Author Archive for Awen Labow – Page 8

Reflections on Why I do What I Do

Ramblings, Reflections and Ruminations

March 2022 New Moon

By Daniel Giamario

Finding and Cultivating “Seed People” to activate a Renaissance

I first became aware of astrology in 1969, and was soon doing charts by 1970.  52 years later I will reflect on what has animated my journey.  Inspired by Dane Rudhyar, I gravitated towards an approach that blended psychology, mythology, spirituality, the esoteric, and global history.  I had the opportunity to study with, and be influenced by many of the revolutionary astrological guiding lights of the 1970’s, both well-known such as Rudhyar, Zip Dobyns, Marion March, Robert Hand, Liz Greene, and a few lesser known ones such as Tony Joseph and Charles Ponce.  What all had in common was steering astrology away from a deterministic approach, with the attempt to make it “scientific”.  Rather, the intent was the creation of the “whole” person, with the emphasis on assisting a person in discovering and aligning with their life purpose, including both shadow and light.  All were willing to challenge the foundations of traditional and mainstream astrology.

In my life, I was fortunate, pretty early on, to have a surprising clarity about my calling (or what I refer to as “sacred work”).  I was not so fortunate, though, in other areas of my life until considerably later!  In the 1970’s I was also deeply involved with a number of Indian meditational organizations as I was going through a “guru” phase, ultimately resulting in disillusionment.  In 1981 I had my first vision quest experience at Mt.Shasta with a master guide, Joan Halifax.  From that time onward I redirected my astrological approach to an Earth based and Night Sky oriented practice, out of which developed the Shamanic Astrology Paradigm ™ and the Shamanic Astrology Mystery School.  I developed the viewpoint that it was essential that if you wished to be an astrologer, knowledge and experience of the seasons, constellations, and planets was entirely necessary.

Out of this direct experience with the sky and land over the years, I developed a keen interest in the larger cycles of history, beyond one human lifespan.  Many years were spent in the 1980’s and 1990’s developing the schools unique and signature approach to the concept of the Turning of the Ages, that integrates and unites the stellar zodiacs and the seasonal/directional zodiacs, over the course of a precessional cycle.

In the last decade, I have succeeded in synchronizing six different timelines: 12 Precessional cycles (312,000 years), the Mayan/Hopi end of the Fifth Sun, Mayan Calendar, the end of Kali Yuga, the 6th Mass Extinction, and the non-astrological  “Fourth Turning”.  We should not leave out the Pluto return of the United States!  You can see a few of my recent presentations HERE.  In our school we have suggested the time-frame of 1962-2034 as the larger context of the convergence of all these timelines, converging on a singularity.

I feel that it’s not nearly adequate to make any sense of using astrology these days (Shamanic, traditional or mainstream) without taking these larger cycles into account.  These are not “ordinary” times.  In these subsequent weeks and months I will present ongoing research continuing my deep dives into Aquarius and its shadow, the Pluto return, the charts of the world “leaders”, the onslaught of AI and transhumanism, and the possibilities of a “Great Awakening”.  Always we shall use our signature “Three Worlds Approach”.

Most importantly, I see the primary function of our school is in finding and the cultivation of “Seed People”.

The Concept of the “Seed Person” or of “Seed People” was a phrase coined by a mentor and my primary inspiration, Dane Rudhyar, in 1973.  This approach greatly influenced a whole generation at that time, ushering in a veritable renaissance of leading edge astrology then.  The idea was that it was important, at a great Turning of the Ages, that enough aware people would emerge to preserve the wisdom of the past, in a non-specialized way, and then to plant the seeds for a new world, whatever might be the circumstances of the end of previous cycles.

In the past, there have been such figures, such as the Merlin, and the Persian Magi, who were at the cusp of a Great Turning.  They were both seeds, and nurturers of seeds, for future times.  They were aware that, like the present, it was a great Turning of the Ages.  Their job included honoring the best of ancient traditions, being honestly present in the current conditions of the times, and also being open to all the new transmissions that were coming in from “Great Mystery”.  Certainly this will be essential for a new Renaissance, one that can inspire the creation of a better and more loving global humanity.  Our School and Paradigm are inspired by their examples.  I cannot say it better than Dane Rudhyar himself, whose words ring so true from 1973:

A Seed by Dane Rudhyar

 

A Seed by Dane Rudhyar

written in 1973

I feel we are at the
threshold of a new age,
and that we need now,
more than anything else,

a new approach
to human relationships
and to social organization.

We need a planetary approach,
we need a synthetic approach.

We need something in which
the individual learns
his own function in the world

because if you are to have
a global world

the individual has to be
so well established
in his or her own identity
that he or she can afford to
co-operate with other people
all over the world,

independent of
their culture,
their race,
their traditions
and so on.
It is very important, therefore
that one should learn
how to establish oneself in
one’s own identity.

We need a new type
of human being.

We need something which is
based no longer, so much,
on conflict,

but on a
full acceptance of the
total human being
body, mind, soul, feeling
everything.

An esthetic approach
versus
an ethical approach,

so that you can see
the relationship
in which everything
stands inside of the whole,
so you can look at the whole
and become identified with the
“wholeness”
of that whole,
rather than with any particular part.

Now this is, of course,
a very difficult situation.

We are certainly
in a difficult time
and what is ahead of us today,
I do not know.

I am rather pessimistic
as far as the immediate future is concerned,
considering the way
the world and our nation
is moving at the present time.

But you must realize that
crises are sometimes
necessary to accomplish
what is to be accomplished.

The only problem, however,
is this:
something must be ready before
the great crisis comes

— when the new cycle begins —

for it will have to begin
on the foundation of those
seeds which have been sown
before the crisis.

If you have a winter
followed by a spring, but
there was no harvest
in the fall
no seed will germinate
during the spring,
and you will have to start
at the very beginning
into the most primitive time of manifestation.

That’s why I have stressed,
so much all my life the idea I call
the “seed man” and “seed woman”

the “seed person,” the individual

who is willing and able
to gather within himself or herself,
as it were,
the past of humanity
and particularly of our western world,
but also of other cultures

because what we want
to emerge from the future,
after whatever crisis will come
is a global world.

We therefore need
men and women of great vision,
individuals who are not specialists,
men and women who
have the vision and courage
to wait,

and to, in some way
through their lives,
through their example, and
through whatever they leave
after their deaths,
to become
the seeds
of the future world.

That’s of course,
the great choice
we have all to make,
and we all can make it.

We can follow
the mass vibration
and decay, like
all the leaves
of the world
in the fall
(however beautiful
the golden leaves may be),
they will have to decay
and become manure
for the future
of civilization,

but it is only
the “seed men and women” that really count,
and it is those
you should look for,

if you yourself do not
feel yet to the point of being ready to become
a “seed person,”
because it is that only which is
the insurance for the future rebirth of humanity.

I think today
it is of no use
to try to look
to the immediate future,
because it looks very dark;
but it is to look
to prepare —
for the possibility that
a new world may arise,
if not tomorrow,
the day after tomorrow.

I think it is the only thing
which gives value to
all our sacrifice,
all our courage, decisions and choices
today:

it is to become seeds
for the development of the future world.

So I hope
every one of you,
each one in your own life,
in your way can —
some day soon, very soon,
(if you have not done it already),
make the choice, and become
“seed men” and “seed women.”

I thank you.
Dane Rudhyar ~ 1895 to 1985

 

SATURN, MERCURY and the MOON CONSIDERATIONS – FEB.28, 2022

By Daniel Giamario

There is such a wonderful morning sky lineup!  Not to be overlooked is the Mercury/Saturn conjunction to be exact on Wednesday Morning at 18Aquarius59 at 8:33AM PST.  As of Monday morning Saturn and Mercury are a full 21degrees separated from the Sun, and relatively easy to see before dawn.  The Moon conjuncts Mercury at 2:11PM PST on Monday, followed by exactly conjoining Saturn at 6:01PM.  Tuesday morning just before dawn, will reveal a very old Moon (very thin crescent), just below Saturn and Mercury.

I consider this Moon/Saturn conjunction to be highly significant with regards to the unfolding drama of the United States Pluto Return.  The US South Node is 6Aquarius35 and its Moon is 27Aquarius12.  Putin’s North Node is 19Aquarius59 and IC is at 21Aquarius12.  The start of the currently ongoing Russia/Ukraine conflict was 2/22/22, almost exactly the first exact Pluto conjunction with the US Pluto.  Joe Biden is in his age 79 Mars synodic return.  Biden’s Mars is 12Scorpio35, quite close to Putin’s Venus at 11Scorpio42.  Transiting Uranus is opposing them at 11Taurus33 now.  This will be explored in greater depth soon.

How to unpack all this?  I believe that the analysis starts with a deeper understanding of Aquarius and of Saturn.  These have been major themes of my research in the last few years.  I think that both are tremendously misunderstood.  The hijack of both in the last 2000 years has made their essence extremely hard to discern.

I see Saturn, over the larger course of 300,000 years of global humanity to be the operating manual of objective reality; how to survive in a dense 3D world.  Only recently has it included judgment, shame, guilt, fear of deficiency, bad karma, or original sin.  Saturn, does, of course, teach us how to grow, change and evolve via boundaries and limitations, but that can be quite helpful, and a requirement for any maturation process.

Meanwhile, what in the world is Aquarius?  Is it air?  Is it water?  Is it actually about freedom and our unique individuality and personal sovereignty?  Or is it majority (mob) rule and the control of the state, run by AI algorithms and a scientific elite?  At its pinnacle, Aquarius can also be universal consciousness and the water of life.  Human beings are more water than carbon, and certainly not silicon.

As the Turning of the Ages accelerates, and the United States enters deeper into its Pluto return, these questions have been engaging me deeply.  Saturn’s role, being also one of the traditional “rulers” of Aquarius, will be crucial.  Which Saturn will dominate?  Will it be the hierarchical control of a technocratic elite exploiting Aquarian ideals and technology in the name of a fake unity?  Or could we also see Saturn in a feminine identity, being also an ancient symbol of the Golden Age.  Her guidance could inspire a deep commitment to reconnect with our spiritual essence, and connection to universal consciousness.  This is quite a bit different than its fake facsimile in the “metaverse”.  In this way, the Aquarian waters of life reanimate our actual “human nature”, including: empathy, compassion, the sacred, and the love of all life.

In the spirit of Shamanic Astrology, make sure to go out in the morning and hang out with the Moon, Saturn, Mercury, Venus and Mars, and see what transmissions you may receive.

Venus-Mars-Moon-Vesta-Pluto Stellium – February 27, 2022

By Erik M Roth of Inspiral Nexus

Link to my astrology page: https://www.facebook.com/InSpiralNexus

February 27th is a potent day as part of a multi-week period with Mars, Venus, Vesta and Pluto in the sign of Capricorn because the Moon has joined the alignment.  And it is all taking place the early morning sky.

This very rare alignment of planets and Vesta hasn’t taken place since 1955, but that was in the sign of Leo.  The alignment didn’t take place at all the last time Pluto was in the sign of Capricorn.  But there was a similar alignment of these planets (except for Vesta) back in 1791, when Pluto was in the sign of Aquarius, but that is the closest one (although Mars and Venus will conjunct in Aquarius on March 5/6 only about 2 degrees away from Pluto) to this time we currently live in. That was a time of the ongoing French Revolution and the implementation of the US Constitution.

The night sky in the early morning sky is the place to be!  Venus rises about 2 ½ hours before the Sun, Mars follows soon after with the Moon and Saturn almost an hour before sunrise.  Only Vesta and Pluto won’t be visible but the night sky map included with this post will give a good idea of where to look in the configuration complex of planets.

What does this mean, astrologically?

Capricorn is the overriding experience here and its all in how the planets “channel” it, energetically, with us.  We can ask ourselves what is truly important? We can inquire about what it takes to sustain a comfortable life but not a life to excess. Where do our responsibilities fall upon? Are we taking responsibility for what we are aligned with in our soul’s journey? How will it benefit the livability of future generations (not just to live but to thrive)?

The Moon is conjunct Venus, Mars, Pluto and Vesta all on the same day of February 27th.  It’s important for us to get clear with our practical sides, but also to detoxify the systems and structures within ourselves that have completed their stories and/or usefulness.  Perhaps we have held on to them for too long or maybe we didn’t know they were there, buried deep within our psyche?

With Vesta and Pluto involved, we can include a hearty dose of the deep waters of surrender from Pluto and a sacred reverence of the initiation itself in Vesta.  Meaning, this powerful and dynamic multi-week meeting of Mars and Venus takes on a new kind of wavelength with these other celestial bodies.

This alignment of planets is intending for the masculine and feminine working together side-by-side to accomplish something in the far future that is in harmony with Earth and humanity.   But it is a chthonic experience of the physical realm.

The recent attack on Ukraine by Russia illustrates the resistance to taking responsibilities for future generations and long-term sustainability by utilizing violence as a “resource”.  It is showing (among other examples in the world) that humanity has a LOT of work to do to co-create healthy human structures and systems.  Although, Pluto in Capricorn does represent a composting of structures and systems in very powerful ways.

Mars, Venus and Pluto have had many other “looser” conjunctions throughout the 20th century, but it has been over 24 years since Pluto, Mars and Venus have been together.  However, another alignment very similar to the March 5/6 alignment will take place in February, 2024 in Aquarius, with Pluto in that sign as well.

Mars-Venus Conjunctions in 2022

Feb 16, 2022

March 5/6, 2022

On February 16, the day of February’s Full Moon in Leo, Mars “catches up” with Venus in a conjunction at 16˚ 53’ in the sign of Capricorn and they move into conjunction again March 5/6 at 00˚ 01’’ in Aquarius.  But this is only part of a much larger story between these two planets.

The larger story is a dance of these two planets called a “saga” in Shamanic Astrology.  It recognizes the contributions to the masculine and feminine expressions throughout the ages from the ancient Mesopotamian Inanna-Dumuzi story to the Rapunzel-Prince story beginning in the 17th Century and into contemporary times. Daniel Giamario and I are facilitating a webinar about the Mars-Venus conjunctions right here.

This saga is called a Dumuzi-Rapunzel Saga and entered a new phase in early 2022 between January and April when Mars and Venus are within 10 degrees of each other for most of the period.  This phase of the story now involves the Venus in Capricorn incarnation mixing with Mars from its original Aries overtone, but now meeting in the signs of Capricorn and Aquarius.

The story began when Mars began its synodic cycle on October 13, 2020, in the sign of Aries, at its opposition point with the Sun.  It starts that way due to the red planet being at its closest point and hence brightest point when viewed from Earth.  The cycle is experiential, symbolic and metaphoric in its nature.

Venus’ role is was originally defined when it rose in the morning sky (heliacal rise point) on June 10, 2020 in the sign of Gemini.  Venus has this heliacal rise every 19 months (or more exactly 584 days).

The signs of each of those cycle beginnings come together.  So, between 2020 and early 2022, it was about Gemini and Aries.  But Venus completed its 19-month cycle and rose recently on January 15, 2022 in the sign of Capricorn.

During this 26-month Dumuzi-Rapunzel Saga, Mars and Venus had a rendezvous back in July, 2021 (in the sign of Leo) in the early evening sky before Mars dipped in the glare of the Sun in August.  Venus continued to brighten and rise higher in the sky.  Mars came out of the glare of the Sun (orbitally on the other side of the Sun from Earth) back on November 22, 2021 (hence in the hidden realm or underworld).  Mars was only dimly seen in the early morning sky, but it has since brightened itself and has now joined Venus in Capricorn.

What does this period of time mean, astrologically?

For Mars, is a time of maturing wisdom and knowledge.  This could be resisted of course by the masculine in those not able to grow and see beyond pride, profit and ego.  However, the opportunity is there for an instinctual assessment of what once was and now is.  It is a time to gather a full comprehension of the resources, systems and structures around to see what works and what doesn’t work.  The result is an intention to choose something that is beneficial for long-term sustainability beyond just the bottom line or the profit-margins.

With Venus, it is about the grandmother wisdom and expertise to seed something from the chaos of our times.  This can offer us patience and an obligation to manage our resources and knowledge in a more sustainable way. We can ask ourselves questions during this Capricorn period from late January to early March about what is truly important? We can an inquire about what it takes to sustain a comfortable life but not a life to excess. Where do our responsibilities fall upon? Are we taking responsibility for what we are aligned with in our soul’s journey? How will it benefit the livability of future generations (not just to live but to thrive)?

This alignment of planets is intending for the masculine and feminine working together side-by-side to accomplish something in the far future that is in harmony with Earth and humanity.  In the larger story, a maturing Mars incarnation (rebirthed in November) is looking from a place of humility to seek a higher-level wisdom with the goddess Venus as a beacon of that higher-level wisdom.

This match of Venus and Mars contributes a reunion of the story love that goes beyond the initial attraction from their courtship of the conjunction in July, 2021 in the sign of Leo.  At this phase, it blossoms into a deeper construct.  Venus has metamorphosized from Gemini to Capricorn and Mars has evolved after its dark-night period hidden in the glare of the Sun from our eyes (what is called the underworld phase).

The pairing of Venus and Mars may be intending to create a sounder approach to relationship building through the practical and utilization of what is of greatest service to future generations.

The two conjunctions in February and March also involve Pluto and the asteroid Vesta in Capricorn and so include a hearty dose of the deep waters of surrender from Pluto and a sacred reverence of the initiation itself in Vesta.  Meaning, this powerful and dynamic meeting of Mars and Venus takes on a new kind of wavelength with these other celestial bodies.

Another layer is activated when Mars and Venus move into the sign of Aquarius together on March 5th. Mars ingresses into Aquarius first late on the 5th (on the 6th for most of the world) and Venus joins Mars only 7 minutes later!  This Aquarius archetype introduces novel frequencies of innovation, experimentation and expansion of new ideas and consciousness itself.  Revolutionary thoughts are in the air, but they pertain to the relationship between the masculine-feminine polarity, with a sense of the sacred too.

The vertical yellow line is the devider between the seasonal signs of Capricorn and Aquarius

Historically, these conjunctions of Venus and Mars at the same time with Pluto and Vesta only rarely.  It was in August and September of 1955 when it happened last between the 4 celestial bodies.  The last time Mars, Venus and Pluto were conjunct in Capricorn or Aquarius (or both) in an extremely close alignment was back in 1791 (with Mercury and the Sun), which was during the French Revolution.

Mars, Venus and Pluto have had many other “looser” conjunctions throughout the 20th century, but it has been over 24 years since Pluto, Mars and Venus have been together.  However, another alignment very similar to the March 5/6 alignment will take place in February, 2024 in Aquarius, with Pluto in that sign as well.

We can look up in the early morning skies and see Venus and Mars and the magic that is created, meditating ourselves on the potentiality of the relationships we have with the planets and each other.  We are in one of the greatest times of for humanity’s transformation and Mars and Venus can play special roles in helping us deeply transform the larger story of the masculine and feminine beyond the limited roles we’ve had for many centuries.  It can be unnerving and even scary but there is a sense of something greater evolving and it is up to us to embrace our higher truths and move consciously and thoughtfully into the this great unknown.

Beginner’s Corner with Sheridan – 2/14/22

Dance of Venus and Mars

Image courtesy of https://stellarium.org

If you’ve been outside in the early morning recently, you’ve definitely seen Venus. If it’s been really early you may have seen Mars as well. I love the backdrop of Antares and Vega in a wide frame to this get-together. Perhaps, you’ve been blessed with a Mercury sighting too. It’s quite the lineup walking us into this Leo Full Moon, opposite our brilliant Aquarius Sun. We’re in the powerful cross-quarter time, signifying a lengthening of the Light for us northern hemisphereans and a deepening of the dark for those who reside in the southern half. Out of the stillness, or into the stillness, we go. How heavenly that our two Earthly halves mirror reflect each other. Simultaneously, we are graced to witness the Sacred Masculine and Feminine planets doing their dance in the morning sky. The seasoned Aries God is meeting the newly born Capricorn Goddess. Both are in Capricorn now but will be moving their slow encounter into the stellar rhythms of Aquarius soon. I love how this council of Venus and Mars begins in Capricorn and moves into Aquarius on the day of their next conjunction. What intentions are they reflecting for us at this time?

If Capricorn represents the Circle of Grandmothers, the wise ones who know how to live sustainably, smartly, correctly, then this gathering of the Masculine and Feminine principles in that archetype is our first clue. We are collectively striving to find union between these two energies within and without. Capricorn teaches us to work within the cycles of the Earth and to honor our Great Mother who feeds and nourishes us. We do this by loving on her, ourselves, and each other. That means EVERYONE. I’ve been thinking a lot about how the Gemini Venus cycle recently transformed into the Capricorn Venus cycle and what that’s teaching us. If Gemini is about moving beyond what the mind knows, beyond polarity and duality, then Capricorn comes in to show us how… for the sake of our survival. If we want to stick around, we have to unify, somehow, some way. Venus and Mars seem to be inviting us to do just that, find union between our Feminine and Masculine.

We all are clear on how the patriarchy hasn’t been healthy for any of us, male or female. Men are often misperceived as synonymous with patriarchy, taking all the heat. One could make a cogent argument for the damage patriarchy has waged on men. It’s undoubtedly been bad for women. We’ve all been in serious imbalance for thousands of years now. In some spiritual circles you’ll hear a call to swing back to matriarchy, for women to get control. But… shouldn’t our next step be no-archy? Isn’t it time to explore Gemini’s teaching to move beyond polarity? How about we try union and equality? Skip the rulership altogether. From the Shamanic Astrology perspective, aren’t we finally ready for the ultimate sacred marriage trip? That’s what Venus and Mars coming together demonstrates for me. Then, you throw in the Capricorn aspect of teaching us how to do things for the ultimate benefit of the community, especially those who aren’t even born yet, and it feels unmistakable that this is part of our current intention. (fingers crossed)

The Aries God gets a lot of the heat within the patriarchy – the military meathead, machine gun slung over his steroid-muscled shoulder, ready to blow down anyone in his path. Isn’t this Mars in Aries cycle helping us to compost this damaging stereotype of Aries and masculinity? His meeting with Venusian Capricorn feels like the Grandmothers and Grandfathers uniting to tell us what’s up and get us back on track. Sitting in council with Pluto confirms this desperate need for transforming our masculine and feminine into the empowered Sacred versions. How interesting the first Venus/Mars Capricornian conjunction occurs on this Full Moon on the Leo/Aquarius axis enlivening the themes of self-love and conscious awareness. We move into self-love through the union of all of our parts, through the sacred marriage, by honoring all of our creative aspects, and bringing this into our consciousness, into the light. The next exact conjunction occurs March 6, in Aquarius. Mars moves into Aquarius, followed minutes later by Venus and then the two meet exactly once again about 45 minutes after that, at the very beginning of Aquarius. First, we get some well-needed schooling by Capricorn and then we become conscious in Aquarius. That is my prayer for this Mars and Venus spin through the cosmos, both inside and out.

I love the Artemisia plants to support this union as these shrubs encourage us to find union between our Masculine and Feminine within. Leaders in the environment, the Artemisias literally lead the way and let us know an area is viable for us to live and set up shop. Mugwort is the most common Artemisia many know, but there is also Davana (known as Goddess in a bottle), Sweet Annie (Artemisia annua), Great Western Sagebrush, and Artemisia vulgaris – who helps us move from our minds into our hearts. If you’re struggling with making peace with one of these aspects within yourself or the world around you, try using an Artemisia, with intention, over these next several weeks, and see where it takes you.

Blessings and Love,

Sheridan Semple

https://sheridansemple.com/