Phytonutrients For This Summer (Cancer & Leo Seasons)
Cancer, Leo, The Moon, The Sun, The Sacral & Solar Plexus Chakras, Circadian Nutrients (Sun & Darkness), Heart-Brain Coherence, and the Therapeutic Uses of the Colors Orange & Yellow
HI FRIENDS!
I have decided to make one post for Cancer and Leo Seasons together, since we will be discussing Circadian Nutrients in this post (sunlight & darkness). However, the downside is that this post is going to be published a little late! In addition, there will be no post for Leo Season in August. Therefore, I will try to pack this post with a lot of information for two Zodiacal Seasons 😉. To catch up, read the Phytonutrients Per Zodiacal Series for: Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius, Pisces, Aries, Taurus, and Gemini.
Of note: I don’t discuss the phytonutrients I use for the Amber/Yellow Cancer/Leo Spectrum of the Holographic Phytomancy Program, because I have put more information about the Circadian Clock and Circadian Nutrients in this post. One other thing we touch on is HeartMath, which you will learn about in full later in this post. I chose this topic because in the West, we associate the heart with emotions. Cancer is a sign that represents our emotions, and it is ruled by The Moon which is also associated with our emotional body and memories. Leo, on the other hand, along with The Sun, rules the heart and the cardiac system. HeartMath involves both the heart and how emotions affect it. I hope you enjoy it!
If you have not read the Introductory to the Holographic Herbal post, I recommend doing so! The Introductory Post walks you through how I use color, intuition, astrology and anatomy, and phytonutrients in one healing practice..
Remember that the information found on this blog post, across this blog website, and any associated social media profiles is for educational and entertainment purposes only. The information is not meant to replace advice provided by licensed professionals, and astrology is not intended to diagnose illnesses or prescribe treatments. Do not self-diagnose. You can cause serious harm to yourself. I am not a licensed professional, and my blogs and social media posts are not meant to replace care from a licensed healthcare professional. Please work with a licensed professional and seek out your established supports. For more information, please see my Terms & Conditions Page.
It makes me so happy to hear from you all, and how much this practice has impacted your everyday life, or how it has influenced your magical practice. It brings me so much joy to be a part of an artistic community of magicians and herbalists, and it really changes my life to share our experiences together. If you ever want to discuss a blog post, please don’t be afraid to message me on IG!
However, if you’re new to this blog, and have no idea what’s going on here at Holographic Phytomancy…
WHAT IS HOLOGRAPHIC PHYTOMANCY ?
Hi! I’m Samantha (Phyto Holographic Sam), and I am currently in school for Herbal Medicine, Healing Diets, Color Therapy, Quantum Botanicals, and Quantum Healing. Last year, when Venus went retrograde into Leo, my friend Mandy Wilde (Wild Medium) and I did a Venus Rx Instagram collaboration for the entire duration of Venus’ Rx journey. At some point, we decided to incorporate my knowledge of phytonutrients and astrology when the Sun went into Libra. I wrote a blog post about Phytonutrients for Venus (Libra and Taurus), and I have been continuing the Phytonutrients Per Zodiacal Season Series since.
In the beginning of this year, I started to take on case study clients for an assignment for school. These case studies participated in Herbal Medicine/Herbal Ally programs and a Healing Diets/Phytonutrient program that I have created on my own (inspired by my mentor’s teaching). Through this experience, I am truly understanding the biological activities and esoteric healing properties of all of our botanical allies (herbs and whole foods).
HOW DO I DO IT ?
I use Astro-Herbalism, Astro-Anatomy, Astro-Colors, the color of phytonutrients, the colors associated with the Seven Chakras (inspired by Dr. Deanna Minich’s Whole Detox and Quantum Healing), modern Scientific Literature, esoteric wisdom, and Vibrational Medicine to guide my case study clients through a bespoke healing program that focuses on their goals. Through this experience, we work through the 12 Zodiacal Signs, Seven Chakras, and there is some overlap with Traditional Chinese Medicine meridians and Ayurveda doshas.
Of course there is so much information and nuance to talk about, and I will save most of that for the books that I am writing. However, if you’re interested, you can check out my Workbooks and Guidebooks if you’re excited to dive deeper into my work with herbs and phytonutrients. Alternatively, you can wait for when I open up my 1:1 Client Work soon, and a bespoke healing program can be developed for you personally!
This practice is meant for artists, creatives, and spiritual practitioners/occultists who want to have a creative relationship with food. By approaching food from an artistic perspective, and focusing on color (the phytonutrients in food that express different biological activities) and diversity, we can construct a unique and colorful relationship with food on our own terms, in our own eccentric ways, and in methods that make sense to our imaginative minds and behaviors. However, it is important to incorporate seasonal foods (foods that are literally in season in your area), while maintaining a balanced and nutritional dish. In other words, it’s not a practice in which one eats exclusively orange foods, for instance. Instead, the practice helps to keep the intention on a color or set of colors, and to incorporate those colors with the help of whole foods to (balanced and diverse) meals. The magician’s aspect to this practice is that every time one eats, they are honoring the zodiac season, and calling upon the planet/deity/energy that rules that particular zodiac season. In this instance, for Cancer and Leo, we will be incorporating The Moon and The Sun.
WHAT IS A PHYTONUTRIENT ?
Phytonutrients are chemical compounds that are found in plants, veggies, & fruits. They are what give our food their color, and are divided into categories depending on the color they express in different fruits and vegetables. Phytonutrients offer certain health benefits through their biological activity.
WHAT ARE CHAKRAS ?
Chakras are a part of an ancient system that originated in India, and they were mentioned in the Vedas, which was a large text of esoteric wisdom written from 1500 - 1000 BC. In Sanskrit, chakra means “spinning wheel”, and this refers to certain points in the body that are thought to give off specific energies, and they correspond to organs and systems within the body. The traditional practice only focus on the Seven Chakra System being: The Root, The Sacral, The Solar Plexus, The Heart, The Throat, The Third Eye, and The Crown.
THE RULING LUMINARIES
Before we talk about Cancer and Leo, we should explore the Ruling Luminaries, which rule Cancer and Leo: The Moon and The Sun, respectively. In astrology, we talk a lot about planetary influence, but The Sun and The Moon aren’t technically planets. Astrologers may use the word “planets” as a general umbrella term for the sake of simplicity, but The Sun is technically a star, and The Moon is Earth’s natural satellite. However, when discussing The Sun and The Moon on their own, astrologers will call them “The Ruling Luminaries”.
There are many aspects when looking at a Natal Chart, and one of the first things astrologers will look at is if The Sun is above or below the Horizon Line, which is represented by the Ascendant (1st House) and the Descendant (7th House) in your chart.
If The Sun is above the Horizon Line (Houses: 7-12), your chart is considered a Day Chart (Diurnal).
If The Sun is below the Horizon Line (Houses: 1-6) it is considered a Night Chart (Nocturnal).
Both charts are said to have planets that function more effectively compared to the other. For instance, in a Day Chart, Jupiter and Saturn are said to be on the Diurnal Team, making The Sun the Ruling Luminary. On the other hand, Venus and Mars are on the Nocturnal Team, which makes The Moon the Ruling Luminary. Mercury is the outlier, as it is a planet that is neutral and works for both teams. Venus and Jupiter are the Benefic Planets, as they bring good fortune and harmony. Mars and Saturn are the Malefic Planets, as they bring challenges and opportunities. So, for example, in a Night Chart, Venus has a stronger influence than Jupiter, and for a Day Chart, the reverse is true.
We all have a Sun Sign and a Moon Sign, and even though The Sun rules Leo and The Moon rules Cancer, we are still influenced by the Ruling Luminaries, especially in reference to the type of chart we have, and which Ruling Luminary is on our team. In other words, you may be a Solar Gemini with The Sun below the Horizon Line, which boosts The Moon’s influence in your chart.
So, now that we’ve established that the Ruling Luminaries affect us all, no matter what sign we are, let’s look at the signs Cancer and Leo.
CANCER & THE MOON
♋︎ ☾ 🜍🜄
The sign of Cancer is a cardinal water sign that is symbolized as The Crab, and ruled by The Moon. Solar Cancer folk are born between June 21st - July 22nd. Personally, I don’t lean into Sun Sign Astrology. I focus on the natal chart as a whole, instead. We are all the signs, and somewhere in our chart sits Cancer and The Moon. Therefore, when I talk about Cancer’s attributes, I’m talking about the energy of Cancer, not people born with The Sun in Cancer. For instance, when I say that Cancer is known for its nurturing, intuitive, protective, and empathetic qualities, you may very well know some Solar Crab Folk with these traits, but also try to use these keywords to understand the house that Cancer rules in your chart. Let’s say your 3rd House of Communications is ruled by Cancer, then the way you communicate with others might be from an empathetic perspective. You may be hyper-aware of the emotions and rhythms of others, and try to meet them on the level they are from a day-to-day basis. If Cancer rules your 5th House of Creativity, you might approach creative projects or hobbies with intuition, and your art might be emotionally-driven.
As previously mentioned, Cancers are ruled by The Moon. I have always found this fascinating because The Moon changes sign every couple of days, and this ingress into the consecutive sign can influence a person with heavy Cancer or Moon influence in their chart. Let’s take for example, Capricorn, who is ruled by Saturn. Saturn can take up to three years to change from one sign to the next. Capricorns are known for their slow and steady progression. Saturn likes to take its time, breathe in all the surrounding environment, learn, and move on. The Moon is different, however. The way I see it, The Moon is like the person who checks up on friends. The emotional ebb and flow of the people they care for is reflected onto the Cancer/Lunar person, and they can intuit or “feel” those emotions. This could even happen on a more global level, where they may feel the waves of feelings throughout The Collective and be affected by them.
However, I’ve noticed something in my Cancer friends and family that sometimes doesn’t get talked about enough in Astro-Spaces. Cancers need to retreat into themselves to restore their overall energy. When The Moon makes its last aspect in one sign before it enters another and makes a different aspect to a different planet, it is considered a Void Course Moon. It is considered “adrift”, and gets zero influence from any planet before it takes on more energy. This can last a few minutes or for a day, depending on the Astro-Weather of that time, but the significance of this is that The Moon needs a small period of time of silence and reflection without the cacophony created by other energies in the sky. If you have heavy Cancer placements, then you know what I mean. Void Course Moon is not a good time to plant seeds or start a new project. It’s a natural pause in The Moon’s cycle, which happens in respect to whatever the other planets are doing, to stop and be alone without other voices talking over the inner-voice. Cancer Folk are normally really good at getting this intuitive hit to “bow out” of The Collective to seek some quietude. This could also be extended to the Reflector type in Human Design.
Human Design is a system that combines a lot of different divinatory modalities and other elements like I Ching, Kabbalah, and the Chakra System. There are many types of people in Human Design: Generators, Manifestors, Manifesting Generators, Projectors, and Reflectors. Most of the population are Generators or Manifesting Generators. Rare is the Projector type among the population, and rarer still are the Reflectors who make up 1% of the population! Each type of person is said to have a different way of navigating the world, their community, work, and their own energy. A lot of factors play into this, but take for instance Projectors, who are said to be the guides. They must be invited to share their wisdom rather than initiating themselves. Reflectors, however, must wait one 28 Lunar Cycle to see how they feel about a particular project, person, or decision. They must allow all energies to help them gain insight into how they feel before taking action. They are particularly influenced by The Moon’s cycle. These people are our mirrors, and are usually found in positions of community building or counseling.
Cancer is related to the Fourth House of Private Life, Family, and Childhood. This is the house where Astrologers can glean more information about the role of home (private life or even childhood home), family, emotional foundations in one’s life, as well as needs for security, comfort, and familial connections. This is also the house that tells a bit about ancestral lineage. Cancer, The Moon, and The Fourth House all have to do with how our foundations in life nurtured and nourished us (or didn’t in some cases).
In Medical Astrology, Cancer rules the stomach, womb (when pregnant), breasts, and mucous membranes. The Moon governs our flow, our cycles, our lymphatic system (along with Pisces), and our emotions (which can cross over into Nervous System/Aries/Gemini territory). I am not sure if an Astrologer has said this before, but I view The Moon’s placement in our natal charts as a glimpse into where we hold trauma in our bodies, since The Moon is connected to our emotions.
A.T. Mann gives the following to Cancer: esophagus, stomach, diaphragm, pancreas, breasts, lacteals, upper liver lobes, thoracic duct, womb, ribs, sternum, albumen, axillae, and digestive organs [1]. The thoracic duct plays a part in the lymphatic system in which it transports lymph back into the circulatory system. Recall in my Phytonutrients for Pisces Post where we discussed that the lymphatic system runs parallel to our circulatory system. With movement (exercising, lymphatic scrubbing, bouncing), lymph gets pushed through the lymphatic vessels to the lymph nodes. Then, the lymphatic ducts drain into the venous system. It is estimated that the lymphatic duct delivers ¬1.38 mL/kg of lymph into the venous system per hour [2a]. If you look at the pictures below, you’ll see the thoracic duct starts on the left side of the abdomen and travels up the chest, behind the esophagus, and rises to the root of the neck.
What I find interesting, and we will dive more into this later in the post, is that Cancer is associated with Orange-Yellow (Amber), and I place the Cancer Spectrum somewhere between the Sacral/Solar Plexus area. The Sacral is associated with the color orange, and the Solar Plexus is associated with the color yellow. This thoracic duct starts in the abdomen and travels up through the sacral, passing the heart and chest, and into the neck. I believe the water signs have more of a ubiquitous influence over our bodies when it comes to Medical Astrology since they deal with fluids, lymph, waste, and drainage: Cancer, along with The Moon, deals with flow of fluids. Pisces governs the lymphatic system and the immune system. Scorpio deals with the drainage of toxins and removal of waste.
SACRAL & AMBER; SOLAR PLEXUS & YELLOW
Amber is a color that is mostly associated with fossilized tree resin. An organism may get trapped in a tree’s sticky resin and over time, that resin will harden, causing the organism to become preserved within the resin. In terms of emotions, amber tends to evoke feelings and emotions of all types: positivity, jealousy, anger, confidence, and security. This is all fitting for Cancer and The Moon as they both represent cycles, and can experience emotional fluctuations.
In the traditional Seven Chakra System, there isn’t a Chakra “in-between” the Sacral and Solar Plexus Chakras, but when I imagine the color amber in relation to Cancer and its governance over the stomach, I see an amber-like color shift between the Sacral and Solar Plexus areas. The Sacral, or Svadhisthana, is associated with orange and aligns with the reproductive organs. This is a place of creativity and creation, and you can learn more about it HERE, HERE, and HERE.
“YELLOW IS A COLOR CAPABLE OF CHARMING GOD”
- VINCENT VAN GOGH
People who live the furthest from the equator, with less sun and more rain, associate yellow with happiness and joy. In Color Therapy, yellow is the color of joy, vitality, illumination, playfulness, happiness, and positivity. It is also a color that represents yielding or a warning. Gold, the color that historically came before yellow, is a color that has symbolized achievement, divinity, success, and triumph [4].
Angi is the Sanskrit term for the digestive fire that transforms food into energy, restoring vitality to the body. It dwells within the Solar Plexus, or Manipura. It is correlated with the color yellow and sits right above the belly button. This chakra is connected to the element of fire, and also associated with personal power, identity, self-esteem, confidence, and the ability to assert oneself.
Here’s a relevant personal anecdote: I have always thought I was a Sacral Authority in Human Design, but I am actually a Solar Plexus authority. This is interesting to bring up here since we are talking about the two together. The main difference between the two is that Sacral Authority has the innate ability to gain clarity in the moment through an instinctual gut reaction. Initially, this made sense for me as I do rely on my gut. However, I am extremely impulsive, and have had to learn to wait for divine insight, wisdom, or the “truth” of the situation. Solar Plexus Authority requires more time to reach clarity of situation by riding out emotional waves. Emotional awareness is something that needs to be practiced for the Solar Plexus Authority. Whereas the Sacral offers an intuitive Gut-Reaction, the Solar Plexus relies on emotions and patience is necessary. One thing that is taught in Human Design for Sacral Authority is to ask the “yes/no” question, and the Sacral should provide the answer intuitively. For me, nothing is ever truly “yes” or “no”. Solar Plexus Authority types should let emotions subside to gain the insight required to proceed. This, however, isn’t just your own emotions, but the emotions of others, too. The significance of this in relation to Astrology is that Cancer, which I relate to the Sacral, is more intuitive. Leo, connected to the Solar Plexus, waits for high emotions to wind down, and asks themselves, “Okay, but how does this situation make sense to me? What is my truth, rather than their truth?”
In Color Therapy, gold is used to support the heart, and Leo rules the heart and vitality in Medical Astrology. On the other hand, yellow is used to support the bile, lymph (we connected this to Cancer), and digestion (aligns with the Solar Plexus).
LEO & THE SUN
♌︎☉🜔🜂
Leo is a fixed fire sign that is associated with The Lion, the King of the Jungle. Leo Season starts from about July 23 to August 22. This is a sign that is associated with joy, creativity, dramatic flair, bravery, loyalty, confidence, leadership, generosity, and sovereignty. Wherever this sign sits in your chart is where you feel brave to express your inner-artist, leadership, and generosity.
Leo is ruled by The Sun, the Life-Giver of the zodiac. The Sun is associated with vitality and lifeforce, which are concepts that echo throughout time and culture: Qi, Ki, Prana, etc. In Medical Astrology, it rules the heart, spine, and the circulatory system. However, it is also intrinsically tied to general wellbeing and physical strength.
Leo is also associated with the 5th House of Creativity and Joy. This is the house of artistic endeavors and creative passions. I call this house The Vitality House, as I believe this is, for the most part, where one may get a little bit more information on what restores vitality back to us the most and how to do it. In addition, this is the house of romance and progeny (we can be the parents of children or of our artistic creations and innovations). Let’s say you have Uranus in the 5th House. This would signify a desire to be eccentric and unconventional in your art, creativity, expression, and in romance. Being a pioneer in the realm of art and in your own projects, and getting recognition for it would bring vitality back to your being.
In Medical Astrology, A.T. Mann gives the following to Leo: heart, dorsal, spine and nerves, spinal cord, aorta, blood circulation, overall equilibrium in the body, spleen, superior and inferior vena cava, vital forces, and wrists [3].
Let us focus on the heart.
THE HEART & HEART-BRAIN COHERENCE
When I first learned about Medical Astrology and Astro-Anatomy, I thought at first, “the brain must be ruled by Leo since Leo represents the King, and the King wears the crown.” This is incorrect because it is Aries, the first sign of the zodiac that is associated with the head and brain, and as we’ve learned, Leo rules the heart. However, the researchers at HeartMath Institute offer a new perspective of the Heart as a “brain”. Whereas Aries is Head-First, Leo is Heart-First. Both the brain and the heart produce electromagnetic energies, and communicate to each other based on our emotional states. This is why when we are chronically stressed, we may suddenly develop an irregular heartbeat. Let us discuss the implications of this on a global level.
The HeartMath Institute is a non-profit organization that is involved in research and education in regards to emotional self-regulation tips and techniques that center the heart and its functions. Dr. Rollin McCraty believes that the heart can be used to tap into our intuition, Source, Divine, etc (he calls it The Large) when we are in Heart-Brain Coherence.
Coherence is a term that is used to reference order, harmony, connection, and structure within systems, especially organ systems and even atoms. In the physiological sense, the word coherence is used to explain the harmony, stability, and rhythm that are going on within the body. According to McCraty, coherence significantly improves brain function, increases our ability to self-regulate, improves our long-term and short-term memory, increases our ability to focus and process information, and strengthens reaction times and our ability to learn. When we are in an incoherent state, however, it inhibits or interferes with our ability to synchronize electrical activity of our heart to the electrical activity of the brain. Therefore, McCraty proposes that we can use the heart as a feedback signal to get in tune with how we are feeling through Heart-Brain Communication (Coherence).
The heart sends more neural communication to the brain, than the brain sends to the heart. This is done through afferent ascending pathways from the heart to the brain through sympathetic and parasympathetic nerve fibers. These specific signals encompass activities such as strategic thinking, self-regulation, and reaction times. McCraty explains that the signals the heart sends will affect our brain, but especially areas of the brain like the frontal cortex, which is involved in self-regulation and self-awareness. These signals are sent due to emotional experience.
Another ascending pathway is a direct connection to the thalamus which plays a role in synchronizing electrical activity in the entire brain through thalamic cortical loops. When we are in a coherent state, which relies on the signals to the thalamus, it enhances cortical synchronization and optimizes cognitive function and the capacity to self-regulate. The prefrontal cortex is also involved in Heart-Brain Communication pathways, and the prefrontal cortex gives us the ability to have foresight, which McCraty describes as things like discrimination of appropriate behavior, abstract thinking, appreciation of achieving a goal, or setting a goal.
Incoherent rhythmic neural patterns, which impinge on the thalamus, correlate with low Heart Rate Variability (HRV). Heart rate and Heart Rate Variability are different. Heart rate is the counting of how many beats per minute the heart makes. However, HRV, is a measure of neurocardiac function that reflects the heart-brain interactions, as well as autonomic nervous system (ANS) dynamics. These HRV readings can give us some insight into how the heart and brain are communicating.
McCraty explains that we have the highest HRV when we are young, but it declines as we age. Below-normal HRV (for your specific age bracket) is a predictor of future health problems. Low HRV is a good indicator of how the effects of general depletion on the autonomic nervous system affects our being and vitality. In addition, it is associated with inflammation, congestive heart failure, diabetes, hypertension, weight gain, and Metabolic Syndrome. Incoherent rhythms are associated with our cognitive processes, which is called Cortical Inhibition. It is negative feelings that prompt us to do or say something we may regret later, and inhibits our ability to self-regulate.
When one is in a coherent state, it reflects the following:
Increased synchronization in higher-level brain systems and capacity to self-regulate behaviors.
Increased parasympathetic activity (vagal activity)
Entrainment between physiological rhythms
Coordinated activity in the two branches of the ANS
Increased heart-brain synchronization
Cardiovascular system resonance
Research conducted in the HeartMath Institute lab has been able to confirm with magnetometers that when someone is in Heart-Brain Coherence the heart emanates an electromagnetic signal into their environment. Scientists can measure the energetic cardiac field that the heart outputs about 3 feet away from the body of the person who is practicing Heart-Brain Coherence techniques, and these readings can also determine the emotional state of the person. This heart signal was tested on other subjects (and even animals), and the HeartMath Institute was able to conclude that it can be ”picked up on” by their nervous systems. In other words, other people can “feel” your cardiac electromagnetic output. McCraty explains that this is how we can really begin to have true Social Coherence through “Energetic Communication”. These magnetometers pick up the shape of the energy radiating from the heart, and it is said to be a torus, which is donut-shaped. See picture below:
At the HeartMath Institute, they have been studying how the world is interconnected through individual cardiac magnetic fields, as well as the magnetic field of the Earth. They call this the Global Coherence Initiative. Their hypothesis is that human health, cognitive function, emotions, and behavior are affected by planetary magnetic and energetic fields (Astrologers and Astro-Enthusiasts are saying, “we know!”), especially our cardiac magnetic fields. They also hypothesize that the earth’s magnetic fields are carriers of biologically relevant information that connect all living systems, and through the energy our heart’s radiate, every individual influences this global informational field. Our thoughts, emotions and intentions feed this field.
Some effective Heart-Brain Coherence Techniques, that are designed to be in the moment include the following:
Heart-focused breathing ™
Inner Ease ™
Quick Coherence R
Freeze Frame Ⓡ
Heart Lock-In Ⓡ
Attitude Breathing ™
Coherent Communication ™
Prep Technique
What I find interesting is that Leo represents The King and its opposing sign Aquarius represents The Collective. However, the heart (ruled by Leo) emanates an electromagnetic signal (the electrical body is ruled by Aquarius) which influences The collective (also ruled by Aquarius). I’m not proposing we should “thoughts and prayers” our way out of tough situations, but I do think that this is something we should all sit with.
CIRCADIAN NUTRIENTS: DARKNESS & SUNLIGHT
THE CIRCADIAN RHYTHM
I have always believed that the innate language of humans is cycles. We all exist in cycles within cycles: our 24 Hour Cycle, the Sleep Cycle, seasonal cycles, menstrual cycles, lunar cycles, and more. These natural cycles include the circadian rhythm which is a natural 24-hour cycle that regulates our sleep, wakefulness, hormone release, metabolism, body temperature, and more. This inner-clock is influenced by light (vitamin D) and darkness (melatonin), making you feel alert during the day and sleepy at night.
This is where all that talk about the first step to healing is to “create an AM & PM routine” that I’ve done across this blog and my socials really comes into play. The leading researchers and pioneers into Circadian Rhythms, like Professor Satchin Panda, say this about establishing a routine:
Create a consistent bedtime that ensures you get about 7-8 hours of sleep. Once you’ve established this bedtime, count backwards three hours, and finish your last meal about three hours before your bedtime. Breakfast needs to be consistent every day as well, and Satchin Panda says it is healthy for the body to engage in Time Restricted Fasting where there is about 12-16 hours in which you do not consume food. This sounds ridiculous if you love food as much as me, but I have been practicing it for a year now. It can be this simple: I finish my last meal around 6:30 pm, which would mean bedtime is about 9:30 pm. I wake up somewhere between 5:30 and 6 am depending on how well I slept. Breakfast is about 6:30 am. So, if my last meal was 6:30 pm the previous day, and I “broke the fast” at 6:30 am the next day, that is a 12 hour fast. The thought here is that sleep is actually our natural detoxification state, and melatonin and glutathione (endogenous antioxidants) peak during 2 - 4 am. Eating before bed would inhibit the body’s overall detox process by giving it food to digest, when it should be draining toxins. Furthermore, the only time the brain drains glymphatic fluid is when we are sleeping. It cannot drain this fluid in our waking state. If we are waking up fuzzy and groggy, then it is possible that our brain is being blocked during its detoxification process while we sleep, meaning something is in its way.
Satchin Panda says this is a great way to maintain a healthy circadian rhythm and regulate blood pressure and blood glucose. He also goes on to explain that we should be getting 30 minutes of daylight, even on a cloudy day. I take my morning smoothie or breakfast outside to get direct exposure to sunlight so my brain knows it is the beginning of a new day. This also sets my brain up to produce melatonin later, as we will soon learn about. I also make sure to do cardio or walking outside everyday for 30 minutes as well because movement is so important for the lymphatic system. However, it also controls blood glucose.
Now for the second half of the day: when the sun begins to set, you should also wind down for the day. Avoid bright lights and device screens (LEDs and Blue Light especially) 2-3 hours before bed time. This also improves gut health and blood glucose. Darkness increases melatonin which makes us sleepy.
Circadian Nutrients support this inner-clock. The two relevant nutrients I want to discuss are vitamin D and melatonin.
MELATONIN
I have written about melatonin and its correlation with Neptune and The Moon in a previous post. To catch up, please click here. The following has been inspired by Dr. Deanna Minich’s work, interviews, and social media posts/resources on Circadian Nutrients (a term she coined).
Melatonin is an endogenous (naturally occurring in our bodies) hormone and indolamine (neurotransmitter) with pleiotropic properties. Melatonin has a hypnotic or soporific effect, meaning it initiates sleep. It is also found in plants and animals. For humans and animals, it is produced in the pineal gland at night when we are submerged in complete darkness. Our gut also produces melatonin. In fact, our gut produces 400x more melatonin than our pineal gland. In plants, like alfalfa and tart cherries, melatonin is found in the reproductive portions, as it serves as a growth factor for the production of phytochemicals in those plants. In 1958, melatonin was extracted from the pineal gland of animals, and it was concentrated from that extract. However, it became expensive to manufacture, and companies began to chemically synthesize melatonin, making the production and manufacturing affordable.
One of melatonin’s pleiotropic expressions is that it is an antioxidant, and one of its main roles is not just to make us sleepy, but to detoxify the body at night. This is why it is so crucial for us to get enough sleep, and establish a healthy sleep schedule. Sleep allows our brain to detoxify, and to reset the glymphatic system (the system which acts as our waste clearance) [5]. During sleep, the brain drains its cerebrospinal fluid, and shrinks about 40% its size, releasing those toxins into the glymphatic system.
Melatonin is also anti-inflammatory. Neuroinflammation, or inflammation of the brain, actually inhibits sleep. It is melatonin’s ability to promote the exit of toxic metabolites from the brain into the fluid around the brain, otherwise known as the glymphatic fluid. Melatonin can cross the blood-brain barrier [6, 7], meaning it can be found in the blood and in the brain. This amphiphilic property reminds me of Neptune’s “dissolution of boundaries” significations. You can read more about the blog I wrote about Neptune’s dissolution of boundaries here.
The discovery of the glymphatic system is new, and therefore does not have an astrological government. Considering that it involves the brain, the central nervous system, and neurofluid, there are some Aries, Pisces, Neptune, Moon, and Aquarius rulerships. Another blog post for another day.
When working with a licensed professional, taking melatonin as a supplement should not inhibit the production of endogenous melatonin. However, the common synthetic melatonin supplement contains contaminants that overwork the liver. According to Dr. Deanna Minich, one study done in 2018 showed that there were a total of 13 different contaminants in synthetic melatonin supplements [8]. These chemically synthesized melatonin supplements come with contaminants that are not beneficial for the body [9], making it harder for the liver to break down melatonin. In fact, melatonin is broken down in the liver by enzymes CYP1A1, CYP1A2 and CYP2C19, which are cytochrome-P450 enzymes. Then, it forms into 6-hydroxymelatonin. Lastly, it is excreted by the kidneys as 6-glucuronyl melatonin and 6-hydroxymelatonin. Cytochrome-P450 enzymes are membrane-bound hemoproteins [10]. These enzymes function to detoxify the body of xenobiotics, which are chemical substances that are not produced in the body [11]. Furthermore, it has been suggested by Dr. Minich that, due to the fact that the liver metabolizes melatonin, it should be taken on an empty stomach 40-60 minutes before you are in bed [12]. The peak times for the liver’s detoxification process are between 6 pm - 6 am, where it is in its oscillation mode [13]. Between the hours of 2 - 4 am, our body is in detox mode. Again, this is why sleeping is so important. This window of time is when both melatonin and glutathione peak, and remember that both are antioxidants. It has been proposed that if we wake up during the 2 - 4 am window, that this is a sign there is something inhibiting the detox process in this window. Most perimenopausal and menopausal people tend to wake up during this time due to the low levels of progesterone, estrogen, and melatonin.
Melatonin is produced in ample amounts in our younger years, but hormones decline with age no matter who we are, unfortunately. We are aware of perimenopause, menopause, andropause, and now we have a term for the decline of melatonin as we age into our 50s: Melatonapause, coined by Dr. Dicken Weatherby. One study [14] confirmed that melatonin rises in the 2nd half of the Luteal Phase, which is likely due to progesterone’s dominance in this phase. When we are in our menopausal phase, estrogen, progesterone, and melatonin decrease. Melatonin reduces our core body temperature, and when we are deficient in melatonin, menopausal symptoms of night sweats can occur. Other womb/hormonal conditions in which estrogen and progesterone are out of balance can also alter the regulation of melatonin as well. It has been proposed that both melatonin and progesterone serve as hormones that regulate the menstrual cycle together [15], and can give some answers as to why estrogen, progesterone, and melatonin decline during perimenopause and postmenopause. One study [16] expressed that melatonin can actually help regulate the menstrual cycle, correct hormonal imbalances, and improve oocyte and embryo quality for people with PCOS. There is something here about sleep quality, womb health, and hormones that are connected, and I hope more research is done to connect all three together. Insomnia can cause imbalance to hormone production, and increase cortisol levels, depression, and stress [17].
You may have heard about melatonin due to the COVID-19 Virus, since it is being prescribed for long-term COVID [18, 28]. One of the long-term effects of this virus is that it damages nerve cells [19], and melatonin serves as a growth factor for nerve cells. Interestingly, it is also being prescribed to perimenopausal people. Because of its amphiphilic expression that I noted earlier, melatonin can be “everywhere” in the body, and therefore can address inflammation in the gut, brain, and blood. It further supports a high antioxidant status in the body, and according to Dr. Minich, 1 molecule of melatonin can quench 10 free radicals [20]. Moreover, when in the gut, it addresses interaction with immune cells, thereby supporting the immune system.
VITAMIN D
Vitamin D (aka calciferol) is fat-soluble and is found naturally in some foods. However, it can also be produced in the skin when exposed to the sun. Vitamin D absorbs calcium from the gut, and regulates calcium and phosphate levels in the blood [21]. Doing so supports the health and growth of bones. In addition, this vitamin helps to prevent osteoporosis, reduces inflammation, regulates cell growth, supports immune function, and regulates glucose metabolism [22]. It also has been thought to play a role in regulating melatonin levels.
Vitamin D is also a hormone with a hormone receptor in our bodies, and therefore, just like melatonin, is pleiotropic. Together, vitamin D and melatonin serve as Circadian Nutrients. Whereas vitamin D is connected to the sun, and we get our vitamin D through sun exposure on the skin, melatonin is connected to darkness, and it is the darkness which prompts the production of melatonin. Therefore, these two hormones should be supported and utilized to establish a healthy circadian rhythm, as they set the tone for this 24-hour cycle.
To produce melatonin at night, two things are required:
1. Dimming the light as the sun goes down and completed darkness while you are in bed
2. Earlier that morning, you should have gotten some direct exposure to the sun for about 20 minutes maximum [23].
Ironically, vitamin D receptors are found in the brain that are also associated with sleep, especially in the hypothalamus which is thought to be the circadian pacemaker. This is also the region that influences the production of melatonin. Some studies note that people who are deficient in vitamin D are more inclined to develop irregular sleep patterns, and since insomnia is both a symptom of and a risk factor for depression, vitamin D is sometimes used to treat insomnia and depression [24]. Deficient vitamin D levels contribute to frequent illness, fatigue, impaired wound healing, multiple sclerosis, type 2 diabetes, bone loss and bone pain, hair loss, and more relevant to this post: heart disease and depression [25]. Interestingly, vitamin D deficiency is connected to deficient melatonin levels [26].
Natural sources of vitamin D are cod oil, fish, liver, eggs, and mushrooms that are exposed to UV rays, and direct sunlight. It is important to note that UV radiation is considered a carcinogen, and only 5-20 minutes of sunlight exposure is recommended [27].
THE WRAP UP
Dr. Deanna Minich says that melatonin is the shadow of vitamin D. Increasing vitamin D intake may help to increase melatonin levels. As the day gets darker and turns into evening, we start to produce more melatonin, but we need those cues from the sun and from the darkness to produce these hormones. We need light, and we need darkness. It is akin to the Solar God Helios and his sister Selene, who are The Sun and The Moon personified in the Greek Mythos.
Helios is the embodiment of the life-giving Sun, and we learned that The Sun helps our body to produce vitamin D through direct exposure which is so crucial for health and wellbeing since it brings vitality back to our bodies. Selene is the personification of the quiet and restorative sleep we get throughout the night. Both The Sun and The Moon’s cycles are connected to our biological rhythms, where The Sun governs our wakefulness and vitality and The Moon governs darkness, detox, restoration, and sleep.
Tapping into our Cancer-like and Leo-like qualities for ultimate wellness is crucial, and when we layer our own placement of Cancer, Leo, The Moon, and The Sun in our chart can offer us some insight into how we can navigate our worlds from a place of intuition that is also Heart-Led. Having coherence with our electromagnetic signals that radiate from our heart will influence others to do the same. In addition, our Cancer and Leo placements can tell us how we can restore and revitalize our bodies, and setting up strong AM & PM routines in tune with our Circadian Clock will only strengthen that.
RESOURCES:
Dr. Rollin McCraty - Heart-Brain Coherence - Quantum University
How optimizing circadian rhythms can increase healthy years | Satchin Panda | TEDxBoston
Circadian Nutrients with Dr. Deanna Minich | Proven Health Alternatives
Bonny Casel, ND; School of Natural Medicine UK
[1, 3] - The Round Art of Astrology, by A.T. Mann
[2] - Ilahi M, St Lucia K, Ilahi TB. Anatomy, Thorax, Thoracic Duct. [Updated 2023 Jul 24]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK513227/
[4] The Colour Code, by Paul Simpson
[6, 8, 12, 13, 18, 20] - Deanna Minich, PhD, CNS
[5] - Jessen NA, Munk AS, Lundgaard I, Nedergaard M. The Glymphatic System: A Beginner's Guide. Neurochem Res. 2015 Dec;40(12):2583-99. doi: 10.1007/s11064-015-1581-6. Epub 2015 May 7. PMID: 25947369; PMCID: PMC4636982.
[7] - Tan, Dun-Xian. “Melatonin and brain.” Current neuropharmacology vol. 8,3 (2010): 161. doi:10.2174/157015910792246263
[9] - Tuft C, Matar E, Menczel Schrire Z, Grunstein RR, Yee BJ, Hoyos CM. Current Insights into the Risks of Using Melatonin as a Treatment for Sleep Disorders in Older Adults. Clin Interv Aging. 2023 Jan 12;18:49-59. doi: 10.2147/CIA.S361519. PMID: 36660543; PMCID: PMC9842516.
[10, 11] - Manikandan P, Nagini S. Cytochrome P450 Structure, Function and Clinical Significance: A Review. Curr Drug Targets. 2018;19(1):38-54. doi: 10.2174/1389450118666170125144557. PMID: 28124606.
[14, 15] - Greendale GA, Witt-Enderby P, Karlamangla AS, Munmun F, Crawford S, Huang M, Santoro N. Melatonin Patterns and Levels During the Human Menstrual Cycle and After Menopause. J Endocr Soc. 2020 Aug 27;4(11):bvaa115. doi: 10.1210/jendso/bvaa115. PMID: 33094207; PMCID: PMC7566378.
[16] - Mojaverrostami S, Asghari N, Khamisabadi M, Heidari Khoei H. The role of melatonin in polycystic ovary syndrome: A review. Int J Reprod Biomed. 2019 Dec 30;17(12):865-882. doi: 10.18502/ijrm.v17i12.5789. PMID: 31970309; PMCID: PMC6943797.
[17] - Hirotsu C, Tufik S, Andersen ML. Interactions between sleep, stress, and metabolism: From physiological to pathological conditions. Sleep Sci. 2015 Nov;8(3):143-52. doi: 10.1016/j.slsci.2015.09.002. Epub 2015 Sep 28. PMID: 26779321; PMCID: PMC4688585.
[19] - Coronavirus and the Nervous System | National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.
[21, 22, 23, 24, 27] - Vitamin D - Health Professional Fact Sheet
[25] - Vitamin D Deficiency: Symptoms, Treatments, and Causes
[23] - Yao, Lihua et al. “The Mediation Role of Sleep Disturbances between Vitamin D and Depressive Symptoms: A Cross-Sectional Study.” Brain sciences vol. 13,11 1501. 24 Oct. 2023, doi:10.3390/brainsci13111501
[26] - Romano F, Muscogiuri G, Di Benedetto E, Zhukouskaya VV, Barrea L, Savastano S, Colao A, Di Somma C. Vitamin D and Sleep Regulation: Is there a Role for Vitamin D? Curr Pharm Des. 2020;26(21):2492-2496. doi: 10.2174/1381612826666200310145935. PMID: 32156230.
[28] - Cardinali DP, Brown GM, Pandi-Perumal SR. Possible Application of Melatonin in Long COVID. Biomolecules. 2022 Nov 7;12(11):1646. doi: 10.3390/biom12111646. PMID: 36358996; PMCID: PMC9687267.
Jäpelt RB, Jakobsen J. Vitamin D in plants: a review of occurrence, analysis, and biosynthesis. Front Plant Sci. 2013 May 13;4:136. doi: 10.3389/fpls.2013.00136. PMID: 23717318; PMCID: PMC3651966.
