On the Soul's Terms

In this opening episode of the new series, we take our first breath—together—into the mystery of the houses.

We begin at the threshold: the Ascendant, the eastern horizon, the moment of arrival. Before the name, before the role, before even the voice—there is presence. The First House is where the self enters the world, where the daimon is born alongside you, and where the mask you’ve crafted begins to take shape.

We explore the house not as a concept but as a temple: a soul-place with doors, rooms, and echoes. Along the way, we travel with Hermes, Artemis, Chiron, and Dionysus through their birth stories, reflecting on the archetypal imprint left by our own. What were we rewarded for? What mask did we learn to wear? And what name—spoken or unspoken—have we carried since?

This is the house of beginnings, of first impressions, and of the great “I am.” But like all things in astrology, it casts a shadow: the seventh house whispers “You are” or even “You are not.”

This episode invites you to remember the feel of that first doorway. To re-enter the house of your rising sign. And to meet again—perhaps for the first time—the part of you that’s always been becoming.

🔑 Questions to reflect on:
 – What is your rising sign, and how do you feel about it?
 – What mask have you worn, and is it still serving you?
 – What name did you inherit—and what name lives inside your bones?

🌿 Stay tuned next week for our fairy tale sidecar episode on Rumpelstiltskin, and the week after, a deep mytho-astrological conversation on the houses with the brilliant Brian Clark.

🌀 Ready to wander the wheel. Let’s begin.

[🔗 Link to astro.com birth chart calculator
 

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Podcast Musician: Marlia Coeur
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Go to OnTheSoulsTerms.com for more.

Happy Equinox! As the Zodiac resets, we step into the rebirth energy of Aries, marking a new astrological year. Two years ago, we journeyed through the myths of the constellations—now, it’s time for a new adventure.

In this episode, I introduce our next 12-month exploration: the houses of astrology. If the planets are the characters and the signs describe how they express themselves, the houses reveal where the action takes place—the sacred spaces of our soul’s journey.

Together, we’ll move through the twelve houses, uncovering their mythic dimensions, the gods who reside within them, and what they reveal about our lives.

So, grab your map—our journey begins soon with the 1st House and the mighty Ascendant.

✨ Want to follow along with your own chart? Find your houses by entering your birth details here: Astro.com Birth Chart Calculator

Tune in, subscribe, and join me for the ride.

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Podcast Musician: Marlia Coeur
Please consider becoming a Patron to support the show!
Go to OnTheSoulsTerms.com for more.

In this episode, I sit down with Kira Sutherland, a renowned medical astrologer and naturopath, to explore the intersection of astrology, health, and mythology.

We dive into the ancient practice of medical astrology, discussing how the zodiac is mapped onto the human body, how planetary placements can influence our well-being, and why understanding your Mars sign can reveal the best form of movement for you.

We also explore:
 ✨ The Four Elements & Health – How fire, earth, air, and water manifest in our physical and emotional well-being.
🌙 Who Really Rules Sleep? – Why Saturn, Neptune, and Mercury all play a role in our sleep cycles and dreams.
🧠 The Mythology of Anatomy – How ancient myths are embedded in modern medical terminology (hint: your hippocampus has a story to tell).
🎭 The Shadow Side of Genius – A look at Neptune, creativity, and the "27 Club", exploring the link between brilliance and self-destruction.

Kira shares her holistic approach to medical astrology—using it as a preventative tool rather than a fixed fate—and offers insights into how we can work with our charts to optimize health, movement, and vitality.

This episode is packed with fascinating insights, practical wisdom, and a few laughs along the way. Tune in for a conversation that bridges the ancient and modern worlds of health and astrology.

📍 Connect with Kira Sutherland:
🔗 Website: Astrology of Health
📚 Free resources on medical astrology available!

✨ Enjoying the podcast? Leave a review and share your thoughts!

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Podcast Musician: Marlia Coeur
Please consider becoming a Patron to support the show!
Go to OnTheSoulsTerms.com for more.

Do you ever feel like your mind is running the show—thinking, planning, overanalyzing, refusing to let go?

In this episode of On The Soul’s Terms, we explore what it means to “lose your head” in the mythic sense. From fairy tales to Greek mythology, we encounter figures whose heads are literally severed—Clever Elsie, the Argus, Medusa, Orpheus—and discover what happens when the rational mind finally steps aside.

🔹 Clever Elsie – The difference between being clever and being wise
🔹 Argus & Hermes – Hyper-vigilance, overthinking, and the Trickster’s medicine
🔹 Medusa & Perseus – The frozen mind, reflection, and transformation
🔹 Orpheus – Trust, loss, and the lingering presence of soul

Through these stories, we ask: What happens when we stop gripping onto certainty and let go? Is there wisdom in surrender? Can the body, intuition, and deeper knowing take over when the mind steps back?

🎧 Listen in as we dismantle the myth of the all-knowing mind and explore the power of loosening our grip—just a little.

🌀 Next Episode: A deep dive into medical astrology with Kira Sutherland.

Podcast Art: "Orpheus’ Head Floating Down the River" (19th-century, Jean Delville)

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Podcast Musician: Marlia Coeur
Please consider becoming a Patron to support the show!
Go to OnTheSoulsTerms.com for more.

In this episode of On the Soul’s Terms, I sit down with my dear friend and returning guest, Dr. Carolina Herbert, for a deeply reflective conversation about navigating personal and collective upheaval. Recorded in person in Bali, this discussion emerges from the raw, electric energy of our recent conversations—conversations that have been steeped in questions of chaos, transformation, and the search for deeper alignment in uncertain times.

We explore the concept of catastrophe—not just as collapse, but as an invitation to turn inward, to dismantle outdated structures, and to meet ourselves at a more fundamental level. Carolina, with her extensive experience in the humanitarian sector, speaks to the shock waves currently rippling through global systems, while I bring in the astrological perspective, particularly the disruptive, awakening force of Uranus and Pluto’s ongoing movement in Aquarius.

Together, we examine the challenge of staying grounded amidst rapid change, the role of courage in forging a new path, and the necessity of allowing breakdowns to reveal something more essential. This conversation touches on themes of radical honesty, relational confrontation, and the deep interior work required to meet these times with clarity and presence.

If you’ve been feeling unmoored by the world’s instability—or by shifts in your own life—this episode offers a powerful reflection on what it means to move with, rather than against, the forces of change.

Find out more about Carolina on her website: Alkimia Soul

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Podcast Musician: Marlia Coeur
Please consider becoming a Patron to support the show!
Go to OnTheSoulsTerms.com for more.

In this episode of On the Soul’s Terms, I sit down with Béa Gonzalez, a novelist, teacher, and Jungian thinker, for a deeply enriching exploration of astrology, mythology, and storytelling.

Béa introduces her concept of the "unresolved note," those dynamic tensions in life—reflected in astrological squares—that drive personal growth and transformation. We discuss how these unresolved notes, though uncomfortable, are essential to finding balance and depth. Béa shares how this theme weaves through her latest novel, Invocation, a story about the clash and eventual integration of differing worldviews.

Our conversation flows through:

• The interplay of Venus and Mars as archetypes of connection and separation, and how they symbolize the constant dance between the feminine and masculine within us all.
• How astrology offers a language to engage with these archetypal forces, including squares as sites of unresolved, creative tension.
• The healing power of myth, storytelling, and dreams in a disenchanted world.
• The timeless relevance of mythology and its ability to bring deeper meaning to modern life.

Whether it's the myth of Tristan and Isolde, the discordant notes in Wagner's Tristan chord, or the rich symbolism of Venus and Mars in their mythological dramas, this episode dives deep into how we navigate the unresolved and find creative possibilities within it.

I hope you enjoy this inspiring conversation as much as I did.

Image: Henry John Stock - The Poet's Dream: 'The Pursuit of the Ideal'

Links to Béa:
Sophia Cycles Website
Upcoming Course at the Jung Academy on Venus
Instagram, facebook, X (Twitter), Threads, BlueSky

Plus her three books...! Talk about prolific!

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Podcast Musician: Marlia Coeur
Please consider becoming a Patron to support the show!
Go to OnTheSoulsTerms.com for more.

In this episode of On the Soul's Terms, Chris Skidmore explores the timeless tension between two Greek goddesses: Artemis, the goddess of independence, chastity, and nature, and Aphrodite, the goddess of love, sensuality, and desire. These archetypes embody polar forces in our lives—the drive for self-sovereignty versus the longing for connection and intimacy. Through their myths, we uncover what happens when these energies collide and how they can guide us toward deeper self-awareness and transformation.

Chris delves into key stories that illustrate the unique dynamics of these archetypes, including:

• Artemis and Orion: A tale of love that challenges Artemis’s commitment to independence.
• Aphrodite and Adonis: A story of passion and the dangers of leaving one’s archetypal essence behind.
• Hippolytus: The son of Theseus, torn apart by the conflicting forces of independence and relationality.

Using a Jungian lens, Chris reflects on the alchemical process of transformation—separating, purifying, and integrating these opposites to discover a “magical third thing.” He also weaves in astrological insights, focusing on the movement of the South Node of the Moon from Libra (ruled by Venus/Aphrodite) to Virgo (associated with Artemis/Mercury) and how this shift resonates with the themes explored.

Key Themes:

• The archetypal tension between independence (Artemis) and relationality (Aphrodite).
• Myths that reveal the beauty and dangers of embracing or abandoning one’s archetypal nature.
• Jungian psychology: Holding the tension of opposites to facilitate transformation.
• Astrological reflections: The movement of the South Node of the Moon from Libra to Virgo and its significance.

Call to Action:

Chris invites listeners to reflect on their own relationship with independence and connection. How do these archetypal forces play out in your life? Consider journaling, creating art, or exploring your birth chart to uncover deeper insights.

Astrological Insights:

Chris encourages listeners to examine their Venus and Moon placements, the relationship between these planets, and the houses where Virgo and Libra fall in their chart. These placements can illuminate personal dynamics between independence and relationality.

Connect with the Podcast:

• Patreon: Support the show at patreon.com/onthesoulsterms.
• YouTube: Watch and comment on Chris’s YouTube channel.
• Instagram: Follow Chris for updates and reflections.

Closing Notes:

This episode marks the beginning of a new series exploring archetypal tensions. If this exploration resonates with you, stay tuned for more episodes that dive into the soul’s journey through myth, astrology, and psychology.

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Podcast Musician: Marlia Coeur
Please consider becoming a Patron to support the show!
Go to OnTheSoulsTerms.com for more.

In this episode, I’m joined by my good friend and colleague, Tina Bramley, an ecotherapist, poet, and creator of the Poetic Nature Cards for Contemplation and Connection. Tina shares the story of her oracle deck and poetry, inspired by nature and designed to spark reflection and connection.

Together, we explore:

• The Solstice and Saturnalia: We delve into the ancient celebrations of reversal, renewal, and rebellion, considering how Saturnalia and similar festivals turned society upside down to create space for reflection and rebirth.
• The Wisdom of Nature: Drawing a card from Tina's poetic oracle deck, we reflect on the message of Joy. The galah—a playful Australian bird—emerges as a symbol of resilience and embracing life’s limits and uncertainties.
• Cycles of Shedding and Growth: Tina reads her beautiful poem Shedding, offering insights into the discomfort and beauty of transformation. We discuss how shedding old skins makes way for new growth, both personally and collectively.

This episode is a tapestry of astrology, mythology, and depth psychology, offering a lens through which to engage with the themes of the solstice season. It’s an invitation to embrace the cycles of life, the interplay of darkness and light, and the wisdom of knowing our edges.

Key Takeaways

• Saturn and the Solstice: Saturn, the planet of limits and structure, invites us to reflect on what needs to be released as we prepare for the year ahead. Ancient festivals like Saturnalia embody both the chaos and renewal of this season.
• Poetic Reflections: Tina’s Poetic Nature Cards are a gateway to nature’s wisdom. The chosen card, Joy, reminds us to find delight even amidst difficulty.
• The Role of Reflection: The solstice is a natural pause, urging us to take stock and realign with the cycles of life.

Listener Invitation

I’d love for you to reflect on the question posed during the card pull:
 What does this solstice time of year invite you to release, embrace, or celebrate?

Feel free to share your thoughts with me or Tina through the link below!

Connect with Tina, buy her cards or book in a session here.

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Podcast Musician: Marlia Coeur
Please consider becoming a Patron to support the show!
Go to OnTheSoulsTerms.com for more.

Welcome to the 80th episode of On the Soul’s Terms! In this milestone episode, I revisit the Grimm Brothers’ version of Cinderella—a tale rich with symbolic depth and timeless wisdom. This isn’t the Disney fairy tale many of us know; it’s a story rooted in cycles of transformation, connection to nature, and the interplay between identity and destiny.

Using the lens of astrology, I explore how Cinderella’s journey reflects the lunar nodes—Rahu (North Node) and Ketu (South Node)—and the soul’s movement between karma and dharma. Inspired by Dana Gerhardt’s article on astro.com, I take her interpretation a step further, flipping the common understanding: in this episode, I consider the South Node as the ball, the place of wholeness and remembering, and the North Node as the ashes, the work we undertake to grow into that wholeness.

In this episode, we’ll cover:

• The Grimm Brothers’ Cinderella, her connection to nature, and the hazel tree as a bridge between worlds.
• Why the South Node might not be the “comfort zone” we’re told to escape, but rather the place where we rediscover our essence.
• The North Node as the transformative, sometimes difficult work required to bring our gifts into the world.
• The symbolic richness of the stepsisters, the lentils, and the golden slipper as metaphors for our inner and outer struggles.

Cinderella’s story invites us to rethink how we approach the nodes—not as a one-way journey, but as a dynamic relationship, bridging the ashes, the ball, and the transformative space in between. I hope this episode inspires you to reflect on your own nodal story and what it means to find your place in the dance between these two worlds.

Join Me

Whether you’re drawn to astrology, mythology, or the deeper truths behind familiar stories, this episode offers a reflective take on what it means to live out the wisdom of the nodes. Share your thoughts with me on Instagram. If you'd like to find out what your nodes are go to cafe astrology, fill in your details, and scroll down the page to find out.

Special thanks to Jan Spiller's book Astrology for the Soul - my first Astrology book I read 18 years ago (an exact Nodal cycle).

Cover Art: Liga Marta - Cinderella at Mother's Grave.

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Podcast Musician: Marlia Coeur
Please consider becoming a Patron to support the show!
Go to OnTheSoulsTerms.com for more.

Joe Landwehr is an astrologer of 50+ years experience, seeking an eclectic integration of astrology, spiritual psychology and ancient wisdom teachings. He is the author of five books and numerous articles for The Mountain Astrologer and other publications. He is Director of The Astropoetic School of Soul-Discovery, which offers individualized correspondence courses, webinar classes and workshops built around the correlation of astrological cycles with actual life experience. He has taught and lectured at ISAR conferences, the Midwest Astrology Conference, and online at International Academy of Astrology. More information about his work can be found at joelandwehr.com.

We got together to discuss the rich ideas Joe outlines in his most recent book: Astrology in the Era of Uncertainty: An Astropoetic Exploration of Psyche and Cosmos. 

In this conversation, Joe generously shares the gems of his lifetime of Astrological research. We ask the question, what is astrology? It’s a broad and unanswerable question, but we find some good ways to approach it, including the idea from Terrence McKenna that it’s a trans-linguistic language. 

We then get into the mythopoetic and magical roots of astrology and discuss what it feels like in a consultation when the chart truly comes to life. In this way, astrology and its symbols encourage a form of what Jung called Participation Mystique; a way to see ourselves as embedded within an alive and soulful world. 

We end our discussion at the same place Joe ends his book - with Hestia. The first of the Olympians and the goddess of the eternal flame of the hearth: within ourselves; within the home; within the earth; and ultimately within the cosmos. 

Cover Art: The Feast of the Gods at the Wedding of Cupid and Psyche by Vincenzo Camuccini

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Podcast Musician: Marlia Coeur
Please consider becoming a Patron to support the show!
Go to OnTheSoulsTerms.com for more.