ENCHANTING WORLDS

In the past few weeks, I've had several people ask me: “So, exactly what is shamanic astrology?”

With interest growing in shamanism of all kinds over recent years, it's not a surprising question.

But it's also a very personal question for me. Every moment I'm grateful to have spent years with some amazing and magical teachers, and experienced things I never could have imagined.

Maybe you'll see reflections of your own journey, and realize you're not alone.

Or maybe you'll even be inspired to explore just how far your own inner-planetary travels can take you.

My Living Cosmos

My world is vibrantly alive.

I talk to my plants. And my rocks. The trees outside my apartment.

My car. And my electronic gadgets too.

And yes, my planets.

The really amazing thing is, they talk back, in their own way.

It may seem a bit like a Dr. Seuss book. But my world would be a much lonelier place without it. And far less magical.

“It” is a way of seeing called “animism.”

I didn’t grow up this way. It was the result of spending my 20s sitting in weekly ceremonial circles with my mentor, author and ecofeminist Eileen “ike” West.

We didn’t call our work “shamanism,” but that’s the word you’re probably most familiar with.

Sitting in shamanic circle is about co-creating with SPIRIT. At heart, it’s an animistic paradigm, working with the spirits of our ancestors and dream keepers, of the rocks and trees and animals. The Spirit of the Earth herself. And yes, planets too.

Shamanism is the celebration that we are all aspects of an interconnected web. Not just an intellectual construct, but rather a living, conscious cosmos, one that you experience all the way down to your bones.

Soul of the Planets

Shamanic astrology recognizes that the planets have a LIVING ESSENCE. One that works differently from our human version of consciousness, but no less Real. And that this living spirit is something with which we can interact.

As such, shamanic astrology may be the most ancient form of astrology. It certainly predates astrological chart-making. In fact, every indigenous culture on Earth has had it’s own version.

For cultures that spent a lot of time under the night sky, it’s clear that the planets are special. Against the background of the fixed stars, the planets MOVE. Our word for planet comes from a Greek word that means “wanderer.”

To the ancients, things that moved had desires. They had Soul. And if it had Soul, it had the possibility of Intelligence — what we might call “consciousness.”

In fact, the word Zodiac — the band of the heavens through which the Sun and all the planets move — was Zoidia (from the Greek ζῷον, zōion). As Hellenistic Astrologer Joseph Crane points out, Zoidia (pronounced Zoy-ja) is a complex term referring to a “living thing, also the seat of a god, or a picture or icon.”

Zōion also means “animal” — which shares a root with the word animism, that concept so essential to the shamanic worldview.

Shamanic Astrology

Broadly speaking, shamanism uses techniques and tools to induce altered states of consciousness in order to allow us to interact directly with the Spirit world. Sometimes for healing, sometimes divination, and sometimes for communion.

shutterstock 512184286

These tools have included guided visualizations, energy work, channelling (aspecting), music, drums, chanting, dancing, attuning with natural objects and spirit allies, dreams and entheogens. And astrology.

In fact, astrology was also a tool specifically designed to enable us to cultivate a deeper communion with the living essence of the planets. To understand what they want.

To the Hellenistic Greeks, who invented our familiar form of astrology with signs and houses and charts, the planets served as midwives to our Soul’s embodiment. They acted as the mediating agents, weaving the divine and terrestrial realms together.

To know them was to know who we are and why we're here.

A Brief History of Planet-Talking

This need to connect to the cosmos is so embedded in the human experience, that every time and place has found its own way of “talking with the planets.”

In ancient Greece and Rome, astrology was used to help you identify your guardian spirits. The healer-seers of the Ascelipian dream temples used dreamwork and guided visualizations to bring healing and wholeness. Neoplatonists used astral theurgy to commune with the planets to forge a path toward enlightenment.

shutterstock 686827855

Even after the institutional Church tore down the temples to the old gods. Archangels came to be associated with each planet, acting as their messengers. During the Middle Ages and Renaissance, we used astral magic techniques to create talismans and rituals to work with planetary spirits.

Though the Scientific Revolution squashed talk of “Living Spirits,” modern psychologists such as Carl Jung and Roberto Assagioli advocated using the “active imagination” to work with what they called “archetypal” energies, employing techniques involving dreamwork, hypnosis and guided visualization.

In the 1970s and 80s, astrologers developed “experiential” forms of astrology, including astrodrama and using guided visualizations, as part of chart interpretations.

What all these techniques have in common is they encourage personal experience with the planets. As psychologist and author of Babs Kirby wrote, “experiential astrology creates a richness and diversity rarely found in cookbook interpretations.”

The shamanic elements of astrology pop up again and again, century after century, because shamanism is an ancestor of the astrological tradition. Even if someone hasn't studied history, the urge to connect will re-emerge, because it's hard-wired into the astrological system itself.

Beyond Astrology Schools

By now I'm sure you can see why shamanic astrology isn’t limited to one school of astrology. It crosses these boundaries because it operates on a level beyond such distinctions.

So there's no conflict that I’m both a traditional astrologer and a shamanic astrologer. I use whole sign houses, essential dignities, and time lords. Traditional astrology has a rich magical heritage, which fits well with how I work with clients. But I’m also a shamanic astrologer, because I'm consciously engaging with the living spirits of the planets, and using various ways to induce altered states to connect with them.

Or, there are shamanic evolutionary astrologers. Evolutionary astrology’s concern with soul also resonates well with the shamanic worldview. Using active imagination techniques to connect with soul to find healing certainly has roots in shamanism. The Shamanic Astrology Mystery School also grew out of modern astrology’s techniques and worldview.

Indian astrology, called Vedic or Jyotish, never lost its shamanic essence. Planetary invocations and remedial measures are a common part of the practice of this tradition. You can still find altars to the planets (called navagrahas, the “9 who seize you.”)

You don’t even need to be able to read an astrological chart to do shamanic astrology. You may even be practicing without realizing it.

If you’ve ever participated in the ritual “Drawing Down the Moon,” you’re already doing shamanic astrology even if you haven’t called it that.

Or if you believe in Gaia — that our planet is alive and conscious in her own way — then it’s a small step to consider other planets have their own consciousness.

Shamanic Astrology and You

If I've shared the story well, by now you may be thinking: “Hey, you've made it sound like all astrologers are shamanic astrologers if they are talking to their planets.”

The answer to that is a resounding “YES.” It's just a matter of degree.

shutterstock 399557218

Many long-time astrologers have stories of spontaneous encounters with the planets as something bigger, and more transcendent than themselves. This is no surprise because astrology was DESIGNED to have this effect.

These magical moments can be encouraged with the practice of other shamanic techniques that expand your capacity to connect on this deeper level. These are skills you can learn and experience for yourself, or to help others make the connection.

Over the past 20 years, my practice of shamanic astrology has enriched my life in ways I could never have imagined. Astrology is more than an art or science; to me, it is essential to my spiritual work.

Perhaps it is for you too. If you're already feeling the urge to connect with your planets in a multi-dimensional way, experiment with guided visualization, or dreamwork, or magic, and see what you discover.

Or, if you're astrology has felt flat, or you've been struggling to learn astrology via keywords that seem intellectual or sterile, exploring a shamanic approach to astrology may be exactly what you need to re-enchant your worldview.

Want to learn other ways the Planets speak to us?

Learn more about our Shamanic Astrology Training today.

SHAMAN kajabi

32 Comments

  1. Gael Chilson on May 14, 2016 at 3:57 pm

    I invite you to check out http://shamanicastrology.com and the Shamanic Astrology Mystery School, based here in Tucson, if you haven’t already.

    • Donna Woodwell on May 15, 2016 at 6:29 pm

      Thanks for the link! We’re like cousins — just like we’re cousins with the Vedic astrologers. My understanding is that since the schools founders studied with Jeff Green (among others), it uses astrological techniques inspired by that school. Would you agree?

  2. Md. Shahadat Hossain on May 16, 2016 at 6:43 am

    Date:16-5-2016
    Dear Madam,
    Take blessing from the core of my heart .How are you ? I am so so . I congratulate you for taking this kind of astrology teaching .Today I have read your article about “Shamanic Astrology” and I have learned something new in my life about astrology from your article.I think that this kind of initiatives will usher or take us a new era of of astrology learning and practicing.After all your this kind of contribution about learning and practicing is honorable for ever. Pray for me . Hereby I am concluding praying your good health and studies.No more today. Thanks. Your faithfully
    Astrologer Md. Shahadat Hossain, Bangladesh

  3. Dr shyamolendu hazra on March 1, 2017 at 5:52 am

    You made a good site it’s very interesting one You have given us the best information. Thanks for sharing the posts.

  4. Terry Morgan on January 6, 2018 at 12:23 pm

    Hi Donna
    I enjoyed reading your website. I am also an astrologer and shamanic teacher and have been combing the practice together for years. Nice to see you’ve done the same. I’ve stufdied with Steven Gorrest so I’m more of an evolutionary astrologer and continue monthly with my teacher here in Maine. Welcome to this amazing world of Astro Shamanism!

  5. shintow on May 26, 2019 at 7:25 am

    Best Article awesome information.

  6. Mamta on June 26, 2019 at 5:01 am

    This is the first time I came to know about SHAMANIC ASTROLOGY. It seems interesting to me

  7. sriganapathi on October 29, 2019 at 12:53 pm

    Very interesting information about astrology

    • Astrology Hub on September 8, 2020 at 4:53 pm

      Thank you for listening!

  8. Manu S King on July 13, 2021 at 9:47 am

    Good information about astrology, thank you

  9. Jitubhai Pandit on July 26, 2021 at 1:24 pm

    Good information about astrology, thank you

  10. Astrologer For Love on July 27, 2021 at 9:42 am

    it is really a great and helpful piece of info. I am glad that you shared this helpful information with us. Please keep us😀

  11. Spiritualsadhana on September 26, 2021 at 11:42 am

    Great information on Shamaniac Astrology. I am glad that many are agreeing with the post. Keep posting.

  12. casinositewiki on January 28, 2022 at 12:15 am

    I would like to thank you for the efforts you have made in writing this article. I am hoping the same best work from you in the future as well. Feel free to visit my website; https://www.casinositewiki.com

  13. oncasinositenet on January 28, 2022 at 12:28 am

    Thank you so much for the post you do. I like your post and all you share with us is up to date and quite informative, I would like to bookmark the page so I can come here again to read you, as you have done a wonderful job. Feel free to visit my website; https://www.oncasinosite.net

  14. casinositelink on January 28, 2022 at 12:31 am

    I am a fan of reading to add insight to information. Thank you for this great blog. this is here, the few months I am visiting and following you. What I really like about you is that your writing style. Feel free to visit my website; https://www.casinosite.link

  15. betmantotopro on January 28, 2022 at 12:34 am

    Thank you so much for this excellent blog article. Your writing style and the way you have presented your content is awesome. Now I am pretty clear on this topic, keep it up! Feel free to visit my website; https://www.betmantoto.pro

  16. 머니상 on March 10, 2022 at 4:03 am

    I think your website has a lot of useful knowledge. I’m so thankful for this website.
    I hope that you continue to share a lot of knowledge.
    This is my website.
    머니상

  17. Life Experience Degree on March 28, 2022 at 4:38 pm

    Being a avid user of the popular blogging platform, Tumblr, and as such well-versed in the language and etiquette of the site, I sought my answer through my dashboard.

  18. Bryan Parker on March 28, 2022 at 4:39 pm

    I was suggested this website by means of my cousin. I’m no longer positive whether this publish is written by means of him as no one else realize such distinct approximately my problem.
    https://www.oneidauniversity.com/

  19. Love Spells Toronto on May 25, 2022 at 5:21 pm

    Nice Post!!

  20. Spoorthy on November 21, 2022 at 10:44 am

    Hello,

    it is really a great and helpful piece of info. I am glad that you shared this helpful information with us. Please keep us

  21. Jaeseu J9 on December 16, 2022 at 1:52 am

    This is highly informatics, crisp and clear.
    I think that everything has been described in systematic manner so that reader
    could get maximum information and learn many things.

    제이나인 마카오 카지노
    제이나인 메이저 카지노 사이트
    제이나인 안전 사설 토토 사이트
    제이나인 안전 토토 사이트
    제이나인 오래된 토토 사이트
    https://www.j9korea.com

  22. Pergola on December 17, 2022 at 6:30 pm

    Acs Pergola, Bioclimatic Pergola Sistemleri, 2005 yılında İstanbul’da sektöre girişini yapmış, 2012 yılında sektöründe de yerini almıştır.Her geçen gün genişleyen pazar ağında konumunu zirveye çıkarmak adına özenle yaptığı inovasyon çalışmaları ile sektörde ilerlerken proje odaklı çalışmaları ile birçok başarılı işe imza atmıştır. Profesyonel yönetim kadrosu, dinamik pazarlama birimi, satış öncesi ve sonrası destek ekibi ve alanında uzman teknik ekibi ile birçok başarılı projeye imza atmıştır. Yüksek marka imajı, kurumsal kimliği, güçlü şirket profili, stratejik pazarlama tekniği ve gelişmiş satış ağı ile ihracatta önemli adımlar atmış ve her geçen gün büyüyen bir pazar payına sahip olmuştur. İhracattaki başarısı başta İstanbul olmak üzere Türkiye ekonomisine olumlu yönde katkı sağlamaktadır. İhracat ağımızın bir kısmı; Amerika, Almanya başlıca olmak üzere tüm Avrupa kıtasına.

  23. Bioclimatic Pergola on December 17, 2022 at 6:32 pm

    Acs Pergola, Bioclimatic Pergola Sistemleri, 2005 yılında İstanbul’da sektöre girişini yapmış, 2012 yılında sektöründe de yerini almıştır.Her geçen gün genişleyen pazar ağında konumunu zirveye çıkarmak adına özenle yaptığı inovasyon çalışmaları ile sektörde ilerlerken proje odaklı çalışmaları ile birçok başarılı işe imza atmıştır. Profesyonel yönetim kadrosu, dinamik pazarlama birimi, satış öncesi ve sonrası destek ekibi ve alanında uzman teknik ekibi ile birçok başarılı projeye imza atmıştır. Yüksek marka imajı, kurumsal kimliği, güçlü şirket profili, stratejik pazarlama tekniği ve gelişmiş satış ağı ile ihracatta önemli adımlar atmış ve her geçen gün büyüyen bir pazar payına sahip olmuştur. İhracattaki başarısı başta İstanbul olmak üzere Türkiye ekonomisine olumlu yönde katkı sağlamaktadır. İhracat ağımızın bir kısmı; Amerika, Almanya başlıca olmak üzere tüm Avrupa kıtasına. xxx

  24. Yacht Market on December 17, 2022 at 6:34 pm

    Explore the largest online selection of luxury yacht boats for sale, featuring only the highest quality Yacht Market Charter from the worlds leading Yachts Market brokers.
    xxx

  25. Pergola on January 16, 2023 at 11:55 pm

    Alüminyum Pergola – Bioclimatic Pergola Seystems in Turkey..Thank you so much.

  26. Alüminyum Pergola on January 16, 2023 at 11:55 pm

    Alüminyum Pergola – Bioclimatic Pergola Seystems in Turkey..Thank you so much…

  27. Yacht for Sale on January 16, 2023 at 11:56 pm

    Yachts for Sale in Turkey..Thank you so much.

  28. Boat for Sale on January 16, 2023 at 11:57 pm

    Boats for Sale in Turkey..Thank you so much.

  29. Koltuk Döşeme on January 16, 2023 at 11:57 pm

    Koltuk Döşeme in Turkey ..Thank you so much.

  30. Koltuk Döşeme on January 16, 2023 at 11:59 pm

    Koltuk Döşeme in Turkey ..Thank you so much. …

Leave a Comment