Welcome to Gemini season.

As we journey with each mushroom, think about the qualities and healing effects they have and how can we integrate them more into our lives. Whether that be through ritual, ingestion or just learning and building more awareness about their incredible capabilities and role they play in our world.

When we time the embodiment of each mushroom with the energies of the sky, this alchemizes a deeper connection and understanding of the earth and our physical vessels.

Mushrooms are nature's alchemists and we get to dive deep into our next fungi below. Also, refer to the Astrological Planner as your navigational tool throughout 2023 where you will find an intro to each and fungi archetype for each zodiac season.

Lion's Mane (Hericium erinaceus)

Lion's Mane is the king of neurohealth in the fungi jungle and is sought after for its medicinal nootropic qualities and culinary delicacy. It is also beneficial for all of the organs in TCM and has incredible digestive healing properties. It is immune-enhancing, anti-tumoral, anti-cancer, anti-bacterial, anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory, nerve regenerative, and provides gastrointestinal support. It helps with memory, concentration, brain function, nerve health, making connections between organ systems, all while reducing stress. It boosts nerve growth factor (NGF), stimulates brain cell growth and is being used as protection against Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease.

A wonder for the GI tract with tested effectiveness against H. Pylori infections that attack stomach lining, Lions mane supports digestion, reduces inflammation in intestines, protects against ulcers is being considered an alternative to antibiotics. There are reports of protection against stomach, colon, and liver cancer, and hormone modulation, reducing menopausal irritability. Anti-inflammatory effects can reduce depression and anxiety, improving the function of the hippocampus, ruling memory processing and emotional responses.

A wonder to the fungi kingdom!

Main modern use:

Nootropic, brain & memory support, improves cognition, nerve regeneration, digestive support.

PLANET:

MERCURY - Governs nervous system, respiratory system, adrenals, connections, information.

SIGN:

GEMINI - Communication, thinking, consciousness, and the mind. Gemini is about quickness, multiplicity, and interchangeability. It rules the hands, arms, fingers, capillaries, voluntary nerves, and respiratory system.

Pairing notes:

Brain gut connection. Mercury governs the nervous system and information. Gemini as a mutable air sign rules the mind, extremities, lung lobes, connective tubes, canals and ducts. This shroom can also be paired with Cancer (rules stomach, mucous membranes, meninges of brain, memory), Virgo (rules small intestine, duodenum, sympathetic nervous system), Aquarius (governs circulation and electrical system).

If you are interested in medicinal mushrooms to deepen your relationship with Taurus this season check out Reishi, Usnea and Oyster from Feral Fungi. Use code MAGICOFI for 20% off at check-out!

Alchemist, Ethnobotanist, Mycologist & Spagyricist, Jason Scott, shares his wisdom of Shiitake and Taurus below.

Lion's Mane in Gemini

Wisdom of The Messenger

Common Name: Lion's Mane
Latin Name: Hericium erinaceus
Family: Hericiaceae
Tastes: Sweet & Salty
Affinities: Nervous System, Digestion
Energetics: Cool & Moist
Planetary Rulership: Moon & Mercury

The Enduring Messenger

If you have heard anything about the growing wisdom surrounding mushrooms, you’ve likely heard about a powerful yet humble fungus known as Lion’s Mane (Hericium erinaceus). When embarking on my fungi-guided path, Lion’s Mane was a beacon of light and an opportunity to see the vast potential within the world of mushrooms.

Early on, I recognized the cognitive potential of Lion’s Mane and its capacity to cut through brain fog, improve clarity, enhance memory, and support overall mental health. From the first time I used this mushroom, I was immediately enamoured and used it extensively for myself and offered it to close friends and family.

Through its benefits on cognition, it was clear that Lion’s Mane has an affinity for the nervous system, but just how effective it is for the nervous system became apparent through anecdotal evidence. One of the first people I gave it to for brain health came back to me a few weeks later with a profound testimonial.

He mentioned that he felt clearer and his memory sharper. He also noted that, entirely unexpectedly, a bout of nerve pain in his wrist that had persisted for over six years had completely resolved with the consumption of Lion’s Mane extract. This experience alluded to a much more potent application of Lion’s Mane for nervous system support.

Shortly after I started my line of mushroom extracts, I met a woman who had recently split her tongue as a part of a body modification. While she loved the modification, she had utterly lost sensation in her tongue. I gave her a bottle of Lion’s Mane to see if it might help. Within a matter of days, she had already gained sensation back in her tongue.

Since then, I have used this mushroom in innumerable cases associated with the nervous system, everything from neurodegenerative conditions, including nerve damage and Alzheimer's, to over-sensitivity to neural sensation. Lion’s Mane proved to be a fantastic support in nearly every case, relieving tricky conditions.

Lion’s Mane has been shown to increase nerve growth factor through at least two prominent compound groups known as Hericenones and Erinacines. Lion’s Mane has also been shown to increase myelination of the neural sheath. Thinking about the nervous system as our internal electrical system sending pulses of information, myelination insulates and nourishes the nerves.

Beyond its profound effects on the body’s natural messaging systems, Lion’s Mane has a fantastic affinity for the stomach and digestion. Alleviating digestive inflammation and improving digestive function, including supporting the gut mucosa against ulcers.

Along with the notable benefits on the nervous system, which quickly puts Lion’s Mane at the top of neurotrophic supplements, herbal or otherwise, It has a host of other benefits we’ve come to expect of most medicinal mushrooms including immune support, regulating insulin response (anti-diabetic), anti-inflammation, anti-oxidant, hepatoprotective, healthy histamine response, digestive aid, anti-cancer/cellular integrity, ulcerative support, mood support (anti-anxiety and anti-depressant).

Lion’s Mane is widespread throughout the United States, Europe, China, and Japan, and is typically found growing on hardwoods, including oak. In the Pacific Northwest and throughout the states, we also find analogs including Hericium albietis and Hericium coralloides.

The Doctrine of Signatures in Lion's Mane

Being one of the first mushrooms I worked with extensively, Lion’s Mane was also one of the first mushrooms I worked with in determining planetary correspondences with fungi. It is clear right out of the gate that Lion’s Mane has a solid dual affinity with both Mercury and the Moon.

Mercury rules communication, thought, writing, and physically the nervous system. I can’t think of any other mushroom with a stronger affinity for the nervous system, and thus cognition and all things related to it. Lion’s Mane grows in dangling tendrils that resemble nerve endings, and when you cut it in half, it often resembles a brain.

Through the affinity to the nervous system, Lion’s Mane profoundly affects mental conditions from subtle to extreme, which is also in the realm of Mercury. Mercury being the primary ruler of Gemini, makes Lion’s Mane a fitting companion for Gemini as a sign, as well as anywhere Gemini or Mercury reigns, influence in one's chart.

Directly through the benefit on the nervous system, Lion’s Mane also influences communication, thought, wisdom, and all things relegated to those domains.

Beyond it’s affinity with the messenger planet Mercury, one of my favorite associations for Lion’s Mane is the moon. Whereas Mercury works primarily on the nervous system, the Moon is connected to the brain and the stomach. Both of which are heavily influenced by Lion’s Mane.

This mushroom also maintains about 90% of its weight in water which is also deeply connected to the moon. Whereas through Mercury, I think about Lion’s Mane through its direct relation to the nervous system and communication in a logical sense, through the moon I consider the effect Lion’s Mane has on thought in a more psycho-spiritual and emotional plane.

Physically Lion’s Mane looks like the moon with its dull white glow and bulbous watery shape. While the moon is where I primarily work with this mushroom, it undoubtedly has a strong affinity with both the Moon and Mercury.

Guiding Gemini

Gemini is the sign of the twins and presents with immense versatility, perceptual acuity, and conveying knowledge. Those with prominent Gemini placements in their charts often have an unfettered curiosity and the ability to express their thoughts precisely and clearly.

In deficit to their potential, Gemini can be at odds with themselves, limited in their capacity to communicate directly and concisely and to utilize their gifts to their highest ability. Out of balance Gemini is ungrounded, easily distracted, confused, and somewhat detached from themselves.

Gemini rules the nervous system, lungs, hands, arms, and other ‘pairs’ on the body. Lion’s Mane can be Gemini’s best friend and bring the sign to its detriment to its fullest potential. Imbalances in this sign relate primarily to the nervous system, thinking, logic, communication, and Lion’s Mane nourishes the nervous system so thoroughly that it can guide Gemini to the light of its substantial form.

Misguided Gemini can become detached from feeling and emotion and tend towards malefic mental states, including anxiety, depression, and bipolar tendencies resulting in nervousness, irresponsibility, and confusion with their inner and outer world. Nurtured by Lion’s Mane, Gemini can find balance and return to its full potential.

Whether the light of Gemini or its ruling Mercury is dimmed or completely blown out, Lion’s Mane serves as one of the best allies for correcting maladies within the natal chart position of this sign and planet or transits that influence them.

The key to supporting Gemini and Mercury lies primarily in addressing and nourishing the nervous system. No other substance, natural or otherwise, stands with the same potential as Lion’s Mane.

Other Gemini-Supporting Fungi

Oyster Mushrooms, Usnea, Reishi.

If you are interested in medicinal mushrooms to deepen your relationship with Taurus this season check out Reishi, Usnea and Oyster from Feral Fungi. Use code MAGICOFI for 20% off at check-out!