Asteria

Solstice & Sacred Rhythms

What happens to a world that can’t slow down?
 
This episode examines the mythology and symbology of Summer Solstice.  It is a meditation on sacred rhythms, inner stillness, and rest and dives into the works of Abraham Joshua Herschel, the zen beauty aesthetic of Wabi-Sabi, and the Haiku poetry of the Zen poet: Mastsuo Basho.  The episodes finishes with the Celtic Solstice Myth of The Oak and Holly Kings.  Enjoy.  

The Wave and The Wall

A great wave is rising.  In this new episode, I dive into the Archetype of Neptune--god of the sea, Lord of Dreams, and Keeper of the Fog.  With Neptune now in Aries, and a rare Saturn-Neptune conjunction, we find ourselves on the storm of shifting structures and dissolving illusions.  
 
What does it mean to live in a time when boundaries are breaking and the waters of the unconscious are rushing to meet the walls of tradition?  
Join us as we explore the flood and the forge--the mystic and the militant--as soul meets structure.  

Pluto & Transformation

As the United States approaches the final days of its first-ever Pluto return—a 248-year astrological cycle that began in 2019 and ends in January 2025—this moment invites reflection on both personal and collective transformation. Pluto's archetype symbolizes depth, power, destruction, and rebirth, echoing its discovery during the upheavals of the 1930s, from the Great Depression to the rise of totalitarian regimes, and breakthroughs in psychology and science. Archetypal Astrology offers a unique lens to "see through" the literal events of our lives, revealing their mythic and imaginal dimensions. By cultivating an "archetypal eye," as described by post-Jungian psychologist James Hillman, we can engage with life's deeper currents, navigating challenges with greater clarity and purpose. Join us as we explore the profound themes of Pluto, its archetypal energy, and the lessons of America's Pluto return.

Descent and Rebirth

In Episode 5, we explore the profound concept of initiation and transformation through the lens of archetypes and mythology. We delve deep into the story of Persephone and the Kore archetype, examining how these ancient patterns mirror our own journeys of personal transformation. The episode draws powerful parallels between human psychological development and the metamorphosis of a caterpillar into a butterfly, illustrating how genuine change requires a descent into our depths before emerging renewed. We discuss how this pattern of dissolution and rebirth isn't just about personal change, but ultimately leads to a shift from mere consumption to becoming a generative force in the world, much like a butterfly transforms from consumer to pollinator.

The Meaning of Our Moment

In this episode we look at our current moment of crisis from a different angle and examine the origins of the modern mindset.  We dive into the birth of Modernity when Copernicus published the first presentation of the Heliocentric worldview in Renaissance Scholarship and the psychological and spiritual effects that came with the slow but ever increasing adoption of the Scientific paradigm. 
Returning to the present, we then examine whether this moment in history could in fact be purposeful (rather than random and meaningless) meant to awaken us and reshape our relationship to the natural world, to the Universe, and to one another.  Finally we examine the work of Edward Edinger in Ego & Archetype who argues that Sepration and Alienation are not ends in themselves but necessary stops on the journey towards awakening.
Thank you for listening.  You can help support the show by following us on Instagram @Asteriapod, subscribing on Apple Podcasts, leaving a review, or sharing the show with a friend.
 
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Asteria is written & produced by Josh Cardinale. All rights reserved.

The Oak and The Stars

"What is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?" These words by Mary Oliver touch upon an archetypal and unavoidable journey each of us must face at some point in our lives--the search for meaning and purpose.
In this episode, we dive into ancient ideas around meaning and purpose, and how we might discover these for ourselves when we turn within.
Furthermore, we explore the metaphor of the acorn and the oak tree, the notion of guardian spirits (the daemon or the genius) and the symbolic language of archetypal astrology as means of better understanding the journey we are asked to take in life.
I hope you enjoy, Episode 3: "The Oak and the Stars".
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If you'd like to help support the show, you can do so by following us on Instagram @Asteriapod, subscribing on Apple Podcasts, leaving a review, or sharing the show with a friend.
Until next time, keep burning bright.
Asteria is written & produced by Josh Cardinale. All rights reserved.
 

Starscapes

In this episode we investigate the problems of light pollution and the subsequent disconnection from the beauty and mystery of the night sky.  As a consequence, much of humanity finds itself disconnected from its own roots, from a regular connection to awe and wonder, as well as a major wellspring of meaning and mystery.  Going further, we explore humanity's fascination with the stars and what the heavens meant on a symbolic level to ages past.  Finally, we touch briefly on the origins of astrology and elements of Jewish Cosmology. And how perhaps the medicine our culture most desperately needs today can be found in the rediscovery of mystery, humility, and wonder--by simply turning off our screens and turning towards the starry sky. 

A Sea of Stories

The stories we live by (whether consciously or unconsciously) have immense power, and to greater or lesser degrees, rule our lives, and the wider culture. This opening episode will examine the power of stories and how the collapsing cultural landscape and natural world reflect the collapsing and outdated stories that once held the world together and helped us imagine a meaningful future.