You can find my celestial interpretations for December 2023, January 2024, and February 2024 in the winter issue of VOX. The sky is moving again: retrograde movements, zodiac sign changes, planetary accumulations, and harsh outlooks… You already know that I pick one of them and tell you about it, but this time I want to share with you a topic related to all of them: shadows.
The shadow is a concept in the archetype theory of Carl Gustav Jung, the founder of analytical psychology. “It is a repressed yet living part of the human being that constantly seeks to exist in a certain form,” he says of the shadow. It is a part of us that we are afraid to confront as it is repressed. It is formed from childhood onwards through both socialization and conditioning. In this process, we accept some things as good and others as bad, we embrace the good and ostracize the bad and ones with these characteristics. We create a mask of what we consider “good”, which is called a “persona”. We hide those we know to be bad behind this mask, so they form our shadow. We find out that we receive acceptance, approval, and love from our environment by doing so. Because showing the side of ourselves that we labeled as “bad” made us feel judged, punished, and rejected. We don’t consciously build our persona and our shadow. We are not even aware of these aspects of ourselves unless we consciously address them.
I can hear you asking, “Well, how does this shadow harm us?” Jung, not me, gives the following answer: “Unless we make our unconscious parts conscious, these parts direct our life, and we call it fate.” So this unconscious part of us controls us without us knowing it. According to Jung, the less integrated our shadow side is in our conscious life, the darker and more intense it becomes. If the part of us that we see as apparently inferior or dark is conscious, we always have a chance to correct it. But if it is repressed and excluded from our consciousness, it can never be improved.
I think the best answer to the question “How do we recognize our shadow?” comes from the writer and poet Herman Hesse: “If you hate a person, you hate something in him that is part of yourself. What isn’t part of ourselves doesn’t disturb us.”
So, what do you hate?
Let’s take it one step deeper and bring in Hermetic Astrology and the theory of reincarnation. Hermetic astrologer Aleksandar Imsiragic, in his book “The Shadow Animal Guide”, speaks of the shadow as follows: “The shadow is everything that seems to you to be an inevitable part of your life. It is the vast ocean of the unconscious where the little ship of your ego sails and is formed as an outcome of your life beliefs. Because all you see now is a reflection of that past.” So according to Hermetic Astrology, the shadow is the story of the karmic cycle and the karma that arises over many lifetimes. For it is the rejections that create the shadow. The shadow generated by these rejections is also built through the habits we inherit genetically. For example, suppose we are complaining about something. This complaining situation brings about an energy that is independent of us. When we habitually complain, we inevitably create a structure that leads us to compelling life stories, and we call this inevitable scenario that we make with our own hands “fate”. So when we reject something as “bad,” we actually “glue” that energy to ourselves and become what we don’t want. Indeed, at the very center of the concept of shadow is “becoming something to recognize it.”
Although we all have many shadows that we carry with us from past lives, only one energy holds the key to all of them: “Shadow Life Guide.” The Shadow Life Guide is an unknown and fear-inducing energy, and its power is directly correlated to the power of our fear. We don’t need to focus on what our fears are, what we need to focus on is our being.
The Shadow Life Guide also offers gifts that allow us to become one and whole. Therefore, to receive the diploma of our existence on the Earth plane, we need to pass the exam called the Shadow Life Guide. So when we manage to control the energy field defined by our Shadow Life Guide, our other shadows will stop sabotaging us.
Have you ever thought about what you are rejecting and excluding in your life right now?
The Shadow Life Guide subsists in an area of the unconscious known as the “animal layer.” So, the rejections that we take from past lives and carry into the present life are found in this energy layer. In Hermetic Astrology, this animal layer is made up of the characteristics of 100 animals. We all have our own individual Shadow Life Guide, called a “Shadow Guide Animal.” Each animal possesses a correspondence in astrological symbolism. For example, my Shadow Animal Guide is the armadillo, expressed by the Saturn-Mars combination. So, my shadow is a combination of the shadows represented by Saturn and Mars. Whatever I reject about the symbolism of Saturn and Mars is actually all mine. My duty is to harmonize with this shadow and use the power of my shadow to turn this energy that sabotages me into friendly energy. If you are also curious about your own shadow, I recommend the triple set of “Shadow Animal Guide” and “Spiritual Animal Guide” books and “Astro Spiritual Animal Guide Cards” by my teacher, Aleksandar Imsiragic. I am sure you can find many things of yourself in it.
And I would like to close the topic of shadow with a favorite quote of Joseph Campell:
“The cave you fear to enter holds the treasure you seek.”
As I always say, planets/lights are just tools that allow us to observe our lives. So do not forget that you have the will!
ARIES
December: It might be easier to take the steps you already have planned for education, courses, books, etc. Be prepared for unexpected expenses. By the end of the month, you should think twice and speak once to avoid possible communication accidents in the family.
January: You may find the perfect physician to solve your health problems. You’ve been struggling to take action on your health for a while, but there’s a great opportunity to get disciplined this month. You may have to resolve some crisis in your or your partner’s family.
February: You may start a new project and feel relief in your budget with the payment you get. You should try to stay calm by channeling your aggression into your work to avoid verbal confrontations with authority figures. You can take action on daily routines you want to change.
TAURUS
December: You may feel the need to take action on inheritance, alimony, loans, or scholarships, but you may not know where to start. You need to get support from your siblings or your close circle for this. After the middle of the month, you may find things flowing more easily than you had planned.
January: You may feel the pressure of your authority figures on you and decide to take action on your regrets related to abroad, foreign languages, higher education, and beliefs. Remember that what looks like pressure is actually support.
February: It’s a good time to take steps towards your life purpose or career. But you should not rush to save the day, but think ahead to the future. A rapid transformation in your special relationship or partnership could bring about a change in your title.
GEMINI
December: You shouldn’t be fooled by big promises or give others big promises in financial matters. You can propose, get married or take your relationship to the next level. You may get a raise or increase your financial resources, or you may receive overdue payments.
January: Debt, inheritance, alimony, or credit problems are on your agenda. You can discuss earnings, so how can I get recognized to earn more? In the meantime, turn a deaf ear to the negative remarks of others. You should prefer direct communication with your close circle, not sarcasm.
February: During this period, you may have to abandon a long-term education that you started on a whim. So you should focus on short-term trainings. You may consider giving short-term trainings. A career or job change could lead to a move to another location.
CANCER
December: Anything you start by saying, ” I’ll just get into it right now and worry about the rest later,” will end in frustration and disappointment. Focus on the things you’ve always wanted to do about yourself, but always left unfinished, so you can get the maximum benefit from life this time around.
January: You may start a new relationship or partnership or you may want to change the existing situation in this regard. You may find it difficult to withstand the pressure from authority figures that you don’t understand. You should try not to act rashly and put yourself in a difficult economic situation.
February: It is better not to make sudden decisions regarding relationships or partnerships. Getting scholarships, loans, alimony, borrowing may be more difficult than at other times. You should look for courses that could be useful for your future career, open you up to new people, and bring you economic benefits.
LEO
December: We can say “love is in the air”, even if only for a short time. A nice improvement in your career or health is on the way. Maybe you should put your talents on the stage this month. Don’t let the uncertainties of your daily life tire you out and turn on “cozy night in” mode.
January: You might get a furry roommate, take action on your health, or decide to be more disciplined in your daily routines. You should make sure that this innovation fits within your own limits so that you don’t start on a whim and regret it later.
February: The position you take in the face of the breeze of change in relationships is to try to adapt in the most reasonable way without resistance. You should be careful about emotional expenses, not take on debts you cannot pay, and definitely take advantage of additional income or new job opportunities.
VIRGO
December: Fast developments in moving, home renovations, long journeys, or education may force you to break the bank. An issue that you had given up hope on may return to the agenda like a magic rescue and you may make progress on this matter. Watch out for words that can be said in anger.
January: A meeting beyond your control may give you butterflies in your stomach, and you may suddenly find yourself in a long-distance relationship. It may be time for an operation you have been putting off. A huge dilemma: to rest or to work; to hide or to come out?
February: As your field of work changes, you may find yourself teaching or learning from others. You should know your limits and not be too hard on yourself to avoid physical or mental fatigue. You may earn more than you expect.
LIBRA
December: Siblings, close circle and friends may be your focus. Uncertainties in your educational life on the one hand and in your professional life on the other may challenge you. You should be careful to avoid mishaps in your travels. The positive progress you’ve been waiting for your career may materialize.
January: If you have someone in your life, you may feel pressure from your family to get married and suddenly find yourself shopping for a marriage. It may be your mission to ease tensions between your partner and your family. You may donate to a children’s charity or decide to volunteer.
February: Be careful not to undermine your budget while showing off your talents. If you have children, there may be positive improvements in their health. At the end of the month, your work life or daily responsibilities may get intense. Don’t neglect to take time for yourself and rest in the midst of this intensity.
SCORPIO
December: A phase when your income, self-confidence, and career are on the agenda. If you have overseas business, your work may halt for a while. If you are owed money, it may take until the end of the month to get it. You may get a job arranged through an old friend. You may go on a journey.
January: New education, short travels, or a sibling moving out of the house may disrupt your daily routines. You can overcome this difficult situation with the support of your partner or an associate. Your partner and you may also feel tense due to a change at work.
February: A move away from the family home or a change of city may take place. You may decide to break up your relationship. If you have a discomfort in the head area, you may find a solution. You may join an environment where you can reveal your artistic side and put a project into practice.
SAGITTARIUS
December: You may be more determined to take steps towards self-improvement. But you should wait until past the middle of the month for this. Old unpleasant issues in your relationship may come up, but a solution will follow. You can get positive results in loan, alimony, scholarship, inheritance issues.
January: The way to increase your gains could be to get out of the group you’re in and go it alone. Although this may seem scary, with the right planning, you can guarantee every step and manage your anxiety. Paying more attention to foreign languages may help you to get abroad. What are you waiting for, the stage is yours!
February: Some transformations in your ideas and actions may lead to crises between you and your siblings or close circle. An incident in your work life may cause you to relocate. Instead of resisting, use your adaptability and establish a new routine.
CAPRICORN
December: This is a time when you need more rest. Discovering new movies and music will do you good. Your dreams may give clues about your stress points. You may begin a relationship with someone you met via your sibling or close circle. Careful not to say harsh words.
January: You may feel sabotaged by your family or close circle when you try to diet to get in shape. You may want to undergo plastic surgery to look better. You need to decide: Is it money you need right now, or to look better?
February: You might want to invest in new ventures and create new sources of finance. Your marriage may not take place on the date you had planned because of a sudden turn of events. Your communication flow is going to be busier than usual. You might have to balance your long-distance duties with your close relations.
AQUARIUS
December: A project that has hit a financial hurdle may come back on the agenda. Communication volume during this period might be quite tiring. Being more cautious in traffic will prevent potential problems. If you are considering an operation in the leg area, you may consider it this month. Regulating your diet should be your priority.
January: You should take a break before things slow you down. You may come to a realization about your relationships and be fatefully drawn into one. Your family can be a bit challenging. If things are going on behind your back, they might be laid out in front of you one by one. Your income may improve.
February: You may decide to leave your home or workplace, you may have to move, or you may have to let someone go. Ego struggles in your relationship could have unpleasant consequences. You may find a very profitable investment opportunity and get support from family elders.
PISCES
December: Conflict with authority figures will not bring you any benefits. The biggest obstacle to your career may be not knowing exactly what you want. An old business opportunity may turn into a new one. You can switch to a work-from-home with the support of your family and close circle.
January: You might find a job via a friend where you can put your talents on the line. It would be right to push the conditions a little to be economically satisfied. It’s a good time to get rid of excess weight. Avoiding sudden movements will mitigate the risk of accidents.
February: Writing, drawing, or designing may become a compulsion for you. You can be sure that you’ll be up to the task. Remember that you can defend yourself in a team without fighting. You should not waste the opportunity of a new relationship by getting caught up in your own delusions.
