Shamanic Astrology Mystery School

by Daniel Giamario

In the Shamanic Astrology paradigm, the synodic cycles of the visible planets are amongst the most powerful tools available. Its the understanding and experience of these cycles that are the very essence of “AS ABOVE-SO BELOW”. On June 13th, 2001, the day of the Mars opposition, Mars began a new 26 month journey of archetypal integration; a hero or warriors quest within the context of the emerging archetype of the universal animus (male principal for men and women) represented by the sign of Mars at opposition. Mars was at 23Sagittarius at opposition.

The intent of our inquiry is look into the nature of the Sagittarius quest. It is noteworthy that within the last 100 years, only twice before was Mars in Sagittarius at opposition: June 10th,1922 at 19Sag and May 31,1969 at 10Sag. That information may inspire imaginative research. An important element of shamanic astrological work involves ceremony, which usually means simply creating sacred space to honor, observe, and be present for the celestial alignments. This seeds the imaginative faculties and allows for co-creation with Great Mystery, herein described the framework of the ‘As above-So below’. More…

by Daniel Giamario and Cayelin K Castell

From the lens of Shamanic Astrology, the planet Mars, as it journeys through the sky represents the hero’s quest. This quest changes every 26 months as Mars begins a new quest in a new area of the sky. On April 24, 1999 Mars (4 degrees Scorpio) reached opposition to the Sun (4 degrees Taurus). This signaled the beginning of a new Mars quest in the Scorpio mysteries. More…

by Daniel Giamario, edited by Cayelin K Castell

What follows here is an article that appeared in the April/May Issue of The Mountain Astrologer. Please see What is Shamanic Astrology for background information on Shamanic Astrology and to see the information that prefaced this article.

The Mars journey is playing an important role in the seven planet alignment taking place in May 2000. This article is designed to begin preparing our understanding ceremonially and shamanically for the events of May 2000. Valerie Vaughan’s fine article and research in the Dec/Jan 1998 Mountain Astrologer had a discussion on the close groupings of the Sun, Moon and five classical planets throughout history. From the perspective of Shamanic Astrology, these seven bodies are vital in that they are the visible bodies. The truly remarkable feature of this momentous time in May, 2000 not generally noted, is that all seven bodies will be located in the “underworld”, that is below the horizon and not visible. More…

January  11, 2014 Begins the Next Venus Cycle in Capricorn

by Cayelin K Castell

January 22, 1998 and January 20, 2006  marked the most recent 584 day cycles of Venus when she was exploring and integrating the Capricorn mysteries into the collective psyche of humanity. These cycles feature a time when Venus is focused exploring an emerging awareness of what Capricorn looks like now. The next time this cycle begins is January 11, 2014.  The Capricorn mysteries include images of the Circle of Grandmothers, the tribal elder, the one who knows the law, the leader who responsibly manages their domain. Capricorn is seen as a serious, responsible role, supporting the idea that hard work pays off. More…

by Daniel Giamario, edited by Cayelin K Castell

On or about January 22, 1998, Venus began a new 584 day “synodic” cycle.* Depending on your location and the visibility of the horizon, Venus appeared brightly and dramatically just before sunrise over the Eastern horizon. This is called the Venus heliacal rise, meaning to rise with the Sun.

The Sumerians, Babylonians, and Meso-Americans, among many others, began the Venus cycle with the heliacal rise. Experiential and shamanically oriented astrologers, who literally follow the hermetic dictum, “As Above, So Below, As Without, So Within,” also use the visible earth-centered Venus cycle as the basis for interpretation and archetypal awareness. More…