On the Soul's Terms

After some time of unusual introspection and restraint, Hercules sets off on his fourth task: tracking down the Erymanthion Boar. The boar is the wild and uncontrollable side of nature. By taking a side road and visiting the centaur Pholus on the way to the boar, Hercules convinces the centaur to open a sealed jar of Dionysian wine. And with that, all hell breaks loose. This sets off the chain of events that leads to the wounding of our beloved healer, centaur and guide, Chiron. His animal side now wounded, he reflects our current state in the civilised world. And our current quest - to rediscover the beauty of animal consciousness.The movement from the deer to the boar also brings into focus the tension between Artemis (goddess of the hunt) and Aphrodite (goddess of sensual pleasure). Although both deer and boar are sacred to Artemis, the boar is associated with Aphrodite due to her tragic love affair with Adonis who was speared by a boar (who was actually Apollo, Artemis' twin (yes the Greek myths are like this!)). The jar of Dionysian wine is symbolic of delighting in the senses. Sealed for four generations, once it's opened the animal side that has been repressed breaks free and causes absolute chaos. So what are we to do? Keep the jar sealed and stay safe but overly controlled? Or open it up and take the consequences of unbridled wildness?It brings forth a conversation around addictive processes. Something that I discuss with Brice Hancock from Mile High Recovery in Colorado. That conversation is coming soon to the podcast. Episode Artwork: Hercules fighting against the Centaurs, 1542 by Hans BehamJoin the Newsletter! Podcast Musician: Marlia CoeurPlease consider becoming a Patron to support the show!Go to OnTheSoulsTerms.com for more.

Hercules, or Heracles in Greek, was one of the greatest figures of the ancient mythic world. He was seen as an amalgamation of many different heroes, relying on brute strength and his trusty club, and was generally at a loss when a problem required more than simply force for its solution. A quintessential solar hero, Hercules battles with the monsters of the world sent by the spiteful Hera who wants to crush him at every turn. And yet, the two of them, Hera and Heracles, are forever linked to each other. Heracles, after all, means 'Glory of Hera'. In this episode we will use the opposition between these two to look at the astrological archetypal tension between the Sun: our shining golden light of the spirit in its quest for individuation, and Saturn: the blocks and limits that get in our way.The exploration then moves into the first three labours of Hercules: Wrestling an enormous lion; becoming entangled in a swamp snake; and tracking a deer with golden antlers for a full calendar year. These tasks align with the Zodiac signs of Leo, Cancer and Virgo respectively and teach us about our own sacred process of individuation. This is the first of a series of episodes on Hercules. His stories are vivd and filled with archetypal information, each monster representing elements of our consciousness that challenge us to move into the essence of who we are here to become. Cover Art: Peter Paul RubensJoin the Newsletter! Podcast Musician: Marlia CoeurPlease consider becoming a Patron to support the show!Go to OnTheSoulsTerms.com for more.

What if the ancient myths held the key to modern therapeutic practices? In our latest episode, we sit down with Dr. David Russell, a distinguished past president of the Sydney Jung Society and former associate professor at Western Sydney University, to uncover the profound relevance of the myth of Psyche and Eros to psychotherapy. We begin by exploring how these timeless stories offer blueprints for navigating human struggles, with Dr. Russell emphasizing the critical role of imagination in the therapeutic journey. Our discussion highlights how the myth of Psyche and Eros symbolizes the integration of the human and divine, reflecting the goals of modern psychotherapy.From grappling with impossible tasks set by Aphrodite to the profound descent into the Underworld, the myth of Psyche is a treasure trove of psychological insights. Dr. Russell guides us through these mythological trials, illustrating how they parallel the challenges clients face in therapy. We delve into the themes of surrender vs. control, understanding vs. acceptance, and the essential balance between rational thought and intuitive awareness. The conversation also touches on the technique of free association, introduced by Freud, and its importance in fostering an imaginative, harmonious inner life.Join us as we unravel the intricate relationships between mythic figures like Aphrodite and Persephone, shedding light on their symbolic significance in psychotherapy. From the harsh lessons of the underworld to the transformative power of mythic imagination, we reflect on the evolving understanding of the unconscious in both neuroscience and therapeutic practices. This episode promises a rich, Jungian perspective that underscores the timeless relevance of mythology in healing the human psyche and cultivating a soulful presence in both our personal and collective lives.The image is a statue in the Louvre: Antonio Canova - Psyche Revived by Cupid's KissJoin the Newsletter! Podcast Musician: Marlia CoeurPlease consider becoming a Patron to support the show!Go to OnTheSoulsTerms.com for more.

Cancer: a moon-ruled water sign plunging into the depths of the subjective, internal realm of Psyche.Capricorn: a Saturn-ruled earth sign lifting us up the mountain through perseverance, discipline and sacrifice. The two opposing archetypal forces in our stars represent the struggles of youth & wisdom; the Puer Aeternus (eternal youth) & Senex (old man); emotions & practicalities; the inner child & the inner critic. In this episode we get to move into the tension of these timeless forces as they weave through our inner and outer experiences of life on earth. The lens of myth & fairytale helps us to make alchemical moves to separate, purify and integrate the images to discover the possibilities of the magical third thing.The image is of Venus de Milo: an armless Aphrodite discovered on my favourite Greek island of Milos.Join the Newsletter! Podcast Musician: Marlia CoeurPlease consider becoming a Patron to support the show!Go to OnTheSoulsTerms.com for more.

Today we kick the new season off with a bang with a soul provoking chat with Kari Hohne. Kari's assistant reached out to me over six months ago with an interest for Kari to come on the show to discuss her areas of expertise: dream work, archetypes and ancient wisdom. Although it took us a little while to get here, it was certainly worth the wait. Kari's mind is able to traverse across many different eras of history as well as multiple disciplines of thought. To say her knowledge is expansive undersells it. In this conversation we begin with the Tao, visiting ancient ways of seeing time and space that go beyond our everyday consensus awareness. Rather than telling us how it is, Kari is able to leave us with invitations and suggestions to bring our mind into this natural way of perceiving reality. From there, we venture into the stars behind the stars. Kari shares with us her knowledge of Sumerian astrology and ancient texts in order to bring forth the lost symbols of the signs we know and love. The inanimate scales of Libra give way to 'Two Ravenous Dogs'. The crab of Cancer becomes a mischievous turtle scratching around in the sand stealing eggs. Aquarius' water-bearer shifts into a man walking up a mountain with water flowing off of his back. Truly fascinating. Along the way we also discuss the work of Julian Jaynes: The Origin of Consciousness in the Breakdown of the Bicameral Mind. The World Heritage site of Göbekli Tepe. A mysterious phenomenon of handbags being carried by the figures of ancient carvings which Kari suggests referred to the constellation we now know as Pegasus; a square in the sky that contained all ancient knowledge. And so much more. I hope you enjoy listening as much as I enjoyed the chat. More About Kari:Kari Hohne is a dream analyst and expert on the eastern and western archetypes that inspire our dreams and oracles. Through her website Cafe au Soul, she bridges the gap between an appreciation for nature and the spiritual journey. Her online I Ching is ranked #1 in internet searches. She is the author of seven books that discuss topics such as dreams, ancient astrology and the archetypes of the Tarot. She has also released translations of the Tao te Ching and I Ching.For more about Kari check out her YouTube Wellness Videos  and her Books on Amazon.The image for the episode was taken from Kaylee Hancock.Join the Newsletter! Podcast Musician: Marlia CoeurPlease consider becoming a Patron to support the show!Go to OnTheSoulsTerms.com for more.

What if the stories of the stars had more to tell than just our zodiac signs? Join us for a reflection on the Great Round project, where we journeyed through the mythic elements of each astrological sign with extraordinary guests like Rick Levine, Micheal Meade, and Melanie Reinhart. We've wrapped up a year of exploring these cosmic archetypes, and now, as the myths urge us onward, we're setting sail into broader realms of mythology and cosmology. Special thanks to our collaborator, Faye Northgrave, whose support was invaluable along this enlightening path.In this episode, we ponder the deeper "why" behind our work, drawing insights from Ian McGilchrist's "The Master and His Emissary" and Leonard Shlain's "The Alphabet vs the Goddess." We'll examine the delicate balance between the brain's right and left hemispheres, and how the modern world's tilt towards logic over creativity impacts us all. We also weave in the ancient Greek myth of the Cyclops, inviting you to journey with us through the celestial tapestry of astrology, Greek mythology, and depth psychology, enriching our appreciation of the soul's voyage through the cosmos.Episode Artwork: Grabáu d'Erasmus Francisci zu Nürnberg (1627-1680) Kiklop, 1680Join the Newsletter! Podcast Musician: Marlia CoeurPlease consider becoming a Patron to support the show!Go to OnTheSoulsTerms.com for more.

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_vuytp8nlMore about Martha:Website: https://livingtheonelight.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/livingtheonelightYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgNGs08tGaA3AdK0LpuWJTgTeachable Site: https://living-the-one-light.teachable.com Email: livingtheonelight@gmail.comJoin the Newsletter! Podcast Musician: Marlia CoeurPlease 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 anfitriteJoin the Newsletter! Podcast Musician: Marlia CoeurPlease 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.comArtwork: The Prague Astronomical Clock in Old TownJoin the Newsletter! Podcast Musician: Marlia CoeurPlease 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. Join the Newsletter! Podcast Musician: Marlia CoeurPlease consider becoming a Patron to support the show!Go to OnTheSoulsTerms.com for more.