The Alchemy of Aquarius
The zodiac sign of the water bearer-- and its ruling planet, Uranus-- brings us the much-welcome magic of transmutation!
Our next Full Moon on August 1st will be in the astrological sign of Aquarius, which is ruled by the planet Uranus. In Greek mythology, Uranus is the primordial sky god that created existence by making sweet, sweet love to Gaia: aka the earth.
Like all great sky gods, he had one son that was a real dick. It’s a trope at this point.
This son, a Titan, had big, Succession-level corporate raider plans and a heart filled with rapacious jealousy for his father’s power (and empire). In this case, the dick-ish son was Cronos (aka Saturn), who literally cut Uranus’ weiner off, throwing it into the sea.
But, in spite of this terrible act of violence, there was one small, silver lining: that cut-off phallus instantly turned into the incredible goddess Aphrodite, who’s name means “seamen-laden waters”. So, there’s that…?
One might imagine that being gelded by one’s son would be a traumatic experience. Perhaps even one inviting a very satisfying, future revenge scenario. You know: a kind of cosmic John Wick saga as Uranus climbs back from his mutilation to seize his once great power yet again, adopting a new dog and driving his rehabbed Shelby Mustang across the sky.
When one considers that Uranus isn’t just a sky god but also a god of infinity, it’s more than possible that he would, at some juncture, be able to resurrect and reintegrate his long-lost reproductive organs. I mean, Isis was able to do that for Osiris in the Egyptian myths, and that replacement was made of literal gold.
So, I guess what I’m saying is that there is hope.
Besides: there’s no better time for Uranus to start this work of “running up that hill" than the upcoming Aquarius Full Moon, the first of many markers leading up to an intensely Aquarian— and notably not Saturnalian— era in human existence.
During this time, our species will have an opportunity to reclaim our primordial, procreative and limitless powers from those forces that have benefitted from our constriction and servitude here in 3D time/space.
In addition to this August 1st Full Moon, Pluto— the god of death and the underworld— has already started to leave his AirBnb in the Saturn-dominant sign of Capricorn, getting ready to camp out in Aquarius (ruled by Uranus) for a good long while.
The last time Pluto passed through Aquarius was from 1777 to 1797, a period that witnessed both the French and American revolutions. I’m sure the violent political upheavals that we’ve witnessed in the past few weeks in France are totally, completely unrelated.
Sarcasm. Side eye. The spiritual weirdos get it right (yet again).
So, what else does Pluto’s camp-out in Aquarius mean for us in this round?
In short? The comic book-style onomatopoeia of us hitting and arresting and neutralizing our hidden, evil overlords, ending taxation without representation, abolishing modern versions of debtors’ prisons (you can’t ever escape student loans), and backhanding the “let them eat cake”, out-of-touch virtue-signaling bullshitters.
Yah, I said it. And I’m allowed. In a hilarious plot twist, 23 and Me actually informed me that I carry a very rare Austro-Hungarian gene connecting me, quite literally, to Marie Antoinette. No shit. We’re apparently genetically (very) related.
So, if I can’t criticize my family, who can I criticize?
But back to Aquarius…
Pluto in the expansive, systems-minded air sign of Aquarius will transform our understanding of the power of the collective. We’ll be able to democratize knowledge and challenge the status quo in new and exciting ways. The ancient mystery schools and wisdoms of previous civilizations will surely bubble back up, as will light-filled visits from our friends in the sky.
[And, to this end, check out our Skeptical Shaman podcast episode with researcher and author Lianne Arends re: “The Goddessy”].
We’ll be tasked with leaving systems of slavery, including those dictating our thoughts and currencies and bodies and minds, and will be challenged to step into real agency, autonomy, and free will without the constant compression and constriction of our parasitic masters.
And while Pluto will only linger in Aquarius for three months this year, it will spend two decades in this sign when it returns in 2024.
It’s going to get really, really weird…and I CANNOT WAIT.
My moon is in Aquarius, and my whole birth chart is essentially an opus to fucking shit up and breaking folks out of the control matrix with expansive, unorthodox, irreverent and occasionally paradoxical concepts.
To this end, keep an eye out for a notably different Aquarius Full Moon Deep Dive from me later this month for our paid subscribers here on Substack. It’s definitely a departure from previous Full Moon posts: a more intimate, vulnerable and yes, very unorthodox take on this Aquarius Full Moon.
I mean, what would Uranus do?
And, outside of that, there’s actually a lot for us to do to harness this incredible Aquarian shift in energy in the coming months and years… and, for a change, it’s actually fun:
1. Get alchemical
This year, the Aquarius Full Moon also happens to land on the pagan holiday of Lammas, a time focused on herbal harvesting, potion-making, and all-around alchemical fun. Considering that Aquarius is all about alchemy, alternative “healing” modalities, and democratizing information for the empowerment of the masses, TOTEM is hosting an online workshop on 7/29: Ancient Alchemy, Modern “Medicine”.
You can learn more about this event HERE, or sign up to secure your spot HERE.
And, speaking of alchemy and magic potions…
The tarot card most associated with Aquarius is the Temperance card, which usually depicts a beautiful angel or woman next to a body of water in the standard Aquarian “water-bearer” role.
In tarot, “temperance” does not mean not drinking ala the “Temperance Movement” of prohibition. Rather, it refers to the process of tempering steel: an alchemical undertaking that transmutes metals with fire, water, and violence to transmute the materials such that they transcend their previous limitations.
In other words, temperance is analogous to alchemy, and so we cut out the noise and simply called this card The Alchemist in our TOTEM Tarot Deck.
The upcoming Aquarius Full Moon and emerging Aquarius energy more broadly is begging us to meditate on the meaning of this ancient archetype.
Alchemy is defined as, “the medieval forerunner of chemistry, based on the supposed transformation of matter. It was concerned particularly with attempts to convert base metals into gold or to find a universal elixir.” In this context, the Alchemist is a kind of potions wizard, seeking to magically transmute the mundane into the magical.
In our TOTEM Tarot Deck, the Alchemist doesn’t just do magic. He also welcomes his own transformation as a part of the broader cosmic kaleidoscope.
His message? “Life changes us. We, in turn, change life. Everything and everyone we interact with are forever altered in a process of never-ending alchemy.”
The Alchemist doesn’t just embrace this experience, he dives in head first, submitting to the pain and glory of the alchemical process and working to awaken, inspire and elevate others in the process.
Use this upcoming Aquarius Full Moon to meditate on the energy of the Alchemist, working to manifest and harness more of it in your everyday life.
When the Alchemist emerges in a tarot reading, it might be time to make art. To make gold out of lead. To transmute pain into catharsis. To see the big picture, the seeds of beauty hidden within the pain and struggle, the narrative thread. How are you different now than you were before? What were the people, the relationships, the experiences that transformed you forever?
It’s also a time to pick up painting, photography, writing or sculpture. Or, for that matter, harvest flowers and make a magical potion with a beautifully decorated label. Undertake a Full Moon Ritual replete with candles and music and aromatherapy.
Really do it up!
These acts of creativity and expression elevate the mundane to the divine and connects each of us to a broader, larger, and more interconnected multiverse. What’s more: it’s eternal. It’s infinite. Its value cannot be fully commoditized in our modern currencies.
In that way, art is the ultimate Uranus-type act of rebellion. Art is as wide and as deep as the sky, so get out there and create something just for the “hell of it”.
Whether it’s sacred geometry, an opera or a simple floral arrangement, the act of creation emanates an energy that ripples through time and space. Create. Make. Elevate. The portal to inspiration is open, and it’s time to walk through it.
The TOTEM Tarot Deck is currently on sale on Amazon and Etsy if you’re interested in picking up a deck or two— they make excellent pagan holiday gifts;)
2. Get elemental
Aquarius’ ruler Uranus is an ancient sky god. Given this, his primary elements are Air and Aether, reflecting his expansive and rebellious nature and association with the void of space.
In alchemy (and metaphysics more broadly), these two elements represent:
Air: The air symbol in alchemy can also represent a life-giving force, and it is associated with the colors white and blue. Air is the element of swords and metals in tarot and alchemy, and represents the power of the unbridled intellect and unorthodox points of view. During Aquarius season, the mind isn’t a noisy distraction— it can be the sword you pull from the stone, slicing away at artifice and solving long-standing conundrums.
Aether: Aether was the fifth element in alchemical chemistry and early physics. It was the name given to the material that was believed to fill the universe beyond the terrestrial sphere, from which supernatural and divine beings manifest during ritual magic, seances, or other ceremonies. It is associated with the color violet and with ectoplasm (the icky stuff left behind at seances). Aether is pure psychic substance and, when combined with the power of the element of air, provides almost all of our transcendent psychic experiences.
As an obsessive maker and purveyor of flower essences on our TOTEM Readings ATX Etsy Shop, I’ve done some deep research on which flowers, herbs, and trees correspond to these very very Aquarian elements:
Cactus flowers: While I grow several cactuses (including a few Joshua Trees) in our TOTEM Flower Essence garden, they have yet to flower, so I still order my cactus flower essences from Desert Alchemy. They have so many to choose from, so check out their site and operate intuitively— I’ve never been disappointed! No professional or other affiliation— I just love their products.
Tuberose: Tuberose is the ultimate airy, aethery flower, activating the crown chakra and stimulating the psychic senses. At TOTEM, we use organic tuberose to formulate our Crown of Stars Flower Essence, empowering the user to expand psychically and receive divine guidance and spiritual insight from the shamanic “Upper World”. Crown of Stars supports all kinds of psychic work including: channeling, tarot card reading, mediumship, prophecy, and astral projection, and assists you in traveling to other realms and expanding your intuitive abilities.
Desert rose: Desert rose is a stunningly beautiful succulent that litters the very airy, open and hot wide open spaces in our world. At TOTEM, we use it to formulate our Reclaim Yourself Flower Essence, enabling the user to reclaim their energy and take back their spiritual real estate. Reclaim Yourself helps you assert boundaries, reclaim your energy, and release the expectations of others to step into your joy and abundance- without shame!
Cypress: Cypress, a type of resinous tree, brings the energies and powers of the element aether. At TOTEM, we make our AEAEA flower essence out of a dwarf cypress bonsai we keep in the flower essence garden. We named it after the island home of the mythical goddess of witchcraft, Circe, which was littered with magical cypress trees twisting on the rocks in the ocean winds. AEAEA initiates an alchemical, transformative process in the energy body, ultimately manifesting in magic in material reality. It’s an excellent essence for anyone pursuing occult studies.
And remember: we’re offering 50% off of all items on our TOTEM Readings ATX Etsy Shop at the moment, so if you’re into flower essences, it’s a great time to stock up!
If you’re not a flower essence person— or perhaps in addition to being a flower essence person— you can also harness these elements through the power of aromatherapy. Pick up an organic essential oil or two, or find a fancy perfume that brings some of these scents into focus. In the summer, I wear Odor 93 by Meo Fusciuni, a pure tuberose scent that reminds me of night-blooming desert flowers and the airy energy of the desert.
Aromatherapy is a mood- and consciousness-altering treat, so don’t sleep it on its potential power in your life!
We can also work with Air and Aether-oriented TOTEM Animals this Aquarius Full Moon:
Air TOTEM Animals: Any bird totem is associated with the air, but hummingbirds are particularly airy fairy and associated with the dominant elements of Aquarius— embodying that whole air/ aether in the desert vibe! According to Ted Andrews, the hummingbird totem animal symbolizes the enjoyment of life and lightness of being. Those who have this bird as totem may be encouraged to develop their adaptability and resiliency while keeping a playful and optimistic outlook. Butterfly is another classic air totem animal— with a particular emphasis on the alchemical and transformative. According to Ted Andrews, butterfly totem animal reminds us that life is a dance, a journey from moment to moment, and a symbol of spiritual freedom. Both hummingbird and butterfly are pollinators, also symbolizing the sharing and “cross-pollination” of ideas in this uniquely Aquarian time.
Aether TOTEM Animals: Aether is all about the realms of the mystic, so winged
mythical beasts— like the pegasus, griffin or thunderbird— can be called upon to work with you through Aquarius season. We generally encounter these totem animals when we undertake an intentional Shamanic Journeying Meditation to the Upper World, the land of angels, gods and mythical creatures. If you want to learn more about Shamanic Journeying Meditation or schedule a guided journeying session with me, book with me HERE anytime.
3. Get esoteric
Yep. This Aquarius Full Moon is officially time to get fully weird with our woo!
Working with crystals, crystal grids, and crystal-supported ecstatic meditation techniques might just move the needle in surprising— and measurable— ways. Ideal crystals for Aquarius season include:
Amethyst: Amethyst is a great all-around crystal for attuning the crown and third eye chakras to the higher, more spiritual realms, sleeping deeply and dreaming lucidly, and even releasing negative habits, behaviors or addictions. My former Jungian psychologist in Chicago decorated his space with amethyst clusters, admitting to me that he read that this woo amulet can actually help addicts get through some of the worst cravings or triggering events. For this Aquarius season, I would recommend seeking out the rare pink amethyst clusters, which have an even more “out there” effect ideal for this expansive time.
Aura quartz: Aura quartz is effectively regular old quartz with an infusion of colorful metallic influences, generating a visually-stunning and very high vibration crystal helper for your toolkit. I have a very iridescent, very heavy and very blue/ indigo aura quartz crystal that I use for hard core channeling and related psychic work— its energy is beyond electric, and it’s my most stimulating psychic helper to this day.
Turquoise: In addition to being beautiful and often quite expensive, turqouise is highly supportive of the weirdest (and coolest) of woo efforts: cloud-gazing, cloud-bursting and the Native American rain dance: i.e. the alchemical ritual undertaken by the tribe to ensure rainfall and support the survival of crucial crops and life forms. Another term for cloud-bursting and rain dancing? “Rain making”. We named our sacred creosote spray Rain Maker in honor of this sacred right and its correlation to abundance in all of its forms.
And, speaking of cloud-gazing and cloud bursting and rain making, it’s kind of the perfect activity for this Aquarius season and upcoming Full Moon on August 1st. These deeply esoteric practices remain largely hidden within tribal the spiritual leaders of tribal communities, but you can do this work on your own.
I like to put on my Himalayan turquoise necklace for this cloud-centric work, heading outside to totally vibe out while looking at the sky. My first course of action? Using the clouds as one might other tools of gazing and divination, like crystal balls or tarot cards or tea leaves. What do I see when I look up? When I relax and unfocus my eyes? I take notes on paper or via voice memo on my phone to ensure I don’t forget what came to me while in an altered state of consciousness.
The bursting part gets wild. While I have yet to call down a whole thunderstorm in my waking consciousness, my efforts to psychically cloud-burst and rain-make have produced almost weekly dreams in which I’m causing— and then dissipating— thunderstorms. Sometimes, I’ll just go outside into the flower essence garden when skies look dark to get the feeling of the negative ions in the air— and enjoy the creosote-type smell of electricity that foretells a great summer storm.
Pro tip: while I would NEVER recommend anything illegal or dangerous, it’s been said (by other people, of course) that mild plant medicines— such as a microdose of mushrooms— can assist with your cloud-gazing and bursting efforts.
If nothing else, connection to the sky and the clouds within it are a great exercise to channel the energy of the sky god that rules over the sign of Aquarius.
The Aquarian Anthem
In summary? Aquarius and its ruling planet Uranus are all about expansion and emancipation. Of coloring outside of the lines. Of transcending our limitations. Of questioning authority, fighting for independence, opening our minds, and democratizing whatever wisdom we can for our fellow human beings.
And, of course, innovative, genre-busting rap duo Run the Jewels nailed this theme in their song “JU$T”, my personal Aquarian anthem for this wild time on earth:
“Mastered economics 'cause you took yourself from squalor (slave)
Mastered academics 'cause your grades say you a scholar (slave)
Mastered Instagram 'cause you can instigate a follow (shit)
Look at all these slave masters posin' on yo' dollar (get it, yeah)
Look at all these slave masters (ay)
Posin' on yo' dollar (get it, yeah)
Look at all these slave masters (ay)
Posin' on yo' dollar (get it)
Look at all these slave masters (ay)
Posin' on yo' dollar (get it, yeah)
Look at all these slave masters
Ay
Business time, I'm on mine, I be mindin' mine (make money)
Every time on my grind, I'm just tryna shine (stay sunny)
Make a dollar, government, they want a dozen dimes (no cap)
The petty kind, might kill ya 'cause they see you shine (stay strapped)
I done had to have a talk with myself many times (for real)
Am I a hypocrite 'cause I know I did plenty crimes? (yes, I'm ill)
I get broke too many times, I might slang some dimes (back to trappin')
You believe corporations runnin' marijuana? (How that happen? Ooh)
And your country gettin' ran by a casino owner (ooh)
Pedophiles sponsor all these fuckin' racist bastards (they do)
And I told you once befo' that you should kill your master (it's true)
Now that's the line that's probably gon' get my ass assassinated (yeah-yeah, yeah)
Master of these politics, you swear that you got options (slave, yeah)
Master of opinion 'cause you vote with the white collar (slave)
The Thirteenth Amendment says that slavery's abolished (shit)
Look at all these slave masters posin' on yo' dollar (get it)
Look at all these slave masters (ay)
Posin' on yo' dollar (get it, yeah)
Look at all these slave masters (ay)
Posin' on yo' dollar (get it)
Look at all these slave masters (ay)
Posin' on yo' dollar (get it, yeah)
Look at all these slave masters
Man, you better duck out, get the bag and then bug out (uh)
Try to run home, you might run your luck out
'Cause just when your bases loaded
They'll roll a grenade in the dugout (you're out)
Earth folk, not a mellow bunch
We got our thumbs in the air like hell or bust (uh)
Look at who we done blessed with our trust
I don't think we'll be left with too much
Hand on my heart and my mind on my drugs
Got a Vonnegut punch for your Atlas shrugs
They love to not love it's just that dumb
Lord, sweet Buddha please make me numb
Brain bounce off walls like a sentient Roomba
Just found out his creator's stupid
Lit by the supermoon, I'm too lucid
Plus got shrooms in the blood, I'm zoomin'
Beep beep, Richie, this is New York City
The X on the map where the pain keep hitting
Just us ducks here sitting
Where murderous chokehold cops still earnin' a livin'
Funny how some say money don't matter
That's rich now, isn't it, get it? Comedy
Try to sell a pack a smokes to get food
Get killed and it's not an anomaly
But hey, it's just money
Mastered economics 'cause you took yourself from squalor (slave, yeah)
Mastered academics 'cause your grades say you a scholar (slave)
Mastered Instagram 'cause you can instigate a follow (shit, yeah)
Look at all these slave masters (yeah-yeah)
Let it sink in (yeah)
2020, run the map
Raw, uncut, yeah my hourglass
Don't watch it spill to the bottom half
You see the piece, now run it fast
On the tarmac, in a starter jack
C4 when I run it back
Like a track star, run a record lap?
Nah, like when his needle catch (yeah)
Clean look, poet pugilist
A shooters view, a Zapruder flick (yeah)
Too rude for ya rudiments
Who convinced you you could move against the crew?
In this, comin' up through the fence
Off shore outta Port-au-Prince (yeah)
Overture left his fingerprints
On our hearts at the gate and the world our residence
How can we be the peace?
When the beast gonna reach for the worst (yeah)
Tear all the flesh off the Earth
Stage set for a deafening reckoning
Quick like the pace of a verse
So I'm questioning this quest for things
As a recipe for early death threatening (yeah)
But the breath in me is weaponry
For you, it's just money”
Freedom is ringing and revolution is literally in the air this Aquarius Season. Get out and enjoy it!
-Rachel