Taurus Super New Moon

Coping with anger in the collective

Season: Spring

Element: Wood

Moon: New

Happy Saturday!

Tomorrow is the new moon in the element of wood. This moon brings us into Taurus season which shifts the energy towards a more grounded and sensual approach to life. It's a time to appreciate physical pleasures, build strong communities, and cultivate a sense of abundance and well-being. It is also a super new moon meaning the moon will be at its closest point to Earth during its orbit at the time of the new moon phase. While a super new moon is not visible from Earth like a super full moon, it provides a darker night sky for stargazing.

Photo by Ryan Jacobson on Unsplash

As we enter into this time of Taurus, it is important to realize that our anger and the anger of the collective can lead us to feel ungrounded and disconnected from our surroundings. For me, one source that amplifies my anger is the internet. The internet and social media platforms can foster anger through several mechanisms, including the online disinhibition effect, the pursuit of attention through provocative content, and the Dunning-Kruger effect. The online disinhibition effect describes how individuals may exhibit behaviors online that they wouldn't in real life, often due to factors like anonymity, invisibility, and reduced social cues. The attention economy, which is being battled out by tech companies, involves using intentionally challenging or controversial material to keep us constantly engaged. And finally the Dunning-Kruger effect is where individuals overestimate their knowledge and understanding of a topic fueling online arguments and anger as people may feel confident in their opinions even when lacking the necessary knowledge. Any of this resonating?

All of this leads to a much angrier collective. Studies suggest there's a link between frequent social media use and increased irritability, potentially leading to anger. Research indicates that engaging in active discussions, especially about politics, on social media is particularly associated with higher irritability. Additionally, the way social media platforms prioritize engagement and content that evokes strong emotions, like outrage, can contribute to increased anger. Per BBC’s article Why Social Media Makes Us So Angry, “The latest Gallup Global Emotions Report is based on 151,000 interviews with people in 140 countries. Since it began in 2016, the report has found that the number of respondents who felt angry has risen.” So how do we bring the temperature down with all this anger in the collective so that we can see with clear eyes?

Photo by Alex Radelich on Unsplash

Even though the internet can bring about a lot of anger, I have been cautiously optimistic recently to see more and more information on Substack about how to work together as a collective to combat anger. Here are a couple productive solutions have come into my feed that I think could make some positive impact on anger in the collective:

• Build a Community - on the micro level we can bring together people in our local areas that share similar concerns and frustrations and work on productive ways to address them.

• Contract Your Government - if you are in the US you can call or email your representative or senator to let them know what is making you angry. Or go to a town hall with family or friends to address concerns in person. Remember, these members of the government are still people and need to be treated with respect and a level of decorum.

• Digital Detox - if you are getting highly inflamed from what you are reading online, take a break and try a digital detox. Also, consider your comments online and whether they will bring about calm or anger. Remember fighting anger with anger never brings peace.

• Peacefully Protest - you can find out about peaceful protests in your area through 50501 and make sure to know your protest rights.

If the word “protest” raises some alarm bells in you, consider the Native Hawaiians and how they often refer to themselves as "protectors" (kiaʻi) to emphasize their role in safeguarding Hawaiian cultural sites and natural resources. This self-identification stems from a deep-rooted cultural responsibility to protect ancestral lands and traditions from desecration or damage, often seen as a lineal duty to past and future generations. How does peacefully protect sound to you? Peacefully protect our democracy, peacefully protect our rights, peacefully protect our freedoms. I like the sound of that and to me this idea of protection helps bring the temperature down.

I’ve also been thinking a lot about the Loving Humanity meditation I give at the end of the Rest Curations. During the meditation, I ask participants to imagine all humans living life full of health and happiness, full of love and peace, and safely experiencing life with ease. I don’t ask for them to imagine all humans living life full of high blood pressure and anger, full of frustration and rage, and dangerously experiencing life with struggle. I don’t think any of us want to live this way. So why is it that we so often do?

These times are trying, so give yourself permission to REST. Information on upcoming Rest Curations, Rest Walks, and Sound Curations are at the bottom of the post. And please pass this Substack onto a friend or family member to broaden this amazing CRC community and to give the gift of rest to those who need it. If you don’t live in West Michigan and want to hold a Rest Curation in your local community, please email me at abby@cascadefengshui.com for the script and music information. Or email me if you would like to organize a private Rest Curation for friends, family, or colleagues.

Note: Rest products are still in the works, but I am leaving the paid subscriber Rest Readings, Rest Recipes, Rest Rituals, and Rest Recordings on the newsletter for a month or so. If you want to contribute, consider becoming a paid subscriber through Substack:

REST READING
Check out all of the rest reading recommendations in Resources on my Substack page.

REST RECIPE
I’m always looking for yummy and healthy breakfast options, especially when I get sick of oatmeal or granola. Last August, my daughter’s dietician gave me a wonderful muffin recipe to help with our cholesterol issues. I’ve tweaked it slightly by using sweet potato in stead of carrots and dried apricots instead of raisins, but they are still super easy to make and delicious. They are definitely a grab-and-go option for busy mornings or when travelling. So here is the recipe for my Breakfast Muffins:

1-1/2 cups whole wheat flour
3/4 cup flaxseed meal
3/4 cup oat bran cereal
3/4 cup brown sugar
2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
1-1/2 cups sweet potato*, finely shredded
1 cup unsweetened applesauce
1/2 cup dried apricots, chopped (optional)
1 cup nuts, chopped (optional)
3/4 cup milk
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla

Mix together the flour, flaxseed, oat bran, brown sugar, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon in a large bowl. Stir in the sweet potato, applesauce, apricots, and nuts. In a small bowl, beat the eggs and add the milk and vanilla. Stir to combine. Pour the liquid ingredients into the dry ingredients. Stir until all of the ingredients are moistened. Do not over mix. Fill muffin cups until 3/4 full. Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 15-20 minutes.

High Fiber Carrot Bran Muffins

*Sweet potatoes can aid sleep due to their rich nutrient profile and ability to help regulate sleep hormones. They are a good source of magnesium, which helps relax the body and mind.

REST RITUAL
Although wood is a yang element, there are many wood activities that are considered restful. These are more active than other yin practices, but still can assist with getting you into a calm or even meditative state. Gardening is one of these activities and can make you feel more peaceful and content. Focusing your attention on the immediate tasks and details of gardening can reduce negative thoughts and feelings and can make you feel better in the moment. Just spending time around plants eases stress for many people.

Photo by Sandie Clarke on Unsplash

Even if you have a black thumb like me, get outside, put your hands into the dirt, dig some holes, plant some seeds, and see what happens. Or go to a nursery and find plants that bring you joy or spark a memory. I’m really only able to grow rhubarb in my garden bed, but every time I see the stalks shooting upward they bring me so much happiness and make my mouth water in memory of rhubarb’s tangy sour jams, sauces, and desserts. Their steady ascent towards the sun reminds me to slow down and remember to focus on the world around me that makes me happy rather than angry. I am grateful for these spring plants and all that they give.

Thank you so much for reading! I hope this has been enjoyable. May you have a restful and calm weekend.

Below are the upcoming 2025 Cascade Rest Curations (links to Eventbrite are underlined):

REST CURATIONS
Guided body scan, energy clearing, vagus nerve reset, yoga nidra exercise, rest / sleep, wake up, and meditation over an hour and a half. All Rest Curations will take place on the Sunday near the new moon at the Liebestraum Chalet in Alto, Michigan:

• Rest Curation - Sunday, June 1, 2025 from 1:30pm - 3:00pm

REST WALKS
Monthly dynamic walks to bring both energy and relaxation. These guided walks will start with a circle to stretch and to set an intention to ponder based on the element of the season. The first 30 minutes of the walk will be in noble silence and the last 30 minutes will be open to conversation and observation. The walk will finish with a circle to reflect, share, integrate, and finally stretch. If you have been hesitant to join a Rest Curation, please consider signing up for a Rest Walk since this a more active entry into yin energy. All Rest Walks will take place on the Saturday near the full moon at a park near Grand Rapids, Michigan:

• Rest Walk - Saturday, May 17, 2025 from 10:00am - 12:00pm

• Rest Walk - Saturday, June 14, 2025 from 10:00am - 12:00pm

SOUND CURATIONS
Join us to celebrate the element of each season with sound immersions by Kara Markovich at the Liebestraum Chalet in Alto, Michigan:

• Sound + Space Summer Solstice Sound Immersion - Summer solstice, Friday, June 20, 2025 from 6:30pm - 8:00pm

And if you are interested in my feng shui and interior design services, please see my website at www.cascadefengshui.com and contact me at abby@cascadefengshui.com.