Shamanic Astrology is an evolving system developed by Daniel Giamario. It is a straightforward system that zeros in on the most useful and important information found in an individual's astrological chart. Shamanic Astrology has 5 basic principles:

1. The foundational philosophical truth of Shamanic Astrology is "As Above, So Below, As Without, So Within." It is considered that the patterns and cycles of the constellations, Sun, Moon and planets are the same as the patterns and cycles of the human psyche.
2. Shamanic Astrology is experiential and earth-centered. The system is based on viewing the sky without the aid of a telescope or any other technological means, much as the ancient shamans would have done.
3. Shamanic Astrology is ceremonial and participatory and operates from a mythic perspective. The myths of various cultures were created from the patterns and cycles of the planets and constellations.
4. The death and rebirth theme of shamanism underlies the precepts of Shamanic Astrology. To become a shaman one has to complete an initiatory process and this process is linked to the cycles of the planets and constellations. All human beings go through a series of initiatory experiences consciously or unconsciously. Shamanic Astrology is a tool that will assist the individual in making conscious decisions while traveling the initiatory path.
5. Shamanic Astrology is archetypal and symbolic. It is a look at the intent of the current life, not a description of how people are. The archetypal material gives us a sense of all the possibilities that are available and which ones apply to us. Using this model, there are twelve possible paths for the current life intent.

There are twelve archetypal life paths. Each astrological sign is associated with specific archetypes, images and god/desses. For example, Aries is associated with the Wild Woman Archetype or the Aggressive, Willful Boy with Toys Archetype. The essence of Aries is absolutely straightforward and dualistic, black and white, good and bad. If there is a battle, you want Aries on your side. Aries is associated with the Gods and Goddesses who are the defenders of the cosmic order. The down side of Aries shows up as ruthless fundamentalism, which is very black and white, good, and bad.

However, the archetype descriptions are NOT Sun Sign descriptions. Shamanic Astrology differs from the current astrological models that are based on the Sun Sign. The focus of this system is on the Moon Sign, Rising Sign, Venus and Mars, and the relationship between the other planets in an individual chart. The Moon Sign describes the area of mastery, or talents and skills, a person has already attained. It also describes areas where there may be addictions or attachments. The Rising Sign describes what type of training a person intends to undergo in the current life. Mars and Venus are the aspects of the masculine and feminine that the individual is working on in the current life. The Sun Sign serves as the fuel or flavor that runs through the rest of the chart.

Shamanic Astrology is an organic, living system best understood through the lens of a chart: for this article, let us say a person has an Aquarius Moon, Capricorn Rising Sign, Venus and Mars in Leo, and Sun Sign in Cancer. The Aquarian Moon represents the area of mastery, skills and talents or past life lineage. Aquarius lineage operates outside the realm of the physical and the emotional; it does not involve the feeling function. There are several themes associated with Aquarius. One theme is that the person has had a series of lifetimes where they were purely intellectual, thinking and writing about life without actually experiencing it. A mythological explanation for Aquarius is they come from the realm of the fairy, fairy princess or elf. My favorite storyline for Aquarius has to do with the Pleiades. The Pleiadian story says Aquarius is not from the Earth; rather they come from the Pleiades or a different star system, where they have a rule (or Prime Directive) of noninterference. For those beings who wish to make a contribution here, the only way around the noninterference rule is to incarnate. The problem with incarnating here is the person can forget their mission because the karma and density of this reality is so heavy. The essence of Aquarius to find a way to translate the dense experience of earthly life into spirit, intellect or a higher charka experience. What this could mean for this individual is that she would be comfortable with purely intellectual experiences and theorizing about life without experiencing life. Also that she would attempt to understand any emotional experience on a purely intellectual level, thinking about feelings but not feeling the feelings. But remember the Moon sign is the past life lineage and while important the Rising Sign is more important because it indicates the current life purpose or intent.

Rising Sign is in Capricorn is the current life identity project or life purpose. Capricorn is a giver sign and is dedicated to keeping it together for everyone else and in return for that function they receive great respect and get to be in some position of power and leadership to better carry out their responsibilities. The Capricorn archetype is associated with the elders of the community who knew the laws and was responsible for the community. Some examples are the fathers, the prime minister, counselors and teachers. So Capricorn Rising is here to learn to manage and control their environment in a responsible way, get results, and become the elder of the future.

Venus and Mars in Leo indicate the aspect of the feminine and masculine that the person is working to integrate during the current life. Leo is a strong and intense energy based in self-interest. The lesson of Leo is radiant self-love. Leo energy empowers others through its own self-confidence. Leo's intent is to empower themselves so that others can be empowered by observing Leo. The archetypal images associated with Leo are "The Leading Man or Woman", "The Star" or "The Born Leader."

The Sun Sign in Cancer describes the type of fuel a person burns and uses to accomplish the current life purpose. A person may or may not display the characteristics associated with the Sun Sign dependent upon other aspects of their chart. The primary identity for Cancer is derived from responsibly nurturing their family, their children. The emphasis for Cancer is to feel the feelings of those they are taking care of so they can provide the best love, support and attention.

How does each of these individual components integrate into a storyline for this person? Let's look at two of the strongest energies in the chart, Capricorn and Leo. Both of these signs can be seen in leadership positions. Leo leads through personal charisma and Capricorn leads through being a responsible administrator. So what you might see is a person who would be given leadership roles in which he/she would lead through being dependable and reliable but also through personal will and personality. In other words, others like this person because he/she is trustworthy and because he/she is a likable person. The Cancer Sun Sign energies will channel the leadership qualities to include a nurturing aspect; for example, the workgroup might be seen as family. The energies of the Aquarian Moon might surface when the person is under stress and may need to detach emotionally, meditate, and retreat from social interactions.

A look at your astrological storyline might be something you would like to explore if this sample mini-chart interpretation has intrigued you. Shamanic Astrology is great way understand your life purpose and how to walk your chosen life path. Please contact me for a typewritten chart interpretation or to arrange a telephone reading. Information about training workshops on Shamanic Astrology can be found at www.shamanicastrology.com.