If any of you have been curious what I’ve been up to since I closed down my astrological counseling practice in 2022, come to the (R)Evolution Rising Astrology Summit on August 8–10 to find out!
For the last few years, I’ve been researching and writing the biography of Dr. Stanislav Grof, one of the world’s foremost pioneering researchers into the healing and heuristic potentials of LSD psychotherapy.
As the (R)Evolution Rising Astrology Summit, I will be bringing together two of my primary areas of research into one keynote lecture: astrology and psychedelics.
Here is a description of my keynote presentation: Is there a connection between astrology and psychedelics? At Esalen Institute in the mid-1970s, Stanislav Grof and his doctoral student Richard Tarnas were trying to solve the mystery of the inter- and intra-individual variability of LSD sessions. The radical suggestion that astrology might be the answer opened up a vast new domain of research. As the biographer of Grof, archetypal astrologer Becca Tarnas is uniquely positioned to present on this topic of the mutually illuminating relationship between psychedelics and astrology.
There will be numerous other extraordinary astrology presentations at this summit, offered by my fellow astrologers and even two of my former students! Attendance is free, with the option to purchase recordings and bonus materials offered by each presenter. It would be wonderful to see many of you there!
It is my joy to announce that I’ll be offering a keynote presentation for the online summit (R)Evolution Rising: Astrology for the Zeitgeist, taking place this August 8–10! The summit’s host and creator, Christina Caudill, has crafted this free online event to give participants the astrological insight to help navigate the transformative and challenging era in which we find ourselves with greater awareness and purpose.
I am honored to be part of the group of gifted astrologers speaking at this conference, and am truly delighted that two of my archetypal astrology students from the Philosophy, Cosmology, and Consciousness graduate program at the California Institute of Integral Studies will also be speaking: Somya Desai and Kate Kettelkamp. Both of these women are extraordinary astrologers whose work and research I highly recommend. Please come to the summit to hear their brilliant ideas and to learn from the rest of the panelists!
The three “classical” modern planets—Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto, discovered by telescope in the 18th, 19th, and 20th centuries, respectively—are each associated with archetypal principles and powers of fundamental importance for understanding human life. They are especially essential for understanding both the underlying dynamics of the collective psyche, as visible in cultural and historical events and trends, and the deeper psychological and spiritual dimensions of our individual lives. Join father and daughter archetypal astrologers, Richard and Becca Tarnas, as they share their insights into these great cosmic energies and consider the outlook for 2025 within the context of recent history.
Since my son was born earlier this year, I have cut significantly back on offering public lectures and events, so this will be my only workshop this year—and I’m eagerly looking forward to facilitating it! The workshop provides an introduction to the basic framework and techniques of archetypal astrology, particularly adapted to suit the needs and perspective of Jungian therapists and scholars, or anyone with an interest in depth psychology. The workshop will be recorded, and I hope to see many of you there!
In recent years, new scholarship has been emerging demonstrating the essential role the discipline of astrology played in the development and practice of C. G. Jung’s analytical psychology. In 1911, Jung wrote a letter to Freud in which he said that his nights were occupied with the study of astrology, to which Freud responded that Jung would be “accused of mysticism.” Jung kept his practice of astrology relatively concealed, but based upon evidence in his own writings, as well as statements he made late in his life, Jung was drawing on astrological wisdom regularly for both personal use and with his patients.
This workshop will demonstrate the role astrology played in Jung’s analytic practice, as well as the significant ways in which he drew on astrological symbolism in the transformative process of creating The Red Book. By understanding how astrology influenced the development of Jungian psychology—and how depth psychology has subsequently shaped modern astrology—we can see how the astrological discipline can complement, enhance, and deepen the psychotherapy practiced today.
Depth psychology and archetypal astrology are complementary disciplines. This workshop offers a basic foundation in astrological techniques which can be applied to psychological practice, whether as a clinician or for personal inquiry. A brief history archetypes, the symbolism of the planets, and planetary aspects will all be taught, along with examples from art, culture, and history. This workshop may be a gateway to astrology for some, while it can also be a deepening of the archetypal perspective for those already with an astrological practice.
The season has already been off to a rich start full of travels, beginning with a research trip to Prague and the Rhine Valley, a constellation of inspiring astrological stars at NORWAC in Seattle, the enchanting Jung by the Sea conference in Cornwall, England, and attendance at the world’s largest psychedelic conference, with a total of 12,000 participants, at Psychedelic Science 2023 in Denver, Colorado.
Polhawn Fort, Cornwall
Recordings of the presentations I gave at NORWAC and Jung by the Sea are available for those who were unable to attend these events in person. At NORWAC, I gave two talks: “Permutations of Venus” and “Psychedelics and Astrology: A Symbiotic Relationship.” The latter talk offers a glimpse into some of the material I’ve been working with during this last year of research, for those who might be curious what I’ve been up to! At Jung by the Sea, I presented once again on “The Synchronicity of the Two Red Books: Jung, Tolkien, and the Imaginal Realm,” although there were some new elements of the talk particularly related to the exquisite setting on the cliffs of the Cornish coast, and I feel this was my best presentation of the work thus far. It was an extraordinary honor to present this material not only to this insightful Jungian audience, but especially to my fellow presenters, several of whom were major inspirations during my research into the two Red Books: Liz Greene, Tom Cheetham, and—the editor of Jung’s Red Book himself—Sonu Shamdasani.
As the summer progresses, I’ll be focusing almost entirely on writing—albeit with the delightful exception of three new talks I’ll be presenting to the astrological community. On Sunday, July 2, I’m returning to Adam Elenbaas’s Nightlight Astrology speaker series to present on “Jupiter-Uranus: The Creative Genius” in anticipation of the Jupiter-Uranus conjunction that is just beginning and will enliven our collective zeitgeist for the next 14 months.
A few weeks later on Saturday, July 22, I’ll be offering a presentation for NCGR San Francisco titled “The Compassionate Astrologer,” exploring practical guidance on how to create an ethical and therapeutic container in which the astrology client is empathically mirrored, while also being empowered to fall in love with their own birth chart. Although this presentation description refers to working with clients, the material is applicable for anyone who practices astrology, whether the seasoned professional or the novice astrology student.
Finally, on Saturday, August 5, I’ll be giving a class at Nadiya Shah’s Synchronicity University on “Creating a Thriving Transit Practice.” In the class, I’ll be giving step-by-step instructions on how to calculate your own transits using just your birth chart and an ephemeris. This is an extremely empowering and liberating skill to have for all astrology enthusiasts and will allow you to deepen your practice and enhance your relationship to the starry sky above you and its archetypal dynamics within you. This is one of the more practical classes I have offered, and I’m excited to enter into the technical details with a new group of astrology students. If you sign up before June 30, you can choose your own tuition rate for the entire summer series that Synchronicity University is offering—a rare opportunity to learn from five different female teachers over the course of a month.
Whether you decide to attend one talk or all of them, or go back to catch the recordings of those already past, I would be so delighted to know this material is reaching those who need to hear it at this time. May your summer months be resplendent with new adventures, wild awakenings, and timely insights!
Practical Guidance for Using Astrology to Best ServeYourself, Others, and the World
“It is in the realm of the soulthat we find the heavens that govern the skies.” – Rumi
“Astrology represents the sum of all the psychological knowledge of antiquity.” – C. G. Jung
The Astrology Hub has created a beautiful opportunity for me and my father, Richard Tarnas, to offer a workshop together focusing on the skills it takes to be an excellent astrologer. “Your Astrological Initiation” offers insight on how to be an astrological ambassador to your community, whether you are a student new to astrology or a seasoned professional astrologer.
In the workshop, we will be speaking about the relationship between astrology and psychology, techniques for how to deepen your practice, how to frame an astrology reading or research project, the ethics of a compassionate consultation, the best ways to respond to skepticism, and a celebration of the profound astrological mystery into which the astrologer is initiated.
The 4-hour workshop takes place on Wednesday, September 21 at 2:00–6:00 pm Pacific time, with a follow-up 2-hour live Q&A on Tuesday, September 27 at 2:00 pm Pacific time. Both events will be recorded and participants will have lifetime access to the recordings, plus there will be an opportunity to submit questions before the Q&A.
We’ve never before offered a workshop together of this kind and I think it will be a rich opportunity for everyone who participates!
To read a full description of the workshop, and view all the bonus offerings, please visit: astrologyhub.com/yourinitiation.
A Premium Panel Event & Guided Community Experience So You Can Manifest Your Dream with the Auspicious Pisces Conjunction
To celebrate the Jupiter-Neptune conjunction in Pisces that is rapidly approaching exact alignment, I will be participating in a beautiful 120-minute live panel hosted by the Astrology Hub this Thursday, April 7 at 4:00 pm Pacific time.
Joining me on the panel will be astrologers Linda Byrd and Divine Harmony, and Amanda ‘Pua’ Walsh, the founder of the Astrology Hub, will be hosting the event! The panelis meant to give participants a broader understanding of the Jupiter-Neptune conjunction in Pisces, letting you know what this alignment means for you and how you can participate in its energies. Participants will also be submitting questions for a Q&A portion of the panel which will happen after the presentations.
In the spirit of Jupiter-Neptune, this is a “give as you wish” event that you can attend for free, or give to support the speakers and the organization if you are able.
We look forward to seeing you tomorrow to celebrate this grandiose and idealistic alignment of Jupiter and Neptune!
Lecture Description In recent years, astrology and magic have caught the collective imagination and are enjoying an unexpected renaissance through new social platforms. Astrology and magic have ancient roots and have persisted across the centuries through multiple evolving world views before being disavowed by the modern, scientific mind. As these disciplines re-emerge, what does it mean to practice astrological magic in the contemporary world? To do so requires reconciling different cosmologies and paradigms, synthesizing ancient and medieval spiritual and religious perspectives with modern philosophy and psychology in order to bring forward language and concepts that can speak to our place in an evolving cosmos. In light of such a synthesis, this presentation will explore archetypal theory and the concept of synchronicity—a term coined by the depth psychologist C. G. Jung—to illuminate a contemporary understanding of astrological correlations and magical praxis.
For those who cannot attend live, there will be a recording available after the session has taken place.Simply book a ticket via the button above, and the recording link will be sent with the joining instructions.
Please join me for the Women’s Spiritual Leadership for the 21st Century conference!
March 4–6, 2022 9:00 am–1:00 pm Pacific time
I will be speaking on a panel with other women leaders on Saturday, March 5 at 11:00 am, and again on Sunday, March 6 at 12:00 pm with a forecast on the current astrological transits.
This is a free event, and everyone is welcome. Men are encouraged to attend! (Traducción al español ofrecida)
Conference Description Women spiritual leaders are emerging more prominently than ever before across the major religions and spiritual traditions of the world. This auspicious trend is gradually eroding long-standing oppression of women’s spiritual leadership, and simultaneously uplifting the feminine aspects of the Divine in diverse religious and spiritual traditions.
The purpose of this conference is to strengthen the role of women in spiritual leadership, and to build bridges of mutual support, collaboration, inspiration, and mentoring among women spiritual leaders and seekers across the major religions. The conference features celebrated and emerging women spiritual leaders from diverse world religions, all of whom have confronted and overcome formidable patriarchal barriers within their respective traditions.
The presentation is titled Archetypal Astrology: A Glimpse of 2022, and will provide an overview of the planetary transits for the coming year. I would be delighted to see many of you there!
Archetypal astrology is the practice of studying correlations between the movements of the planets and the unfolding of human events on Earth, a celestial synchronization that intimates the deeply ensouled nature of the cosmos. This keynote presentation will explore the foundational principles of archetypal astrology, before taking a look ahead at the transits for 2022 to get a picture of what archetypal potentials may transpire. Such knowledge can help one navigate the collective zeitgeist with grace, integrating the challenges that may arise, the opportunities that may unfold, and the areas for growth that may be awakened.
This spectacular image of the Orion Nebula star-formation region was obtained from multiple exposures using the HAWK-I infrared camera on ESO’s Very Large Telescope in Chile. This is the deepest view ever of this region and reveals more very faint planetary-mass objects than expected.
Becca Tarnas 