Beginner’s Corner with Sheridan
Archetypes in the Sky and on the Earth
These two Aquarian Full Moons in a row have me visioning more deeply into what I do and what I bring to the Shamanic Astrology Mystery School. Many of you new to Shamanic Astrology have probably wondered, at some point, does the “shamanic” part refer to plant medicines? For most Shamanic Astrologers it doesn’t, but for me it does. I came to SAMS as a Holistic Health Practitioner well versed in plant spirit medicine specifically. Plus, with a Virgo Moon and Virgo Jupiter conjunct my Ascendant, Earth medicine is my jam!
What does any of this have to do with you and your delving into your chart through Shamanic Astrology? Well, I’ll tell you 😊… the archetypes aren’t solely in the sky. They are here within you. “As above, so below” is one of our truths at SAMS, as is “as within, so without”. These powerful statements help us to understand the archetypal energies are everywhere, in the sky, in our bodies, and on the earth.
See the Archetypes on the Earth
Your birthday anchors you into a seasonal time of the Sun. If you just had a birthday, you’re a Leo. If your birthday is next week, you’re a Virgo. That’s your Sun sign, of course. Your Sun sign fixes you into a certain season of the earthly cycles. It places you around a Solstice or Equinox, or around a cross-quarter holi-day. The Householder signs (Capricorn, Cancer, Aries, Libra) kick off the Solstices and Equinoxes. The Self Exploration signs (Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, Aquarius) settle us squarely in the Cross-Quarter days. The In Service to Spirit signs (Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, Pisces) carry us into the next Solstice or Equinox.
You were born into a certain timing of the seasonal cycle of the Earth and the Sky. The Sun is in the same part of the Sky, with the same constellations and stars every year. (Note: this changes slowly over time with the precessional cycle.) The Earth is also in the same season. As astrology enthusiasts we tend to look up at the Sky, but it is equally powerful to look down and around at the Earth to better understand your personal Sun archetype. And, ALL of the archetypes as well. What does the energy feel like at different times of the year? What is the temperature like? What plants are growing? Are they sprouting, fruiting, seeding? What are the birds or animals doing? Increase your awareness and understanding of yourself through the energy that the earth is experiencing as well. This isn’t hemisphere specific. It’s you and your surroundings specific. It’s tuning you more deeply into your ancestral roots, when your life was intimately intertwined with the Earth and the Sky.
Discover the Archetypal energy wherever you live
For example, I’m in Colorado, in the northern hemisphere, where Leo season marks the middle of summer. It’s hot. The Sun is high in the Sky. The land is turning beige and brown, from the heat. But, I can feel the coming Fall Equinox in the cooler nights. Lush golden flowers and shrubs are blooming, such as Rabbit Brush (pictured in image) Goldenrod, and Gumweed. All very heart opening plants. Very Leo types of plants that support loving yourself more deeply.
Nearer the equator, Ylang Ylang trees are blooming. Another self-love powerhouse of a plant spirit. It has these golden yellow blooms that smell of the tropics, sensual and sultry. Ylang Ylang is used for anything to do with the heart physically, emotionally and spiritually. It helps us stay with our emotional healing and brings us into profounder states of self-love.
In the southern hemisphere, Leo season anchors in winter, but like Aquarius season here in the northern hemisphere, you can feel the hints of spring. Depending upon how far south you live, you may even have the first bulbs starting to come up, such as golden daffodils, reaching for the lengthening daylight Sun. Again, opening your heart, bringing light within. One could even see the growing light as being more Leo in the southern hemisphere than the northern where the light is lessening. It’s all about your perspective and what you see and feel when you walk outside.
Get in touch with your surroundings and let the Earth teach you more about yourself, the archetypes in your chart and the path you are walking in this lifetime. What does Leo season feel like to you? Virgo season starts in a few days, how does that feel different? What does the Earth teach you about Virgo? What’s blooming or turning to seed? What are the trees doing? The animals? The birds? How do you feel? It’s your experience, so you can’t get this wrong. There is no one right answer, just your growing connection to yourself through the Earth and Sky around you. This is really what Shamanic Astrology is all about.
For a deeper dive into how the archetypes work in both hemispheres – and so much more – check out “Further Adventures of Shamanic Astrology, episode 12” with Daniel Giamario and Gemini Brett here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MopXYtVkXCc I highly recommend this video!
Sheridan Semple