Astrology News
Information and announcements on all things Shamanic Astrology. It can include special planetary alignments and other events not listed in the other categories below.
School News
This news concerns updated information about what the school is doing, including new events, teleclasses, products and fundraising efforts.
Timeless Articles
These are articles which generally stand the test of time, as we humans know it. Examples include how Shamanic Astrology came to be, what is Shamanic Astrology, how to understand fundamental knowledge on astrology and Earth history looked at from an alternate perspective.
Articles on Venus, Mars and Mercury
As the title suggests, all the articles on Venus, Mars and Mercury can be found here. In addition, some classes and/or teleclasses on these planets can be found here as well.
Articles on Sun and Moon Eclipses
Lunar and Solar Eclipse seasons are times of potent celestial energy and so they evoke creative spirit to witness, take in, write and study the patterns of remarkable events. SAMS covers the eclipse seasons and over the years we have written articles on them, primarily by Daniel Giamario and Cayelin Castell.
by Cayelin K Castell
Venus, Queen of Heaven, brightest of the visible planets, has her own magical and mysterious cycle that repeats itself every 584 days. When Venus goes retrograde it signals the completion of one Venus cycle and the preparation for, and the beginning of, a new archetypal integration cycle for the divine feminine. Read More
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:
The Signs of our Time: the Multiple Aberrations
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:
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
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 
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.
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.
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:
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:
The Shamanic Astrology Handbook Info and Order
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
By Daniel Giamario
The news of the death of the mythopoetic giant, Robert Bly, on November 21st, aged 94, came to me after I had already decided to share about a fabulous and important book that I have recently read. Synchronicity can be quite an astonishing thing. The book is “Toni Wolff & C.G. Jung: A Collaboration”, by Nan Savage Healy (2018). It is truly amazing how these themes weave together, for me, as well as the inspirations for important features of the Shamanic Astrology Paradigm ™.
Robert Bly, a gifted poet, author, anti-war activist, counter-culture figure and transcendentalist, has come to be best known for his book “Iron John”. Bly was credited for inspiring a nascent men’s consciousness movement, which generated both praise and criticism and somewhat diminished his earlier work. I had the great good fortune of attending many of his workshops, particularly when he collaborated with Tai-Chi master Al Huang. What is considerably less known is that Bly was an early advocate for expanding the perception of women’s archetypes, particularly the dark chthonic feminine. Poems such as “The Teeth Mother Naked at Last” and his essay “I Came Out of the Mother Naked” were highly influential to me and to others who were reformulating mainstream astrology in a more feminine direction, considerably less patriarchal in flavor. But the greatest gift of all that I received from Robert Bly, and from others in those halcyon days of cultural renaissance, was his efforts to bring to the world’s attention an essay by Toni Wolff: “Structural Forms of the Feminine Psyche”. This had such a profound impact on me that it has remained the foundational bedrock of my understanding of the full spectrum of the archetypes of the feminine (and similarly influencing my view of masculine archetypes).
So who was Toni Wolff? 
This brings me to the book I have just finished reading. Finally, here is a book that delves comprehensively into the story of the woman, whom Jung referred to as his “second wife”. She was the medial psychopomp for his many descents into the underworld in the 1910’s and 1920’s, and the mainly un-credited collaborator to his famous “Red Book”. She was Jung’s main collaborator in his theories regarding anima and animus, psychological types, archetypes and analytical psychology. She faded into the background and has been largely written out (including by later “Jungians”) and not much talked about, until now. Few of her essays have yet to be translated into English. The book is amazing, bringing essential background to concepts that have been uniquely incorporated in the Shamanic Astrology Paradigm ™. I also have often tried, for many years, to bring to the attention of our students and teachers the great importance of Toni Wolff (and obviously Jung).
Most importantly she saw the foundational structure of the feminine archetypes as a fourfold structure on two axes. The Vertical axis was the personal one with the “hetaera” at the top, and the “maternal” at the bottom. The horizontal impersonal axis had the “medial” woman on one side, and the “amazon” woman on the other side. This understanding was highly influential to me, and in a foundational way, allowed me to expand this to 12 authentic expressions, a full spectrum, of the archetypes of the feminine. This approach is far more useful than the more widely known use of the three-fold triple-goddess: Maiden, Mother, Crone. Two of our online courses expand on this in rich detail – CLICK HERE to learn more.
I want to especially honor the contribution and brilliance of Robert Bly, who died at his 8th Jupiter return! I am going to include here the charts of Bly, Toni Wolff, and C.G.Jung, all three such remarkable and important contributors to our school and paradigm. I strongly suggest seeking out Nan Healy’s book should these subjects be of interest. I believe the subject matter to be rather important in these times.
