Ramblings, Reflections and Ruminations of Daniel Giamario | Sept 19, 2025 |
Birthing The TOTAMS Apprenticeship Program
Last year I started taking small groups of experienced astrologers trained in the Shamanic Astrology Paradigm ™ to those sacred sites that had most inspired my own journey of creating the Mystery School and astrological paradigm. Back then, I had the opportunity to share the Joshua Tree Wonderland of Rocks, where the paradigm first birthed, and also the Mount Shasta valley where I had experienced the 1981 Vision Quest, which powerfully changed my astrological and spiritual trajectory. I have written about this here. These experiences animated my emerging ideas about how to develop an in-person apprenticeship program that fulfills the vision. As I complete my 77th year, I feel an urgency to, while I am still able to do so, pass on the magic of these places to others.
This last week now, following the phenomenal Sedona Astrology Weekend conference, I had the opportunity to introduce four interested apprentices to another of my seminal locations: a massive petroglyph site in the Fishlake Valley of Nevada, which turned out to be an entire hierophany. I found this site on a personal quest in the 1990s and subsequently held many camps for our in-person classes here. I will never forget the group that witnessed the Hale-Bopp comet the night of a total Lunar Eclipse! Throughout the 1990s and 2000s the site has also been my favored location for solo experiences.
I chose these particular dates last week to be under dark skies, possibly see Mars as he descends into the Underworld, experience a gorgeous Moon-Venus-Jupiter display in Cancer, as well as an extreme Out-of-Bounds Moon. This location also has a Lunar Standstill feature built in and I was wanting to witness again what I had experienced here back in 2006, during the previous Lunar Standstill season.
Fishlake Valley Did Not Disappoint!
I have to say, Fishlake Valley did not disappoint! We had perfect conditions: no clouds, no chemtrails, no insects, little or no wind, and just the right temperatures. The Milky Way and Galactic Center were brilliantly clear.
However, we never did see Mars for certain as he is now quite dim and far from the Earth and Sun. Venus, on the other hand, is still brilliantly bright, visible well before dawn. I also discovered that the Northern extreme Moon only edges up the cliff face at 28degrees declination, and for the nights we were there, the Moon was already several degrees closer to the ecliptic. For me, this confirms that this site was truly and exactly a Lunar Standstill site, among so many other things that establish this location as a still active and alive hierophanic Mystery School. The site has exact Equinox markings, and from these, it can be estimated to be at least 2000 years old – while I rediscovered it only a few decades ago and subsequently put it back into use!
During our time together I had the great pleasure of also conducting a Foundational Certification Ceremony for Tom Evanoff and a ceremony to re-certify an already fully initiated practitioner, Rahima McCain, from 25 years ago. All in all it was truly magical for all of us. Take a moment to enjoy the photos of the site with myself, Rahima, Lizzie, Tom, and Edmund.
Three Venus-in-Virgo boys!
top: Rehema, Daniel, Tom; bottom: Edmund, Lizzie
I will write more on the greater development of what future apprenticeship groups might involve soon, and what they will offer – this was a fully fleshed out prototype. As I now see it, Mount Shasta, Joshua Tree, as well as Fishlake Valley, can all serve as prime locations for these in-person apprenticeship groups. Stay tuned for what is to come.
Lizzie’s Reflections
“Sitting under the stars with Daniel during my preview visit to this secret sacred site last year, I didn’t want to leave! We had booked hotel rooms in the closest town (55+ miles away) because I was not yet ready to be a “tent camper.” While sleeping on the ground in nature sounded appealing, it’s just something I had never done before. But surrounded by the grandeur of the open desert, massive mountains, ancient rock etchings and alignments … I was inspired! After the trip I got busy shopping for the right camping gear to make my first foray into nature – sleeping comfortable and enjoyable, even trading my fuel-efficient hybrid car for a 4-wheel drive, multi-use vehicle!
Since then, I could have conceivably gone on many camping adventures, but for various reasons that did not happen. So, it turns out that my very first experience was at the place of the initial inspiration! Being at this powerful and auspicious place again and bonding with three other TOTAMS members (including witnessing two of them graduate), discovering and rediscovering many special elements and alignments of the site, and having time to learn from Daniel, with perfect weather and clear night skies, was truly magical! We are so very fortunate to be introduced to places that hold such importance for Daniel and for our school. To be given the blessing to carry the vision forward by sharing this site with others is truly a great honor.” Lizzie Moon
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