Archive for Daniel’s Articles – Page 4

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.

The Dazzling Morning Sky and some Venus/Mars Considerations

By Daniel Giamario

There continues to be a dazzling planetary display in the morning sky with Mercury now visible.  Look twelve degrees above Mercury and you will find a magnificently bright Venus, closely flanked by a 100 times dimmer Mars.  Saturn will soon join them in the morning sky rising around February 16th.

There is also an amazingly beautiful lineup including the waning crescent Moon on Feb.27th and 28th.  On the morning of Feb.9th, Venus will sparkle at her brightest (magnitude -4.65) for the entirety of 2022.

A week later, on the 16th, Venus will exactly conjoin Mars at 16Capricorn53.  They arrived within 10 degrees of each other on January 25th, and remain within 10 degrees until April 13th.

My colleague Erik Roth and I will conduct a Zoom seminar on February 15th to explore this rather unique and interesting dance of Mars and Venus on February 15th.  Details are here: https://shamanicastrology.com/2022-mars-venus-conjunctions-webinar.  These two planets will stay close to each other in the morning sky all week (perhaps celebrating Valentine’s Day?),and will also be in a close relationship with the important star, NUNKI.

Nunki is the only named bright star that still retains its ancient Sumerian name.  This star is the “vane” of the arrow of the Archer constellation; the upper left star of the Archer’s trapezoid asterism, with the direction of the arrow pointed towards the Galactic Center.  Nunki is currently located at 12Capricorn41 with a brightness of +2.05.

Venus on the morning of the 8th is at 13Capricorn02, with Mars at 10Capricorn58.  Though at nearly the same longitudinal zodiacal degrees, you will notice that they will be seen at a considerable number of degrees of declination from each other.  Mars, just slightly brighter than Nunki, will still be out-of-bounds at -23S33, and quite South of Venus and Nunki.  Venus is at -16S32(and so much brighter), and can be sighted way South of Nunki, at -3S27.  Visually, even though they are all rising and setting nearly together, they can appear to be quite far apart from each other.

In “considering” all this (see note below), several things are worth noting.  When the 9/11/2001 events transpired, Mars was conjunct Nunki, holding and directing the arrow of the celestial Archer towards Galactic Center.  Galactic Center, as the Golden Gate, and also a large black hole, can be seen as a place of composting and dissolution; or alternatively, as a gate of Ascension and Enlightenment.  Meanwhile, Venus, having recently risen as Morning Star, is now within the 7th Chakra portal.

On the one hand, this can be a time to remove any obstructions to the archetypal Feminine (in both women and men) with connections to the Higher Self and True Nature. Yet it also must be remembered that the Mayans and Aztecs saw the Morning Star rise of Venus as a “War Goddess or God”.  I actually have a Mayan Codex entitled “Venus Regulated Warfare”, describing the use of the helical rise of Venus to time battle plans.  As always in our paradigm, we must have the courage to recognize the possibilities inherent in all three worlds.  Check out my article on our ThreeWorldsApproach HERE

Note:  I have always loved the word “consider”.  Back in the 1980’s, the etymology of the word indicated that it originally meant something like “arranging with the stars”, with clear roots back to astrology and astronomy.  Much to my surprise, when I consulted the online resources out there now, this etymology origin has been expunged.  But then, maybe I should not have been surprised at all, with the Orwellian alteration of so many other words going on now.

RAMBLINGS, RUMINATIONS AND REFLECTIONS OF THE FOUNDER

February 1st, 2022 – NEW MOON

My View of Actual Global History has Further Deepened

By Daniel Giamario

In addition to my work with the school and the organic evolution of our astrological paradigm, my other main interest has been extensive research into the covered up history and back-story of global humanity.  I have often used the question, inelegantly stated as “Who are we and what the hell happened”?  I have offered many seminars and written many articles on this subject; most recently my vlogcast/rant called “300,000 years of human history: Evolution or Devolution?”  You can see it by clicking HERE.  Much new research is also included in my recent free seminar: “What is the Turning of the Ages?”, which you can see by clicking HERE.

My main views on this subject include the following:

  1. Global humanity finds itself at the end of the Kali Yuga, the end of possibly 12 precessional cycles (312,000 years), the end of the Mayan/Hopi 5th Sun, and the 6th Mass extinction.
  2. This is a time that enshrines materialism, with the deepest descent being artificial intelligence and the bogus Human 2.0, called egregiously by the World Economic Forum(WEF) and global elite’s  favorite philosopher, Yuval Harari: Homo Deus.
  3. Prior to about 6000 years ago, global humanity was cooperative and peaceful.  There were no organized professional armies.  This view has been popularized by Lithuanian archeologist/anthropologist Marija Gimbutas, and Riane Eisler, author of the well-known books: “The Chalice and the Blade” and “Sacred Pleasure”.  Eisler also brought to the public the concept of “gylany”, meaning a cooperative, sharing and non hierarchical society with equality between men and women.  Their research and philosophy helped shaped my own philosophy; in particular research on the Neolithic cultures.  Significantly the 6000 years ago  time frame corresponds generally with the beginning of Kali Yuga (said to be 5698 years ago), the start of the Mayan 5th Sun ( 5125 years ago), and the start of an entire season in the great precessional cycle, with the advent of the “Age of Taurus”( 6459 years ago).  This time frame will greatly figure into the newly discovered contributions.

The Signs of our Time: the Multiple Aberrations

  1. Hierarchical Patriarchy
  2. Patrilineal Family Structure
  3. Fundamentalist Monotheism
  4. Dominion over Nature
  5. Materialism and Scientism
  6. Abstracted language
  7. Recorded and linear history replaces oral history and cyclical understanding; also known as the “myth of progress”.

The Recent Research and Influencers

Previously in newsletter Ramblings, I have offered reviews and information about two researchers that have corroborated my always organically growing viewpoints.  One is Dr.Lynne Kelly with her essential book: “The Memory Code”.  This adds an additional and remarkable understanding of what our Neolithic forebears were up to with the megalithic temples and sacred sites. This greatly added to my knowledge and experience of the megalithic temples of Scotland, England and Ireland, which were the locus of my “Renaissance of the Sacred” trips with Anyaa McAndrew.  The other author is the amazing Robert Lawlor with his books: “Voices of the First Day” and “Earth Honoring”.  His research has been primarily about hunter/gatherer societies in Australia and Dravidian India.  Relative to the themes listed above, he explores the quite different cultural patterns of these peoples with regards to sexuality, male/female relations, oral histories, their views of cycles, and matrineal family structure.  Most importantly he feels that patriarchy is always the final stage of great cycles, and always a sign of imminent dissolution; the clearest sign of devolution.  I could not agree more!

James DeMeo and Wilhelm Reich

Very recently, my wife and I have become enamored with many of the contemporary outgrowths of the work of the often discredited psychologist and research scientist, Wilhelm Reich, and particularly with orgone energies.  It has inspired me to return to what I knew of Reich back in the late 60’s and early 70’s, when there was a resurgence of interest in his revolutionary ideas.  Back then, he was a major influence on such radical, at that time, therapies like Gestalt, Rolfing, and Primal Scream therapies, as well as the early versions of the Diamond Heart Approach, and the early expressions of what, at that time, was known as Rebirthing.  Even today, you can find Reichian and neo-Reichian practitioners (not to be confused with Reiki!)

There is a great connection between his views on sexuality and his concept of body armoring that strongly align with our schools understanding of the Scorpio and Taurus Mystery Schools of Life, and our understanding of involution.  These views placed him at odds with the scientific and psychological establishment, and together with the FDA, his books were burned, and he died in prison in the early 1957!  A sad story and quite reminiscent of what is happening today in our cancel culture.  The other area of thought that placed him at odds with the scientific and mainstream establishment was his deconstruction of tyranny, in both fascism and communism.  We could sure use him today!

My new favorite researcher is James DeMeo, the world’s leading voice championing Reich, and also continuing Reich’s research, mostly suppressed to this day.  Among Reich’s scientific research was an emphasis on Ether, the fifth element, which he thought in its unmanifest form was God/Spirit, and in its manifest form, he termed orgone (similar to the Eastern concepts of Chi and Prana).  This was contrary to the 20th century materialism that wrote Ether out of science early in the 20th century, despite its really foundational presence in pre 20th century science and philosophy.

Although all of his books are worth being made aware of and reading, in particular, and in harmony with my current research, is his really incredible book: “Saharasia:The 4000 BCE Origins of Child Abuse, Sex Repression, Warfare and Social Violence in the Deserts of the Old World”.  Along with Robert Lawlor, no researcher and writers have been quite so articulate in corroborating and influencing my evolving thesis.  Here is why:

  1.  He sees the great turning point global humanity’s devolution as being about 6000 years ago.
  2. He creates a highly credible geographic analysis that the many aberrations stemmed from previous climate change and desertification, and that new cultural traditions emerged in the Sahara, Egypt, the Levant, and Central Asia.
  3. In each area highly armored, sexually repressive, patriarchal, and anti-women cultures emerged, that now dominate most of the world.
  4. Rather than using the controversial and misunderstood terms of matriarchal or patriarchal, he uses the words “Matrist” and “Patrist”, with the respective meanings that almost perfectly match my primary thesis.  I plan to adopt this nomenclature.

I will include here his comprehensive list of the characteristics of these two different kinds of culture and so-called civilization.  This is from page 5 of “Saharasia. Apologies for being incapable of cleaning up a JPEG cut and paste!

In summary, these three books, and especially those of DeReo and Lawlor, express views that are in near complete contrast with those of the established mainstream dogmas of history, anthropology, archeology, and sociology.  The “consensus” views support linear progress, a flawed definition of so-called “civilization” and alleged human nature, along with the belief that humans are naturally warlike and competitive, and have always been so.  Most egregiously, they often hold the belief that patriarchy (Patrist) cultures are a natural stage of evolution.  Conversely, these writers and researchers, and I, hold the polar opposite view, that it is an aberration, a sign of devolution, and an extremely important indicator of the very end of great cycles of history.  A worthy discussion, of course, is whether most of this is actualy not, from a really wide objective view, aberrations, but rather exactly what needs to happen when Shiva, in service to a wounded Shakti, decides to compost much, if not all, before a new breath of new creation.

Though I have shared this before, I will include here an excerpt from Robert Lawlor about Kali Yuga”

From Robert Lawlor book: “Voices of the First Day”.  Pg.76

“The Vishnu Pranas, a mythological text of the Hindus, described it this way:

“Kali brought sin into the world.  In the Kali Age the proper order of human relations is reversed; social status depends upon the ownership of property; wealth has become the only source of virtue; passion and luxury are the sole bonds between spouses; falsity and lying are the conditions of success in life; sexuality is the sole source of human enjoyment; religion, a superficial and empty ritual, is confused with spirituality

 

 

A Shamanic Look at the Turning of the Ages – Revised

A Shamanic Look at the Turning of the Ages

by Daniel Giamario, article edited by Cayelin K Castell, and revised by Giamario in January 2022.

Author’s note: The original form of this article appeared in the second edition of the The Shamanic Astrology Handbook, edited by Cayelin K Castell*. The essence of this information, developed in the late 1980s, has been a regular part of my classes and workshops for years. For me, the original spark igniting this investigation came from a wonderful essay written by Robert Hand in Essays On Astrology (and elsewhere) concerning the movement of the solstice and equinox points into new constellations. Hand’s essay was inspired by C. G. Jung’s treatment of the same subject in his book, The Aion.

Over the years, my experiential and ceremonial work with the night sky, as well as teaching the night sky to others, crystallized the workability of these ideas. In those days, over thirty years ago, very few in the astrological community were interested in this subject. The only other person I knew of, who was aware of the solstice galactic alignments, was constellational astrologer Raymond Mardyks, whose fine work can be accessed as an example of other directions this same data can lead to.

In the late 1980’s, I began corresponding with European master astronomer Jean Meuss, via a recommendation from astronomer-publisher Guy Ottewell, concerning the precisely calculated dates of entry, into different constellations, of the solstices and equinox coordinates. I sent a communication to Meuss in 1991 asking him to calculate the exact date of the winter (December) solstice alignment with the intersection of the galactic plane and the plane of the solar system. He responded with May, 1998. I have been sharing this date in my talks and workshops ever since. Jean Meuss references the May, 1998 date in his book Mathematical Astronomy Morsels.

Now, in 2022, the greater part of the Astrological community still largely ignores the perspectives offered here.  There are significant exceptions, however, such as Gemini Brett and Linea Van Horn.  Also, with few exceptions these observations are ignored by most astronomers.  I have found that ceremonially oriented persons, often with indigenous backgrounds, can more easily understand it.  As the Turning of the Ages continues to accelerate, many more people, from many different backgrounds, will surely become aware of this larger calendric frame of reference. I suspect this awareness and understanding has occurred at other times in history, then was forgotten for a time, and remembered again.

In any case, these insights are not necessarily original or new.  What is offered here is not dogma, but rather is intended to inspire speculation and imagination. This body of knowledge is, however, a organically growing foundational element of our school and the Shamanic Astrology Paradigm ™.  The clues are all in the sky. All we need do is look and be open.  

  The topic of the Turning of the Ages will now be gaining greater emphasis in our school.  I felt it appropriate to go back here to an updated version of the article that started it all.

My latest research was recently presented at the Turning of the Ages seminar presented December 29th, 2021, which you can see here:2021 December Solstice Presentation.  A similar presentation takes place January 14th for the Tucson Astrologers Guild—LINK HERE.

Also included here is a new glossary of terms used in this article and forthcoming articles.

Where Solstice and Equinox points are currently, graphic by Cayelin Castell

The Turning of the Ages going beyond the Age of Aquarius
At the end of the millennium, whilst entering the year 2000, there was, and continues to be, much speculation about the so-called “end times.” Catastrophes, apocalypses, various end points of cultural calendars, as well as world renewal and oncoming Golden Ages are common themes. In an astrological context this is often referred to as the beginning of the “Aquarian Age”.

Since the late 1890’s, literally scores of scenarios have been developed claiming conclusive dating for the beginning of this Aquarian Age.(*2) The question of when the Aquarian Age actually begins is a highly interesting field of inquiry, and worthy of several entire books.  Included as part of this topic is the general misunderstanding that the “Age of Aquarius”, generally referring to the sign of Aquarius and its usual meaning, actually should refer to the constellation of the Water-Bearer, with a really different image and meaning. We have many videos and articles, over the years, on this subject.  However, I prefer to now investigate a larger context, raising questions and issues that should render the timing of the “Aquarian Age” moot.  I believe experiential shamanic methodology demonstrates that humanity is within the time-frame of the end and beginning of an entire 26,000 year cycle (and 1997-1998 was the center point).

The Tilt and the Wobble
The longest cycle in the natural world that can be apprehended by the human senses, in a single lifetime, is the 26,000 year cycle marked by the precession of the equinoxes and solstices.(*3) This phenomenon is caused by the interaction of the twenty-three-and-a-half degree tilt of the Earth’s axis (creating the seasons) and the wobble of the Earth’s axis (causing entirely different stars to mark “North” over the 26,000 year cycle, among other things). The interaction of the tilt and wobble of the Earth’s axis causes the solstice and equinox points to move backwards or precess one degree every seventy-two years through the zodiac.

Astrological Ages
There is a huge amount of literature concerning the so-called astrological ages, their connection synchronistically to history, and their remarkable relationship to esoteric and occult mystery schools.  Personally, I consider that the western scientific view (also held by some astrologers) contending that the precession of the equinoxes and solstices was unknown before Hipparchus is pretentious and oblivious to the obvious.  It is on par with the belief that no culture, prior to the age of western science, had any awareness of the eighteen to nineteen year Lunar Standstill Cycles.

Within the last ten years, scores of ancient sites, throughout the world, are now known to have as their basis in the extremes of the Moon’s orbit.(*4) This defied the previously held notion that these people couldn’t possibly have known about the 19 year cycle of the Moon. The next Lunar Standstill season has already begun, and peaks in 2024-2025.

Even if no one knew about the precession of the equinoxes and solstices prior to 300 BC, it still serves as a valid basis for the investigation at hand, a shamanic investigation of The Turning of the Ages.

The Platonic Year or 26,000 Great Year
The Neo-Platonists compared an entire 26,000 year cycle to one year, and referred to it as a “Platonic Year” or the “Great Year”.  This analogy is extremely useful.  Just as one year has twelve months and four seasons, a Platonic Year also has twelve months and four seasons.  However, one month in a Platonic Year is 2160 years long and each season is 6480 years long.  These figures are arrived at using simple math, but where do we start the Platonic Year or the 26,000 year cycle?  What establishes the boundaries for beginning and ending the Platonic Year?

This is identical to the problem of where to begin a circle.  In this case the circle can be represented with the plane of the solar system, or the ecliptic, marked by the constellations of the zodiac as a background.  The best way to begin a circle is to cut through the circle from the outside.  For example, Aries, 0 Aries, is the first sign of the zodiac (or circle), because conventionally it is the first thirty degrees following the March equinox.  Therefore it is the March equinox that cuts the circle of the zodiac to begin a standard solar year.

However, where do we begin marking the beginning and ending of the entire 26,000 year cycle?  Is there something else we can use to begin the circle relative to an entire Platonic year?  If so, this issue of where to begin and end the greater cycle could be resolved.  This also means that the smaller issue of where to begin and end one of the Platonic months (i.e. Aquarius) becomes considerably less significant.

A Shamanic Approach to the Night Sky
A mytho-shamanistic approach to astrology involves the direct observation of the night sky, connecting with natural phenomena using the human senses.  It is not based on an abstract, complicated computer-generated solution to a problem.  In the night sky, there is one very clear and even dramatic phenomenon that cuts the circle of the zodiac – the plane of the Milky Way!

Graphic created by Cayelin Castell

The plane of our galaxy cuts the zodiac/ecliptic belt at about a sixty-six degree angle in the region of the zodiacal constellations of the Archer and Scorpion (aka Sagittarius and Scorpius).  The Milky Way intersects the zodiac near the center of the galaxy in an extremely rich and thick field of stars.  Looking out towards deep space in the opposite direction, another intersection takes place in the vacinity of the constellations of the Twins and the Bull (aka Gemini and Taurus) where the Milky Way is barely noticeable.  The phenomenon of precession does not change these intersection points.  The Milky Way’s fixed star relationship to the zodiacal constellations creates a visible framework far grander, and much longer lasting than even the 26,000 year precessional cycle.

Where Does the Circle (Cycle) Begin?

Graphic by Cayelin Castell

We have now established what intersects the circle, thus establishing a wider context, however, a timer is still required to determine the end and the beginning of the 26,000 year cycle.  The majority of the world’s cultures have chosen the solstice or equinox points within a solar year to determine the beginning of a new year.

The only exceptions to this are locations on the planet, that are closer to the equator, where the seasons are similar, and not much difference is noticed between solstice time and equinox time.

These cultures, such as the Hawaiian and Egyptian, chose the rising of a star or constellation (i.e. the Pleiades or the star Sirius), and then calibrate the event with a new Moon to mark a new solar year.  Most cultures, however, have chosen either the March equinox, December solstice, September equinox, or occasionally the June solstice as the new year’s starting point. For example, our modern western secular calendar, beginning January 1, originally began near the December solstice.  Meanwhile, both astrologers and astronomers today begin their coordinate and calendric systems with the March *(Vernal) equinox.

The solstice and equinox points can also be used as the timer for the wider 26,000 year framework.  These points can be used to determine the astrological age, or Platonic Month, the Platonic Season, as well as the Platonic Year, as they precess at approximately one degree every seventy-two years.

It’s the arrival of the solstice and equinox points at the intersection of the plane of Milky Way and zodiac that clearly determine the Platonic Seasons, which occur about every 6480 years.  But what Platonic Season determines the end and beginning point of the entire Platonic Year?  How do we determine the more important intersection points?  Of the four seasonal points, is it the solstices or equinoxes points that may have precedence?

Galactic Center
The intersection between the Sagittarius/Scorpius constellations is visually impressive, and is also the area of the “Galactic Center.”(*5)  If the Sun is central to the solar system, galactic center is like the central Sun that all the stars of the galaxy circuit around about every 250,000 years.  When the equinox or solstice points are aligned with this intersection, the Sun rises at galactic center on certain dates – occurring about every 6480 years marking a change of Platonic Seasons.  It’s happening now, and using one degree equals 72 years, we suggest the zone of 1962-2034 as a great Turning of the Ages.

Why 1998 was so Significant

The Solar Gates Equinoxes and Solstices

According to the calculations of Astronomer Jean Meuss,(*6) famous for calculating stellar occultations and so many other things, the December Solstice coordinate exactly reached the intersection of the plane of the Milky Way with the zodiacal plane in May of 1998.  This is the only time in the 26,000 year precessional cycle that the December Solstice (Winter Solstice in North America) is exactly aligned with this cross.

The Sumerian/Babylonian civilizations chose a spring equinox calendar and modern astrologers and astronomers still use it.  There are two possible reasons for this choice.  For one thing, around 4000 BC, the equinoxes were in alignment with the Milky Way/Zodiac intersection where the Solstices are now located.  This was one whole Platonic season ago – about 6500 years ago. This cosmic frame of reference had an equinox priority then.

Secondly, during the third millennium BC, the March equinox formed precise alignments with the royal star Aldebaran and then with the Pleiades.  The rising Sun at the March equinox was conjunct the Pleiades during the very same years that the Sun rose at the June solstice with the royal star Regulus.  Recent research has suggested that the famous Mayan Long Count was backdated to begin with the heliacal rise of the Pleiades at the March equinox.  It is easy to imagine this was quite impressive and worthy of creating a new calendar!  So, at that time, the Sun rising near Galactic Center was also at the September equinox, and that was overshadowed by the dramatic celestial events occurring in the constellations of the Twins and the Bull (a.k.a. Gemini and Taurus).

Many cultures have considered the December solstice to be the time of greatest density, the deepest descent of spirit into matter, the longest night, and then the return, or rebirth, of the Sun.  It is the esoteric turning of the year.  The December solstice, not coincidentally, was chosen by the current world culture (through its secular calendar) to be the most important of the four calendar turning points, to mark the turning of a solar year.

We can imagine then that the December solstice has higher calendric priority (in this case, more than the equinoxes) for marking the end and beginning of an entire Platonic (Great) year, because of the primacy the shamanic and traditional cultures give to the December Solstice.  However, this can and should create a great stimulating debate on this issue.

Is it the Turning of the Great Year or a Seasonal Shift?
At the very least, we know humanity is at a seasonal shift.  If now isn’t the end and beginning of the Platonic year, then at the very least, it is the “mirror image” of what happened 12,500-13,000 years ago, when the December solstice was at the galactic edge.  This marked the time when the vernal (March) equinox was entering the constellation of the Lion (represented by the Sphinx of Giza), facing due east as silent witness to those historical events).  Today, the great sphinx is witness to the March equinox Sun rising with the constellation of the Water-bearer, (not the sign of Aquarius).

In my travels to Peru, Bolivia, and Scotland, I have had impressive direct experiences of numerous ancient monuments built to capture the precise rising and/or setting of the December Solstice Sun.  It is as if these monuments were built with this time in mind. For only now, (and the mirror image time 12,500-13,000 years ago) can the rising and setting Sun be experienced at the solstice, Milky Way, and zodiacal intersection, that is one of the two crosses.

I propose that all shamanically and experientially oriented individuals prepare for participating in conscious ceremony and festivals, especially during the December  solstices from 1962 to 2034(*7) celebrating the end and beginning of a galactic great “year”.  The rising or setting Sun at the December solstice is a marvelous opportunity to receive a transmission of galactic intelligence directly from galactic center, for dreaming and co-creating the next great age.  This cross is known by many as the Golden Gate.  The arrow of the Archer, the stinger of the Scorpion, and the thyrsus/spear of the centaur constellation all point to this gate.  It’s an exit point, a place of composting, of dissolution and of ascension.  At the same time, at the June Solstice is the other cross, known often as the Silver Gate, seen as an entrance point, as souls enter at the Galactic Edge.

Glossary of Terms:

AEON (or Eon):  Possibly the most appropriate term for this inquiry as it was used by Jung in his late writings (the book “Aion”) and this “god” having major astrological implications.  It refers to the zeitgeist of an astrological “age”.  Dane Rudhyar refers to “Eonic” consciousness in this context.  The etymology comes from notions of age, a vital force, or a long period of time.  Check out “Age” further down.  Aeon or Eon has often been used synonymously to refer to any particular span of time.  Significantly,  it is always less than the age of the manifest Universe itself.

EPOCH:  Has a fixed suggested starting point in time, with some world changing event.  Its etymology suggests a point marking the start of a new period of time.  This is like BCE,  AD, or BC, with reference often to a suggested birth of Christ.

ERA:  This refers to what follows the beginning of an Epoch, such as the “Christian era”.  Refer back to Epoch.

AGE:  This is like Era, but more general, not necessarily needing a fixed starting point.  It is often seen with expressions like “Victorian Age” or “Tudor Age”.  Of course, this is quite connected to the commonly used expressions in astrology like the “Age of Aquarius”.  As I have written and shared about so often, there are scores and scores of suggested starting dates (epoch) for this age.  Our school and this presentation can hopefully resolve this issue.

GREAT YEAR:   A Great Year is one entire precessional cycle, or 12 ages as one year….sometimes it’s called “The 26,000 year year. Each astrological age is one of 12 months in a year.

Other Important Words Often Used:

SAGA:  This is a long story, usually from oral tradition.  Our school uses this with reference to the long interactions of Venus, Mercury, and Mars, and various “stories” that can be applied to their dance.

SAECULUM:  An ancient Etruscan concept, later incorporated by the Romans, and others.  Originally it was meant to refer to the oldest living elder at any given time, usually seen as about 90 years.  Later on it was used to sometimes mean 100 years or a century, or almost any somewhat long period of time.  It was also used to refer to the fact that four entire generations would turn over within one saeculum.  This understanding is expounded in the essential book: “The Fourth Turning”.  It also has greatly contributed to our school’s understanding and teachings regarding the shamanic timeline cycles, and four seasons of life.

MAYAN LONG COUNT:  5,125 years.  Said to begin in 3114 BCE, but that is controversial.  The long count was said to end Dec.21st, 2012, and that also is controversial.  Recent research suggests that the Mayans backdated this start date (an epoch) to the year that the Pleiades conjoined the Vernal Equinox.  Five of these Long Counts nearly equal the current accepted length of a precessional cycle.  See the Last entries.

KALPA:  This is a concept from the Indian sub-continent that usually describes the very largest views of creation and dissolution.  As with the Yuga understandings following, it can refer to really long time frames, or somewhat shorter time-frames.  There are many competing opinions.  Some current teachers believe that we are now at the end and beginning of an entire Kalpa.

YUGA:  This is a concept from the Indian sub-continent, and can be applied to really long periods of time, or as recent research and scholarship has established, can be synchronized with the precessional cycle.  Like the Kalpa, there are many competing opinions.  This is discussed in these presentations.

FOUR SUNS or FIVE SUNS:  Within the Mayan,  Aztec, and Incan world views, they perceive either five or four Suns.  This refers to four or five different periods of creation and destruction, and then a complete rebirth.  I favor the five sun approach, as it so elegantly corresponds with the recent Yuga scholarship, as well as the precessional cycle.  This is discussed in these presentations.

THE PRECESSIONAL CYCLE:  Currently calculated as 25, 920 years (or sometimes 25,772 or 25,800), this is the great cycle produced by the wobble of the Earth, in space; that creates the phenomenon of different North stars, over time, as well as the creation of new “ages”.  This is also the most important astronomical factor that illustrates how every constellation will align with every astrological “sign”, over the course of 26, 000 years.  There is an emerging view that this precessional cycle is not constant, and can vary over time.  Sri Yukteswar, in the late 1800’s, based on the research at that time, believed the cycle to be 24,000 years.  Hipparchus, the alleged “discoverer” of precession once thought it oscillated back and forth in a much shorter time, and then later, 30,000 years was suggested.

GALACTIC ALIGNMENT:  Proposed by Raymond Mardyks in the 1980’s and popularized by the books of John Major Jenkins, this refers to the truly significant alignment of the solstices and equinoxes with the intersection of the plane of the galaxy and the plane of the solar system.  This can occur 4 times in a 26, 000 year precessional cycle. The very first presaging of this was in the book “Hamlet’s Mill”, from 1969.

THE TURNING OF THE AGES:  Originated from Daniel Giamario in the 1980’s, this is another term somewhat similar to the Galactic Alignment.  Our school suggests a time period from 1962-2034, as the current Turning of the Ages, when the December Solstice Sun is located at the intersection of the Galactic plane and the plane of the Solar System.  Giamario consulted Jean Meuss in the 1990’s to have him calculate the exact date of the intersection, which was  determined to be May, 1998.

COSMIC YEAR: 225-250 million years; the amount of time for our solar system to go around the Galactic Center

 

Notes

*1. The Shamanic Astrology Handbook by Daniel Giamario with Cayelin K Castell

*2. Some of the more interesting proposals are:

  • 1962 AD The great conjunction of planets in Aquarius
  • 2012 AD The movement of the star Regulus into the sign of Virgo (from Dane Rudhyar)
  • 2376 AD Vernal Equinox enters the constellation of Aquarius as defined by the sidereal zodiac of Fagan and Bradley

If we use the tropical zodiac to create twelve equal ages, then each age is about 2160 years long. If we date the beginning of the Piscean age at approximately 100 BC, then the current time is very near the entry into the next constellation of Aquarius. If we use the constellational boundaries of Ptolemy, the vernal equinox will not reach Aquarius until after 2600 AD.

*3. Various numbers of years have been given for this cycle. The number of years is probably not entirely stable and may oscillate a bit over time. Dane Rudhyar uses 25,868 years because that is used in Blavatsky’s Secret Doctrine. Charles Jayne uses 25,694 years. Most popular literature currently uses 25,920 years. My personal favorite exact figure is 25,800 years used by many astronomers such as Guy Ottewell. To simplify, I use the rounded figure of 26,000 years for the cycle.

*4. Chimey Rock, Colorado, Chaco Canyon, New Mexico, Callanish, Scotland and many others

*5. The precise location of Galactic Center, currently at about 27 degrees Sagittarius, lies below the ecliptic and thus below and to the right of the intersection of the Milky Way and zodiacal constellations. But it’s pretty close.

*6. From a personal correspondence

*7. These could be the exact ceremonial timings, but note that the greater festival is at least a 72 year window lasting from 1962 to 2034.

Suggested Bibliography for Research on The Turning Of The Ages:

  • Hamlet’s Mill by Giorgio de Santillana and Hertha Von Deschend, Boston: Gambit 1969
  • The Myth of Replacement : Stars, Gods, And Order In The Universe by Thomas Worthen, University of Arizona Press, Tucson, 1991
  • Astrological Essays or Essays on Astrology by Robert Hand
  • The essay which is a commentary on Jung’s book The Aion, concerning the movement of the vernal equinox through the stars of Pisces.
  • Astrological Timing by Dane Rudyar
  • The Origin of the Zodiac by Cyril Fagen
  • The Astronomical Companion and The Astronomical Calendar by Guy Ottewell, Astronomical Workshop, Furman University, Greenville, S.C. 29613
  • The History of the Zodiac (pamphlet), Astro Communication Services
  • The Glorious Constellations, History and Mythology, Giuseppe Maria Sesti, Harry N Abrams, Inc. New York, 1987

The Shamanic Astrology Handbook Info and Order

 

This Wonder of Solstice Full Moons

By Daniel Giamario

Full Moons that appear at or near a Solstice often had tremendous significance to ancient Earth/Sky peoples, in, among other places, the American Southwest.  It was one of the many ways to synchronize Solar ceremonials with Lunar ceremonials.  In ancient Egypt, the synchronization was between the closest tiny crescent new Moon with the March equinox to mark a new year, and even to have a sense as to the star of a whole new age.

This month’s Full Moon, happening at 8:36PM PST, on Saturday December 18th, is at 27Gemini29, less than 3 days from the exact December Solstice.  This certainly qualifies as one of these ceremonial synchronizations.  And there are many additional interesting features of this Full Moon.

This year the exact placement of Galactic Center is 27Sagittarius09.  The Sun will be at 27Sagittarius29!  The Moon, in opposition, will be also a mere 20 minutes from the exact Galactic Edge (what astronomers call quite inelegantly the “galactic anti-center”.  This has major implications as we shall see.

Does this happen like this very often?  To find out, it’s important to be aware of two remarkable features of the Moon’s cycles.  One is the Moon’s Metonic cycle; wherein the Moon will return to nearly the same place every 19 years.  Following is a tabulation of the closest Full Moons to the December Solstice:

December 19, 2002 27Gemini42    December 19, 2021 27Gemini29   December 18, 2040 27Gemini11

December 22, 1999   0Cancer25     December 22, 2018 0Cancer49      December 22, 2037 1Cancer02

December 21, 2010   29Gemini21   December 20, 2029 29Gemini21   December 20, 2048 29Gemini03

You will notice the 19 year pattern.  I think all of these qualify as Sun/Moon ceremonial synchronizations.  But there is more, far more.  The Sun, physically from our perception, never actually crosses in front of Galactic Center that lies somewhat below the ecliptic.  The Turning of the Ages coordinates, that I use, value 0Capricorn/Cancer as the key, as that is where the Sun is located in a seasonal change in the 26,000 year precessional cycle.  SAMS reckons 1962-2034 as the time-frame of the seasonal change we are in the midst of.  Thus 27 Sagittarius/27 Gemini are as important as Full Moons nearer to the 0Capricorn/Cancer Solstice points.  But, amazingly, the Moon, sometimes, does cross over Galactic Center and the Galactic Edge!

For this remarkable feature of the cycles of the Moon, we need to know about the Lunar Standstill.  Although this was hugely important to the ancient Earth/Sky peoples, this phenomenon was not even recognized by us moderns, until 1969.  Alexander Thom was most responsible for this.  Modern astrologers refer to this as merely as an out-of-bounds Moon.  The extreme Outer Lunar Standstill is usually termed the major lunar standstill.  This is when the Moon swings more than 5 degrees outside the boundaries of the Sun’s path, known as the ecliptic.  This occurred in 1969, 1987, 2005-6, and will take place again in 2024-2025.  Already the Moon is way out-of-bounds, beyond the ecliptic, when the Moon is near the Solstice points (Gemini/Cancer and Sagittarius/Capricorn).  This Full Moon is 26.15 degrees North of the ecliptic, nearly 3 degrees.  Any child that is born between 2021-2028 with the Moon in any of these signs, will have an out-of bounds Moon.  This is also true if you have one of those Moons and are born near 1950, 1969, 1987, 2006, or 2024-2025.  As we get closer to 2024-2025, the Moon will actually cross directly over the Galactic Center at the Southern extreme when in late Sagittarius or early Capricorn.  The absolute maximum extreme Outer Lunar Standstill will occur March 7, 2025, 28.42 North Latitude, more than 5 degrees beyond the ecliptic.  When near the June Solstice, the Moon does pass directly over Galactic Center.

What is the significance and practical application of all this?  This is the fourth and last time within the time-frame of the Turning of the Ages (1969, 1987, 2006, and now coming soon).  Considering the immense importance that the lunar standstill had for our fore-bearers; as witnessed by the numerous megalithic monuments across the world that ceremonialize it, it feels important it be aware of this.  This adds an even larger lens, and an additional framework, for having an understanding of just how important the times we are living are in.  The even greater changes may still be to come, as the Kali Yuga bottoms out, and the Fourth Turning is upon us.  On a personal level, if you are an out-of-bounds Moon person, you will clearly be on the front lines of global transformation, with the ability to see beyond the mainstream deceptions, and in a totally maverick and unique way, be able to pierce the veil of illusion and deception.  You may be able to participate in dreaming and then intending the next cycle.  For those without this feature, be aware that, in the past, lunar standstills were the time of the gathering of the tribes, the greatest ceremonies, the sharing of stories, and the periodic reanimation and revitalization of the world.

Be sure to go out and with be this Full Moon.  And remember that the Moon is exactly at the Galactic Edge, the place where so very many cultures perceived as where souls and new creation enters.  This is the Silver Gate.  And then, being aware that the Sun, is “on the cross’, at the Galactic Center, the Golden Gate, where that which needs to be composted, gets composted, or concurrently, where entrance into a new 5D reality can take pace.  One additional thing to take notice of, should you watch the Moonrise or Moonset: the place where the Moon rises or sets will be far to the North of where you will see the Sun rise or set, this can be quite surprising and really unique.

This Full Moon will be at the Northern extreme (late Gemini).  Interestingly, Chimney Rock, in Southern Colorado, a Chaco Canyon outlier, was built specifically to ceremonialize this Northern extreme.  This became evident in 1987 when archaeoastronomers finally realized that the extreme Northern Moon at the standstill season passed through the rock chimneys. Before that, most of them arrogantly assumed that the Native Americans could not have known of this!  I was there to witness this amazing event in 2006.  I invite anyone near Chimney Rock, to go at this Full Moon and see if the Moon is far enough out-of-bounds now, to go between the chimneys.  It sure will be at 2024-2025 nearest to December Solstice Full Moon.

I will be writing a lot more about this over the next year, in preparation for this most important punctuation point in the unfolding great Turning of the Ages.  Meanwhile, please consider joining us for our Solstice presentations:  CLICK HERE