Mardi Gras

Astrology Is Not A Magic Show: Season 2, Episode 6

Star Love Podcast Host Daniel Beck | Guest Maren Altman


On this episode of the Star Love Podcast, we welcome astrologer, author, and philosophy graduate student, Maren Altman. I learned about Maren through a friend who found one of Maren’s videos on TikTok, and I must say, I was surprised to see high quality astrology coming through that media platform! Maren is doing some innovative and practical things in astrology education, keeps her growing audience informed with the latest trends in political astrology, and most deliciously, whips up great recipes as the Cosmic Chef.

Time Stamps for Time Keepers

0-Intro

4:20-Maren’s Approach to Astrology

19:04-Maren’s Philosophy Background 

27:44-Bringing Psychology Into Astrology

29:57-Maren’s Acting Background 

32:10-Pluto

34:47-Meaning of Maren’s name 

36:05-Mundane and Political Astrology

40:45-Fate and free will

44:06-Maren’s Writing 

48:22-Astrology Transits of 2020-2022

58:34-Maren’s Culinary Arts

1:00:48-Closing

Maren’s Books

Maren’s Book Picks

Dan’s Book Pick

Crime and Punishment is a classic with a dire warning: if you transgress with a new idea or word via delusions of greatness, and it be unformed and spun by the machinations of a paranoid mind, the crime becomes not the idea but rather the abandonment of spirit that can give liberation beyond the words.

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Link To Maren’s Website

Further Resources

To explore the idea of “wrong charts”, that is astrology charts that are not accurate birth times that still provide meaningful, exacting insights, purchase Maggie Hyde’s book, Jung and Astrology. Or go to this link to read an essay by Geoffrey Cornelius that references how “wrong charts” work in the context of astrology as divination. This is a good counterargument to one of the most forceful skeptical arguments by Geoffrey Dean.

To explore how to reconcile using whole sign houses and some form of quadrant houses, go to this link and read an essay by Charles Obert about using both systems at once. I find that this method helps live chart interpretation flow during readings. Take for example, if somebody has Venus in Aries in the 7th house, but Aries is the 8th whole sign, an interpretation might be “there is an aggressive drive towards finding harmony in relationships that can result in fights about joint resources.” At this point I might reference the tarot card the 4 of wands which is the tarot equivalent of Venus in Aries (designated by the Golden Dawn) and suggests a need to construct harmony to harness that aggression. For a long while I’ve been using the deck the Tarot of Dreams, available for purchase below, that includes that astrological significations on each of the cards.

Tarot of Dreams
By Ciro Marchetti, Lee Bursten
Buy on Amazon

Thank you for listening! If you’re interested in sponsoring a season or episode of the Star Love Podcast, email Inner Makeup Business Manager James

Star Love Podcast Season 1 Episode 7 Featuring Psychic Cari Roy

New Orleans #1 Psychic Cari Roy.

New Orleans #1 Psychic Cari Roy.

On episode 7 of the Star Love Podcast we welcomed New Orleans’ #1 Psychic Cari Roy. I met Cari Roy at a hobnobber event, and we became fast friends. On the show we discussed having common roots in Philadelphia, how her parents sang opera professionally, and even an experience where as a young girl she sat on William F. Buckley’s lap! Cari is one of the smartest psychics you’ll ever meet, and it was a joy to talk with her about metaphysics, religion, skepticism, and how people starting out in a creative or non-traditional career path can succeed.

This episode was recorded on November 11, 2019, the date of a very special lunation where Mercury was cazimi, or in the heart of the sun, meaning Mercury was visually was right in the center of the sun. As mentioned in the podcast, this hit both Cari and my chart’s at very powerful points, so it was an interesting time to record this podcast. It was somewhat haphazard, the date we chose, as we had to reschedule a couple of times, but maybe it was divinely planned :). Or maybe just chance. Take your pick.

Time Stamps for Time Keepers

0-6:43 Introduction, Cari’s bio, the special lunations at the time the recording (November 11, 2019), Cari’s early psychic experiences, and Cari’s family background

6:44-12:45 Cari’s family members who were both scientists and “creatives-types”, science and creativity, Uranian and Neptunian strands of the divinatory arts, knowing and mystery, and religion and science 

12:46-21:44 Cari’s opera singers parents and her singing background, her extensive international travels, and how singing led to her psychic career 

21:45-27:24 The history of the occult arts in New Orleans, Cari’s learning her trade from her forbearers, and having the discipline to do multiple psychic readings in a day  

27:25-35:53 Cari’s childhood run in with William F. Buckley, the enduring line of her career as a psychic, and her advice for young aspiring creative professionals

35:54-39:16 Cari’s attending school in Philly, her educational backgound, and studying comparative religion 

39:17-41:27 Cari’s take on divine creative inspiration and its relationship to psychic ability

41:28-46:02 Why people come to see Cari for readings, fate and free will and how it relates to time, and what free will agency, if any, we humans have

46:03-55:30 Ethical questions surrounding predictions and the psychic arts, how to handle different situations and clients, and the participatory nature of a reading  

55:31-57:07 Dating as a psychic

57:08-1:02:44 Cari’s second Saturn return, going through breast cancer, and upcoming transits for Cari

1:02:45-end Cari’s take on current astrological transits, the value of taking a break from looking at transits, and how frequently one should get a reading

Mardi Gras Horoscopes and A Special Celebratory Offer

Happy Mardi Gras! We just hit 400 likes on facebook and numbers like 40, 400, 4000, etc. are special because they indicate slow, steady, gestational growth. This shows up spiritually in many different ways. To show gratitude and plant the seeds of future success, I’m offering 40% off all services through the end of this week. Go to the contact page to get in touch to book your appointment or purchase a gift.

What is a sacrifice? This word combines sacra, “sacred things”, and facere, “to do or perform”. A ritual sacrifice provides the opportunity to connect with the divine and requires giving up something to gain something. Mardi Gras of course means Fat Tuesday and derives from the custom of using all the fats in one’s home before Lent. The Carnival Season modulates from simple rituals like emptying the home into full, decadent ecstasies. Mardi Gras offers the chance to convene with the divine and empty oneself. 

Since we live in a consumptive culture that creates and grants an unprecedented largesse of materiality, cleaning out the fat of the house becomes unimportant as we are less bound by the cycles of nature. This is true except for the characters on the show Hoarders. We’ve largely abandoned the spiritual ritual as it relates to Mardi Gras. If this desertion of sacrifice is not understand, we fall prey to it. In other words, if you don’t understand what is spiritually occurring when you empty yourself through decadence and celebration, you will be a victim to your own vices. 

New Orleans is the American City who most triumphantly convenes with the Gods. But its people have largely forgotten them. To remedy this, take a moment to ponder the characters of the myths. Take for example Endymion, the shepherd and astronomer who loved the moon and observed her movements. Argus, the giant with a hundred eyes whom Hermes evaded and slayed, and so on…Consider these Gods, if only for a moment, and have these primal stories surface through your soul. Then, you will have made your sacrifice.  

Aries: March 21 - April 19 

For the week of Mardi Gras, you find yourself fighting to achieve harmony within. This internal struggle is a mismatch of energy, harmony and discord. But order and chaos are always cyclical, and your do best to accept this dance of tension and resolution. If you don’t, you will surely be left with disharmony.

Taurus: April 20 - May 20 

You’re experiencing tension with what you believe. These are beliefs of a spiritual nature. This will require some juggling and irritability to work these things out. Some of the structures you’ve held onto are crumbling, but others are holding strong. Understand that these losses reward you in the coming months with spiritual gains. 

Gemini: May 21- June 20

The thinking around your career is very hazy right now. There are some people who are deceiving you. In the coming months, you do best to shield yourself from these attacks. Through this process, you begin making substantial karmic gains personally when the summer hits. 

Cancer: June 21 - July 22

You’ve been focusing on yourself for the past year. That will change come the summer. At that point the emphasis will be much more on spirituality. Spirituality is a process of letting things go so you can dissolve and begin anew. Letting things go and opening up to the universe is almost always the preferred path. 

Leo: July 23 - August 22

The next several weeks see subconscious, psychological issues coming to the fore. These emotions are confusing but must be dealt with. You do best to keep your response to these emotions structured within your daily practice. In other words allow time for these feelings to emerge while having the discipline to allow the space for them to be honored. 

Virgo: August 23 - September 22

Now is a good time to clarify all things related to relationships and partnerships. If this is a romantic partnership, past issues are reviewed. There are some losses here, but the structures that are strong will hold. Structures need to be challenged and transformed or they will crumble. 

Libra: September 23 - October 22

Now is the time to act on matters relating to the home. You have a window through the end of February through March. A physical drive to act on these issues emerges. Put this energy to good use, and make the necessary changes. 

Scorpio: October 23 - November 21 

You are in a powerful position to deal with your siblings through March. You are so powerful that you may turn to unnecessary force. There is a real window here to make some structural change with your kin. However, use force only when necessary.

Sagittarius: November 22 - December 21

This is a great time to act on a matter related to finance. This relates to your money that is tied up institutionally. What is working, what is not, and what needs to change? This will require some juggling, but when you use your visceral drive relating to these issues, you make powerful change. 

Capricorn: December 22 - January 19

The material and even physical losses that have been occurring over the last year and a couple of months come to an end by the summer. This has given you spiritual gains, though. Through the beginning of April, act on what you have learned. The lessons you have been given should not be abstract, philosophical musings but made into concrete plans.

Aquarius: January 20 - February 18

You have good fortune over the next couple of weeks. This happens in the area of your spirit and health. Enjoy this because by the beginning of spring, you get a glimpse into the future that will herald a new era for you in the years to come. Enjoy it. 

Pisces: February 19 - March 20

Known for being a spiritual sign, you have good fortune when you go on your own individual, unique path. This requires finding your own way and even bringing the insights of your journey to the groups. Finding your way is truly about finding your and not letting the drumbeat of the collective tell you otherwise.