✦ Mystics — a Sage reading
Your Heart Knows — Plant Medicine for Mars Entering Leo
What this covers
This video features Ashley Ellenbost’s weekly "Rooted in the Stars" segment, analyzing the astrological transit of Mars entering Leo on September 27th. The discussion contrasts this shift with the preceding Mars in Cancer period, highlighting a move from external home conflicts to internal struggles regarding authenticity, heart-centered courage, and self-expression. The speaker uses personal experiences of closing a yoga studio and relocating to illustrate the Pluto-driven urgency of following one's "heart's call." To support this transformation, the video offers practical recommendations, including the use of herbal medicines like Hawthorne and Damiana, as well as specific activities such as culinary arts, HeartMath breathing, and self-affirmation exercises, all aimed at embracing the creative and courageous energies of the fifth house ahead of upcoming challenging transits.
The outline
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Mars in Leo: Heart, Courage, and Upcoming Challenges
cancer · leo · scorpio
Ashley Ellenbost introduces the weekly "Rooted in the Stars" segment, focusing on Mars entering Leo on September 27th. She contrasts this with the previous Mars in Cancer transit, explaining that the current energy shifts focus from external home conflicts to internal struggles with the heart, authenticity, and self-expression. The discussion previews the complex astrological timing of October 3rd, which features a Pluto opposition to Mars and Venus stationing retrograde in Scorpio, urging listeners to reflect on their authentic desires before these heavier energies arrive.
- Mars moves from Cancer (home/family) into Leo (heart/courage) starting September 27th.
- In medical astrology, Leo rules the heart; this transit highlights the tension between shining authentically and protecting one's emotional vulnerability.
- Leo's shadow involves performative action or hiding due to self-awareness, whereas Mars adds aggressive energy that can either push one forward or cause stubborn resistance.
- On October 3rd, a Pluto opposition to Mars and Venus stationing retrograde in Scorpio will occur, likely revealing deeper, hidden desires and "unfinished" emotional work.
- The creator uses a gardening metaphor, suggesting that current Leo energy is an initial sprouting, while the upcoming Pluto/Venus energy will bring a second wave of growth and revelation.
- Listeners are advised to reflect on past instances where they acted on difficult heart-driven choices to prepare for the coming weeks.
Following the Heart's Call and Herbal Support for Transformation
leo · scorpio
The speaker reflects on the personal difficulty of closing a yoga studio and moving to a new home, framing these life changes as inevitable responses to a "voice of the heart" that can no longer be silenced. This internal shift is described as a Pluto-driven life-or-death urgency that Mars supports with cardinal fire to propel bravery. To aid this deep transformation, the speaker recommends specific plant medicines, including Hawthorne for heart strength and Damiana for sensory awareness and stamina.
- The speaker shares past experiences of closing a yoga studio and moving houses, emphasizing the pressure to act from the heart despite external judgments or fears of self-disappointment.
- These life transitions are characterized as "chapters that had to close" to allow new spaces to open, driven by an urgent, life-or-death feeling associated with Pluto's energy.
- Mars's cardinal fire is described as a supportive force that helps propel the bravery needed to make hard choices when the heart's knowing elevates above the mind's logic.
- Hawthorne and rose are recommended as cooling, drying Leo medicines to protect and strengthen the heart, with Hawthorne specifically noted as a heart tonic available in tincture, jam, or elixir forms.
- Damiana (Turnera difusa) is highlighted as a body-awakening herb that enhances the senses, increases endurance, and provides a grounding, mildly euphoric lift to counteract the heaviness of Pluto and Venus in Scorpio.
- Practical preparation instructions are provided for Damiana, suggesting a tea made with half a teaspoon of leaves or a blend with rose petals and cinnamon, along with tincture dosage guidelines.
Practices for Mars in Leo: Culinary Arts, Breathwork, and Self-Affirmation
cancer · leo
The speaker outlines practical activities to support the transit of Mars from Cancer to Leo, focusing on shifting energy from the fourth house home to the fifth house of creativity. She recommends culinary practices like baking and soup-making to honor hearth energy, a HeartMath breathing exercise to align the mind and heart, and a morning mirror high-five to boost self-worth. The segment concludes with encouragement to find community support for the courageous actions this astrological window invites. ]]
- Culinary arts such as baking cookies or making soup bridge the gap between Cancer's domestic comfort and Leo's creative expression.
- HeartMath Institute's "heart breathing" practice involves a 5-count inhale and exhale focused on the heart center to create psycho-physiological coherence.
- The "mirror high five" practice, derived from Mel Robinson's book *The High Five Habit*, is suggested to interrupt negative self-talk and activate positive neural pathways.
- The speaker encourages viewers to seek community support or find groups if they feel isolated, emphasizing that courageous actions are easier with support.
- Cozy foods are recommended as a way to handle the transitional energy of the seasons, whether entering spring or autumn.
How it ties together
- Introduction to Mars in Leo Transit
- Overview of the "Rooted in the Stars" segment
- Mars entering Leo on September 27th
- Contrast with previous Mars in Cancer energy (external home conflicts vs. internal heart struggles)
- Preview of upcoming astrological challenges (October 3rd Pluto opposition, Venus retrograde)
- Internal Shift and Life Changes
- Personal reflection on closing a yoga studio and moving
- The concept of the "voice of the heart" and Pluto-driven urgency
- The role of Mars in providing cardinal fire for bravery
- Herbal support for transformation
- Hawthorne for heart strength
- Damiana for sensory awareness and stamina
- Practical Practices for the Transit
- Shifting energy from the fourth house (home) to the fifth house (creativity)
- Culinary arts to honor hearth energy (baking, soup-making)
- HeartMath breathing exercise for mind-heart alignment
- Morning mirror high-five for boosting self-worth
- Encouragement to seek community support for courageous actions
- Mars in Leo
- Mars in Cancer
- Leo shadow
- Pluto opposition
- Venus retrograde
- medical astrology
- emotional authenticity
- self-expression
- herbalism
- Life transitions
- Closing a business
- Moving house
- Heart versus mind
- Pluto energy
- Mars energy
- Plant medicines
- Hawthorne
- Damiana
- Sensory awareness
- Emotional stamina
- 4th house
- 5th house
- HeartMath
- breathwork
- self-affirmation
- culinary therapy
- community support
- Mars
- Leo
- Cancer
- Pluto
- Venus
- Scorpio
- Ashley Ellenbost
- Adam
- Nightlight Astrology
- Sky House Herb School
- Rooted in the Stars
- Maryland
- Hawthorne
- Rose
- Damiana
- Turnera difusa
- Cacao
- Corn
- Beans
- Rose petals
- Cinnamon
- Ashley
- 4th house
- 5th house
- HeartMath Institute
- Mel Robinson
- The High Five Habit
- Chicken Soup for the Soul