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Winter has properly started here in Melbourne / Naarm, as we just dipped below freezing last night at my house. We have now properly entered Chunnup, the traditional season of the Gariwerd region. Chunnup approximately covers June and July, and thus Gemini and Cancer seasons. The Cold winds haven't been too bad yet, but I've definitely been experiencing the freezing nights and rain. At this time of the year, people would move to rock shelters for better protection from the elements and settle down for a while.
While the humans are huddling up, many of the birds are nesting, although some start migrating at this time also. Nature has fungi continuing to fruit, Wattles starting to bloom and bring their sunshine coloured flowers out to stave off the dreariness of winter. Wombats emerge to sunbathe and graze in the sunshine, and lyrebird males perform their mating displays.
Chunnup begins with Gemini season, ruled by air and everchanging (mutable), with cold winds starting to pickup. Bringing both moisture in the form of rains, and dryness to our bodies if caught in the breeze. Medically, Gemini is most associated with tension (known as wind in some traditional systems). Some of us feel this in our muscles, some in our joints from the cold, but Gemini (and its ruling planet Mercury) are most known for is emotional / nervous system tension. Other areas that may be affected around this time are the lungs, another area that Gemini rules. And then onwards to Cancer season, of which all I can ever think of is cuddling up under a blanket on the couch, with a book and cup of tea in hand. Cancer is the sign of the home, nurturing, and protecting what you have. It is a time to allow yourself to be vulnerable in your own company, of recuperation (physically, emotionally, socially), and to allow yourself to slow down! In medical astrology, Cancer is cold and damp, much like this time of the year. and being a water sign, rules many of the fluids of the body such as the blood and lymph, as well as the stomach. Combined, Cancer and Gemini, rule much of the lower respiratory system together, which explains why many of the remedy herbs for these two signs makes up many of our cold and flu remedies! Cancer requiring warm, dry, and 'moving' herbs, and Gemini influencing many of the soothing aromatic herbs used for the respiratory system well as those used to calm chills and pains associated with fevers.
The winter solstice is in the middle of this season, represented by the days starting to get longer again to stave off the cold. Take time for yourself during this time. Personally I hope to enjoy some potlucks with friends to stave off the winter chill and seasonal depression.
I'd like to thank the traditional owners of this land and this wisdom. The Jardwadjali, Djab Wurrung, and Kulin peoples.
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