Close the Wheels! For those who think the practice of astrology is complex and way too much information, the shamanic astrology approach of Lyndall MqQuinn might turn out to be a big surprise.
On January 18th, Lyndall, an Australian shamanic astrologer, conducted a workshop in my practice, showing her unique method. It’s all about experiencing the chart. Lyndall showed us how we can simply step into our birth charts, by putting the angles of the chart as a wheel on the floor. As soon as you step into this wheel (through the IC) the ‘experience’ begins. She teached us various ways to move around the chart, for example by moving from the IC to the MC. The way you do that (totally unconscious of course) already gives you loads of information on how you approach life. Consequently she added a few more ways of experiencing the chart, for example by looking at the Sun – Moon relation, the sequence of Mercury, Sun and Venus (in whatever order it is in the chart), the pivotal role of mars and the aspects between planets. The elements and modes play a big role in this approach. As well as the movement of energy.
How does it work? An example from my own chart: I stepped into the wheel and went to where my Mars sits in the chart. I’ve got Mars in the first degree of Pisces (conjunct the Sun). In 26 degrees of Aquarius is Saturn, Mercury is at 16 degrees Aquarius. My whole life I’ve had the experience of struggling to get into or out of gear: I can’t get started and once moving, I can’t stop. I had recognized the Mars – Saturn aspect in this experience. Standing in the wheel, on my Mars position, with my back to Saturn, I could feel the pull of this planet. Literally! Lyndall had told me to ‘rewire’ myself and not face Saturn anymore. ‘Just turn around and move towards Venus.’ She also said: as soon as you feel the impulse to act, do it. If you halt for a second, Saturn will stop you and you’ll be busy deliberating your choices of action but not take any action at all (precisely my experience). As I moved towards Venus, that is making a step, I immediately felt the vanishing of the string that was holding me in place. Just by making a simple step. Knowing you have a Saturn – Mars conjunction is one thing, experiencing it, is quite another. Way more powerful. A week has passed since the workshop, and I already put this big small lesson into practice. Plain and simple.
My example makes clear how powerful this method can be: by simply looking at how somebody in the wheel is living his or her chart, you gain direct insight into the way the chart is manifested, the pattern that is being formed. If it is a dysfunctional pattern, you change it. Literally, for example by moving in another direction. That conscious choice of action reverberates in your life.
Every astrologer can use this method. Participants don’t have to have any knowledge of astrology. According to Lyndall: this method works best when those who step into the wheel don’t have any astrology knowledge at all. The mind can get in the way.
The participants of the workshop all had their own ‘interesting’ experiences. Time and again: laying down the wheel, stepping into it, moving around and experiencing, and closing the wheel again after the experience. That last bit is an essential part of this practice: after you’re done you close the wheel again. That could be heard many times during the workshop: Close the wheels!
Lyndall, on behalf of everybody present, thanks for this powerful experience!
Ben Rovers