Emily joined me today for another episode of Cosmic Wisdom. We addressed the very busy week ahead as well as the longer term outlook of the next several months. A number of themes emerged from our conversation, including these gifts of the cosmic forces:

* We have the power to liberate our minds from the programming and entrainment so prevalent right now;

* We are in a concentrated period of endings in preparation for the new beginnings coming in 2026;

* We are supported to heal old childhood stories and ways in which we haven’t claimed our right (and duty) to be fully ourselves;

* The return of Uranus to Taurus plus Saturn and Neptune to Pisces reminds us of the spiritual dimension to the material realm;

* The number of planets in water signs encourages us to feel deeply, and use the power of our emotions consciously in service to what we desire.

Emily has a cool program coming in the new year to support people in their Saturn returns; make sure to join her mailing list to hear all about it.

My energy forecast for 2026 is this Saturday, November 8th, free for paid subscribers, or register here for only $22.

And, join me for an in-person Capricorn Solstice retreat to renew your life, December 19-22nd at a high desert hot springs, Ojo Santa Fe.

Daniel Giamario is the founder of the Turning of the Ages Mystery School, an astrology school dedicated to helping people navigate this time of the great turning through direct experience and participation with the earth and sky. As you may remember from my recent posts, I spent a week in September studying the night sky with TOTAMS at a desert hot springs in southern New Mexico, where Daniel had designed and co-built a stone circle on the hill. We talked about why that connection with the sky was so potent, and receiving direct transmissions from the sky and earth itself.

In our conversation, Daniel explained how the night sky tells us where we are in the 26,000 year cycle of the ages, and touched on many other topics, including:

* Your chart shows your purpose and intent in this lifetime, rather than a description of how you are;

* One of the shadows of Aquarius is a materialism of consciousness, as evidenced by AI and other technological efforts;

* TOTAMS teaches us to use technology after first apprenticing to nature;

* Use the three worlds approach to view life through the lenses of the celestial realm, middle world and underworld to understand what’s going on and how to navigate;

* We are in a period of greatest density right now, and we must use our spiritual will to perceive what’s really going on and respond.

Find out more about Daniel and TOTAMS on their website, https://turningoftheages.com/

Join Daniel and TOTAMS at one of their upcoming events, in person and online

In addition to two levels of membership in TOTAMS, the school has a number of individual offerings coming up, both online and in person:

This coming Monday, November 3rd, join a free call with the water element branch of the school .

In December, the school offers two days of online teachings and ceremony for the Solstice.

In August of 2026, travel to Spain to experience the solar eclipse and learn about sacred relationship with Daniel and members of the school: https://turningoftheages.com/event/spain/

Find all their events on the calendar: https://turningoftheages.com/events/

Join Kristine for an online 2026 forecast and/or an in-person Solstice retreat

Gain insight into the astrological shifts of 2026 next Saturday, November 8th, free for paid subscribers or $22 for the workshop only. Register here: https://kristinebackes.com/product/astrology-of-2026/

Join my Renew Your Life Solstice Retreat for magic, hot springs, deep relaxation, community and preparation for the coming year. Learn more and register: https://kristinebackes.com/integrate-and-renew-at-the-solstice/

More about Daniel:

Daniel Giamario has been an astrologer since 1969. After establishing his practice on a Rudhyarian foundation, he received a vision for this unique paradigm on a vision quest at Mount Shasta in 1981. The founding of TOTAMS is the natural evolution from the Harbingers of the Turning of the Ages and the Shamanic Astrology Mystery School.

The paradigm includes mythic, psychological, and spiritual elements inspired by numerous global traditions, synthesizing the most important ingredients that are applicable to contemporary global humanity.

This astrological system uses a Three Worlds Approach, inspired by global Shamanic traditions, offering techniques to navigate the Upper, Middle, and Lower Worlds. And above all, there is a strong emphasis on the experience and knowledge of the night sky.

The feeling I was left with after a very Neptunian conversation today with astrologer Chad Woodward was hopefulness.

I have been reading Chad’s newsletters and articles for several years, and was honored to have him join me on The Natural Wisdom Podcast. Chad shared his considerable insights into the archetypal forces at work in our world today, including:

* Chad’s historical research into activations of the Aries Point (0 Aries, the first degree of the Tropical Zodiac) led him to aptly name its energy as “pushing boundaries of reality”;

* The legacy of the previous conjunction of Saturn and Neptune at this point over 2500 years ago has lessons and resonance for our time;

* We are in an uncomfortable liminal space of growing into something new, and we won’t know what it looks like on the other side until we get there; and

* This is all part of a natural process - we know how to do this.

Chad Woodward is a professional astrologer and founder of Kosmic Mind Astrology, with nearly twenty years of experience exploring the symbolic language of the sky. His work combines psychological and evolutionary astrology with a profound appreciation for the rich history of astrology, integrating ancient techniques into a modern, integrative approach. Certified through Steven Forrest’s Apprenticeship Program and holding a postgraduate certificate in Cultural Astronomy and Astrology from the University of Wales Trinity Saint David, Chad also draws on his background in cultural anthropology and other social sciences in his astrological research, exploring the complex interrelationship between cultural evolution and planetary alignments. In his counseling practice, Chad uses astrology as a tool for navigating the interplay of choice, creativity, karma, and destiny. His consultations invite clients to see beyond the materialist worldview and engage with the archetypal forces shaping their lives, uncovering deeper meaning, purpose, and potential for spiritual growth.

For more of Chad’s work:

Chad’s website: https://www.kosmicmind.com/Kosmic Mind Newsletter sign up: https://www.kosmicmind.com/kosmicmindnewsletterSubstack page:

Watch Chad’s recent talk on the Aries Point:

Find out more about Kristine’s Capricorn Solstice Renewal Retreat:https://kristinebackes.com/integrate-and-renew-at-the-solstice/