August 11th ~ 20th, 2008

" Celestial Roots"
with
Steven Forrest and Melanie Reinhart

"Look to behold this night earth-treading stars
that make dark heaven light."
~ 'Romeo and Juliet' Act 1 Sc. 2

Life changes us. The realities we actually experience cannot
be captured by static astrological definitions. The Universe
is dynamic and participatory. So it is in astrology, and also
within the soul which astrology mirrors. A lively, soul-centered
approach to astrology breathes and grows. It allows the unexpected, the whimsical, the poetic. The heart is touched.

Used wisely, astrology is a way of helping us become more present to who we really are, and to honour our place in the unfolding Universe. The birth chart describes countless worlds we might inhabit or manifest, inner and outer, painful or pleasurable. Many are creative, vibrant, erotic, alive. Some are found by paths of fire and light, some through airy flight; others take us through stormy waters, or dark narrow passageways. Still others are accessed through stillness and introspection.
All contain jewels of awareness in our imagination and experience, when approached with sincerity and compassion.

It is our own attitudes and beliefs which pre-condition the experiences we have, not our horoscopes.

We explored this kind of living astrology in mystical Bali with Melanie Reinhart and Steven Forrest. They share a commitment to a spiritual approach to astrology that is also psychologically grounded, and both enjoy exploring soul work through the medium of creativity and art. They are astrologers of long experience in consulting and teaching within the modern tradition. Both are commited, not only to honoring the metaphysical traditions that are astrology's roots, but also to integrating the new, emerging reality of the solar system - asteroids, Centaurs, Kuiper belt objects.

In fact, one of the themes of the seminar was a joint investigation by the whole group of the significance of five specific "new" solar system objects: Pholus, Nessus, Orcus, Eris and Sedna. Toward the beginning of the program, Melanie and Steven got us going with the current theory, experience, and mythology of these objects, and we integrated them practically into our work over the course of the seminar.

The workshop itself was a creative experience. We had nine days in the realms of magic. Our map was a sketch on a napkin. We found treasure everywhere.