Hi everyone. I wanted to get this out before the Lunar New Year on Feb 17th, which brings in the Fire Horse of the Chinese zodiac wheel.

For the past 12 years, Shannon Nicole, founder of Wild Heart Pilgrimage is my knowledgable and passionate guest. For the past 12 years, Shannon has used Chinese astrology as a transformative self-discovery tool, finding it to be an invaluable guide for understanding lunar cycles, natural elements, and the wisdom of animal archetypes. This is a very informative and practical interview, chock-full of useful archetypal hacks for the collective energy cycle at hand. If you haven't felt it yet, start paying attention, this horse is chomping at the bit, stomping at the gate, and ready to run! As Shannon says in the episode, this is not a horse to tame, but one that can inspire us into our own wild natures. More important here, is the element of FIRE! Shannon suggests that this what we should be most aware of, as according to the Chinese wheel, it will be blazing for the next two years.

If you prefer to watch, here’s our video. (Please subscribe if you prefer YouTube.)

This episode was recorded on January 17th, one month before the Lunar New Year (and solar eclipse) on February 17th — closing out of the year of the Snake and all its cyclical shedding and two years in the earthy Wood element. As these are archetypal concepts, we expect them to expand over the whole year ahead, so this episode should remain relevant for quite awhile. You are welcome to return to it anytime and compare notes or get a refresher.

Shannon Nicole will also be doing personal Chinese zodiac readings all year. You can find more about those and her other generous offerings at www.wildheartpilgrimage.com or Instagram.

Visit Allison’s website.

Learn more about Salvador Dalí’s Phoenix painting here.

Allison’s Substack is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Welcome, February! Today is Imbolc (the seasonal marker between winter and spring) and the moon is full in the FIRE sign of Leo (That’s MY personal moon, btw!) Coming up later this month is the Lunar New Year, which introduces the elemental animal of the FIRE HORSE. Lots of hot, igniting energy in the collective field—I’m sure you have been feeling it too.

Above is a snippet my interview with Shannon Nicole, who shares her deep dives into this timely element of fire …equipping and preparing our spirits for a wild and safe year ahead! Exciting stuff! Check out the clip a preview, and come back in a couple days for the episode.

And without further ado, here is our Alchemical Word of the Week:

Ignis/Fire 🔥

“But what is passion, what are emotions? There is the source of fire, there is the fullness of energy. A man who is not on fire is nothing: he is ridiculous, he is two-dimensional. He must be on fire even if he does make a fool of himself. A flame must burn somewhere, otherwise no light shines: there is no warmth, nothing.” —C.G.Jung

In the realm of Symbolic Alchemy, the element of Fire is the most fundamental, as it quickly transforms everything it touches. The alchemist was, above all else, a fire-tender, using various stoves, ovens, and bellows with which to control it, turning it up here, turning it down there. Fire brings warmth, it brings light, it purifies—and unchecked, it has the power to burn and destroy anything in its path. Only when Prometheus stole fire from the gods and gave it to mortals, were they able to survive as individuals and build their own worlds.

Fire is the element associated with energy, activity, creativity, assertiveness and passion. Rage, hate, and anger are considered “fiery” emotions. Despite it’s dangerous, wild nature, we need that inner fire to move us forward. And to keep the momentum going, the flame must be continually fed. The alchemists spoke of the fire as a baby that needed constant attention. This was the most important task of all, above any experiment at hand.

Has your inner fire grown cold or is it thriving? What can you do to boost and sustain its energy? Some advice from the Sufi poet Rumi: “Set your life on fire. Seek those who fan your flames.”

And as always SAFETY FIRST.

Allison

“Grief is the the growing up of the heart that bursts boundaries like an old skin or a finished life.” —adrienne maree brown

Today, we’re joined by Paul Bond, an award-winning oil painter whose work exists in that liminal space between dreaming and reality. Drawing from the Latin American tradition of Magic Realism, Paul creates what he calls “fairy tales for adults”—canvases where symbolic and fantastic elements blend with realistic atmospheres, revealing worlds where anything is possible. But beyond their visual beauty, Paul’s works have become something more profound—tools of communication and comfort, both for himself and for those who encounter them.

In our conversation today, we explore grief, loss, and the healing power of art. We’ll discover how Paul’s paintings have become a language for the unspeakable, a bridge between sorrow and solace, and how creating these images has helped him—and others—navigate some of life’s most difficult moments.

Please visit Paul’s website here for more of his magical paintings.

The Wild Edge of Sorrow by Francis Weller

You can also watch if you prefer video over purely audio:

These are the paintings Paul shares in this special episode:

I hope you enjoy this episode as much as I did! I invite you to like, share, subscribe, (and leave a review if you listen on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.) All these things help this podcast gain traction and get the stories of my guests to more ears that need them. Can you believe it’s been a year since I began this podcast? And what a year it has been. Im grateful for the amazing guests who kept my vision and vibration high. And thanks to all of you who have listened in and supported this concept.

For more of my work and offerings, please visit: www.allisonadams.net

“Jupiter has no leisure to attend to little things.” —Ovid

This week, I’m joined by my friend David Beatty—actor, filmmaker, playwright, and someone who embodies what the alchemists called the Jupiterian spirit: expansive, generous, and unafraid to work across multiple creative realms. We sat down to talk about David’s creative (spiritual) process and explore the concept of JUPITER in alchemy—the principle of growth, wisdom, and abundance. Now we didn’t plan this, but we happened to record on the exact day the planet Jupiter was closest to Earth, brilliant and visible in the night sky. Jupiter is about expansion, as you’ll hear. And with two caffeinated ENFPs in conversation... everything is a little EXTRA. (That’s what the E is for!)

I am moving this episode up in the queue because the killing of Renee Nicole Good by an ICE agent shook the country a few days before we recorded and it felt disingenuous not to acknowledge her—or this moment in our country. What emerged in our conversation—about connection, about how to be an artist in times of grief and great change, about bringing more good things into our communities when the world feels heavy—all of this feels urgent to remember right now. This is an episode about how we show up, how we co-create, how we stay human.

Support independent film and theatre (and ceramics): See more about David and his diverse projects and films on his website. If you feel you can’t afford it, start your own circle of stories right where you are.

Readers, here is your personal permission for quality human connection, starting right where you are. If you yearn for more of that, please invest in live performance in your areas/communities. (At the very least, it will be entertaining! At best, cathartic.)

Creating a Life Worth Living by Carol Lloyd was the artwork he brought in to share, which is funny because he didn’t talk about the book he wrote and published about creativity himself! Check out (and purchase) An Actor’s Process here.

Here is my picture of Renee Nicole Good that we discuss a bit…and another of Breonna Taylor.

Other books mentioned: Long Story Short,by Margot Leitman The Creative Act by Rick Rubin, and Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert.

Prefer to watch video? (You can subscribe to my slowly-evolving YouTube channel below.)

For more of my artwork and offerings, please visit my website: www.allisonadams.net

Thanks for reading, listening, sharing, supporting, subscribing, etc. I appreciate you!

I met this week’s guest at a cartoon convention a few months ago—we were set up at neighboring booths, as we are with the same agency, shout out to Celeb Works. I have been wanting to interview a voice over actor on the circuit, so I was so pleased she agreed to join me today!

Janie Haddad Tompkins is a brilliant actress and voice artist you’ve heard countless times—she’s the voice of Margaret on Cartoon Network’s Regular Show, and you’ve likely seen her scene-stealing work on the HBO comedy Hacks, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, and Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, just to name a few shows. Janie has built an incredible career across both voice and on-screen work, bringing authentic humor and heart to everything she touches.

As one half of the podcast “Stay the F. Homekins” with her husband, stand-up comedian Paul F. Tompkins, she knows a thing or two about the craft of comedy.

Today, we’re exploring the alchemical concept of projection, becoming an actual QUEEN in midlife, getting older in Hollywood, the humanity of storytelling in the age of AI, and then a show of respect to the late great legend that is Dian Keaton (1946-2025). May she rest in peace and continue to inspire us to embrace our unique, authentic selves at every turn.

Please enjoy this interview with Janie Haddad Tompkins!

Here’s Janie, looking a lot like her favourite, Ms. Diane Keaton .

Poster for Interiors, circa 1978.

I'm so grateful to Janie for letting me have this opportunity to talk to someone working in the acting field, which is very close to my heart, despite my lifestyle and career now. I love Janie's ideas and the authentic heart that drives her work on screen and in voice-over.

On that note, I watched the incredible actor's-film Hamnet last weekend. I'm SO glad I watched it in the theatre...it was cathartic, especially through the magnificent acting and cinematography. I highly recommend seeing it in a theatre while it's out. Jesse Buckley for all the Best Actress awards near year, please? (These words to God's/Goddess' ears!)

Today I’m talking with illustrator Ed Hose, calling in from the charming town of Brunswick, Georgia. We’ll explore her creative process, the joyful intention that drives her work, and then we’ll dive into the deep end, literally. We’ll be talking about the element of water and whether it might have a magical consciousness of its own. From there, we wander through bathtub break-ins, the remarkable changes of generational whale song, the weight of existential angst and sharing on the socials, and then the silly genius of Shel Silverstein. Because when you’re talking with someone as creative and vibrant as Ed Hose, everything is everything all at once. I hope you enjoy this episode.

“Water does not resist. Water flows. When you plunge your hand into it, all you feel is a caress. Water is not a solid wall, it will not stop you. But water always goes where it wants to go, and nothing in the end can stand against it. Water is patient. Dripping water wears away a stone. Remember that, my child. Remember, you are half water. If you can’t go through an obstacle, go around it. Water does.”

—Margaret Atwood

More of Allison’s artwork and alchemy here!

See more of Ed’s illustrations and generous goodies on her website!

Don’t forget to check out more of Ed’s fantastic work and writing. You can also check her stuff out on Instagram: “All You Can See Illustration Buffet” Open 24 Hours. Feast your eyes!

If you enjoy this share, please remember to like, share, subscribe. Engagement shows support and gets this content to more people who can benefit. Thank you.

Happy Holidays to all!

Allison’s Substack is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Today’s guest is someone I first met over 30 years ago when we were students at the California Institute of the Arts. I’ve invited Jill on to share the fascinating and meandering path from professional student to professional professor, and give some insights to the archetype of Divine Androgyne, representing the Union of opposites in the alchemical Magnum Opus (or Great Work.)

Jillian St. Jacques teaches Writing for Media at Oregon State University, focusing on print journalism and the role of media in popular culture.

Jillian’s areas of specialization include media studies, cultural analysis, trans/gender studies, adaptation studies, psychoanalytic theory, WOKE studies, and activism. On top of all this, and perhaps what I value most, is Jill a damn entertaining writer and interesting thinker.

Some of the artworks that Jill references on this episode are: Michael Asher’s Columns of Air and Laurie Anderson’s “Duets on Ice.”

More of Allison’s art and offerings at wwww.allisonadams.net

and more about Jillian at https://liberalarts.oregonstate.edu/directory/jillian-st

Please like, share, and subscribe to get this content to a greater audience. I appreciate your being here. Happy holidays, all!

Mariana Tirsa is a singer-songwriter, artist, and somatic wellness coach based between Oaxaca, Mexico and Asheville, NC. Her bilingual work blends heritage, poetry, and modern folk, while her somatic coaching helps creatives transform self-doubt into confident, embodied visions. For many years, she has been creating music under the name “Runaway Horse,” along with other regular musical contributors, drawing on the alt-country and Americana traditions of the Southwest.

Today we will reflect on the Albedo stage of alchemical process as Mariana is about to jump into her next adventure, starting afresh in Mexico to answer the call of her matriarchal roots and the next season of her life and career.

You can find more about Marina’s music, storytelling, and somatic coaching services here.

I met Mariana through a mutual friend, Jeudi Cornejo Brealey, who guested on Episode 21: Remembering the Philosopher's Stone. We also discuss the connection of the wild horse and the Divine Feminine that mythicist Tammy Wampler explains on Episode 20:The Alchemy of Longing. (Take a listen if you haven't yet!)

Hi everyone! If you’ve been listening for a while, you may have heard me mention the Gene Keys a few times. As a Gene Keys guide myself, this system has been a profound pathway in my own life and—and today, I’m thrilled to finally dive deep with someone who knows it far better than I do.

Our guest today is Elijah Parker, CEO and longtime voyager of the Gene Keys. Elijah weaves years of experience in creative design, mythical storytelling, event production, and intermodal expressive arts into his work. Elijah has a gift with language and a unique ability to transmit profound truths in spontaneous and elegant ways, drawing from his own personal journey of cultivation and growth. He’s been a lead producer for large-scale virtual events, online courses, and interactive games designed to inspire mindfulness and magic in the world.

Coming up in January is a 4-month Gene Keys Golden Path online retreat. If you’re interested in going deeper into this wisdom path, the retreats are such a fulfilling way to learn inside a greater community. I’ll be facilitating a special adjunct group with my talented colleague and fellow guide, Cahrena.

Click here to find out more and to register! (Early Bird prices are good till the end of November only.) And please reach out with questions if you have any.

Just curious? You can start with looking at your free profile right here!

And now a little bonus, if you are still reading: Elijah and I discuss the concept of the Labyrinth at length in this episode. Here are some of my own past interpretations of the maze, somewhat inspired by the problem-solving princess Ariadne and her ball of thread.

Thank you for joining me here in the Art and Alchemy Lab.

My guest is Sibel Ozer—a psychotherapist, art-therapist, and spiritual seeker who just returned from an incredible pilgrimage to Turkey.

I only recently discovered Sibel’s work, and I was so captivated by her writing that I reached out and asked her to join me here. She responded by sending me this beautiful hardbound book of her intuitive mythical paintings—it’s absolutely stunning. Her work explores the subconscious through art, transpersonal psychology, and a lifetime of curiosity about what makes us human.

Since we describe so many powerful images throughout our conversation, I encourage you to refer to this homepage or follow the links in the Episode Notes so you can follow along visually.

Join us as we explore her pilgrimage and dive into the ideas she brings to life through her art and writing.

Please welcome Sibel Ozer.

Persephone’s Daughter, by Sibel Ozer

Photos from Cappadocia

“Surrender” by Sibel Ozer

Justine and a friend in Istanbul, 2012.

You can enjoy more of Sibel’s expressions and reach out to her on her website.

Her book is available HERE.

Visit \ ALLISON’S WEBSITE for Visual Art and for Consultation/Coaching.

Join me in journeying with the Gene Keys Golden Path, starting January 2025.

Thanks for listening and for your support!

Allison’s Substack is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.