Hello beautiful soul,

Greetings from beautiful Indonesia, where my boyfriend and I are enjoying our well-deserved summer break. The past few months have been busy yet wonderful, so it was time to retreat, relax, and recharge with fresh energy and perspectives. We're balancing remote work with leisure, spending our time in Java and Bali.

Although we had a rough start—with a canceled flight, Koen slipping and needing stitches, and his wallet getting lost—we are now slowly settling down just outside of Yogyakarta. In recent years, I've learned the importance of staying calm and steady when faced with unexpected events. I'm proud of the growth I've achieved. Despite the challenges, I've remained grounded and resilient, like a tree standing firm in the wind. 🌳

We’ve almost made it! Emerging from the Underworld phase, we're experiencing a rebirth, like a caterpillar transforming into a butterfly. I feel like I’m in the midst of breaking out of the cocoon, becoming that butterfly. It still feels tight and enclosed, but I’m almost ready to shine. During this time away, I’m reflecting on the past months and looking ahead, considering what I want for myself and how to achieve it.

Koen and I are also exploring the idea of a second home. While Java didn’t turn out to be the right place for us, it’s part of our journey together, helping us find the perfect place for our future little family. This period is about reinventing myself and deeply aligning once again with the Venus cycle. It reminds me that when we surrender to the natural flow, there is a higher force guiding us on our path. It’s all about trusting the process.

The garden here is full of beautiful, large butterflies, reminding me of the transformation we are undergoing, and emerging from the Underworld.

I wish you a beautiful rebirth, at your own pace and in your own time. May this newsletter provide you with insight and guidance throughout this cycle.

A cacao pod from the garden here on Java. A gift from Mother Earth.

The Venus Cycle

Venus, known as the planet of femininity, completes her cycle approximately every 19 months, which we can break down into three distinct parts:

Morning Star: Venus is visible in the sky.
Underworld Phase: Venus moves behind the Sun and disappears from view.
Rebirth: Venus reappears from behind the Sun, visible once again.

We began this journey on August 13, 2023, nearly a year ago, under the sign of Leo. This period marks the Leo Venus cycle, embodying the Queen archetype. Leo encourages us to radiate self-love, self-acceptance, self-worth, and self-confidence. The Queen is the radiant star of her own life, a visionary who creates her life as she goes. She is a natural leader. This Venus cycle invites us to stand in our power, speak our truth, and shine brightly.

Venus is emerging from the Underworld on July 10. During this underworld phase, when Venus was invisible to us, she shed her old self, releasing past beliefs. Now, she re-emerges in the night sky, reborn as her true self. In the upcoming months, leading to the end of the cycle on March 22, the focus is on reinventing ourselves. It's a time to become aware of our power, strength, voice, and authentic self. Spread your wings and prepare to shine and fly like the beautiful butterfly you are. 🫶

The Energy of the Butterfly & the Eagle 🦋🦅

For this newsletter, I drew inspiration from two cards in the Herbal Astrology deck. The first card features the butterfly, an animal whose energy has been a guiding presence since the beginning of this journey. The butterfly's transformation resonates deeply with the myth of Venus, symbolizing death and rebirth. Just like the butterfly emerging from its chrysalis, Venus undergoes a metamorphosis, dying to become her true, free, and radiant self—a transformation we all deserve to experience.

48. Kava Kava - Community
Celebration, kinship with tribe, community, friendship, union, finding your chosen family.

“Kava’s energy moves through our nervous system like a Butterfly, relaxing, widening, and assisting us in surrendering. Although you might be amid an important moment in your life, remember that you don’t have to do it alone. When you widen your circles intentionally, you receive support from the universe, and others to join you on your path. To fully draw upon Butterfly’s medicine, it gently invites us to observe our position in the community in this moment. Are you a protector, creator, connector, or visionary? And how does that correlate this moment in your life alongside your personal evolution: egg, caterpillar, cocoon, or butterfly? Oftentimes finding your purpose within your community and the parallels with your inner journey can provide great relief and meaning.”

You might reflect on this question: where in the Venus cycle are you currently? Are you an egg, a caterpillar, a cocoon, or a butterfly? And what do you need to become a butterfly?

The second card I drew inspiration from is one I picked for myself this morning. Yesterday was a visionary day filled with small steps in the right direction, but it ended with a migraine attack in the afternoon. This card, number 26, Cordyceps - Revival, with the Eagle energy, reminded me that I am on the right path toward becoming a butterfly, emerging from the Underworld phase:

“If you have been walking in the shadows, you are being asked to reconnect with the element of ether, the Divine, and your higher mind. Heal your broken wings with love and seek a higher ground to observe the greatness of what you’ve made of.”

The Eagle always reminds me to step back, detach for a moment, and look at my life and the world from a higher perspective. When you zoom out of your life, what do you see? Can you remove yourself from the day-to-day struggles and difficulties to gain a broader view? What remains, and what new possibilities are emerging?