Episode #14 Part Two Recorded 12/11/11

In Part Two Rick Tarnas joins us, and he brings two fun correlations for discussion.  We start off looking at the amazing 2008 Beijing Olympic swimming 4x100 swim relay in which swimmer Jason Lezak was responsible for a stunning upset of the French team, who were solidly in the lead when Lezak dove into the pool.  Next, Rick explores a recent powerful performance by singer Adele on the MTV music video awards ceremony of her song "Someone Like You."  We conclude the segment with a discussion of how the phenomenon of archetypal multivalence can result in the same archetype manifesting in exactly opposite ways in different cases.  We explore several examples of how this can happen, like with the Venus-Saturn archetype which can, in some cases, correlate to loss of love, and in other cases can correlate with enduring love.

Episode #14 Part One Recorded 12/11/11

For Part One it was me and Delia Shargel again, and we had a fun time with this podcast.  Delia starts us off with another check-in about her current long-lasting Jupiter-Moon transit, and some of the healing benefits she has received from it.  Next, I share some of my recent experience with my new transit of  Saturn conjoining my natal Sun.  I discuss the challenges of working with this new energy given the power of my natal Moon square Neptune.  We then discuss the ways in which the Moon-Jupiter archetype balances and corrects for the Sun-Saturn archetype, and vice versa.  We conclude the segment with a discussion of composer and child prodigy Jay Greenberg, looking at the astrological correlations to his genius.

Episode #13 Part Two Recorded 11/13/11

In the second segment we devote all of our time to an archetypal exploration of the band Mumford and Sons, focusing in particular on Marcus Mumford's natal chart, and his Venus-Uranus-Saturn (Neptune) conjunction, which is all square to Jupiter.  We listen to four of the group's songs and we analyze each one for connections to Mumford's chart and transits.

Episode #13 Part One Recorded 11/13/11

It was the full crew again this time, and Delia, Chad and Jessica joined me for another very fun show.  We start off in the first segment discussing some of the collective alignments, emphasizing their positive potential.  We discuss the Moon-Saturn-Neptune grand trine, the Mars-Jupiter Pluto grand trine, and then Jessica focuses in on the Mercury-Venus conjunction, and we all share our thoughts on that combination. Next, Delia brings in a song by Demien Rice, focusing on how his Sun-Neptune conjunction relates to the theme of romantic projection contained in the song, and this then leads to a broader conversation about projections and astrology.  Lastly, Chad ends the first segment with a discussion of this year's dramatic World Series, focusing on the chart and transits of series MVP David Freese.

Episode #12 Part Two Recorded 10/22/11

In the "honoring the gods" segment we focus on the Venus-Mars archetype, and a very rich dialogue ensues with a deep look at the highest gifts of the archetype, as well as its challenges.  We do a general overview of a number of themes associated with the archetype, and then we explore many different famous examples of people born with the combination prominent in their natal chart.  We explore how Venus-Mars aspects are often present in the charts of Dancers, musicians, and performing artists, and discuss examples such as Julie Andrews, Bob Fosse, Bruce Springsteen and others.  I also ask Delia to share some of her experience as a psychotherapist in counseling couples towards what the Venus-Mars archetype represents at its best: the healthy capacity to assert oneself in the context of love relationships.  

Episode #12 Part One Recorded 10/22/11

We had another great recording session, and this time it was just me and my good friend Delia Shargel. In the first segment we start with a discussion of the recent death of Steve Jobs, and we discuss our love for all things Apple, and also look at the correlations to Jobs' natal chart. Next, Delia takes the lead on a discussion of the "Occupy Wall Street" movement, and the correlations to our collective astrological situation. Then we briefly discuss the death of Muammar Gaddafi from an astrological perspective. And finally I close out the segment with a brief discussion of two films I saw over the summer: Thor, and Cowboys and Aliens, with a look at the lead actors in both films natal charts, focusing on the contrasting Mars alignments of Daniel Craig and Chris Hemsworth.

Episode #11 Recorded 9/11/2011

The Burningman Episode! It was the full crew again this time, with Delia Shargel, Jessica Garfield-Kabbara, and Chad Harris joining host Matthew Stelzner for a discussion of the Burningman festival and our experiences on the playa. In this episode we discuss what it was like giving astrology readings to festival participants, and delve into a broader discussion of what factors are needed for the most powerful astrology readings to occur, and what it's like when the "magic" happens. Chad compares Burningman to the Eleusinian Mysteries; we discuss the chart of the founder of Burningman, Larry Harvey, and also look at the chart for the first burn in 1986.  Matthew discusses his current personal transits and how they came through out in the desert. And we close with a brief look at a song by Johnny Cash and Dave Matthews called "For You."

Episode #10 Recorded 8/13/11

It was just me and Delia Shargel for this episode.  We only recorded one segment this time, but we had a rich recording session, and covered a lot of ground. We start out by reviewing some of the big news stories of the recent weeks, and describing the correlations to our current Mars-Uranus-Pluto-Saturn grand cross.  We start with a discussion of the London riots, and then move to the recent stock market crash, and also briefly discuss the American Helicopter that was shot down in Afghanistan.  And then Delia takes a look at the music of Adele, and we discuss her natal chart.

Episode #9 Part Two Recorded 7/24/2011

In part two Delia starts off with a wonderful personal example of how her current Jupiter opposite Moon transit is coming through in her life, and how she is integrating the gifts of that archetype.  This then leads into a group discussion of other examples we have each experienced of moving beyond archetypal possession states through the integration of transiting archetypes.  Jessica then brings us on home with a look at Cat Steven's song Trouble, which had a big impact on her recently, and she explores his life and career through the lens of his chart and transits.

Episode #9 Part One Recorded 7/24/2011

We had another jam-packed show, and this time Delia was back along with Chad and Jessica. In part one (I will release part two in a week, on 8/4/11) we start off with a discussion of the recent tragic events in Norway, and the chart of Anders Behring Breivik.  We then have a brief discussion about the death of Amy Winehouse, and take a look at her chart and transits.  Then Chad brings in a look at Chinese dissident and Nobel prize laureate Liu Xiaobo, and his chart and transits for major moments in his life.  Next, Jessica discusses a poem by Rumi which is clearly a description of the archetypal realms.  This then leads into a brief discussion of the Mercury-Neptune archetype (which Rumi is born with, and is also strong in the sky at the time of this recording).  We go around the group, and each of us offer suggestions for honoring and experiencing the Mercury-Neptune archetype.

Episode #8 Part Two Recorded 7/13/2011

In part two, Rick and I spend a little time talking about the recent scandal involving Rupert Murdoch's paper The News of the World, which has now collapsed under the leadership of  Rebekah Brooks.  We look at both Brooks' and Murdoch's charts, and also briefly discuss Murdoch's current transits.  We then move to a dialogue about a couple of questions I've been reflecting on recently regarding the nature of archetypes, and how they correlate to configurations in the natal chart and transits.  I've been reflecting on the truth that each of us contain all of the archetypes (or perhaps more accurately, as James Hillman would insist, we are contained within all of the archetypes), that we all have access to all of the archetypal energies all of the time as represented by the planetary archetypes and there combinations with each other (aspects).  But what then does this imply for astrology which suggests that certain archetypes are more dominant in some of us, and that certain archetypes can become more dominant at certain times (transits).  Does the fact that we have access to all of the archetypes all of the time, mean that any correlations we find to natal positions or transits are ultimately meaningless (in a spiritual sense) given that we contain everything anyway?  A rich dialogue ensues.

Episode #8 Part One Recorded 7/13/2011

Delia and I had planned to record a new episode of the podcast this past weekend, but unfortunately she came down with a major flu (feel better Delia!), and we couldn't do it.  So Rick Tarnas graciously agreed to sit down with me tonight, and record an episode so we wouldn't have to go too long between recordings.
Rick and I had a very rich conversation.  In part one we each share one of our favorite recent correlations that we have been reflecting on.  Rick starts with a discussion of William Butler Yeats' chart, and the correlations to his poem "Leda and the Swan" (see pasted below).  And then I bring in the correlations to German progressive rock group Rammstein, and lead singer Till Lindeman's chart.

Episode #6 Recorded 5/14/2011

In the first segment we start with a discussion of the recent death of Osama bin Laden, and the correlations to the collective transits.  Then Delia explores the fascinating case of Siri Hustvedt, "The Shaking Woman," and her recent interview with NPR's Terri Gross.  Then I look at the case of filmmaker Paul Haggis and his recent disillusionment with the Church of Scientology. We only did two segments this time, and in the "honoring the gods" segment we focused on the Saturn-Pluto archetype, and a very rich conversation ensues.  We do a general overview of a number of themes associated with the archetype, then Delia, who is born with the combination, shares a bit of her own experience with it.  We then close with an exploration of how Saturn-Pluto has something to do with the potential for facing and integrating the shadow.  We discuss how it is an archetype found in the charts of a number of people who have focused on "shadow work," like Carl Jung, Alice Miller, Anne Shulgin, and others.  Lastly I bring in a personal example of someone whose work I experienced directly in college, Danish photographer and racism-awareness facilitator Jacob Holdt, whose slide show "American Pictures" opened me to the power of racism in the United States.  You can go directly to the recording (and listen to the podcast in an open browser window) by clicking on the highlighted text here.  Enjoy!

Episode #7 Recorded 6/26/2011

After a six week delay between podcasts we had a lot to talk about, and this was a particularly rich episode.  This time we had the larger crew, and along with Delia Shargel, I was joined by Chad Harris and Jessica Garfield-Kabbara.  We started with a look at the legalization of gay marriage in New York state (including Andrew Cuomo's chart), then moved to look at the recent sex scandals involving Anthony Weiner, Dominique Strauss-Kahn, and Arnold Schwarzenegger.  Jessica then takes a look at Malian musician Vieux Farka Toure.  Delia follows with a look at Anna Paquin and her role on "True Blood."  I then bring in the case of futurist Ray Kurzweil and the recent documentary film about him, "Transcendent Man." We then devote the entire second segment to looking at the film "127 Hours," and Aron Ralston's chart and transits.  If you haven't seen the film, try to see it before listening to this segment.  In the last "Honoring the Gods" segment, we focus on the Saturn-Uranus archetype, and a number of charts are discussed.  Jessica starts us off with a bit of an overview, and then Chad discusses the case of Unabomber Ted Kaczynski.  Delia looks at Jean-Dominique Bauby (who the film "The Diving Bell and the Butterfly" was about), and author Christopher Nolan.  I then bring in a few other cases: Stan Grof, Bradley Manning, Irving Yalom, and bring us on home with a brief look at the Grateful Dead and the charts of Jerry Garcia and Robert Hunter. You can go directly to the recording (and listen to the podcast in an open browser window) by clicking on the highlighted text here.  Enjoy!

Episode #5 Recorded 4/17/2011

In the first segment Delia starts us off with an exploration of the fascinating case of hip hop artist Darryl McDaniels, and the story of his suicidal depression which was cured by Sarah McLachlan's song "Angel." Then Jessica shares some of her recent personal experience with her own Saturn-Sun transit, and Chad wraps up the segment with a look at Charlie Sheen's recent meltdown. In the second segment we continue with more of our favorite recent correlations, and I start us off with a look at Gene Sharp, who's writings on civil disobedience have played a significant role in the recent successful revolutions in Egypt and Tunisia.  Chad then gives a presentation on the history of breakthroughs in quantum physics including the recent breakthroughs under our currently ending Jupiter-Uranus conjunction.  We wrap up the second segment with a look at the recent film "Fair Game" which explores the drama that unfolded in 2003 when Valerie Plame was outed as a CIA agent.In our last "honoring the gods" segment, we focus on the Mars-Pluto archetype (tight square in the sky at the time of this recording), and look at a few examples of the combination.  I start us off with a look at the film "Gorillas in the Mist," and correlations to both Dian Fossey, who the film is about, and to Sigourney Weaver, both of whom have Mars-Pluto hard aspects.  Next, Chad takes us through a brief history of Israeli/Palestinian conflict and the connections to both Mars-Pluto and Saturn-Pluto alignments.  We then take a quick look at Mel Gibson's as an example of Mars-Pluto's shadow potential for eruptions of rage.  Jessica brings us home with a couple of examples of Mars-Pluto in its more noble form, as manifested in the lives of Gandhi and the Dalai Lama. You can go directly to the recording (and listen to the podcast in an open browser window) by clicking on the highlighted text here.  Enjoy!

Episode #4 Recorded 3/27/11

We had the same crew again this week, with Delia Shargel, Chad Harris, Jessica Garfield-Kabarra, and Rick Tarnas all joining me for another spirited round of archetypal dialogue. In the first segment we start off with a discussion of the current world transit situation, focusing on the unfolding tragic situation in Japan, and then also addressing the recent events in Libya.  From here we move to an honoring of Elizabeth Taylor with a discussion of both her chart and the chart of Richard Burton (we also look at the synastry between their charts).  We finish off the first segment with a brief discussion of the struggling broadway play Spiderman: Turn off the Dark, and a look at Julie Taymor's chart and transits (Taymor was recently fired from her role as director). In the second segment Jessica brings in a topic for group discussion, and we have a rich exploration of the psychological phenomenon of projection.  We discuss the question of how one works to distinguish between genuine intuition and projection, and we explore how astrology can aid in this process.  We explore the idea of "archetypal possession states" and look at how the discipline of an "I-Thou" relationship with the cosmos, and a careful mindful engagement with oneself and others, can help one avoid this potential.  We discuss how an astrological practice that focuses on integrating and honoring all of the planetary archetypes is a natural correction for the potential for archetypal possession states. In our last "honoring the gods" segment, we focus on the Venus-Neptune archetype (tight conjunction in the sky at the time of this recording), and look at three brief examples of artists with the combination.  Delia and Jessica start us off with a look at singer Jeff Buckley (born with the conjunction) and we listen to an interview with Buckley as well as a brief example of one of his songs.  Next, Rick brings in an example of opera singer Luciano Pavarotti (also born with a Venus-Neptune conjunction) singing his signature piece "Nessun Dorma" from Puccini's (who is also born with Venus-Neptune in hard aspect) opera Turandot. Lastly, I bring in an example from the Icelandic group Sigur Ros, whose lead singer, Jonsi Birgisson, is born with a tight Venus-Neptune opposition. You can go directly to the recording (and listen to the podcast in an open browser window) by clicking on the highlighted text here.  Enjoy!

Episode #3 Recorded 3/6/11

The third recording of Correlations was really fun.  I was again joined by Delia Shargel, Chad Harris, and Jessica Garfield-Kabarra. And this week we were also really happy to be joined by our friend (and teacher) Richard Tarnas who we have all been studying with for many years. In the first segment Rick starts us off with an overview of the world transit situation, and we discuss the current Jupiter-Uranus energy, the long Uranus-Pluto square, as well as the bigger picture of the Saturn-Uranus-Pluto T-square of 2008-2011.  Then Delia brings in the example of blues singer Nina Simone, and we discuss her Moon-Pluto opposition, as well as her Venus-Saturn conjunction.  The Nina Simone song that we listen to, "I Want a Little Sugar in My Bowl," also inspires a brief discussion on sexuality, and the differences between Moon-Pluto, Sun-Pluto, Venus-Pluto, and Mars-Pluto sexualities.  Chad then brings in the case of actor/filmmaker Tyler Perry, and we discuss his Madea character as an expression of his Moon-Jupiter conjunction.  We also discuss the abuse Perry suffered at his father's hands as relates to Perry's natal Sun-Mars-Pluto alignment. In the second segment we  have a rich group dialogue on the question of electional astrology, and the use of astrology to time the beginning of a venture.  Using the example of trying to time a wedding with astrology, I pose the question of what is the most powerful predictive astrological agent for the wedding:  is it the natal charts of both individuals; is it the synastry between the two charts; is it their transits; or is the actual wedding chart itself powerful enough to outweigh these other factors?  A very interesting discussion ensues from here. In the third segment, "Honoring the Gods,"  we focus on the Moon-Jupiter archetype, and I begin by bringing in the example of Andy Griffith, who is born with the conjunction.  Jessica then brings in the example of Oprah Winfrey who is born with a Moon-Jupiter opposition.  Delia brings in Karen Carpenter who also has a Moon-Jupiter opposition, and we use Carpenter as an opportunity to explore some of the shadow side of the energy.  And then Rick brings us home with the example of Julie Andrews, who has the Moon-Jupiter conjunction, and he describes all of the many ways that The Sound of Music embodies the energy of Moon-Jupiter archetype. You can go directly to the recording (and listen to the podcast in an open browser window) by clicking on the highlighted text here.  Enjoy!

Episode #2 Recorded 2/26/2011

The second episode of Correlations went really well.  I was joined again by Delia Shargel, and this time we also had good friends Chad Harris and Jessica Garfield Kaberra rounding out the team.  We're starting to find our groove, and this time we settled into what is likely to be the more regular format.  There are two segments that are each about an hour and 10 minutes long.  In the first segment we all share our favorite astrological correlations from the recent weeks, with many fine examples.  Chad focuses in on the revolution in Tunisia, Jessica brings in the music of Michael Franti and the comedy of Lucille Ball, Delia brings in the chart of a Nazi hunter, and I bring in a song from Aimee Mann and also look at the chart of actor James Franco.  In the second segment, "Honoring the Gods," we focus on two archetypes that were in the sky at the time of the recording, the Mars-Neptune combination (we discuss the chart for the founder of Aikido as well as the chart of Dan Millman), and the Moon-Pluto combo (looking at Mary Tyler Moore's chart and the Hindu "hugging saint" Ammachi's chart). You can go directly to the recording (and listen to the podcast in an open browser window) by clicking on the highlighted text here.  Enjoy!

Episode #1 Recorded 2/13/2011

Welcome to the first episode of Correlations: The Archetypal Astrology Podcast!  I'm very excited to be moving forward with this new venture.  I have been wanting to do an astrology podcast for a long time now, but I finally got organized with the technology, and I am delighted to be able to post this first episode.  Here on this blog, for each episode I will post a description of who participated, the topics that were discussed, and the approximate time that each new topic was explored, so if you don't have time to listen to the entire podcast, you will be able to go directly to what you want to listen to. This first episode came together very spontaneously, so forgive me if it is less organized and a little rough around the edges.  This first episode really functions as a kind of general introduction to this particular approach to astrology, and it has a more personal quality, with both me and my friend Delia Shargel sharing the history of how we came to astrology. I think the general format that I intend for future episodes is to have three segments, in the first segment there will be general discussion of whatever astrological correlations are most on our minds at the time of the recording.  This will likely involve discussing whatever major news stories that are happening and their astrological correlates, and also sharing whatever other favorite correlations we happen to be "geeking out" about in the moment.  The second segment will vary from week to week, but it will generally be a dialogue on some astrological topic that we are interested in.  Hopefully there will also be listener feedback, and the audience will suggest topics of discussion.  This second segment may also be an interview whenever I can find another passionate archetypal astrologer who is available.  The third segment I'm thinking of calling "Honoring the Gods," and will be an opportunity for anyone who is participating in the podcast to go into their chart database to bring a favorite chart correlation that mirrors something that is in the sky for the time of the recording.  For example, in this first podcast, given that there was a Venus-Pluto conjunction in the sky at the time of the recording, we discussed a couple of famous people who are born with Venus-Pluto hard-aspects.  This first podcast didn't really stick to the format (Uranus wouldn't let us), so let me now outline what did actually transpire.  You can go directly to the recording (and listen to the podcast in an open browser window) by clicking on the highlighted text here.  Enjoy!