New Orleans

Language of Energy, Poetry of Life: Season 2, Episode 7

On this episode of the Star Love Podcast, we welcome astrologer, writer, and teacher Rebecca Gordon. Rebecca calls astrology “the language of energy” and “the poetry of all life”, and she lives out these maxims, taking an empathic, deeply emotive approach to her work that embodies the feel of astronomy for astrological purposes. Possessing a musical and artistic background, Rebecca consults with individuals, businesses, and has a passion for teaching with her Astrology School having run for 15 years. I was moved by this interview because the creative spirit Rebecca brings to her work is where I feel astrology should go. Please rate us on Apple Podcasts, and if you’re interested in sponsoring the Star Love Podcast, email Inner Makeup business manager James.

Recorded Mid-Day October 8, 2020 Central Time.

Time Stamps for Time Keepers

0 Introduction

2:32 Interplay Between Astrology and Astronomy

10:17 Rebecca’s Artistry 

15:29 Getting into a Poetic Mindset

24:10 Astrology and Music

27:35 Astrology and the Humanities

33:20 Medical Astrology

43:06 Astrology in the Business World

48:00 Number 5 and Chanel No. 5

51:35 Transits of 2020 and 2021

57:22 Closing

Link to Rebecca’s Website

Sign Up for Rebecca’s Astrology for Entrepreneurs Course, her most popular course. Launches soon: January 27, 2021. Rebecca’s Astrology School has been running for 15 years and on the podcast we talk extensively about her style of teaching that inspires creativity.

This is fun: Receive Your Complimentary Download of Sync Your Calendar To Cosmos, a moon sign guide that will sync your daily calendar to the lunar signs each week.

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.

IMG_3910.jpg

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

Are We in the Age of Aquarius? Season 2, Episode 2

Courtesy of Helen

Courtesy of Helen

On this episode of the Star Love Podcast, we welcome astrologer Terry MacKinnel. We discuss Terry’s pioneering work that rectifies the astrological ages (just what age(s) are we in? you’ll be surprised!). A man interested in epochal historical and cultural development, we discuss everything from maritime discoveries to Lucretius to the printing press. Perhaps my favorite part of the interview is the elucidation of Terry’s parallel occupation that dives into the deeper aspects of spirituality. If you’re interested in spirituality, the astrological ages, history, and how to get into the mood of loving life, this is an interview not to be missed!

Time Stamps for Timekeepers

0-6:59 Introduction

7:00-11:04 How Terry got into astrology

11:05-14:11 Terry’s spiritual pursuits 

14:12-19:41 The astrological ages and different zodiacs

19:42-31:21 Age of Aquarius and astrological divisions and subdivisions

31:22-35:29 Reception of Terry’s ideas

35:30-41:49 Heliacal Rising, Hipparchus, and Visual Astrology

41:50-50:44 Other astrological ages and overflow of ages

50:45-57:17 Terry’s astrological practice and the nature of astrology

57:18-1:03:42 Fate and Free Will

1:03:43-end Closing

Links and Other Resources

Terry’s Website on Macro-Astrology

Terry’s Blog

Terry’s Website for Vedic-Western Fusion Astrology

Link to the Lucretius poem mentioned by Terry

Prem Rawat’s website, the spiritual teacher Terry mentioned

Star Love Podcast Season 1 Episode 10 Featuring Astrologer Geoffrey Cornelius

The cover of Moment of Astrology features an image of Father Time, Orpheus, and a rising sun, emphasizing a ritualistic framework for astrology. The image was created by an anonymous 16th-century Venetian artist and comes from a small furniture panel in the style of Giorgione.

On episode 10 of the Star Love Podcast we welcome astrologer Geoffrey Cornelius. I’ve long been an admirer of Geoffrey’s work that has personally helped me in my astrological journey. The arguments, concepts, and stories put forth in his book Moment of Astrology: Origins in Divination have profound implications not only for astrology but science, the humanities, and how each of us lives in modernity. To support the production of the Star Love Podcast, leave a tip in the Leave a Tip, Make a Wish page. Please rate us on apple podcasts, and if you’d like to sponsor a future podcast, email james@innermakeup.net.

This episode was recorded July 23, 2020 at 9 AM Central Time.

Time Stamps for Time Keepers

0-21:29  Introduction, Geoffrey’s background, his plans for the future, some of the basic concepts arising from Geoffrey’s work, and the implications of accepting those ideas

21:30-30:23 Astrologer William Lilly’s work, Geoffrey’s take on how astrologers interpret Lilly, and living in a disenchanted yet scientifically enlightened age

30:24-43:15 The meaning behind the cover of Geoffrey’s book Moment of Astrology and what it points to regarding a divinatory, ritualistic conception of astrology

43:16-53:50 The Oracle at Delphi and how and why people sought the oracle  

53:51-1:03:10 Implication of Ptolemy’s redefinition of astrology as a natural science

1:03:11-1:24:59 Skeptical arguments against astrology from Christianity, Renaissance Humanists, and Contemporary Humanists

1:25:00-1:30:55 The interaction between modern science and astrology

1:30:56-1:44:39 Fate, destiny, negotiating with destiny, and fun anecdotes

1:44:40-1:47:35 Psychoanalysis, psychology, and astrology

1:47:36-end Sun sign astrology and astrology in the wider society

Notes, Links, and Book Recommendations

Link to Geoffrey’s Website Astrodivination.com

Link to Company of Astrologers, the group Geoffrey and his colleagues founded in 1983.

Link to the speech Geoffrey delivered to commemorate the 400th anniversary of William Lilly.

Make sure to pick up Geoffrey’s book The Starlore Handbook. I use this one quite a bit, and it’s beautifully straightforward with regard to the mythology behind the constellations and fixed stars.

Throughout the podcast the concept of time comes up. Authors who articulate different philosophies of time include Urusla K. Le Guin in her book The Dispossed, Thomas Pynchon in Gravity’s Rainbow, and Philip K. Dick in Time Out of Joint. Pynchon in Gravity’s Rainbow specifically references astrology, divination, psi phenomena, the Kabbalah, and tarot. Purchase the books in the embedded links.

For a great work of classic literature that deals with themes of fate, free will, character, and imagination, all concepts explored with examples in this podcast, pick up Thomas Hardy’s classic The Mayor of Casterbridge. There are many quotes from this book throughout the podcast.

The theme of enchantment vs. disenchantment comes up throughout the podcast. Salman Rushdie elucidates this beautifully through his great work of children’s literature, Haroun and the Sea of Stories. Purchase this book to get in touch with the idea that imagination is critical to life.

For an intriguing look into spirituality, faith, atheism, astrology, and skepticism, pick up famous journalist and socialite Sally Quinn’s memoir Finding Magic. There are a couple of fun stories about Richard Dawkins and Christopher Hitchens!

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

Star Love Podcast Season 1 Episode 5 Featuring Arielle Guttman

Credit: Karin Henseler

On episode 5 of the Star Love Podcast we welcomed astrologer Arielle Guttman. We discussed Arielle’s unique work with the Venus Star Point, how the Venus Star Point plays out in one’s life, and how you can learn to use the loving energy of this special astronomical phenomenon. Please rate this podcast on Apple Podcasts, and if you’re interested in sponsoring a future podcast, email Inner Makeup business manager at james@innermakeup.net.

Time Stamps For Time Keepers

Introduction and brief overview of Arielle’s background 0-4:10

Arielle’s early experiences and her astrological journey 4:11-8:03

Addressing the issue of defining astrology 8:04-13:05

The astronomy and astrology of the Venus Star Point 13:06-17:48

The Golden Mean and Venus 17:49-20:42

The Venus Star Point in your life and the current Venus Star Point cycles 20:43-24:13

Oprah Winfrey’s Venus Starpoint 24:14-29:19

Star Mates 29:20-34:09

Who the Star Love Podcast is aimed at 34:10-35:45

Difference between Venus and Venus Star Point 35:46-38:30

Arielle’s Venus Star Point in Aries and how that has played out in her life 38:40-43:40

Current and Future Venus Star Point Transits, fun stories, and closing comments 43:45-end

Extended Notes, References, and Resources

Link to Arielle’s Website

Link to find your Venus Star Point

To further explore Carl Jung’s thoughts on why it’s difficult to conduct traditional science during individual moments i.e. in the course of a psychology or astrology session, explore the first few dozen pages of The Undiscovered Self.

To further explore the idea of cycles such as the Golden Mean, try Naseem Taleb’s book, The Black Swan

Link to Arielle’s book Venus Starpoint: Getting Straight to the Heart of Your Life with Venus

Link to Arielle’s book Venus Starpoint: A New Cosmology for the 21st Century

Link to Arielle’s other books

Mending the Cracks Under a Full Moon in Scorpio

Death, Transformation, and hopefully Transfiguration (making something beautiful), is a lost art. The classical forces of energy break, bend, and crack as symbolized through the sign Scorpio. The tendency of the human mind seeks uniformity and organization wanting to "fix" that which is "broken". New Orleans is a unique city in that that which is broken is not immediately, if ever, fixed. Cracking and decaying is the rule, and time and nature, reigning supreme in the underworld, New Orleans is the underworld as she lives below sea level, gives us a glimpse into the process of undertaking that begins with cracks and "errors". This affords us an opportunity, the word opportunity being comprised of ops, optimism; porto, door; and perhaps tropos or tropic; to turn. Thus if one recognizes the beauty in "ugliness" there can be a turn for the better, recognizing the inevitable cycles of nature, cosmos, life. These are necessary for death and rebirth, and that which dies will ultimately surface in some other often mysterious way. So I devised a ritual based upon a Japanese technique of mending cracks of pottery with gold or other beautiful materials thus beautifying the impermanent permanent event of a crack. What has cracked in your life or culminated in the powerful Scorpio Full Moon that is leaving you? What is its beauty, fleeting, that is leaving but shall remain as an emotional imprint, as Scorpio is the most emotional of all the signs? Take a moment and lay your flowers, whether its a crack in the street or as we experience here in New Orleans, the collapse of a building like the Hard Rock. For astrology readings: 504-313-8706

Also Available for Rituals

Dawning of the Age of Aquarius or the Month Ahead

Original Link from http://adrienneelise.com/

Welcome to the Age of Aquarius, or rather a glimpse into it for the next month. Signs are seasons i.e. Aries is the break from winter and the ramming into spring; Libra is the beautiful placidity of autumn preceding the descent into winter, etc. But Aquarius is about the future. In astrology it’s debated when the Age of Aquarius started, but I believe it started not when that famous song heralded the dawning of the New Age with Jupiter in the 8th house but rather with Gutenberg’s invention of the printing press. The ability to read was not anymore reserved for a privileged few but was to be enjoyed and utilized by the masses. Language and all of its efficient advantages presaged the even faster modes of telecommunications we experience today. We can soon expect even faster forms of communication and travel in the future, perhaps a future closer than we can perceive at present. 

But what does this mean for you, the most critical question, as astrology is ultimately about the you the individual and I the astrologer. It means things are not about the now, or rather the now is about the future. The will and force that desires the future now is really about the structures that allow stability and continuity to process into the days ahead. In astrology one technique projects the future as one day equaling a year. What will your days look like? This can give you a glimpse into the future as the groundwork you lay in 2020 will culminate by the end of the year into the most powerful form of your future. A phenomenon called the grand conjunction will occur in the sign of Aquarius which historically heralds the rise of a new monarch. How will you rise? Look at your individual days and this will yield a clue. Choose wisely your moments, as minutes turn into hours turn into days turn into months turn into years turn into decades, and so on. This is linear thinking, but thinking vertically or emphasizing single moments will indicate what your daily reality will look like in the years to come. How will you experience yourself at present, realizing past present and future are one and the same. 

Aries: March 21 - April 19 

You’re being called in a spiritual direction. Where you’re being called from is mysterious, however. You will be moved to sacrifice yourself in some way. You face two directions—one passed and one yet come to pass. You let part of yourself die so that you may be reborn.

Taurus: April 20 - May 20

Subconscious drives roiling deep beneath the surface of your mind are erupting. These take the form of spiritual beliefs and manifest amongst your milieu. Paradoxically these emotions are both aggressive and confusing. From this fluid and fiery process you gain a new religion that has you juggling the possibilities of the future while granting you the stability required to turn belief into knowledge. 

Gemini: May 21- June 20

You’re interested in how technology can further the future of religion. You say why does religion have to be about the old and not the new? The insight here is that such thoughts are not the present. There will be battles around your endeavor to change existing dogma. Keep your head in the future while staying in the present lest you get sidetracked by the skirmishes in the present. 

Cancer: June 21 - July 22 

You feel so spiritually inclined and in touch with your coworkers that you can’t understand why a fellow employee insists upon attacking your esoteric mood. You do best to follow your feelings and let this battle go, leaning upon those people who do understand your current disposition. However, beware of letting your newfound freedom lead you down the path of self-sacrifice in the effort to keep the peace and maintain your sanctity.

Leo: July 23 - August 22

Recreational sex and deep, penetrating sex are two different states of being. You’re driven to the former but ironically find sweet salvation in the latter. Ironically you find this in your daily goings on, not in a higher minded love affair. When you submit to this simple realization, your transform. 

Virgo: August 23 - September 22

Your daily work and the conditions that surround it may not be to your exacting standards but remember it is a process of getting your labor space in order. You end up experiencing some loss as you creatively construct an environment that will serve you in the future. A surprise change in your philosophy of living aids you in this effort. 

Libra: September 23 - October 22

You find love amongst your coworkers, but don’t be so moved by this situation that you lose your bearings. This manifests particularly at home. As long as you stay rooted in your dwelling, you bounce along in your daily affairs while managing the challenges in your abode.   

Scorpio: October 23 - November 21 

You’re driven to act on a money matter right now, but this will leave you enslaved. Love is where it’s at. Release yourself to your most wild, decadent visions of romance. Instead of focusing on the materiality of money you instead transcend reality and find yourself freed. Otherwise you will descend into a hellish realm. 

Sagittarius: November 22 - December 21

You act impulsively on a risky, creative endeavor. This has you shooting from the hip and missing your mark. Step back and find your grounding. Stay rooted and without tension and you’ll hit where you’re aiming. 

Capricorn: December 22 - January 19

Instead of working on your house, get out of the house! You have a chance for a sweet, wine-induced love affair with a neighbor. That person has been looking good as of late, and there’s nothing stopping you. Though you can be the most structured of all the signs, letting go for a bit will do you some good. It’s even better that the tryst happens right around the corner. 

Aquarius: January 20 - February 18

Happy birthday! This year you are especially Aquarian, meaning you are futuristic, visionary, and not a little bit stubborn. But your values shift. You become more fluid, mystical, and loving. This will come as a surprise to you, but when you accept this change you will find it easily brings you the hidden treasure you’ve been seeking. 

Pisces: February 19 - March 20

There has been a lot of intense career activity for you over the past month. You do best when you practically juggle and spiritually accept your normative, fluid state of mind. There’s somebody who’s looking for a fight at work, but steering clear of this will help you truly advance your career. 

Thanks for reading. I’m Dan Beck, #1 Astrologer in New Orleans. Contact me for readings, parties, events, corporate trainings and more at dan@innermakeup.net or by calling 504-313-8706. This article was originally published in Ambush Magazine and has been edited for formatting purposes.