Shadow and Light — The Mystic Minded, Issue 01

Written By Stephanie Nguyen

Welcome!

To the very first issue of the Mystic Minded a monthly publication crafted like a slow, magical magazine you can sip your tea and flip through.

This month, we journey through Scorpio season and Jupiter’s exaltation in Cancer.

Inside this issue:

  • Mood of the Month: Jupiter in Cancer — return of the light.

  • Scorpio Season: transformation and letting go.

  • Astro x Health: making space for growth.

  • Herbal Spotlight: Tamarind — a sweet–sour spirit tree.

  • Rituals & Recommendations: witchy films and cosy snacks.

  • Horoscopes: November 2025 forecasts at the end of this issue.

MOOD OF THE MONTH

Return of the Light

At the end of October, Jupiter entered Cancer - its sign of exaltation. A place where this planet of blessings, wisdom, and expansion feels most at home. We love Jupiter here! When the great benefic moves into its favourite sign, it brings a sense of hope, comfort, and renewal.

This transit takes place in the nakshatra Punarvasu, which translates to “Return of the Light.” And that truly feels like the theme for this month — emerging from the heaviness of the past few weeks, releasing what’s dense and sticky, and stepping into clarity.

On a day-to-day level, we’re always cycling through moments of darkness and illumination — but Jupiter’s movement through Cancer acts like a boost, amplifying our natural evolution.

This is a brief but potent transit — from 18 October to 5 December — before Jupiter retrogrades back into Gemini.

Think of this as a sneak peek of what’s to come mid-next year, when Jupiter will return to Cancer for a full 12 months.

During this window, we’re invited to reconnect with what makes us feel safe, at home, and fulfilled. It’s about expanding from a place of emotional stability — growing roots before reaching for the stars.

Ask yourself:

  • What helps me feel at home within myself?

  • Where do I crave more comfort, stability, or belonging?

  • What dreams am I quietly nurturing that could flourish with care?

This month offers a glimpse into those answers — a reminder that luck is something you co-create. ✨

Key Dates

  • 5 Nov: Full moon in Aries

  • 9 Nov: Mercury retrograde in Scorpio

  • 11 Nov: Jupiter retrograde

  • 16 Nov: Sun enters in Scorpio

  • 16 Nov: Sun conjunct Mars

  • 20 Nov: New moon in Scorpio

  • 23 Nov: Mercury enters Libra

  • 26 Nov: Venus enters in Scorpio

  • 28 Nov: Saturn turns direct in Pisces

  • 29 Nov: Mercury direct in Libra

Enter Scorpio Season

Transformation & Letting Go

As the month unfolds, the energy deepens. The second half of November carries a darker, more introspective tone as a stellium gathers in Scorpio — with Mercury (retrograde on the 9th), the Sun, and Mars, later joined by Venus.

Scorpio is the sign that dares to go where others won’t. It’s the descent into the underworld — fumbling through the dark to uncover what’s hidden. Ruled by Mars in traditional astrology, Scorpio represents sacred sexuality, transformation, and the courage to face our own shadows.

Scorpio season brings exposure, endings, and renewal. Secrets come to light, emotions rise to the surface, and we’re asked to release what no longer fits the person we’re becoming. It’s uncomfortable, raw, and necessary.

ASTRO x HEALTH

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, autumn relates to the lungs and large intestine — organs of release and grief. Scorpio carries this same frequency. To transform, we must shed.

Letting go sounds simple, yet it’s often the hardest thing we do. Whether it’s an old belief, a relationship, or emotional weight — release is a kind of dying. It’s what makes space for rebirth. This is the essence of Samhain, Halloween, and Día de los Muertos — rituals that honour death as part of life.

So this month, let something die — even if it’s small. An old self. A limiting thought. Or yes, even a solid poo (Scorpio would approve).

Because Scorpio isn’t just the scorpion; it’s also the phoenix — the one who rises again, purified by fire and light.

Release to expand. Let go to grow.

Jupiter, our key player this month, turns retrograde on November 11.

In the body, Jupiter corresponds to the liver — the Wood element — the organ of growth, vision, and expansion.

When we feel grounded and emotionally safe, the liver’s energy flows freely, helping us dream, plan, and move forward with ease.

With Mars and Mercury moving through Scorpio, and autumn’s emphasis on cleansing and elimination, this is an excellent time to support detoxification — physically and emotionally.

Wellness reminders for the month:

  • Support your liver with bitter greens and/or sour foods.

  • Let go of heavy or overly rich foods if you tend to feel sluggish (especially if you have a Damp/Kapha/Earth constitution).

  • Stay hydrated and include gentle movement to support circulation.

  • Breathwork practices to show the lungs some love.

HERBAL SPOTLIGHT

Each month, I’ll be featuring a plant I’m vibing with — one that’s in season, astrologically relevant and locally abundant here in Vietnam. These herbs are part of the lush Southeast Asian flora that mirror both my surroundings and the rhythm of the year. Hopefully it inspires you to explore what’s growing around you too.

Tamarind

Taste: Sour, Sweet
Energetics: Cooling
Category: Herbs that clear heat + summer heat

As a kid (and still now), I loved eating tamarind coated in sugar and a touch of chilli — basically a natural version of a sour warhead. Have you tried them too?

Milan has been obsessed with tamarind lately — he loves to remind me that its shape resembles the colon, which, according to the Doctrine of Signatures, hints at its gut-loving nature.

After such a hot, humid season, I’ve been especially drawn to tamarind to release excess internal heat as we move into cooler days. Its sour taste stimulates digestion, awakens the liver, and refreshes the system — a perfect ally for seasonal transition.

It feels especially fitting for Scorpio season, with Jupiter strong — a time that mirrors tamarind’s gift of cleansing and renewal. Its sour flavour also suits those in the Southern Hemisphere, where spring calls for foods that move and brighten the liver’s energy. A plant that meets both transitions with ease: clearing for autumn, invigorating for spring.

As always, trust the herbs you feel drawn to and explore what’s available around you.

Tamarind finds its way into so many Southeast Asian dishes. It gives Canh Chua, a classic Mekong Delta soup, its tangy balance — made with fish, pineapple, tomatoes, bean sprouts, okra, and elephant’s ear (a relative of the taro plant). I cooked it on my own for the first time last week. When I lived in Sydney, I could never quite find the right herbs — the elephant’s ear plant or rice paddy herb was always missing.

Perfect for this in-between season.

Ghosts love tamarind trees too!

There’s a tamarind tree in Vietnam that’s nearly 300 years old, standing in Binh Dinh province. Until recently, I had no idea they could live that long. Across Asia, the Caribbean, and Africa — wherever tamarind grows — there’s a shared belief that the tree attracts spirits, that ghosts dwell among its branches.

Because of this, tamarind trees are often found near cemeteries or sacred grounds and are rarely planted close to homes. Some traditions even say the tree exhales “acid,” warning against sleeping beneath it. Interestingly, there may be some truth behind the tale: tamarind roots release compounds that suppress the growth of nearby plants, a phenomenon known as allelopathy.

Despite its eerie folklore, tamarind remains one of the most beloved ingredients in tropical cuisines — flavouring soups, chutneys, noodles, and cooling drinks.

We’ll be exploring more of these connections between food, herbs, and medicine on our upcoming Vietnam Journey.

For now, consider adding a little tamarind to your meals — and let its sweet-sour magic remind you that even the most ordinary flavours carry a story.

*You can find tamarind in most Asian grocery stores near you.

RITUALS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

The intention for this section is to share rituals that you could practice each month based on the astrology and season. For November I feel that the most nourishing ritual is to watch some really good, witchy films. The list I created below feels perfect for November and Scorpio season. I have also made snack suggestions based on what I think pairs best with each film. Films with no food or drink suggested are on the eerie or emotional side and you probably won’t have much of an appetite.

Witchy Vibes: My Top 10 Movies for Fall

Kiki’s Delivery Service (1989)

My favourite Miyazaki film and an annual must-watch. A classic for all girls and witches dreaming of new beginnings and following their hearts. Kiki is our young witch who sets out to make a life by the sea with her adorable familiar, Jiji. Best enjoyed with a warm mylky drink and something sweet from a bakery.


Coraline (2009)

Henry Selick’s stop-motion masterpiece that briefly made me afraid of buttons. Coraline moves into a new home with her parents and finds a secret door leading to a parallel world (with buttons!). Everything is not as it seems... Pair with something a little sweet, salty and crunchy. Fruit and nut mixes or sweet potato chips.


Pan’s Labyrinth (2006)

Not for the faint of heart — I watched this for the first time in year 11 and was both terrified and mesmerised. This is fairytale storytelling in its original, dark form. To me, this is peak Guillermo del Toro. The story follows Ofelia as she and her mother move in with her cruel stepfather; one night, a faun appears and gives her three otherworldly tasks to complete.


Practical Magic (1998)

Living in Vietnam, this is the first year I’ve experienced a northern hemisphere autumn — so I had to rewatch this. It’s quintessentially a fall movie. Nicole Kidman and Sandra Bullock play witch sisters navigating love, loss, and magic in a small seaside town. Expect 90s fashion, a dreamy home overlooking the ocean, and a greenhouse to swoon over. Best served with chocolate cake or pancakes with a homemade syrup or jam.

The Love Witch (2016)

Elaine, a beautiful witch, uses spells and magic to make men fall in love with her. I’m still unsure how I feel about this film, but visually it’s perfection — think technicolour California in the late 60s. Best paired with floral tea and macarons.

Valerie and Her Week of Wonders (1970)

Another visually stunning piece — I have a soft spot for coming-of-age stories, and this one is hauntingly surreal. It follows 13-year-old Valerie, living with her grandmother while being pursued by a strange, monstrous figure. Czechoslovak gothic, dreamlike, and filled with symbolism.

Morgiana (1972)

Another Czech gem — something magical was clearly in the air in the 70s. Beautifully filmed, with Iva Janžurová delivering a stellar performance as both sisters. The story unfolds from the perspective of their cat as one sister plots the other’s murder... lush, eerie, and captivating. Pair with a very strong cup of tea.
*the cover photo is a still from Morgiana

Edward Scissorhands (1990)

Young Johnny Depp and Winona Ryder — need I say more? Expect Tim Burton’s signature gothic fairy tale style and melancholia. A gentle man with scissors for hands, a world that doesn’t understand him — tears will come. Skip the snacks; bring some tissues.

Chocolat (2000)

My ultimate comfort film — one of the rare times I prefer the movie over the book. Juliette Binoche as Vianne is absolute perfection. She and her daughter arrive in a conservative French village and open a chocolate shop with magic inducing treats. Best savoured with dark chocolate truffles or spiced hot chocolate.

Hotarubi no Mori e (2011)

Into the Forest of Fireflies’ Light — a short and bittersweet anime film. When young Hotaru gets lost in an enchanted forest, she meets Gin, a masked boy who can’t be touched by humans. Their friendship unfolds over several summers and is guaranteed to bring up childhood nostalgia or tears. Best served with an aloe drink with little jellies inside or a goma latte.

Horoscopes

Horoscopes

November 2025

Read for your Rising and Moon Sign.

♈ Aries

This month asks you to surrender control and let transformation unfold from the inside out. You’re moving through a season of deep emotional alchemy — facing themes of intimacy, shared resources, and trust. Mercury retrograde invites honest dialogue, not only with others but with yourself: what fears keep you from opening fully?
Jupiter retrograde in Cancer encourages you to tend to your inner world — home, family, and roots need your attention. Rest is not weakness. It’s recalibration. By the Aries Full Moon, you’ll feel a new surge of clarity around who you are becoming and what must be shed to live authentically.

♉ Taurus Rising

Relationships are your mirror this month. Mercury retrograde in Scorpio brings old dynamics or unresolved emotions to the surface — not to break you, but to bring healing through truth. Listen deeply before reacting.
With Jupiter retrograde in Cancer, your mind softens; you’re learning to express your needs with empathy and presence. The New Moon in Scorpio is a beautiful time to renew your commitment — to yourself or another — from a place of shared honesty. The Full Moon reminds you that rest and solitude are sacred, too. You can’t pour from an empty cup.

♊ Gemini Rising

Your attention turns toward the body and the small details of daily life. Mercury retrograde in Scorpio asks you to simplify, clear clutter, and return to the rituals that keep you grounded. If health or work matters feel unsettled, this is your invitation to pause and realign.
Jupiter retrograde in Cancer supports you in creating stability — both financially and emotionally. You’re redefining what true security feels like. Around the Aries Full Moon, community and friendships may offer unexpected support; connection is part of your healing medicine this month.

♋ Cancer Rising

November feels tender but rich with potential. With Jupiter retrograde in your sign, you’re in a process of rediscovering your confidence and emotional truth. Trust what feels expansive — even if it’s quiet.
Mercury retrograde and a cluster of Scorpio planets illuminate your fifth house of joy, creativity, and love. Old stories about your worthiness to shine may resurface, asking for compassion rather than critique. By the Full Moon, your professional or public path may call for visibility — a chance to embody your light more fully after months of inner work.

♌ Leo Rising

Your emotional foundations are being restructured. With so many planets in Scorpio, your attention turns to home, ancestry, and the inner sanctum of your life. Mercury retrograde may stir memories or unresolved family matters, but what’s surfacing now is ready to be understood and released.
Jupiter retrograde in Cancer calls you inward — to rest, dream, and listen. If you’ve been overextending yourself, the universe asks you to retreat. The Aries Full Moon reignites your desire for purpose and expansion; a reminder that healing within is what prepares you to step into new horizons later.

♍ Virgo Rising

Your mind is deep in reflection. Mercury retrograde in Scorpio activates your voice — and your capacity to listen between the lines. Miscommunications may arise, but they’re opportunities to refine how you express yourself.
Jupiter retrograde in Cancer highlights friendships and your wider community. Are you surrounding yourself with people who nurture your growth? The New Moon offers a fresh start in how you connect and share ideas. The Full Moon brings release around shared resources or emotional entanglements — letting you reclaim your energy.

♎ Libra Rising

This month invites you to redefine what stability and abundance mean. Mercury retrograde in Scorpio brings financial or self-worth themes into focus — a reminder that your value isn’t defined by external approval.
With Jupiter retrograde at the top of your chart, career and reputation take on a reflective tone. You may feel called to slow down, integrate lessons, and ensure your work aligns with your deeper values. The Aries Full Moon in your relationship zone sheds light on collaboration — the balance between giving and receiving.

♏ Scorpio Rising

This is your rebirth moment. With the Sun, Mars, Venus, and Mercury all traveling through your sign this month, life feels intense but clarifying. Around the Full Moon, you may crave a more sustainable daily rhythm — one that honours your body as much as your ambition. You’re shedding old identities and reemerging with renewed strength. Mercury retrograde may slow your momentum, but it’s helping you refine your voice and presence before your next leap. This month you will feel the desire to expand through wisdom, study, or travel.

♐ Sagittarius Rising

You’re in a deeply spiritual cycle, one that prioritizes rest, release, and inner healing. Around the Aries Full Moon, joy and creativity return — a spark of light in between the quiet of introspection. Mercury retrograde in Scorpio pulls you back inward, revealing the subtle patterns that drain your energy. Dreams may be especially potent now — messages from your subconscious calling for closure. Old fears around intimacy, vulnerability or dependence may surface, but healing follows honesty.

♑ Capricorn Rising

Your social circles and long-term goals are shifting. Mercury retrograde may bring reconnections or the need to clarify your place within a group or project. Not every community will feel aligned, and that’s okay — you’re refining your direction.
Around the Full Moon you may be literally or emotionally drawn back home — reminding you that true belonging begins within. This is a month to soften within partnership, or call in support where you’ve been too self-reliant.

♒ Aquarius Rising

The month begins with the Full Moon, bringing a flash of clarity around your ideas, communication, or creative direction. A new connection or conversation could reignite your inspiration and remind you what truly matters. As Mercury moves retrograde in Scorpio, you may feel called to slow down or rethink your next professional steps — a project or goal might need more time to ripen before it’s ready to move forward. Trust the timing; what’s taking shape now has long-term significance. Meanwhile, Jupiter retrograde in Cancer asks you to simplify your routines and tend to your physical well-being. Your energy is sacred fuel — nurture it well.

♓ Pisces Rising

This is a month of spiritual and creative expansion where you reconnect with pleasure, art and love. Around the Aries Full Moon, you’ll feel called to ground your inspiration into form — perhaps through a new offering, investment, or creative pursuit. By mid-month Mercury retrograde draws you into deeper questions of faith, philosophy, and meaning. What stories guide your life — and which ones are ready to evolve?
The New Moon invites a fresh sense of curiosity and devotion to your learning path.


♡ Share this issue with someone who might need a little light this month ♡

Stephanie Nguyen