Earth Day & The Genius of Trees: Uranus in Taurus and Forest Bathing

As we hunker down into acceptance of the long wait for a vaccine, widespread coronavirus testing and a full understanding of the COVID-19 life cycle, astrologers look to the planets for healing wisdom— Earth in particular.

Could the forests offer a boost to our immune systems?

The current cosmic patterns say “yes.”

Forest bathing, or forest therapy, involves spending time immersed in a forest, whether a two-hour walk through a forest, or a three-day sleepover under a forest canopy, the benefits are measurable. This ancient practice is also global: In Japan, shinrin-yoku literally translates as “forest bathing.”

Sure, it might sound like something you’d read about in GOOP, but even royal Duchess Kate Middleton, an earthy Capricorn, had a forest bathing garden built on her grounds.

Now science supports the Duchess. Data-backed research shows that there are beneficial effects to the immune system by forest bathing, and surprisingly robust ones.

Another study from Japan investigated the impact of essential oils from trees on human immune function. It measured exposure to phytoncides—aromatic volatile substances, such as alpha-pinene and beta-pinene.

In both cases, results showed that phytoncide exposure, along with decreased stress hormone levels, “significantly increased NK activity.”

While we’re not suggesting that Forest Bathing is the cure for COVID-19, we are scanning the landscape—and the starscape—for prevention, an ounce of which can be worth a pound of cure, as (Capricorn) Ben Franklin sagely reminded us.

The forest always signals transformation, a rite of passage, often sublime and evoking the transcendent. Follow your flowy feelings and head to the forest if you can. Embrace your inner elf and bath deeply in cedar and pine.

If you can’t get to the woods—or your state and local parks are shut down—find some trees and feel the earthy love.

As Uranus and the revitalizing Sun connect in Taurus on April 26, 2020, an electrifying once-a-year meetup could provide a stunning revelation for you this springtime.

And a poetic one, too. Taurus William Shakespeare—born April 26—wrote in As You Like It (Act II, Scene I The Forest of Adern):

“Sweet are the uses of adversity,

Which, like the toad, ugly and venomous,

wears yet a precious jewel in his head.

And this our life, exempt from public haunt,

Finds tongues in trees, books in the running brooks, sermons in stones, and good in everything…”

Look down. Look around. Find a tree, take a deep breathe and give thanks for the trees.

They appreciate it.

Photo by Annie Spratt for Unsplash