A mother kneels facing her toddler in the sunset. Their foreheads touch and she is holding his hands lovingly. Text reads "conscious mothering, how it's changing the world. (Why humanity is depending on you, no pressure)"

Unsuspecting and unseen, yet powerful beyond description from the time of conception onwards. Yes, that’s motherhood, and it’s changing the world.

a mother holding her newborn baby's hand

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Meet “Senescio rowleyanus”; succulent vine of the aster family. Native to southwest Africa where it can trail up to 2-3’. 

Some time ago (3weeksagodon’tjudgeme) said String-Of-Pearls was well on its way to attaining that length. Those 2 remaining juicy green beads suggested to me that there was still hope for that full potential to be recognized. The plant experts who I sought advice from, however, have informed me of what is called “root rot”. Essentially, I overwatered the thing. Which means that the roots are rotten and decomposing. So, I’ll need to compost my sweet friend and wash the empty container with bleach. It looks good on the outside, but where the growth starts there is mass decay and therefore this thing cannot be healthy. The change and growth I was hoping for would have needed to begin with me tending to the roots appropriately. I can only laugh and try again at this point. 

A dying string-of-pearls plants on the edge of a windowsill

Nature’s wisdom is so ironic in how it simplifies the challenges and tragedies of our lives. 

Astrology and the Input/ Output Dynamic

In astrology, the zodiac is divided several ways, one of which is the inner and outer houses. The 1st 6 houses tell us about our inner lives, and the last 6 about how we are in the world.

In the 4th house, ruled by Cancer and the Moon, we establish our identity. This happens through our most nurturing relationships in the early years, the way we relate to our own needs, our connection to our heritage and ancestral roots and our role in our families. This is the lowest, and most hidden point of the chart. In terms of the 24 hour clock this would be 3am; the darkest point of the day.

The highest point of the chart is opposite to this 4th house position: the 10th house. In this house, ruled by Capricorn and the planet Saturn, we have our role and contribution to society.  This is the highest point in the chart; where we are most seen. In terms of the 24 hour clock, this would be 2pm. The sun is at its highest, brightest, warmest and most visible. Full illumination. 

The way these 2 houses are positioned across from each other speaks of the dichotomy between our ability to contribute to society, and the strength of the roots that hold us in place and nourish us.  Like my sweet (dead) plant pointed out, if the roots are compromised, the plant will not be able to sustain its outer (above the ground) role. Had I provided this plant adequate and appropriate nutrition to keep its roots strong, its pearls would have continued to grow in both size and strength. The greenery would have continued to take in sun, which would have nourished its roots, helping them to grow deeper and stronger, which would have in turn continued the loop, nourishing the vine keeping it growing bigger and longer too. 

We’re not so different from house plants. 

Or, quite possibly, the truth that applies to house plants also applies to us, as living beings. 

The role of motherhood is nary socially elevated nor given accolades or the special treatment that having a title after one’s name would. In fact, taking years off to tend to one’s children is often rewarded with an inability to rejoin the work force because you are now “behind on things”. (You don’t need to convince me that you’ve essentially been at home running a multi person organization with minimal breaks and zero training.) 

Nature shows us over and over that change begins below the surface; at root level, in that 4th house. As above so below, right? 

Isn’t it interesting that when social programs are being initiated, part of the implementation happens in school classrooms? Or at well baby check ups? Did you also get a covid test sent home with your child this school year? This isn’t new, it’s just been flowing unidirectionally. 

Epigenetic studies have become increasingly mainstream, showing us the significance of the mother’s environment during the gestational period, and how specific genes can be activated or deactivated just as a result of the envirorment of the mother.

Numerous studies have been done to explore the thriving that happens when a newborn is safe and nurtured, vs only cared for physically.

Most people know that the subconscious mind is formed largely in the early years of one’s life; the years when children tend to be close in both proximity and emotional attachment to the mother.

In astrology, we study the transits within the first 6 months of life, in conjunction with the natal moon placement and it’s aspects in order to understand how the principle of security has been established in an individual, which leads to knowledge in how to help that person establish the feeling of security and balance in their adult lives, and what imprints they might have that are not supportive of developing that security.

So how do we, as mothers, create change?

Many mothers fear for their children’s future, given the current state of the world. They worry about how their littles will find happiness, health, opportunities, security in their futures.  Here’s the kicker: as a mother, the work you are doing is exponential and it’s in your hands.

Do you want your grand babies to have food that is safe to eat? To live on an earth where they can breath the air in without worry about falling ill? To be able to swim in the local lake without toxins entering their bloodstream? Build a life that models these values and support your family in positively interacting with and supporting nature. Grow food using healthy soil, then barter with the neighbours so everyone is cared for and has variety. Support businesses that care about their eco print. Recycle and compost when you can. Bring your own shopping bags. Be the change, then teach your children. This is motherhood, in live action, changing the world.

Are you sick of hearing stories about young black boys being shot by wanton police officers? Does the existence of anti-LGBTQ groups bring rage to your heart and fire to your eyes? Do you want your neuro-atypical child to be included socially, and to receive the developmental support they need? Model inclusivity. Get curious about others. Build friendships outside of your typical circuit. Provide opportunities for your family to interact with people who are different from them and to see the similarities they have with everyone, regardless of how they look or live. Be the change, then teach your children. This is motherhood, in live action, changing the world.

Do you hate that there are children in third world countries being paid next to nothing to make clothes so that we in the west can clothe our children for cheap? Research the companies that do this, and stop supporting the companies that use your money to keep their slave train going. Thrift, trade, consign, sew, and provide opportunities for your family to tend to their needs without simultaneously contributing to the child exploitation that’s happening on the other side of our clothes tags. Buy sustainable clothing and decide to own less. Buy pyjamas from your local maker.  Invest in merino wool. Get creative and resourceful to the best of your budget and abilities. Be the change, then teach your children. This is motherhood, in live action, changing the world.

Are you fed up with the school system? Does it seem that your children are being inadequately taught? Join the PTA. Write letters. Meet with the school board. Volunteer. Begin a local homeschool group. Things will not get better by your complaining alone; see where you can contribute positively and then get to it. Be the change, then teach your children. This is motherhood, in live action, changing the world.

There are a million different issues, and yeah, it’s true we can’t fight them all individually. Let’s be real, we don’t all feel impassioned about every issue, and that’s okay. What’s not okay, is griping about the state of the world and not using your dropper to contribute to the ocean of change. Yes, the undertaking is huge, oceanic. But also, yes, we’ve each got a tiny dropper. We are nourishing roots that will nourish the plants that your children are growing into. These plants cleanse the air, create homes for creatures big and small and contribute mightily to the ecosystem; each and every one of them. The tiny dropper of change that you feed to those roots, combined with the droppers of all the other moms and full grown plants, equates to change. Necessarily. Be the change! Teach your children!

Are you familiar with “May Day?” What we now know as Labour Day is actually a reference to International Worker’s Day, which came about as a result of a strike on May 1, 1886 where a multitude (like hundreds of thousands) of worker’s united to demand a change in the system. 

In the Handmaid’s Tale, the group of women who unite in an underground movement to usurp the system and free their children and the handmaids from the injustice they are facing call their team “May Day”

It is also a term that is used as a call for help. In French, the phrase “help me” is pronounced “m’aidez”, which sounds like “may day” in the English language.

Tend to You

Yes mama, its true, you’ve got your hands full. You need sleep, like DEEP sleep…that REM shit. Your children are teens and now you’ve got worry lines. Something terrible might happen to your sanity if paw-patrol plays once more. Your toddler has eaten 5 oranges and 2 plain weiners today, and will not be talked down to any other sustenance. You feel unacknowledged and under appreciated. Will everyone stop touching you for JUST 2 MINUTES!!!???

Go out and get you some tea dear sister. When you come back, figure out what you need to be well and to mother in the fullness that you were meant to. Then take some baby steps towards getting whatever that thing is. The world is depending on it. Your title might not be backed by a degree, but with that bachelor of M-O-M, you are nourishing the future of humanity. The lush, vibrant, air cleansing, beauty bringing plant that is set to spring up in, oh, 20 years from now, is getting its start, growing its deep roots, in your gentle hands and your safe home.

What’s mayday? THIS is Mayday, mama. You are Mayday. WE are mayday… and we won’t stop till we get what we want. 

xx,

 Celeste

As always, I am available for private astrological consultations for both adults and children. To learn more about what that looks like, head to my services page here or email me here!

Sources:

https://www.pregnancyinfo.ca/before-you-conceive/your-health-prior-to-pregnancy/epigenetics/

https://www.merriam-webster.com/words-at-play/mayday-meaning-origin

https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/international-workers-day-may-day

https://www.thespruce.com/grow-string-of-pearls-succulents-1902522