Episodes
Friday’s New Moon in Scorpio brings the tensions of the moment to a fine point. Scorpio is the season of both death and rebirth, as the light of the Sun begins to ‘die’ at the midpoint between the equinox and the solstice.
With three separate planetary oppositions at the New Moon, there is plenty of potential for projection and it is quite evident in the US presidential campaign.
Kristine explains the potential contained in the cosmic forces, and concludes with suggestions on how to exit...
Published 10/29/24
Astrologer Emily Trinkaus joined me on the podcast to shed light on the October 2nd Solar Eclipse in Libra. In this sign of relationship, balance, harmony and the other, the Libra Eclipse highlights how we relate - to each other as well as the world around us.
This eclipse has signatures of both endings as well as new beginnings. It may well bring up some of the shadow aspects of Libra, such as being more focused on what other people think and what we project onto others.
Prepare for a...
Published 09/30/24
We are in a concentrated period of change in the world right now. It kicked off in 2020 with the Saturn-Pluto conjunction, and culminates in 2026 with the Saturn-Neptune conjunction. The old ways are breaking down and we have the opportunity to co-create the new.
Lots of people are "prepping" for more chaos, more breakdown. Can you be available for what you really want, the dreams that inspire you?
In this episode, get the details on what is changing, and why your dream matters. Focus on...
Published 09/12/24
I've learned a lot from the beings of nature, from bears to trees. In this short bonus episode, I share some basic lessons, such as:
Be fully present
Mind your own business
Learn to share
Respect and honor everyone!
Want greater access to your natural wisdom? Book a session
Published 07/29/24
Career coach and astrologer Aubrie De Clerck joined me on the podcast in a conversation about experiencing more joy, confidence and empowerment at work. Aubrie's journey with astrology began at her first Saturn return. One of the questions we considered was: how can we be human, and safely bring our whole selves to our work in a broken system?
Other topics and insights:
Astrology offers a framework for and deeper understanding of what we are experiencing in our lives;
Our 'threads' are...
Published 07/09/24
Just a few days after the Cancer Solstice, astrologer and teacher Emily Trinkaus shared her passion and growing knowledge of biodynamic farming, a way of working with the forces of the cosmos, the elements, and the earth to grow food that nourishes us physically as well as spiritually. In a culture that has long separated science and spirit, this was a refreshing and hopeful look at a discipline that reunites traditional and modern, scientific and spiritual to help us remember our natural...
Published 06/25/24
Relationship expert Bethany Nicole and I covered a whole lot of territory in our conversation on the podcast, appropriately recorded just as the Sun moved into Gemini, the sign of multiplicity!
Bethany shared expertise and stories from her work as a relationship astrologer, writer, and all around expert on what's 'behind the scenes' in our interactions with each other, and the world.
We talked about several astrology-related topics:
How astrology is a 'cheat code' for your life;
Your...
Published 05/21/24
What happens when two Capricorn women have a conversation about healing? We get practical. Michelle Lundquist, of Michelle's Healing Home and a podcast by the same name, is a 'home maker', herbalist, and wise woman in the primordial tradition. In our wide ranging conversation about plants, developing a relationship with nature, and becoming your own 'mad scientist', we touched on some fascinating topics, including:
How to face the programming to fear nature;
Practical ways of developing...
Published 05/10/24
Founder of Symbolic Studies, artist and graphic designer Mario Garza joined me at the Scorpio Full Moon to explore his unique and profound interpretations of Saturn through the ages. We discussed the distortions and conflicts of our time as a consequence of losing our way, or 'giving away your pole', as well as:
When our 'sky clock' was not the Zodiac but the constellations revolving around the Pole Star;
Correspondences between the great ages and the Tarot
Why returning to your sacred...
Published 04/25/24
Emily Trinkaus and I covered the astrology of the Jupiter-Uranus conjunction of April 20th, 2024, a continuation of sorts of the April 8th 'Great American' Solar Eclipse. With a strong feminine energy in the skies, we agreed there is 'no pushing allowed' right now. Our best advice was to get comfortable with being uncomfortable as we enter a new cycle of unexpected change; and rest!
We explained why Jupiter and Uranus are continuing on with the initiation of the Solar Eclipse;
Why now is...
Published 04/19/24
In the run-up to Monday's Solar Eclipse in Aries, there was a whole lot of pop astrology coming from fear, with all sorts of end-of-world predictions. This is a misunderstanding, at best, and misuse at worst, of the power of astrology and other ways of working with the mystery behind the visible world.
Each one of us gets to choose - or at least stay curious about - whether we see the cosmic forces as friend or foe. In this episode, Kristine talks about astrology as a way of being in...
Published 04/12/24
On the eve of the Equinox, I had the pleasure of talking with Ally Leadbetter, creatrix of Wild Betty Healing Arts, on coming into heart coherence, knowing your 'station' - and re-membering your place as part of the wild world wherever you are. We talked about the soul loss many of us have experienced because of our disconnection with the natural world; how coming back to the true Self is the ultimate protection from and antidote to conditioning; the power of some special places on the Earth...
Published 03/19/24
The upcoming New Moon in Pisces (March 10, 2024) opens the portal of eclipse season. We are immersed in chaotic motion and yet feeling stuck, a dualism that reflects the two Piscean fish swimming in opposite directions.
Kristine offers some simple practices to find your way in to your true source, and embrace the opposites of the time.
Find out more about Kristine and her offerings on her website: https://kristinebackes.com/
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Published 03/07/24
Emily Trinkaus joined the podcast for another of our Cosmic Wisdom conversations. As power planet Pluto hangs out at 0 degrees of Aquarius for weeks, all the personal planets - Mercury, Mars and Venus - pass over it.
Our conversation focused on what these current astro-energies mean on a personal level and how to use them to become more conscious, including: the importance of fully being ourselves; the power (and shadows) of astrology; allowing our minds to be blown; and trusting ourselves...
Published 02/16/24
This episode comes on the heels of the ancient cross-quarter holyday of Imbolc here in the northern hemisphere, and as the archetype of the wounded healer approaches the North Node of the Moon in Aries, the sign of I AM.
This configuration in Aries offers an opportunity to reclaim your sense of yourself as sacred, and heal the wound of separation from your sense of belonging here, now.
The practitioner I mentioned who specializes in healing your birth wound is Charlotte Kanyi, of Birth...
Published 02/06/24
In this first episode of 2024, Kristine shared a preview of some of the energetic shifts coming our way, and some practical guidance on how to stay centered and healthy in the midst of the chaos.
Slow-moving, intense planet Pluto moves from Capricorn to Aquarius on January 20th, changing the very nature of power dynamics, especially in our relationship to technology, information, and society.
Stay grounded an centered by tapping into your unique frequency and building your subtle...
Published 01/14/24
Astrologer Emily Trinkaus joined me today to talk about the unique energies of this Capricorn Solstice on December 21st, and using the power of your mind to create the world and life you want to live in. Some of the alignments we discussed include these:
This is the last Solstice for nearly 250 years with Pluto in Capricorn, bringing forward the question of how we use our power;
Mercury is exactly conjunct the Sun at the Solstice, a rare occurrence emphasizing the need and opportunity for...
Published 12/20/23
From the white lions of Timbavati, to the asteroid Chiron, to the importance of spiritual practice to health, today's conversation with psychiatrist, psychoanalyst, astrologer, and holistic healer Dr. Judy Tsafrir bridged many dimensions. We discussed Judy's new book, "Sacred Psychiatry: Bridging the personal and transpersonal to transform health and consciousness", and its combination of personal stories, practical guidance, and deeply felt commentary on the state of medicine and health in...
Published 12/11/23
I had an enlightening and timely conversation with Joel Young, creator and custodian of Non-Personal Awareness, as we close out the 2023 eclipse season with a volatile combination of energies. Mars, planet of action and assertion faces off with unpredictable change-maker Uranus on November 11th, and their intense relationship continues through the Scorpio New Moon on Monday, November 13th.Scorpio is an intensely emotional sign, and deep fear is one way of experiencing Scorpio themes of loss...
Published 11/10/23
Friend and colleague Belinda Noakes joined me for this episode, in which we held forth on joy as a power move; why we sometimes get lost in trying to heal endless trauma; and why it's so important to design a joyful life.
Kristine gave an overview of the Taurus Lunar Eclipse of October 28th, and its themes of power, desire and letting go of control. With Venus carrying overtones of Leonine joy for the next 19 months, now is a perfect time for a joy practice!
Join Belinda for her free call...
Published 10/27/23
At the Aries Full Moon, I had the pleasure of examining the astrology of leadership with Beth Cavagnolo, leadership and human resource expert, witch, and sister astrologer. Some of the key points we covered were:
everyone leads in one way or another;
astrology can give us great insight into our styles of leadership;
understanding each other's differences allows us to work together with more ease.
One of Beth's guiding principles is to give each other the benefit of the doubt!
Find out...
Published 10/02/23
Emily Trinkaus joined me a few days before the Libra Equinox to talk about the current cosmic forces, including the October eclipses and Saturday's Equinox in Libra. Themes of self-love, joy, and understanding the difference between your innate power and its shadow of manipulation were all part of our discussion.
The inner planets (Mercury and Venus) are moving forward again, but the outer planets are still in retrograde motion, offering us time to integrate what we have discovered these...
Published 09/21/23
How do you know what you know? The Virgo New Moon is tomorrow, September 14th, and Virgo's ruling planet, Mercury, the planet of facts, information and perception is extra strong right now. The New Moon comes at a time when there is a lot of information - human-generated and artificially created - out there, and we need to discern what feels true.
Ready for a reading or some karmic clearing work? Check out Kristine's website to learn more or connect: https://kristinebackes.com/
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Published 09/13/23
We are fast approaching the cross-quarter holyday of Lughnasadh, or Lammas, the mid-point between June Solstice and Autumn Equinox. The Sun's light is beginning to wane here in the northern hemisphere.
There are other significant energy shifts going on, including the completion and rebirth of Venus' 19 month cycle and the shift of the eclipse axis into the signs of Aries and Libra.
Venus has been retrograde in Leo, sign of the heart, since July 22nd, offering us a period of re-evaluating...
Published 08/04/23