interview update, retrograde musings, local events
Per my usual, the subject line is intended for you to know what you're going to encounter here: an update on the Youtube interview, some thoughts on planetary retrogrades, and 2 local events coming up soon (a grief circle and a soundbath).
INTERVIEW UPDATE
The Youtube interview I mentioned in my last love letter has been filmed, but not yet edited. I will let you know when it's online.
Thanks to those who sent requests for the deck selection! These were the final selection for the interview:
There are 2-3 cards from the following decks: Rhythm & Soul Tarot, Next World Tarot, Lubanko Tarot, Lisa Frank Tarot.
RETROGRADE MUSINGS
Anything that's present across cultures, especially over the course of history, has always fascinated me. Music, dance, philosophy, storytelling and literature, science.
Which includes astronomy and astrology, because the distinctions blur across history.
Maybe you're like me and thought the overlaps of astronomy and astrology is silly, as though they're recent, new age inventions. I mean, I was raised on the childhood myth that Columbus "discovered" America in 1492 because people back then thought the world was flat.
Only to learn (in early adulthood) that there's a rich history of astronomy, and astrology in many cultures, over thousands of years. I got curious because I started to learn about Islamic and Hindu cultures.
(My interest in the cosmos is literally in the name of this business – the "sidereal" of Siderealchemy means relating to the stars.)
Zooming in on retrogrades – my studies over the years have not brought me to a place of absolutes about planetary retrogrades.
Because absolutes, for me, are generally about ethics. "Don't sign a contract during Mercury retrograde!" or "Don't start anything new during a retrograde!" don't qualify. Same with panicky claims of "Your technology is going to fail!" And so on.
However, I'm fascinated by the metaphors of retrogrades. Because retrogrades are not "real" movement of the planet; retrogrades are apparent movement—what we see from our perspective.
(Apparent motion is also related to sidereal.)
If you've been around me for a while, and definitely if you've worked with me, you know that I believe perspective is EVERYTHING.
I'm sure you know many examples from your own life, but just in case you want a personal example –
Perspective is the difference in believing that my body is inherently gross, dirty, and sinful vs knowing that everything about my body is sacred.
It was quite a journey to make that shift, and that journey involved constant shifts in perspective.
How that relates to retrogrades – they are not times for me to avoid contracts or new things, so much as periods to reflect on thematic retrogrades.
For example:
~ What shifts when I change or invert my perspective on something.
~ Backwards motion – the implications of thinking backwards, whatever that might mean.
~ Backwards time – time spirals, time travel.
~ Slower timing – not in the panic of not signing contracts, but in making decisions at a slower pace than usual.
So, I hope those give you some new perspective. Especially if you think retrogrades are nonsense new age BS. Plenty of the most trending social media content is nonsense new age BS. But exploring the source material, in my experience, yields a rich history of wisdom.
Quick aside before moving on – if any of this piques your curiosity, it can easily be the topic of a session. Just reply and we'll set something up.
2 UPCOMING LOCAL EVENTS
1. Sacred Grief Circle on Sunday, March 30th
The recent circle (co-facilitated with Kelbi of Lumenous Healing) was a moving, supportive experience. We've received great feedback and are delighted to offer it again very soon.
This container is small, so everyone has space to share freely. It filled up quickly last time, so please register soon if this feels right for you.
All the details are here. Limited space, sliding scale.
2. Soundbath on Monday, April 14th
Details here. By donation.
Warmly,
S.
she/they
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