PAN International 68
PAN Provisional Astroshamanic News
International Edition,
Editorial Director: Franco Santoro.
© 2007 Franco Santoro. All rights reserved. Permission must be granted by the author for publishing and use on websites. For permissions contact PAN@astroshamanism.org
This is an abridged version of PAN. To receive the complete version you need to be a subscriber. Please contact PAN for details.
The Sun gradually converges on the highest or lowest point according to the perspective of the northern and southern hemisphere, respectively. This is the climaxing stage before the first Solstice of the cycle 2007-2012, a major time of vigorous preparation for grounding healing developments in the autumn and winter months. Summer is the place of the heart and the noble passion of love. It teaches about the authentic longing to be with those we love, and how to best honour our relationships, releasing control and attachment, while surrendering to the soul and committing to purse its intention. A most valuable medicine of the summer cycle and its signs Cancer, Leo and Virgo, involves expressing feelings with transparency and openness, without hurting or judging others, and also in ways that do not cause identification with those feelings. Emotions need to move and flow in order to preserve the vitality of the web of life. They are the energetic blood of our fourth-dimensional body, and when they get stuck or projected on others, the connection with our soul purpose suffers and we get lost in the illusions of ordinary consensus reality (HAC). Summer is a testing field for our intentions and the capacity to act them out. It is also an opportunity to deeply connect with our physical bodies, understanding their true nature and reconciling them with our feelings and thoughts.
I have recently concluded the week Working with the Spirit of Cluny Garden, which I held with Sverre Koxvold. This is one of the most amazing workshops here at
On 13 June I travel to Paris (
In the meantime, this is still the domain of Gemini, the champion in communications and connections. Significant developments are in progress in the realm of astroshamanic training and tuition, with the launching of innovative One Year Basic Courses in various European countries, the first module of the Astroshamanic Practitioner Training (
In the art of Tarot, Gemini is the sign of The Lovers. This is a controversial card, which in the Rider-Waite deck features the sun shining at
PAN will take a two-week Solstice retreat and the next issue will in all probability be published after
Solstice blessings, Franco
No coming, no going. No after, no before. I hold you so close to me. I release you to be so free. Because you are in me… …and I am in you. Because you are in me… …and I am in you.
This is the anthem of
The Voyage through the Zodiac
Since I was a child I perceived astrology as an adventurous enterprise, a playful dramatic journey into the mysteries of life, a vivid physical experience, rather than an intellectual or mystical pursuit. The starry sky, the solar movement, the lunation and especially 12-fold divisions played a dominant role in my early years, long before acquiring any rational knowledge from books or teachers. Later I did study astrology and esoteric books. I am most grateful for all the wisdom and intuitions I received from them. The more I read about astrology, the more I felt the drive to involve my physical body, to shape-shift into the planetary archetypal forces, to launch into an actual voyage of retrieval of what I perceived to be my original identities. I would regularly feel this call in my body, as well as the frustration of not knowing how to respond to it. For years, whenever I visited a bookshop, I longed to find a manual that would provide all the necessary explanations. Yet these were forlorn hopes. Then the calling reached a climax of despair and I could not bear it anymore. Finally I packed up and set off on the voyage, without having any clue about how to do it and where to, solely trusting my gut feelings and vision. This is what eventually led to the emergence of astroshamanism. Astroshamanism implies exploring astrology and all life mysteries through direct experience in the field. It is a fertile blend of ancient and modern tools, a shamanic application of experiential astrology, specifically designed to reawaken our multidimensional nature and expand the boundaries of consensus reality, with integration, respect and balance for all the forces involved. This means that the primary focus is eventually offering pragmatic solutions for contemporary individuals who are open to fully embracing their authentic desires and life purpose in alignment with planetary and collective intentions.
With astroshamanism astrology is learned through the involvement of the physical senses and the subsequent participation of the mental and spiritual levels. Here the physical body is the primary educational device, with learning taking place through movement, actions, dramatisations, rituals, role-playing, postures, dance, body-work and other experiences, which are later acknowledged with our mental faculties and in the light of our spiritual purpose. Astroshamanism employs astrology as a map to access information on the geography of our soul, individual and collective, in order to retrieve soul parts, allies, wisdom, healing, power and release grievances or blocks. Here the horoscope is not interpreted or analysed, but it reveals itself through emotions, movements, dances, sounds, rituals, images and situations aimed at extending awareness and supporting strong transformational processes.
In most of the upcoming astroshamanic programmes experiential astrology will play a more prominent role, as part of the process of renovation in astroshamanic training and tuition. In this respect, a first model will be the One Year Basic Course in Astroshamanism and Experiential Astrology, which I propose as from next autumn, in
One Year Basic Course in Astroshamanism and Experiential Astrology
This course is a five-workshop series, starting with a basic introduction to shamanic healing and experiential astrology, and followed by a complete luminous quest into the mysteries of our multidimensional nature, as represented by the 12 zodiac signs. As we meet each sign, we release its secrets and retrieve a fragmented part of our soul, allowing it to activate our highest potentials and become a powerful ally. The programme includes tuition on journeying, divination, trance dance, spirit guides and medicines, release work, time voyages and the astroshamanic zodiac wheel, with practices from many cultures, the Western and Mediterranean traditions in particular. The programme will also deeply integrate with the native traditions of the countries where it is held.
The course provides a basic comprehensive experiential understanding and in-depth knowledge of shamanism and astrology. Each two-day workshop covers a specific theme, including the connection with the Guide, the 12 zodiac signs, the four astrological seasons, elements and directions. This series is ideally taken as a whole, yet in some cases workshops may also be attended independently.
The course is led by the founder of astroshamanism, Franco Santoro, with the assistance of other skilled practitioners.
No prior involvement in astrology or shamanism is necessary and total beginners are welcome to apply, though it is expected that some participants will have previous knowledge or experience.
The following workshops are offered:
The Way of the Spirit Guide: Autumn 2007: Intent, Centre, Vertical Axis (please see details below)
The Way of the North: Winter 2008: Capricorn, Aquarius and Pisces
The Way of the East: Spring 2008: Aries, Taurus and Gemini
The Way of the South: Summer 2008: Cancer, Leo and Virgo
The Way of the West: Autumn 2008: Libra, Scorpio and Sagittarius
An income related pricing applies to the course (five workshops). The intent is to ensure that the course is accessible to people with diverse means. Fees range approximately from £ 590/Euro 950 to £ 399/Euro 640 according to income and country. For more detailed information regarding fees and programmes, please contact: info@astroshamanism.org. If you wish to organize a one-year course or an introductory workshop in another city or country, please contact franco@astroshamanism.org.
The Way of the Spirit Guide: Core Astroshamanism
This workshop in held in the following cities and dates:
During this seminar participants are initiated into basic astroshamanic healing and experiential astrology, with particular reference to the relationship with the Spirit Guide, or Core Multidimensional Identity, and the definition of the Intent. The programme includes a complete experiential introduction to the shamanic voyage, the vertical axis, the connection with guides and the search for one’s core potential. The workshop also includes the initiation into the astroshamanic healing Ritual of the Sacred Cone. This workshop is a pre-requisite for the one-year course and other advanced trainings. It is possible to take part in this workshop also if you are not attending the one-year course or as a way to find out whether the course is the right thing for you. Indicative fee: £ 99/Euro150 (conc. £ 79). Fees vary according to countries. For further information: info@astroshamanism.org
In the earlier articles on this series on The Shamanic Way of Cinema (see PAN issue 62 and 63) I mentioned how movies can be used to activate the energy of specific planetary energies and zodiac signs. This is meant to stimulate or balance qualities, whose energy is either scarce or unstable in a subject. The mere act of watching certain movies, using the guidelines provided in the second part of the article on shamanic cinema featured in PAN issue 63, is enough to cause significant effects and powerful insights that the person can then expand with further techniques. In this brief article we cover movies related to Gemini.
Gemini films involve the realm of communication, information, language, writing, press and trade, also including frauds, tricks, theft, yet in a light and often humorous way. Gemini cinema comprises films on brothers and sisters, clever or funny thieves, journalism, shape-shifting, double-identity, parallel universes and other traits connected to the planetary energy of Mercury, including the function of messengers (postmen, angels, etc.). Humour, lightness and parody are basic features of these movies, although at times there are dramatic aspects aimed more at triggering the mind rather than arousing strong emotions. Typical Gemini movies also involve plenty of dialogues, characters, movement, jokes, play, changes of setting, overlapping stories and very intricate plots. They have the capacity to stimulate and excite the mental functions, generating curiosity, wonder, excitement and often leaving the viewer with the desire of wanting to know more or understanding why something occurred.
What follows is a provisional list of movies with Gemini components. The list refers mainly to titles with wide international circulation especially in the English-speaking world. Each title in the list is preceded by the name of the director. By clicking on the title you can get online details on the movie…..
The PAN Review of Books:
Franco Santoro, Astroshamanism Book II: The Voyage through the Zodiac
The 12 years from 2001 to 2012 are strategically associated with the multidimensional activation of each zodiac sign, with 2001 corresponding to Aries, 2002 to Taurus, 2003 to Gemini and 2007 to Libra. This year the themes related to relationships, co-operation and partnerships of any kind play a relevant role. In the astroshamanic arena the year 2003 was particularly relevant for its Geminian overtones. Franco published two books in English (Astroshamanism: A Journey into the Inner Universe and Astroshamanism: The Voyage through the Zodiac), and gave 44 workshops (including 14 one-week workshops) in 13 different places.
Dell Horoscope Magazine is the world’s leading astrology magazine published by Dell Magazines in the United States and widely distributed all over the world also with national editions. What follows is a review of Franco’s Astroshamanism: The Voyage through the Zodiac featured in the December 2003 issue of Dell Horoscope Magazine
Many people interested in astrology are also interested in other metaphysical systems to learn more about the universe we live in. Although most astrology books have a decidedly mainstream psychological underpinning, some combine more esoteric or spiritual approaches. These books don’t sell particularly well, but a few have fantastic worldviews that can bring tremendous personal insights as well as help integrate the individual with the larger whole.
Astroshamanism Book II by Franco Santoro is one of those far-out books, potentially mind-altering astrology books that can change the way you perceive reality. The first volume of Astroshamanism, reviewed here in the September issue, explains the juxtaposition of shamanism and astrology, but explores the shamanistic side of astrology more than it delineates astrological principles. This second volume gets into the astrology, but it is really only an investigation of the the twelve basic principles. Astroshamanism, Book II has twelve chapters to describe the twelve houses and their correlations to planets, signs and a number of other resonant archetypes.
Santoro’s treatment is designed to lead readers into a physical experience of each of the twelve houses. Using techniques based on ancient shamanistic practices, which includes some more modern variations, he invites readers to explore their own consciousness as an extension of the larger collective consciousness. From this angle, the ego is seen as a kind of hallucination, and one begins to participate as an interdependent unit of a much larger whole. Santoro explains that the ego never commits to anything because it only knows what it does not want. “Most human beings, thinking of what they do not want lose their purpose in life and support whate they fear.”
Astroshamanism leads the reader through the process of making a sacred circle, keeping an astroshamanic journal, going on a shamanistic voyage, and having a series of practices and rituals geared toward each of the twelve houses. Unlike most basic astrology texts, this book will touch your soul by introducing a life-affirming worldview completely different from anything most people are taught through the standard educational system. By way of illustration, if you are a Capricorn or have important planets in the tenth house, your ruling planet is Saturn, and you have the life lessons associated with commitment, responsibility and discipline. You may continually cycle through the predatory circuit of victim and persecutor until you learn about the false beliefs that guide your intentions. The illusion is that maturity and power come from exercising control over the external world, which translates into a lifelong struggle to achieve dominance over people, things, nature, sex, and so on.
Astroshamanism shows the Saturn personality how to break through the illusion of separation. One exercise is to simply work with clay and stones. Other exercises include defining the Spirit Father, creating a staff of power, becoming comfortable sitting in darkness, and facing your fears. In the same way, each house has a series of very practical, physical exercises that can transform your consciousness. If you want a magical, transformative, mystical experience, Astroshamanism is your ticket.
From Dell Horoscope Magazine, December 2003
Astroshamanism Book I: A Journey into the Inner Universe and Astroshamanism Book II: The Voyage Through the Zodiac feature the core teachings of astroshamanism. They are available, together with various drumming and trance dance CDs, from Franco and by mail order from the Phoenix Shop at store@findhorn.com or +44(0)1309-690954.
Non-HAC Traits in the Astrological Chart – Part Two by Franco Santoro
In the previous article I introduced elements in the astrological chart indicating the presence of remarkable non-HAC characteristics. In particular I dealt with alien traits, a term coined by Edwin C. Steinbrecher[ii] to identify specialised non-ordinary talents and skills, through the presence or absence of planets in specific astrological positions. Alien traits consist of powers, vessels, instruments and adepts. The Alien Powers, which were featured in the previous article, are those with the Sun in conjunction with Saturn, Uranus, Neptune or Pluto (allowing a 8° orb).[iii] In this second part I will introduce the Alien Vessels.
The Alien Vessels are born with the Moon conjunct Saturn, Uranus, Neptune or Pluto (allowing a 6° orb). They act magnetically, drawing their specialised energies toward themselves and the people they connect with. They work as gateways to other dimensions and are able to receive specific energies from others and return them as purified, heightened, and more conscious energy forms. They are fully operative, whether or not they are aware of their magnetic effect on others. Their role is that of preserving and nourishing the development of non-ordinary potentials just like mothers take care of their children in the period before and after birth. “Ignoring all possible dangers, they firmly lay the eggs of the worlds which exist beyond the human hallucinations. With care they brood them and nourish their embryo until it is ready to disclose and proceed autonomously. At any moment they remain totally available to nurture and protect the potentials of light they have generated”.[iv] According to Edwin C. Steinbrecher they have a high priestess function.
The Saturnian Vessel (Moon conjunct Saturn) are stern, disciplined, honest, practical, constructive and reliable beings, endowed with the capacity to trigger these qualities in others. They possess a deep multidimensional understanding of time and all laws governing our third dimensional reality and Human Arbitrary Configuration (HAC). Steinbrecher describes them, along with other Saturnian Aliens, as the oldest of the Aliens on the earth plane and as testers and guardians of mankind. Lack of awareness or refuse to express their potentials can result in rigidity, apathy, fear, depression, inferiority complexes, addiction to work. Famous Saturn Alien Vessels are: Cary Grant, Maxim Gorky, Hermann Hesse, Danny Kaye, Henry Kissinger, Deborah Kerr, Sophia Loren, Franz Lizst, Henri Matisse, Liza Minnelli, Benito Mussolini, Pat Robertson, Francoise Sagan, Jean Paul Sartre, Socrates, Ranier M.Rilke, Alexander Pushkin, Dick Powell, Donna Reed, Peter Rubens, Hugh O’Brien, John Philip Sousa, Inger Stevens.
The Uranian Vessels (Moon conjunct Uranus) are highly intuitive, resourceful, clever, innovative, unpredictable, eccentric and obviously non-HAC beings. They spontaneously inspire and promote ground-breaking ideas, co-operation and group spirit, emergence of multidimensional information or frequencies, liberation from limitations or arbitrary configuration. Their mere presence tend to strike at the foundations of obsolete, rigid or conventional relationships and structures, inspiring rebellion, freedom, radical changes, which may at times cause chaos or shock in the HAC environment. Resistance to their potentials may result in antisocial, violent or outrageous behaviours, nervous breakdowns, accidents, trauma and electrical overcharges. Famous Uranus Alien Vessels are: William Boyd, Ava Gardner, Martin Heidegger, Mick Jagger, Timothy Leary, Charles Lindbergh, Harold Lloyd, Jack London, Christopher Marlowe, Arthur Miller, Henry Miller, John Milton, Yves Montand, Elvis Presley, John Rubinstein, Eric Satie, Kate Smith, Joseph Stalin, Lana Turner, Voltaire, Orson Welles, Susannah York.
The Neptunian Vessels (Moon conjunct Neptune) engender deep compassion, empathy, sensitivity, unconditional love and dissolution of boundaries of any kind. They are extremely psychic and imaginative, receiving enormous amounts of non-HAC information through feelings, sounds and visions. These aliens are in closed alignment with the totemic or matrix level, which makes it difficult for them to deal with separation and ordinary reality. As other Neptune Aliens, they can be affected by excessive light exposure or social interaction, and need to protect their eyes, spend regular time in darkness and honour their privacy. Resistance to their potential can cause confusion, impracticability, seclusion, masochism, victimization, hallucination, addictions, dissoluteness and very weird behaviour. Famous Neptune Vessels are: Francisco Goya, Graham Greene, Jacob Grimm, Joseph Haydn, Rita Hayworth, Jesse James, Edward Kennedy, Stan Laurel, Jack Lemmon, Shirley Maclaine, Lee Marvin, Glen Miller, Lawrence Olivier, George Orwell, Ovid, Vanessa Redgrave, Jean Jacques Rousseau, Albert Schweitzer, Robert Louis Stevenson, Spencer Tracy, Billy Wilder, Peter Ustinov.
The Plutonian Vessels (Moon conjunct Pluto) promote awareness of HAC irrevocable changes, such as death or birth, and operate as magnets of multidimensional sex energy, releasing blocks to the vertical axis and supporting major transformational processes. According to Steinbrecher [v] they have the ability to free the ascending aspect of the kundalini or any other blocked energy in others, which gives them great healing powers. They are also natural sleuth and finders of hidden or lost things. Resistance to their potential can cause obsessions, sex-addiction, vengefulness, sadism, nihilism and criminal or offensive behaviours. Famous Pluto Vessels are: Faye Dunaway, Jean Gabin, Alec Guinness, Jimi Hendrix, Carl Jung, Elia Kazan, Stan Laurel, Harpo Marx, Somerset Maugham, Benito Mussolini, Mozart, Luigi Pirandello, Edgar Allan Poe, Roman Polanski, Ringo Starr, Mark Twain, Twiggy, Robert Wagner, Oscar Wilde, Emile Zola.
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