Astrologer Juliana McCarthy joins Ethan Nichtern for a conversation about the intersection of astrology and Buddhist practice.
For almost twenty years, Juliana McCarthy has been studying and practicing Western Astrology, finding it to be a powerful tool for self-exploration and examining how we relate to others. She loves working with people to help them understand their authentic selves—their complexities, gifts, karma, and life paths. A longtime student of Tibetan Buddhism, Juliana is an avid meditator and spiritual practitioner. She writes articles for her website, etherealculture.com,
Joining Paths
Juliana shares her history with the practices of astrology and Buddhism. She and Ethan talk about reconciling the mystical and scientific aspects of Buddhism and astrology. What do we make of systems that offer both material evidence and transformative subjective experience?
“I almost kept studying astrology to try to disprove it or try to find a rational explaination for why this worked. My scientific mind was not wanting to believe something so irational or illogical. The further I went, the more astrology proved itself to be this really useful and powerful tool for self discovery and self awareness. With astrology, and Buddhism for that matter, I started to stop asking why something worked. Just letting go of the whys and being with what was unfolding.” – Juliana McCarthy
The Stars Within You (11:35)
How do the systems of astrology reveal wisdom that is relevant to our lives? Juliana gives a brief explanation of how the different aspects of astrology that come together to provide insight unique to each person. Ethan and Juliana discuss the interplay between one’s karma and their astrological chart.
“Once you understand the basic ingredients of chart reading, and the basic language, it is not that hard to unravel. But it is like learning a language.” – Juliana McCarthy
Connective to the Collective (24:40)
What can we learn about the direction of our own lives by opening our awareness and attention to what is happening in the world around us? Juliana looks at how the greater energies of the collective impact on our own chart. Much in the same way that our own karma is affected by the course of the world around us.
Explore Neem Karoli Baba’s teachings about the interconnectedness between all beings and practices on Ep. 8 of the Here & Now Podcast
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