Your Quick Hit Equinox Horoscopes 🍁

Happy Autumn Equinox Psychedelic Sisterhood!

On September 22, the sun sits directly above the equator resulting in equal hours of day and night. On Monday September 23, the sun finishes up its transit in Virgo and moves to Libra.

The shift from summer to fall is the hardest as it reflects the journey of the collective from being self-focused to other-focused.

Aries represents the self and oftentimes, the sole survival of the self while Libra represents teamwork and collaboration. Libra season acts as a midway check-in point which begins the second half of the zodiacal year working toward building prosperity and abundance with others.

Fun fact + preview: Voting season takes place in Scorpio season, the sign that rules over shared resources as well as power dynamics.

As you might know already, we're in the midst of eclipse season – a remarkable time when secrets reveal themselves and we're given more information about an otherwise nebulous situation. This new insight often triggers quick changes needed to correct course or find a better path.

For some guidance for the upcoming season shift into Libra energies here are quick-hit horoscopes for each sign - please read for your sun, moon and rising signs:

Aries 

Prioritizing your ride-or-die relationships will prove beneficial as you strengthen the bond between you and your day-ones. 🚗💨 

Taurus

It’s time to roll up your sleeves (and maybe a j) and get back to work but make it aesthetic with comfy cozy vibes. 🎀

Gemini 

Green light to rest and relax this season, you deserve it with the month you've been through. 🧘

Cancer

Hosting duties belong to you this season so nurture your favorite people with board game or movie nights at Casa de Cancer. 🍿

Leo 

Building key relationships within your community will be your main focus. Bonus: if you’ve ever dreamed of being an influencer, this is the season to give it a try. 🪩

Virgo

Continue to work on overcoming people-pleasing tendencies or the need to be useful to feel worthy of good things. 📚

Libra

Reflect on the person you’re becoming, practice gratitude, and let people know just how much their presence has impacted your year. Happy birth season! 🎂

Scorpio 

Take your time and audit your relationships - cut off deadweights or secret saboteurs. ✂️

Sagittarius 

Rub shoulders with distinguished people and expand your network - you never know who could change your life. 🏌️

Capricorn

It's time to cash in on those big career moves you've been plotting since Aries season. 💰

Aquarius 

You are Alice in Wonderland - follow your white rabbits and see what new worlds await. 🐇

Pisces

Reprioritize your needs and whether or not your needs are met in all of your relationships. 🤲

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Obviously, this is a new experiment of mine, if you'd like to see more quick hit horoscopes for future posts, please let us know!

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Your supporting astrologer,

Babs

All About Ayahuasca

Your one-stop-shop blog post for all things "aya" related!

But first off, what is ayahuasca?

Aya - also meaning "mother" or "caretaker" is a spiritual practice which allows the body, mind, spirit and soul to connect with the Universe or higher power. That said, there's many more practical reasons to sit in ceremony.

Research has shown that the effects of ayahuasca decrease in overall anxiety, healing of addictions and psychosomatic symptoms,

One study done via survey assessed many categories of mental health, including depression, anxiety, and drug use, in regular users of ayahuasca compared to non-regular users in the same communities. Regarding anxiety, they found that those who were regularly using ayahuasca showed lower levels of anxiety [29]

When in ceremony, ayahuasca root is typically brewed into a type of tea and ingested by ceremony participants led by a Shaman.

*Note: ayahuasca contains the hallucinogenic property DMT, which is illegal in some parts of the world*

Preparing the Body for Ayahuasca

Preparing for an ayahuasca ceremony takes certain preparations as the ceremony itself can be extremely taxing on the body as the medicine works to purge the body.

You might've heard how not so pretty it is to take ayahuasca with the intense physical symptoms like diarrhea, nausea, and vomitting. While the experience varies per body, there's ways to make the purging as smooth as possible and this is what is known as "Dieta"

Dieta is an elimination diet that is suggested to begin 2 weeks prior to your trip to help the body cleanse before sitting for an ayahuasca ceremony.

By consuming whole foods without chemicals, additives, or preservatives, you create an optimal environment for plant medicines to work at their best, promoting clarity and insight.

Here is a list of foods and activities to eliminate as you begin Dieta:

● Red Meat

● Pork

● Refined Sugars

● Caffeine

● Overly Oily or Fried Foods

● Dairy Products

● Spicy Foods

● Fermented Foods

● Alcohol / Recreational Substances

● Other Plant Medicines

● Any sexual activities

A note on medications:

It's important to be extra mindful of certain medicines that may affect your journey. Consult your doctor before deciding to alter your medication intake. It's important to inform your retreat facilitators if you are or have been taking any of the following within the past 3-4 weeks:

● Antidepressants or any other mood stabilizers that contain MAO inhibitors and serotonin uptake inhibitors

● High blood pressure and Heart medications

● Tranquilizers

● Antibiotics

● Antihistamines

● Painkillers, including Advil and Aspirin

● Flu medications

● Asthma inhalers

● Adderall

A complete list of medicines to be mindful of can be found here:

https://www.essence.nl/drug-interaction

What to Expect Before, During, and After Ceremony

As always, we want to make sure you are equipped with as much knowledge and information as possible to ensure that sitting in ceremony is the best decision.

Ayahuasca is known for its profound spiritual and psychological effects.

Participating in an ayahuasca ceremony requires thorough preparation to ensure a safe and meaningful experience.

How You Can Prepare for an Ayahuasca Ceremony

Setting intentions is a vital part of preparing for an ayahuasca ceremony.

Intentions act as a guiding force during the experience, helping participants navigate the often challenging and intense visions and emotions that can arise.

Before the ceremony, spend time reflecting on what you hope to achieve or understand. Common intentions might include seeking healing from past

trauma, gaining clarity on life’s direction, or deepening one’s spiritual practice.

Writing down your intentions in a journal can be a powerful exercise as it helps to clarify and solidify your goals, providing a reference point during the ceremony.

However, it's also equally important to remain open to whatever the medicine has to offer. Sometimes, the experience can take unexpected turns, revealing insights and lessons that you hadn’t anticipated.

Striking the delicate balance between being intentional yet leaving space for surprise, will allow the medicine to work in the most beneficial ways possible.

What Happens During an Ayahuasca Ceremony

An ayahuasca ceremony usually takes place in a group setting under the guidance of a shaman or experienced facilitator, but one-on-one ceremonies can also be possible.

The ceremony typically begins in the evening and can last anywhere from 4-8 hours, depending on the amount taken and the environment.

Participants sit or lie down in a designated space, often in a circular arrangement, and each person is given a cup of the ayahuasca brew to drink. The effects of the

brew usually begin to manifest within 30 to 60 minutes, starting with physical sensations such as nausea, dizziness, vibrations, or all of these at once.

*In some cases, participants may not feel symptoms as tolerance varies per person and body. In the event that this happens, dosages are usually adjusted for the following ceremonies.

The shaman or facilitator may open the ceremony with prayers and singing icaros (traditional healing songs) and/or playing musical instruments. They will continue singing throughout the ceremony and may lead the group in singing or chanting as well.

These sounds are believed to guide the participants through their journey, helping them to navigate the visions and emotions that arise.

Vivid visions, deep emotional releases, and profound spiritual insights are part of the experience and during this time, participants will most likely release emotional and physical traumas through "purging".

Purging is considered a part of the healing process and can also help to cleanse the body of toxins and negative energy. The act of purging can be in the form of vomiting (the most common), diarrhea, belching, crying, laughing, or anything else relieving tension.

To ensure a positive experience for all participants

It’s important to follow the guidance of the shaman or facilitator and respect the sacredness of the space. Some of the most common tips in following ceremony decorum can be, but are not limited to:

● Punctuality — When you arrive on time, you respect the Shaman/facilitators time and the time of the participants in the group

● Preparedness — Come prepared wearing comfortable clothing to help you keep a relaxed demeanor. Bring everything you’ll need to stay in your seat to keep the circle unbroken (water bottle, tissues, eye mask, blanket or shawl)

● Polite — During the ceremony, it’s very important to maintain a courteous and respectful silence unless guided otherwise. Speaking out of turn or moving around unnecessarily can disrupt others' experience and distract the group from delving deeper into their healing.

Personal space is also important. Avoid unnecessary physical contact with other participants, as everyone will be in a vulnerable state. If you need assistance, raise your hand or use a pre-agreed signal to alert the facilitator’s helpers. Trust in the process and the people guiding you, and remember that the shaman is there to help you navigate the experience safely.

After Ceremony Care and Integration

After the ceremony, proper aftercare and integration are essential for assimilating the insights and healing received during the experience.

The morning after your ceremony, it is recommended that you take some time for reflection and journal everything you can remember.

If you prefer voice recordings, we recommend bringing a separate apparatus (voice recorder) that is not connected to your personal phone as engaging with your phone could bring you out of the ceremony's container and lessen ayahuasca's effects.

Whichever way you choose to record your experience, give as much information as you can...your future self will thank you!

In some instances, you may be cognizant and conscious enough to be able to jot down notes immediately after the ceremony has ended which can be beneficial as some experience memory loss of the experience the next day.

The days and weeks following the ceremony can be a time of heightened sensitivity and awareness. Integrating your experience can help process your insights and any emotions that may come up during that time. Reflect on the visions, emotions, and lessons that emerged, and consider how they can be applied to your daily life.

Engaging in practices like meditation, yoga, and spending time in nature can also support the integration process.

For the next one to two weeks, it’s advisable to continue following the dieta and avoid substances that can cloud your mind or body.

It is also recommended to spend time away from digital media. As most utilize the computer and mobile phone regularly for work, this isn’t always feasible, but it is encouraged to limit screen-time if possible.

Seeking support from a therapist or joining integration circles is also strongly suggested. These inclusive spaces provide a safe atmosphere to share your experience and receive support and guidance from others who have undergone similar journeys.

By following these steps, you can prepare yourself for an Ayahuasca ceremony in a way that maximizes the potential for healing and growth. The journey with Ayahuasca is deeply personal and transformative, and thorough preparation and openness ensure that you are ready to embrace whatever the medicine has to offer.

Picking the Retreat and Shaman That's Right For You

For a comprehensive guide to vetting a retreat center or shaman, make sure you are subscribed to the newsletter (and that our emails don't go to spam) as a helpful guide will be provided soon. Stay tuned!

The Psychedelic Sisterhood Fall Ayahuasca Retreat

If you are interested in participating in an ayahuasca ceremony sooner rather than later, we are hosting a retreat in November (read more here) and applications are now open until Monday July 29th, 2024. Spots are limited so make sure you get your application in on time.

That's all for now and if you have any other questions feel free to email us [hello@thepsychedelicsisterhood.com] OR join us for our Fourth Annual Day Trippin' Beach Party Potluck this Saturday, July 27th, 2024 ➡️ Event Page Here

Happy 420 and Welcome to Taurus Season!

From earthquakes to whipping winds, it may not seem like Spring has sprung but it's definitely underway.

After a week of events leading up to 420, we hope you enjoyed the programming we had on offer. Today marks the crown jewel of events, our annual 420 picnic and potluck. if you haven't gotten tickets yet, here is the link, it goes from 1-5 pm, join us!

Here's how the past week's events went, be sure to follow us on Instagram

Day 1 of Cannabis Week: Budding Friends

Day 2 of Cannabis Week: Queering Existentialism | Salon Series

Day 3 of Cannabis Week: Sex and Cannabis (POSTPONED)

Day 4 of Cannabis Week: Smoke and Sound (POSTPONED to this Thursday 4/25)

Have an idea for an event? Let us know here

As the cosmos align for a slower moving season, and Mercury retrograde ends its backwards motions on April 25, 2024 it's important to refocus on your relationship with rest and burnout for the rest of the week.

And as we continue to survive under a capitalistic regime built on the work produced by its people, please remember that your act of rest and relaxation is a form of activism.

You putting yourself first before the demands of the world is an act of self love. And when you fill your own cup. you have the ability to do great things for those you love.

And we all deserve the space and time to fill up our cup.

Mercury Retrograde brings a wisdom that is not only humbling by eye-opening. Reflect on what you learned since April 1, 2024 about yourself in regard to how you view action taking or the way you might have gotten agitated at the mix-ups, sudden cancellations or tech mishaps.

And when Mercury goes direct by the end of next week, you'll be surprised at the patience and insight you've gained into how you approach the life's snafus.

Before then, we've got a full moon in Scorpio on April 23, 2024 which can be an intense period especially if you're not familiar with shadow work. Take the time to meditate and think about the things you no longer need to hang onto. Scorpio's deep insight is known to give some tower moments, or moments that serve as a reminder that you've got to change your path because this one leads to a dead end.

When we release our burdens, we leave room for the aligned energetic opportunities that support our longterm growth.

Onto what's going on in the community in the next month:

(More updates to come, subscribe for the latest news)

Join us May 24, 2024 from 1-4pm for our Psychedelics 101 Lecture in collaboration with @Brujasxcabinet and @Hemplab_nyc

We will be covering the basis and ethics of navigating your own personal psychedelic journey, testing kits, harm reduction, dosing, as well as self development practices/meditative exercises that can be utilized to develop your own spiritual/mental health practices,

And lastly, if you share our core beliefs and would like to volunteer and help the Psychedelic Sisterhood grow, reach out here

💚

Your supporting astrologer,

Babs