On the Soul's Terms

In this episode I talk with Martha Alter Hines. Martha is a mom, an author, a healer, and an astrologer. She has twenty years of experience as a clinical social worker, psychotherapist, and body worker. She has primarily studied Evolutionary Astrology with Ari Moshe Wolfe as well as with Heather Ensworth. Martha bridges her trauma informed clinical background with her astrological knowledge, as well as a deep understanding of ourselves as beings of the cosmos, Earth, divine, heart, mind, and so much more. The image of Pisces is two fish swimming in opposite directions, connected by a column of stars. Today, Martha opens up about her own mediation between these two fish, one heading down towards the mystical waters of soul, the other swimming up to the everyday world. I want to thank you all for joining me for this tour of the Zodiac and to all the incredible guests who’ve joined me along the way. It’s been a true voyage of discovery and I hope you’ve enjoyed it. If you have any feedback for the show I’d love to hear from you. Feel free to email me at chris@skidmoredynamics.com. I’ll be taking a break for a couple of months and will be back soon with a new project for the podcast with the working title: A Year of Myth. Join the Myth, Stars, and Soul series with Chris and Martha here: https://living-the-one-light.teachable.com/p/myth-stars-soul-chris-skidmore?affcode=412518_vuytp8nl More about Martha: Website: https://livingtheonelight.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/livingtheonelight Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgNGs08tGaA3AdK0LpuWJTg Teachable Site: https://living-the-one-light.teachable.com Email: livingtheonelight@gmail.com Podcast Musician: Marlia Coeur Please consider becoming a Patron to support the show! Go to OnTheSoulsTerms.com for more.

Two fish connected by an umbilical cord, swimming in opposite directions, deep in the seas of the collective unconscious. This is where we meet the 12th and final sign of the Zodiac: Pisces. Mythically those fish are Aphrodite (Venus) and Eros (Cupid/Amore) escaping the terrifying Typhon: mother of all monsters. Faye Northgrave joins me for this sea journey. On the way we will explore Neptune/Poseidon, the god of the ocean, and his penchant for punishing hubris with lostness, confusion and shame. As well as Jupiter/Zeus who connects us to the inspirational waters of shared archetypal vision. It's a fitting conclusion to the series on the mythic roots of the zodiac. I want to take this moment to thank all those who have come with us through all 12 signs. Podcast Art: Galleria di luca giordano, 1682-85, nettuno e anfitrite Podcast Musician: Marlia Coeur Please consider becoming a Patron to support the show! Go to OnTheSoulsTerms.com for more.

This episode I’m joined by Safron Rossi. From her Bio: Safron has spent her life steeped in literature, religion and mythology, fields in which she holds her degrees. Her writing and scholarly studies focus on archetypal psychology, astrology, alchemy, goddess traditions, and Greek myth. She is a member of the core faculty at Pacifica Graduate Institute, teaching mainly in the Jungian and Archetypal Studies program. She is author of The Kore Goddess: A Mythology & Psychology (2021), editor of Joseph Campbell's Goddesses: Mysteries of the Feminine Divine (2013), and co-editor of Jung on Astrology (2017). She has published articles in Jungian, archetypal, and astrological journals, and lectures across the US and internationally in Europe, South America and Australia. Today we talk about the path that led her to Pacifica and how myth, archetypal psychology and astrology weave their way through her lived experience. To find out more about Safron’s go to thearcheypaleye.com Artwork: The Prague Astronomical Clock in Old Town Podcast Musician: Marlia Coeur Please consider becoming a Patron to support the show! Go to OnTheSoulsTerms.com for more.

Aquarius is a notoriously difficult to pin down archetypal structure. On this episode, Faye Northgrave re-joins the show to shed some light on this sign of the Heavens Above. When doing this write up I generally ignore the AI suggestion that comes with it. My Podcast Distributor listens to the podcast and then writes up a summary. In the spirit of the forming Aquarian Age I thought this time, to stay in theme, I would leave it in... After all, it is quite impressive: Embark on a journey through the stars with us, as I, Chris Skidmore, along with my esteemed guest Faye Northgrave, unravel the enigmatic persona of Aquarius. Our latest podcast episode is not your run-of-the-mill astrological forecast; it's an odyssey that bridges the celestial dichotomy of Saturn and Uranus, conformity and rebellion, in a sign known for its humanitarian spirit and progressive vision. Expect to emerge with a newfound perspective as we traverse the labyrinth of mythology, revealing how the trials of Sisyphus and the ingenuity of Prometheus echo the triumphs and tribulations of the Water Bearer. As we cast our gaze upon the collective consciousness, Faye and I dissect the societal structures Aquarius longs to improve, against the backdrop of the Internet’s rise as a digital agora for knowledge exchange. Here, we ponder the ethical quandaries of our tech-driven age, where AI reshapes our sense of community and individuality. Like the myth of Ganymede, we balance the cup of knowledge, weighing the collective nectar against the potent brew of personal identity, and how Aquarius serves as the zodiac's paradoxical alchemist. Our celestial journey doesn’t end there. The myth of Gaia and Uranus becomes a metaphor for the intricate dance between the material and the ethereal, while the arrival of Pluto in Aquarius prompts us to confront the profound implications of power, technology, and the human condition. From the mythic to the mundane, join us as we peel back the layers of the Aquarian ideal, asking not only what it means to be part of a collective, but how we can navigate the future's digital landscape with our humanity intact. Not bad! I promise when we come back with Pisces the write up will go back to a human flow. Podcast Musician: Marlia Coeur Please consider becoming a Patron to support the show! Go to OnTheSoulsTerms.com for more.

When mythologist Michael Meade received a mythology book on his 13th birthday, little did he know it would ignite a lifelong passion for storytelling and transformation. On our latest podcast episode, we're honoured to have Michael share his journey, from an unexpected act of storytelling that saved him from a gang, to his dedication to at-risk youth, and his personal defiance that led to profound revelations within a military prison. His perspective on personal transformation, the awakening of our inner 'genius', and the visceral power of myth in our lives is nothing short of spellbinding. Our heartfelt conversation with Michael delves into his collaborations with cultural figures like Malidoma Some and the imperative of healing through community. We trace his path from solitary confinement to organising healing conferences for war veterans, highlighting how shared rituals and storytelling foster connection and recovery. Michael offers insights into the concept of 'sudden community'—a powerful bond forged in the crucible of shared trauma—and how individual purpose might be the key to resolving our greatest cultural and environmental challenges. Then we turn to how Michael met Robert Bly and James Hillman and how their paths got intertwined in the mythopoetics of the 90s. It's an in depth look at their work with the wounded masculine of the collective psyche and how difficult it was to contain once it garnered the glare of media attention. The theme of wounds takes us into the image of Chiron and his role as the wounded healer; and how perhaps that was the image that was with them throughout that time. This leads us to a mythic moment when Chiron meets Prometheus and offers to take his place trapped in the rocks. And how this exchange might just be occurring to us today in many obvious and subtle ways. Podcast Artwork: L'Education d'Achille (The Education of Achilles) Black & White Etching | c.Early 19th Century | Ramboz (engraver) | Bervic Galerie du Museum, No. 12, Paris Find out more about Michael's work here. Edith Hamilton: Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes Podcast Musician: Marlia Coeur Please consider becoming a Patron to support the show! Go to OnTheSoulsTerms.com for more.

This episode is a deep dive into the mountain goat of Capricorn; Looking up and ahead, mapping and planning, and strategically making our way to the new peaks of personal and cultural growth and maturity.. Saturn/Cronus rules this sign and we will take another look at his mythology as he overthrows his father and then eats his own children. Astrologically the planet represents the painful process of life’s great challenges but how they are ultimately in our path not just to antagonize us, but to make us flourish into who we are meant to be. The Great God Pan and his sister Amalthea, Zeus’ nanny goat, are also explored. Pan as the rustic, wild, musical and wise half-goat God. And Amalthea as the nurturing caregiving energy. Both of these elements help us to expand our view of Capricorn beyond that of the serious, disciplined and controlling one.. We also take a look back to ancient calendars and the importance of the festival of Saturnalia that would occur around this time of year. As well as a glimpse into the figures of Jesus and Dionysus and their shared birthday of December 25th, making them both Capricorn Suns.. The image for the cover is taken from here. It’s a combination of artwork from William-Adolphe Bourguereau, 1873 and Thomas Cole, c.1834. Podcast Musician: Marlia Coeur Please consider becoming a Patron to support the show! Go to OnTheSoulsTerms.com for more.

Elsa Henderson moves between the roles of facilitator, coach and educator. Her background is in Process Oriented Psychology and Anthropology and is currently pursuing her doctorate in organisational studies, exploring how we make sense of things when things don't make sense. She is one of the key teachers at MetaVision Institute and someone I learned a lot from in my studies of Processwork. She also has her sun, moon and a few other planets in Sagittarius. Elsa joins me today to talk about the fascinating world of process work, not just as a therapeutic tool, but as a way to interact with reality in deeper and more substantial ways than those we are generally exposed to. It's a fascinating and wide ranging discussion, as one would expect from the arrow of the archer. Elsa's Website Bill Say's book on Life Myth that Elsa mentions at the end of the show. Podcast Musician: Marlia Coeur Please consider becoming a Patron to support the show! Go to OnTheSoulsTerms.com for more.

Sagittarius is the sign that follows Scorpio in the story of the Zodiac. It represents what happens once we've returned from the dark night of the soul. Through Sagittarius we find meaning, purpose and grander visions. Faye Northgrave joins me today to explore this most fiery and visionary of signs. With the help of the myths of Zeus/Jupiter, Apollo & Artemis, The race of Centaurs including the kindly Chiron and more we delve deeper into the mythic themes of mutable fire. Podcast Musician: Marlia Coeur Please consider becoming a Patron to support the show! Go to OnTheSoulsTerms.com for more.

You may have heard of the '13th sign' of the Zodiac known as Ophiuchus. It entered the Astrological picture with controversy and ultimately by mistake. That mistake being the confusion between 'constellations' and 'signs'. Nevertheless, Ophiuchus, or Asclepius, has an intriguing position amongst the stars, situated as it is on the cusp of Scorpio (the death realm) and Sagittarius (new life). His myth represents this perfectly as he is born from a dying mother and is forever positioned on the edge of life and death. This bonus episode explores the mythology underlying Ophiuchus and how, although it'll never be an actual sign of the Zodiac, his mythology can deeply inform those moments in life where we, ourselves, can find ourselves explore that edge. Asclepius is also explored in Episode 22 and Episode 4 of the show. Podcast Musician: Marlia Coeur Please consider becoming a Patron to support the show! Go to OnTheSoulsTerms.com for more.

In this episode, Astrologer Jason Holley and I explore the love story of Artemis and Orion. This story is etched into our stars through the two oppositional constellations of Scorpio and Orion. The Greeks saw this as a Scorpion, summoned by Artemis, chasing down Orion for all eternity. It was punishment for Orion’s depletion of nature through an insatiable desire to hunt until all wildness was gone; Something that violated Artemis’ code as a Huntress who, though herself a killer, is dedicated to protecting and perpetuating the species that she hunts. If Orion’s behavior was to continue it would have led to a mass extinction on the planet, something that Artemis is unwilling to accept. And so the necessary poison of the Scorpion is unleashed to correct the imbalance. The story is of course complicated, however, by the fact that Orion is the first and only man that Artemis feels an attraction and affinity for. And as such the first time she drops her vow of chastity and virginity and joins the human to human world of love. This betrayal leads to the tragic story of Acteon who has the misfortune of stumbling into a grove where Artemis is bathing naked, years after the event. Stay tuned to hear of his fate and what it all means for us modern humans and our ways of being in the natural world today. Jason and I also explore the tension point between Aphrodite, personifying love and connection, and Artemis’ rejection of such things through chastity. Podcast Musician: Marlia Coeur Please consider becoming a Patron to support the show! Go to OnTheSoulsTerms.com for more.

Today I’m honored to be joined again by the Astrologer Jason Holley. As you’re about to hear, Jason’s work is dedicated to re-invigorating a relationship with the animate world through participation with the Zodiac as a circle of creatures; creatures that are alive inside of ourselves, in our relationships, and wandering through our world. In this first part of two episodes we discuss Jason’s worldview and his evolving work, and how astrology can help to give us a full felt sense experience of being embedded in the natural world. We talk about Jason's childhood growing up with five generations of Matriarch. Everyone in the family was conversant in Astrology and as such he was already embedded in the language from an early age. His Great Grandmother would read tea leaves to the point where those in the village would come to seek her guidance as the town Oracle. As such, the world as animate and pregnant with information for those who know how to attune to it is something in the very fabric of Jason's DNA. Jason and I ended up talking for well over 2.5 hours. In Part Two of our conversation we turn to the Myths to help us better understand Scorpio dynamics. Jason's Moon and Venus in Scorpio lead the way in this one as we follow the ancient tragic love story between Artemis and Orion. Part Two will be released into the Scorpio Moon in just a few days. Stay tuned for that. Episode Artwork: Karl Friedrich Schinkel - Stage set for Mozart's Magic Flute Podcast Musician: Marlia Coeur Please consider becoming a Patron to support the show! Go to OnTheSoulsTerms.com for more.

Medusa was a beautiful maiden in a family of monsters. One day as she prayed to the Goddess Athena (a personification of the rational) she was seduced by Poseidon (the irrational force). Punished by Athena, her face became terrifying to look at and her glorious hair became writhing coiled snakes. Welcome to the realm of Scorpio. It's in this arena that we are able to go deep, to explore the hidden world, go to the uncomfortable places and reclaim the hidden thoughts, desires and drives. Like Medusa, this kind of material can be difficult to look at straight on. We may need a little assistance along the way. Hence the hero Perseus uses the reflection of the shield in order to remove the heady process that such traumatic material can plunge us into. All of this is explored in today's episode as I'm joined, again, by Faye Northgrave to look underneath the rocks and see what ancient creatures we might discover there. Artwork: Caravaggio, Medusa, 1595-1596, Uffizi Gallery, Florence, Italy. Podcast Musician: Marlia Coeur Please consider becoming a Patron to support the show! Go to OnTheSoulsTerms.com for more.

Today I’m joined for a third time on the podcast by Astrologer, Brian Clark. We recorded this podcast on October 2nd and release it now on October 13th on the eve of the solar eclipse in Libra. The episode continues on with the year-long exploration of the signs of the Zodiac, with interviews with people who have strong signatures of the sign that we’re delving into. Brian is no exception to this rule with his Sun and several other planets inhabiting the sign of the scales. It's special for me to have Brian on the show as he is a mentor of mine, as he is with so many others. I have been the benefactor of his lifelong engagement with Greek Mythology. In fact, Brian even helped map out the ancient sites of Greece for me, opening the imagination to where these old stories were dreamed up in the first place. In this episode we focus on a mythic moment where the Goddess Athena, daughter of the great god Zeus, is asked to deliberate on a jury that is hung six-six. The tension point is between the ancient and the modern of their time. We use this myth to explore a moment in Australian history, tomorrow in fact, where the Australian people decide yes or no on whether to add an indigenous voice to parliament. Whatever your stance on this moment, I ask you to hold an open mind to our mythic wanderings. I also remind you to, as always with this podcast, try to think less literally and more mythologically; especially when we enter the depth of the mythic material. When we discuss male, female, mother, father, we are talking about timeless archetypal experiences that are alive within us all. The interior world of Soul. Rather than roles and positions in society at large. Brian's Website Chris's Website Uluru's Statement from the Heart Cover Art is from John Singer Sargent - Orestes Pursued by the Furies - 1921 Podcast Musician: Marlia Coeur Please consider becoming a Patron to support the show! Go to OnTheSoulsTerms.com for more.

Join us as we explore the zodiac sign of Libra with special guest and astrologer, Faye Northgrave. This episode takes us on an enlightening expedition through the cosmos, unearthing connections between Libra, represented by the scales, and mythical tales such as the blind seer Tiresias , Narcissus's love affair with his own reflection, and Paris' judgment of the beauty contest between Athena, Hera, and Aphrodite. The episode probes into the natural and energetic facets of Libra, assessing its inherent qualities of collaboration and relationship-building. We delve further into Libra's mythology, examining the story of Tiresias, his pivotal role in the Zeus-Hera saga, and how his judgement is rewarded with outer blindness and inner sight. Moreover, we explore the dynamics of Libra energy in relationships, tying all elements together to provide a comprehensive understanding of the Libran archetype. As we venture deeper, we touch upon the mythology of Aphrodite/Venus, underpinning the Libra zodiac sign. The discussion extends from Aphrodite's oceanic birth to her association with Anchises, her role in the battle of the gods, and her representation in the Renaissance period through the iconic 'Birth of Venus' painting by Botticelli. As we navigate the fascinating cosmos, we also unravel the lessons and mysteries of the Aries/Libra axis and the upcoming eclipse season. Be sure not to miss our next episode as we continue this captivating cosmic journey with Brian Clark. Contact Faye: fayenorthgrave.com Artwork for the episode is from William Adolphe Bouguereau, The Birth of Venus (1879), Oil on canvas 300 × 218 cm, Musée d'Orsay, Paris - France Podcast Musician: Marlia Coeur Please consider becoming a Patron to support the show! Go to OnTheSoulsTerms.com for more.

Today I’m joined by a dear friend and colleague, Colette Davis. We got together to discuss the intersections of Shaiva Tantra and Depth Psychology, but in the end we enter deep waters as Collette opens up about the tragic story of her relationship with her mother who passed earlier this year. She brings a depth, sensitivity and vulnerability to this personal yet universal theme of love and loss between mothers and daughters. From Collette's Bio: https://www.samavesayoga.com "I’m an Embodied Flow™ facilitator, Senior yoga teacher and humble shepherd of the Samāveśa School of Yoga, where I offer online and in- person trainings, courses, retreats and community. I’ve been a devoted student and practitioner of Non-Dual Shaiva Tantra since 2014 and have studied with some of the world’s leading teachers, including Tara Judelle, Sianna Sherman, Hareesh Wallis, Leila Sadeghee, and Adyashanti. "I don’t get down so well with hierarchical systems of power and am interested in disrupting the teacher-student binary. I advocate for circular communities where we get to co-create a safe and kind space together, weaving trauma informed practices so we all feel held and supported. I’m a mama bear at heart so you can expect a big generous holding field and a healthy friendship that honours boundaries on both sides. "My Clark Kent job, for twenty years, has been as a copywriter and brand consultant and I have been the Director and Creative Director of Found for Words since 2010. I have two Masters degrees with Distinction and my most recent degree was in Interdisciplinary Psychology, which I thread through my teachings and trainings." Artwork: Frederic Leighton - The Return of Persephone (1981) Podcast Musician: Marlia Coeur Please consider becoming a Patron to support the show! Go to OnTheSoulsTerms.com for more.

Today the podcast receives the 'Virgo treatment'; a clean up and a recalibration to a new format of astrological exploration. We begin with a few questions: What is the purpose of all of this? What are we trying to get to the bottom of? Why am I speaking these words and why are you, the listener, tuning into them? This leads into an exploration of why this podcast exists in the first place. Like a re-connection to the origin myth of the show. Which takes us into what I see as the origin myth of astrology itself; a structuring of ancient mythic material projected outward onto our night sky. With this clear we get into the sign of Virgo. Perhaps moreso than any other sign this one is in need of some deep rehabilitation, linked as it is with the word 'Virgin'. As Brian Clark says, 'a complex image that has undergone a considerable transformation from its original meaning. Ironically it implies an image of freedom and independence, a woman in relationship to her internal self, contained and autonomous, in charge of her own destiny. It did not originally mean chaste, quite the reverse. The image is centred in the fertility of nature and the freedom of the great goddess to revel in her own creation.' The consensus understanding of the sign is explored. And then the episode takes it back to its mythic roots to clean up and expand upon the images, myths and stories that give it is life force and potency. The myths of Hestia, Athena, Artemis, Asclepius and Chiron all feature. The art for the episode is from an unknown artist circa 1900 and depicts the Virgin Goddess Artemis/Diana. Music is from Charles Murdoch - No Lungs. I'm thankful to the works of Saffron Rossi and Brian Clark as well as information from the Faculty of Astrological Studies. Podcast Musician: Marlia Coeur Please consider becoming a Patron to support the show! Go to OnTheSoulsTerms.com for more.

James Mattingley is an embodied movement specialist who facilitates couple's work with his wife, Megan. He is the father of Lila and the expecting father of a baby boy on the way. James opens the show with a poem he wrote recently about the inherent tension within being and becoming a man. From there we move into conversations around men's work, highlighting some of our shared experiences from being in a group together for the last four years. The conversation takes some unexpected turns and we end up with Hercules and his music lessons as a child. In a fit of rage he kills his music teacher, Linus: brother of Orpheus. After this he is banished to live with the beasts and receives no further tutelage in the arts. We wonder what could have been if Hercules had been encouraged to continue his explorations of soul. You can find out more about James at jamesmattingley.com. Podcast Musician: Marlia Coeur Please consider becoming a Patron to support the show! Go to OnTheSoulsTerms.com for more.

In the next instalment of the Zodiac series we enter a tunnel underneath a great mountain where Hercules wrestles the Nemean Lion... Of course, then, we have entered the realm of Leo. We spend time with CG Jung and his Leo Sun and explore the concepts gifted to us from his life, particularly the field of individuation as it pertains to the Herculean task of becoming ones true self. It's an episode where we have full permission to explore through the lens of myth and fairytale - as these are the ways that Leo prefers to experience reality. The stories of Phaethon, Icarus, Narcissus and Cinderella are all a part of this one, each story giving us a different perspective on Leo and what it is to be children of the Sun. Music for this episode: Takuya Kuroda, Everybody Loves the Sunshine Cover Art: PETER PAUL RUBENS, HERCULES STRANGLING THE NEMEAN LION, C. 1620 Martha, Melanie and Chris discussing Venus and Innana. Podcast Musician: Marlia Coeur Please consider becoming a Patron to support the show! Go to OnTheSoulsTerms.com for more.

In Part Two of this Two Part conversation with Mothers at Midnight hosts Indigo Melrose and Rose Harvey we begin with the idea of dropping down to source to access the inner well spring of creativity. This takes us into the process of individuation; being safe enough to explore the outer world. And then we get into the idea of the heroine’s journey as it stands apart from the hero’s journey. The ability to go inward to discover the true nature of the soul, and to bring that lived embodiment back to the lives we live. Indigo leaves us with the cover art from this episode: the Sacred Cycles Oracle by Jill Pyle and Em Dewey. Podcast Musician: Marlia Coeur Please consider becoming a Patron to support the show! Go to OnTheSoulsTerms.com for more.

Today I’m joined by two dear friends, Rose Harvey and Indigo Melrose, from the Mothers and Midnight Podcast. The three of us were all part of a two year program at Metavision Institute in Australia where we learned Process Oriented Psychotherapy. For the occasion of the Cancer New Moon, we talk about Mothers. The light, the dark and the many shades in between. It ended up being such a rich area of exploration that I’ve split it into two episodes. Here in part one we open up the fairy tale lens through old stories like Hansel and Gretel and Sleeping Beauty. We explore the 13th fairy or wise woman and uncover the wisdom of these stories to help us sit in the fire of transformation that is the hearth - the eternal flame at the center of the home. Through this lens we talk about Rose’s encounter with a shadow component of motherhood that she talked about in their podcast during a pivotal episode on the dark mother. Then Indigo speaks of her early childhood, growing up deaf in a Vipassana center and how that shaped her experience of the inner and outer world. We also discuss, and challenge, the idea of Tabula Rasa - that human beings are born as a clean slate. And look to what astrology might be able to add to the discussion about the pre-existence of the soul. The episode begins with a poem by Rose that takes us into the lived experience of Motherhood. Through her eyes we enter and inhabit the world of Mother. Cover Art is from the Sacred Cycles Oracle by Jill Pyle and Em Dewey Podcast Musician: Marlia Coeur Please consider becoming a Patron to support the show! Go to OnTheSoulsTerms.com for more.