Join IAAM for a special conversation with Gary Caton about a unique opportunity for Earth Magic during the 2023 Winter Solstice.
https://astromagia-org.zoom.us/j/82853928067?pwd=MicAzIi5Bjalvwt8aYEfG2hOx5T3VQ.1
There will be a rare and unique astrological configuration this Winter Solstice. The Sun and a retrograding Mercury will meet for an inferior conjunction in Capricorn on the solstice. This alignment opens a window of opportunity for highly potent magic ritual that resonates with the earth element.
This ritual potency takes place outside of the strict rules for talisman creation or electional astrology. This potency comes from the cycle of Mercury and the energy that becomes available with every Sun-Mercury conjunction, interwoven with the Winter Solstice as its own door to unlock.
The planet now named Mercury was far more unabashedly magical in the earlier Egyptian and Mesopotamian tradition. In Babylonian Astrology, Nabu was identified with the planet mercury. Nabu was the god of scribes, literacy, and wisdom, who also performed an ocular function. In Egyptian astrology, Thoth was identified with the planet Mercury. Thoth was the god of the Moon, wisdom, knowledge, writing, hieroglyphs, science, magic, art and judgment.
Over the course of 2023, Mercury has spent most of its time in earth signs. Because of the retrograde cycle, Mercury always ends up going back and forth in a particular element. This year, Taurus, Virgo and Capricorn all experienced a mercury retrograde. Broadly speaking, our earthly understandings have been tested and misunderstandings of earth may have been revealed. Each of us has our relationship with earth depending on our charts and the spiritual paths we are walking down.
One approach to ritually mitigate mercury retrograde is to ritually lean into the earth element on the day of Solstice when the Sun and Mercury meet, as well as on January 12 the when Mercury reaches its point of maximum elongation as a Morning Star. Examples of Earth ritual include herbs, crystals, burial, and magic objects.
These two celestial configurations close the earth cycle. Mercury moves into the Fire cycle afterwards. Now is the last opportunity to work with earth in connection with the Mercury cycle until 2029.
dreamastrologer.com Instagram - @skyastrologer X - @HermeticAstro
Gary P. Caton is a professional astrologer and transdisciplinary Hermetic practitioner. He integrates diverse traditions, art forms and practices gathered over a full Saturn cycle. Initiated an astrologer by a magnificent Dream in 1993, hebecome an accomplished counselor, writer, podcaster, teacher, photographer and mage.
Gary studied Hellenistic astrology with Ellen Black, Robert Schmidt, and Michael Erlewine during the heyday of Project Hindsight. He’s been at the forefront of several recent trends in the renaissance of ancient techniques. He’s drawn inspiration and insights from Daniel Giamario on the visual and mythic traditions of Mesopotamia. He’s also collaborated with Adam Gainsburg on the enterprise of rediscovering the Synodic cycles and unlocking their meanings in chart interpretation.
Gary has frequently published in various prominent Astrological journals and websites, including: The Mountain Astrologer, The Astrological Journal, Considerations, The International Astrologer, Geocosmic Journal, Horoscope Guide, Wellbeing Astrology Guide, Planet Waves, and The Ascendant (the scholarly journal of the Association for Young Astrologers).
In 2017, Gary’s published Hermetica Triptycha: The Mercury Element Year with Rubedo Press. It quickly became the premier book on magical approaches to navigating Mercury retrogrades and other moments in the Mercury cycle.
Gary has spoken at numerous international, national and regional conferences including NORWAC, UAC, GLAC as well as a great many NCGR chapters and other local gatherings.
Website – www.dreamastrologer.com
Instagram - @skyastrologer
X - @HermeticAstro