I recently returned from a weekend at Esoteric Festival where I gave a lecture on the activations of planetary archetypes through major lifetime transits that affect everyone at certain stages of life. The talk went well and I was reassured by some nodding heads in the crowd as I described the nature of major transits like the 42 year old Uranus opposition, or the 29 year old Saturn return.

With my official duties over, I was able to cruise around and relax into the festivities. Prior to the festival, I had decided to head into my weekend with the intention of meeting the archetype of Venus. I wanted to feel her presence and embody a visceral understanding of her essence. I was inspired to do this after hearing of the work of Richard Tarnas Phd and Stanislov Grof MD with the analysis of astrological transits with the use of psychedelics. As Venus had recently moved into her domicile of Taurus, I thought there was no better time to meet her as she was in her full brilliant expression whilst in her home sign.

So it was no surprise that I came back from the festival completely inspired by art with Venus, the archetype of love and beauty, in the sensual sign of Taurus. I came home and dusted off my unfinished canvasses with a view to complete some of them soon (fingers crossed, no promises). Like this one I started a couple of years back, which is what I’m going to call Saturn Warming Up.

I also managed to fit in a couple hours of life drawing at the festival and had an absolute ball!

I also found an interesting interpretation of some planetary archetypes by Adam One (@symprez). I love the detail, the modern twist and the magic seals hidden within them.

I was also enlightened with a demonstration of artist, @Lightwizardart, who was making fractal images “out of pieces of shit he finds on the side of the road”, says his hype woman standing by him. So fascinating to watch his ultra original process. I have seen these types of images in the past and always thought they were computer generated fractal images but they are actually photographs of upcycled junk! Pretty neat huh!?

Other artists that inspired me (but I didn’t have my camera on me to take any photos) were two lovely Venusian ladies, Melissa Shem-Anna @the_honeybee_temple and Katia Honour @katiahonour who I’d seen many years ago at other festival art galleries. There was so much talent in one room and I was trying to soak up as much technique and guidance as possible by osmosis.

The art gallery is usually where I end up having the most memorable conversations and deep connections with people, most of whom I usually never seen again. But as I reflected on this thought that evening, I realised that the intersection of art and symbolism (mainly through astrology and alchemy) is where it’s at for me. I am completely in my element, and as they say, happy as a pig in shit.

This of course, confirms the placement of my Ascendant ruler, Saturn, which is in my 9th house of beliefs, philosophy and journeys. Being the steersman of my life vehicle, it wants to take me to the 9th house to live out my life. It’s no coincidence that my life has been centered around astrology, ancient worlds and alchemy. And, that my father was a devout devotee to the Huat Choo Kong daoist temple before his premature death when I was 5 years old, which had left me with a spiritual search for the most part of my life.

Saturn makes a lovely trine to Venus in my first house, in a fortunate mutual reception with each other as they are both located in each other’s ruling signs. Thus, Venus is also my planetary significator for all my 9th house activities – studying, travelling, journeying. Venus rules art, music, feminine archetypes and the social fabric and is going along for the ride with me. So, blending the arts (Venus), with astrology and alchemy (Saturn in 9th) is how I feel most tapped into my identity, mind and body (Ascendant).

Have you looked at your Ascendant ruler and where it’s taking you? It’s usually one of the first things I look at when I do consultations or look at any chart for that matter, whether that be a natal, electional or horary chart.  I’d be happy to analyse this for you if you’re interested – book your consultation online to find out.