Full Moon: September 20th – 21st 

Keywords: organize, work, collaborate, trust, commitment, recuperate, take breaks

It’s time to take a break from the heat and chill out. Virgo season is all about getting tasks done and as summer comes to it’s time to get our grinds on, productively. We’ve taken the time to have fun in Leo season so now it’s time to take the confidence we’ve been carrying with us to Virgo season. This next month is filled with ambition, opportunity and success personally and professionally. From August 23rd to September 22nd, get ready to put in the work while living your best life. 

Ambition Here We Come

Ruled by Mercury which is all about communication, this earth sign is super focused and ready to complete the task at hand with little distractions. This analytical sign has a big brain and heart which gives them a powerful stance when it comes to putting their all into projects, passions and people. With loyalty running deep it can be easy to depend on Virgo’s if you have their trust and love. By being willing to go above and beyond for the people they’re the closest to, they need to be weary to bend and not break. They’re very reliable and can count on them to follow through with their word and commitment. Represented by the Virgin who recognizes the angel and devils we both carry on our shoulders and which direction to go with. Virgo’s including Pink, Mother Theresa, Prince Harry, Beyoncé, Keanu Reeves are all prime examples of individuals who have worked their way to be known by standing by what they believe in and working hard to get there. 

Work-Life Balance 

This next month is all about getting down to business. If you find yourself having racing thoughts, take a minute to stop and reflect on what your chaotic thoughts are about. Just because we’re staying focused, doesn’t mean we don’t have time for some fun. This could be a perfect opportunity to collaborate with someone(s) to expand on your own ideas and stay chatty while working. While we can get wrapped up in trying to get things done as fast as possible and squeeze in as many items into our day that we possibly can, it’s crucial to give yourself breaks. Let this be a good goal-setting time for the next few work months on how you can get your work done without sacrificing your mental and physical health, plans and more to get it done. Maybe this means altering your routine to create some extra me-time or scheduling designated break times and actually not thinking about work from your work. Putting all of these into practice will bring you to getting more work done and with a more upbeat attitude about the work ahead. I think we can tell why school was meant to start in September. 

New Moon, Harvest Moon & Fall Equinox 

A new moon in Virgo will appear Septmber 6th to welcome intention setting and give as half-way check-in point for this season. On September 20th we’ll witness the Harvest Moon known for its yellow appearance and as a sign to finish any tasks before things start to get a little chillier. September 22nd starts the autumnal equinox, also the first day of fall. This marks the sun rising and setting later, beautiful crisp leaves and cooler afternoons. Take time to make personal goals as well as the professional ones we mentioned. It can be super easy to get wrapped up in the hustle of to-do lists that we forgot to do ourselves. It’s also not time to be a perfectionist either. Making a goal to the journal is productive as we’re already in the groove of getting things done and it’s personal writing without needing an approval or higher-up edit. Throw on the old classic Harvest Moon by Neil Young and soak up the rest of warm nights.

Image By:
Alexandra Andersson
While there are so many amazing plant-based Instagrammers,  we wanted to the acknowledge a handful of home-grown Canadians that are making huge impacts in the vegan food scene.

Whether you’re starting your journey into the vegan space or simply looking for a few delicious recipes to help reduce your meat foot print while still being delicious, we recommend following these plant-based powerhouses ASAP.

Angela Liddon

Arguably the most widely recognized vegan in Canada, Angela Liddon, creator of the Oh She Glows blog, has amassed a following that steps well over the Canadian border, with a global following of over 600K on Instagram. The tone of Angela’s cookbooks and blog is extremely approachable, with an open and honest foreword about how she came into the vegan lifestyle and what inspired her journey to create easy-to-follow recipes that would please both vegans and meat-lovers alike. We also love the ingredients she uses can easily be found in Canada which is a huge win!

From Oh She Glows Instagram 

Lauren Toyota

We love Lauren Toyota’s approach to plant-based living. The woman is on a mission to make the vegan lifestyle mainstream, and encourages a joyful approach to the concept of consuming delicious plant-based meals with pleasure and fun. Coming from an entertainment background, Lauren’s YouTube channel is full of delicious recipes and great advice on plant-based life.

  From Lauren Toyota Instagram

Erin Ireland

Working as a food reporter, Erin discovered her passion and purpose; to raise awareness for plant-based eating, demonstrating how the lifestyle can be nutritious, delicious and always cruelty-free. We love her authentic voice and how she showcases the food she makes and eats through her iPhone, as opposed to highly glossed over professional photo shoots, showing us what recipes will actually look like (still amazing by the way!)

From Erin Ireland Instagram

Plant Based Toronto 

Although local to Toronto, the Plant Based Toronto blog offers a range of amazing recipes and tips on vegan living that are great for all Canadians like how to get started on your new vegan journey, and our favourite, a 101 on Nutritional Yeast.

From Plant Based Instagram 

Steph Yu

Like Angela Liddon, Steph came to veganism as a step towards recovery from an eating disorder. Her spiritual take on the plant-based lifestyle is truly inspiring, and well followed by 200K Instagram followers. Steph shares her experiences on her YouTube channel and as a plant-loving podcaster

From Steph Yu Instagram

Who do you love to follow for plant-based inspo? Share with us on Facebook!

Lena Bell

With our city’s fast-paced energy, it can be challenging to take a step back. An inherent need to keep moving and doing can often keep us from tending the most important parts of our being. Through the practice of meditation, we can work towards creating calm and finding breath, focus and clarity.

And while the importance of meditation may seem to be another buzzy idea used to sell books and apps, there are many ways to ease into the practice without spending much, if anything at all. In honour of achieving enlightenment through mindfulness, we’ve rounded up a few places in Toronto that can help you start your meditation journey while on a budget.

The Quiet Company — Check out their calendar of events here

Every Friday between 12:15 pm and 12:45 pm, The Quiet Company offers a $10 drop-in meditation class called Reset with Meditation.  This lunchtime class can help bring back that concentration to tackle the last few tasks on your to-do list before the weekend starts.The session will include two guided meditations and encourages all levels to come and participate.

Image Credits: The Quiet Company

Meditation Toronto — 766 College St, Toronto, ON M6G 1C4

Meditation Toronto gives you something to look forward to at the start of your work week. Every Monday between 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm learn three simple and effective mantra meditation techniques at Mantra Meditation. All of the classes that Meditation Toronto offers are free of charge. Simply contact them for directions or show up.

Image Credits: Meditation Toronto

Toronto Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centre — 77 Harbord Street Toronto ON M5S 1G4

Start your morning off bright and early at one of Toronto Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centre’s free Satsang Group Meditation class. This class is held every Monday to Friday from 6:00 am to 7:00 am. Meditating in a group builds a stronger spiritual atmosphere which creates a more in-depth experience of meditation. People of different level are all welcome from newcomers to experienced yoga teachers.

Image Credit: Toronto Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centre

Centre Place Toronto — 101-320 Richmond St. E. Toronto ON M5A 1P9

Every Tuesday and Thursday between 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm Centre Place Toronto creates a peaceful and relaxing space for Zen and Mindful Meditation. Using the Zen Buddhist traditions and the mindfulness technique, this class works to assist with managing anxiety and depression to achieve deep relaxation. These classes welcome all levels and are free of charge, however, if you wish to donate to give back to the community there is an opportunity to do so.

Image Credits: Zen and Mindful Meditation 

A Brief History

Recognized for its violet beauty and spiritually guiding powers; Amethyst is known to be a calming and meditative stone that brings in a balanced peace. Zambia, Brazil, Uruguay and the U.S are the most frequent places Amethyst is mined.

Linked to the Crown Chakra, these crystals hold power to minimize negativity while at the same time radiating positivity. Amethyst’s serenity enhances higher states of consciousness and meditation; which can help align and unblock chakras for those who are on their path to enlightenment. Use its energy of contentment to soothe the conscious mind and relax after a long stressful day.

Daily Application

In the Workplace

Amethyst’s healing energy is especially useful for work-related stress. Since it is linked with communication, intuition and The Crown Chakra; it’s believed to have the power of increasing work effectiveness. Amethyst in the office facilitates not only the decision-making process but also brings in common sense and spiritual insights into practice.

In The Home

Amethyst in the living room can help grow families bond together and create positive, open communication with them.  Placing an amethyst somewhere in the bathroom is another way to relieve stress during a soothing bath.

Meditate

In a room with calm energy and soft lighting, you can use an amethyst cluster or an amethyst point to send energy and intentions into the universe. Place the amethyst in the palm of your hand, and breathe in the violet energy of amethyst. Before finishing take one last breath and slowly open your eyes as you breathe out.

Below are easy ways to incorporate Amethyst into your daily life:

Mala Prayer Beads

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Meditation Candles

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Crystal Face Oil

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Amethyst Crystal Essence

Amethyst Crystal Water Bottle

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Tear Drop Pendent

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Image Credit
FOODISM360
Sure, eating too much avocado on toast may mean you will never be able to afford a home, but who needs the trappings of modern wealth when you are able to nourish your mind, body and soul with the simplistic beauty of a single fruit?

Quick Facts

Fruit of the tree Persea americana, the avocado is native to Mexico and Central America, classified in the flowering plant family Lauraceae. Characterized by its oval or pear-shape, rough skin and large seed, the fruit has been referred to as the avocado pear or alligator pear. 

The earliest account of the avocado’s presence in Europe is from 1519. The avocado was later introduced to Indonesia by 1750, Brazil in 1809, and South Africa and Australia in the late 19th century. The actual word “avocado” derives from a Nahuatl Indian (Aztec) word  “ahuácatl” which in fact means testicle.

It is thought that the reference is either due to the avocado’s shape or the fact that it was considered to possess aphrodisiac qualities by the Aztecs. Leading us into the symbolism of this sacred fruit.

Spirituality and Symbolism

The avocado acts as an Aztec symbol of love. An avocado tree can live for hundreds of years and a pair of avocados living and growing together on a tree symbolizes relationship love. An ideal husband would bring a pair of avocados to his wife as an outward display of love. The Aztecs also associated the avocado with fertility, recognizing it as the fruit of lust which could act as a natural aphrodisiac.

The avocado is recognized as a source of energy, health and beauty, and unlike our friend the cactus, needs specific conditions to survive. We embrace the avocado as a symbol of love (for both self and others) and the transferring of our inner beauty into our physical bodies.

Image Credit
David Sola

Quick Facts

The cactus is a member of the plant family Cactaceae, which consists of about 1750-2000+ known species. Cacti are found from British Columbia to South America and have been introduced and adapted to Australia, East Africa and the Mediterranean, in places of warm and dry climate. The word “cactus” derives from Latin kaktos, meaning spiny plant whose identity is not certain. Recognized for its endurance and ability to thrive in trying environments, they are classified as stem succulents as they have specialized, fleshy stems.

Spirituality and Symbolism 

For those who find themselves drawn to the cactus, you may subconsciously admire its ability to thrive in intense conditions that would render a plant of lesser strength lifeless. The spiritual meaning behind the cactus is symbolized in its hard protective exterior,  its endurance and strength to survive in new environments and situations. The cactus is adaptable and strong.

While it may not be recognized for its beauty, the real beauty and treasure of the cactus come from the inside, with its unique ability to store water. Keeping a cactus in your home or at work will remind you to stay strong, endure and remember that the essence of both your truth and your beauty from within.