
The Astrology of 2023 & Beyond
Saturn will also make a major shift into Pisces from March 2023- Feb 2026. Joining up with Neptune who is there on an 15 year journey (2011-2026). Saturn will now be in the House of Spirit with its ruler and guardian. This could be a return to the ancient ways of wisdom, Cosmic Practices and Consciousness, Spiritual Law, and an understanding of our place in the Universe.
Jupiter will start the year in Aries but transition into Taurus in May to conjoin the North Node of Evolution in the final degrees before itself shifts into Aries. This is is a profound conjunction on May 30. Jupiter in Taurus is putting into practical use and action our Visions, Truths, Beliefs and Wisdom.
The Karmic Nodes of Fate will shift from Taurus & Scorpio to Aries & Libra in July and start a new 18.6 month journey of evolution for the collective and individuals. We will also experience 4 Eclipses, 4 Mercury Retrogrades, and be stepping into the year of the Water Rabbit on Jan 21. The Water Rabbit is related to Pisces, Neptune and Jupiter so this will give an extra boost to the Spiritual Awakening and Evolution.
The planet Uranus will be delivering lightning bolt calls to awaken. For those on the path our job will be to stand in our illumination and use our own path of our Soul’s Purpose to help others awaken too. Let this be a year of illumination.
Learn about greater cycles of time that are now unfolding that are referenced by the Greeks, The Yogis, The Mayans, and the Lakota. We’ll also cover the quantum physics and evolutionary states of consciousness and how these transitional events will play out for each. We will share tools and practices that may be helpful to navigate these unfolding energies and times. And, we we will look at the astrology of 2023 through 2025 and beyond.
The Shaman & The Mermaid Astrology
Every Full Moon Cycle, Owners Katrina Marie and Michael share their insights on the Cosmic, Spiritual and Psychic weather. Subscribe below!
The Shaman & The Mermaid Astrology is your guide to cosmic and earthly energies that we are experiencing both as individuals and as a collective. Learn practical ways to navigate each Cycle through our simple mantras, insights on societal rhythms, and wisdom from many different paths from the Mayan, Yogic, Taoist, Greek, Egyptian, and Mother Earth based traditions.
Alchemy is in the Air, in the Season and in the Stars. One simple way to understand Alchemy is one energy transforming into another. Summer becomes Fall at the Autumnal Equinox. The weather shifts into cooler days and longer nights. The Plants send their life-force from their leaves and shoots down into the underworld of the roots. The stars and constellations overhead shift from the familiar Summer Triangle to the Winter Hexagon. Water turns to ice and snow. This is the way of Nature, to constantly transform from one cycle and state into another.
There is a Hermetic Maximum that goes “As Above, So Below…” If it is happening in the Universe it is also happening within Us. We are the Universe. We are Nature. We are part of the Seasons and the shifts of energy. All extremes will eventually come back to balance- it is the Wu Wei. This can be done harmonically or dis-harmonically- the difference is determined by our Free Will Choices. Are they in alignment with the Universe or are they contrary to the Intuition of the Soul? Right now, the Seasons and astrology are inviting you to “Balance Your Extremes and Dissolve the Old Into Gold.” Come to balance and do your inner alchemy.
This kicks off with the Aries Full Moon and Venus square Uranus on Sep 29. This is the first full moon of Fall and is illuminating our inner landscape of Aries. A central Aries question is “Do you know yourself truly?” Above the ancient Temple of Delphi in Greece where the Oracle sat, was the phrase “Know Thyself.” Who are you? Balanced Aries energy is Open Hearted, Vulnerable, deeply rooted in the Intuition, and has the strength and light of the Soul shining though in the physical world. The Venus/Uranus square supports this journey of knowing thyself. Are your Core Values aligned with the Universal Values? If not, the square energy will illuminate the imbalance. Choosing to work with this energy by Free Will Choice can soften the intensity if there is misalignment.
On Oct 4, Mercury enters the sign of Libra– Relationship, Balance, Harmony, and our Personal Self meeting Others. Healthy communication and fair-energy exchanges are in the field now. The other is another you. This what the Mayans say as a greeting, “In Lak E’ch, A la Kin” ~ I am another you and you are another me. If we can understand this Truth in our hearts, then our communication and relationships will be harmonious and respectful. Seek to transform any persistent behaviors and thoughts of separation, duality, polarization, and competition. These energies are Lead for the Soul. The Gold is Union, Community, Celebration of Life’s Diversity, and co-operation.
After nearly 5 months of retrograde, Pluto goes direct on Oct 10 at 29° Capricorn. Pluto danced into the Sign of Aquarius for the first time since 1777 and then immediately retrograded back to Capricorn this year. Pluto is the Alchemical energy of the Soul which is transformation, merging, creating, destroying resurrecting and Love. This return back into Capricorn is a crucial energy to heal and transform unbalanced energies of Suppression, Oppression, Greed, Scarcity, Control, and Rigidity. We are being asked to be Wisdom Keepers, Guides, Helpers, Healers, and Stewards of the Earth and Spirit. Pluto will return into Aquarius on Jan 21, 2024.
Oct 14 is an Annular Solar Eclipse and the Libra New Moon. The Moon’s nodes and eclipse points shifted signs earlier this year into Aires and Libra for the next 18 months. The nodes create the Axis of Evolution for the Collective and for Individuals. The South Node in Libra is what we need to heal and resolve. So we need to heal and transform unbalanced Libra energy at this Eclipse- Unaware of our impact on others, Controlling, Co-dependent, Unsettled, Not knowing ourselves, Unable to Follow our intuition and suppressing it for Social Norms. The Eclipse will be visible in Denver, Colorado and at its peak in Albuquerque, NM at 11:59am MST.
Mercury enters Scorpio on Oct 21 and the Sun follows on Oct 23. Scorpio is the sign of Alchemy and transforming from Lead to Gold. It is also the sign of either deep Union and Harmony, or it can show up unbalanced as Extremes. The Sun is our Personal Self. Mercury is the communicator and Psychopomp- the one who can freely travel into the Soul realms and deliver messages for Alchemy. Scorpio is the Soul energy. Scorpio is Death and Resurrection. And Scorpio is the purification of Lead to the Gold of the Soul. It is the natural season and cycle to be doing the Shamanic work of Balancing Extremes and Dissolving the Lead Into Gold.
We’ll see you at the Partial Lunar Eclipse and Taurus Full Moon on Oct 28 as we prepare for Samhain, All Hallows Eve and Dia De Los Muertos. Be well and follow your Dharma.
Messages From The Cosmos ~ Aug 1 – 30
“A Heart Of Gold Is Light As A Feather”
Make your life a living prayer. Every moment is an opportunity to call in the divine and feel gratitude. Every breath is sacred, and all beings benefit from blessings in your Heart. In the Egyptian wisdom, when we complete our earth journey, the heart is weighed on the scales of Karma. If the heart is lighter than a feather from the goddess Ma’at, then the golden light of the Soul is shining through. Is your heart lighter than a feather? Are you light hearted? Is the light of the Soul shining through your heart center and blessing all beings? This full moon cycle there is a call to the drop out of the head an into the heart. “A Heart Of Gold Is Light As A Feather.”
Aug 1 is the Aquarius Full Moon. This will bring a lot of electricity into the field, both literally and in the subtler realms of the mind, emotions, and revelations of the Soul. Aquarius is the energy of awakening. Whether the illumination is a direct strike or an awe filled flash will depend upon our free will choices to listen to our intuition- or not.
Aug 2 is Lammas and the Mid-point between Summer and Fall on the Wheel of Life. It is a sacred and celebratory time to honor the first harvest and share in the abundance with your community. Honor Mother Earth. Celebrate the harvest of the grains, the fruits, the pulses, and vegetables. Set a table and invite in a neighbor and the ancestors to share a meal.
Lion’s Gate is Aug 8, when the Sun passes in front of the Star Regulus- The Heart of Leo. It is a perennial portal that calls us to our Spiritual Heart and the Gold of the Soul. Do the Alchemy at this time and honor the portal of the Lion. Pray, Mediate, and open your heart to Love. Be a living Prayer.
Venus is retrograde from July 22- Sep 2 and is now traveling behind the sun in the underworld of the Soul- or the mysteries of Spiritual Love. She will conjunct the Sun on Aug 13 and will also Trine Chiron with the Sun on Aug 14. Venus is half way through her 40 day retrograde cycle when she will resurrect as the Morning Star in the East for the next 18 months. Whatever energy is behind the Sun becomes amplified in the field of our hearts and minds. Loved-ones from beyond, ancestors, forgotten mysteries of life and death, and the deeper aspects of Love are present now. Trining Chiron with the Sun is an opportunity to heal old wounds. We may be shown old patterns at this time, but now we are ready to address then, heal them and move on. Vulnerability and honesty are the keys at this time.
The Leo New Moon is Aug 16. Balanced Leo energy is the Soul on Fire with a Heart of Gold. A living prayer. This reminded Katrina of Yoga Sutra 1:33: “Be Friendly Towards
The Happy, Compassionate Towards The Unhappy, Delight In The Virtuous, and Have Disregard For The Wicked.” A helpful prayer (or mantra if you prefer) to be in the heart daily. One will never regret having lived a life with kindness. In a similar way this is the message of Don Miguel Ruiz and the Four Agreements: “Be Impeccable With Our Word, Don’t Take Anything Personally, Don’t Make Assumptions, and Always Do Your Best.” Not to make assumptions alone will change one’s life- assumptions are a prayer of negativity.
From Aug 23- Sep 23 the Sun is in Virgo. This is a call to get into the routine of our Healthy Spiritual, Physical, Mental and Emotional practices. The yogis call this our daily Sadhana. Mercury in Virgo also goes Retrograde from Aug 23 – Sep 15. An opportunity to drop form head and into the heart. Feel and know Truth from the Gold of The Heart.
Finally, Uranus in Taurus goes Retrograde from Aug 28 – Jan 27. This is the 7th planet to go reverse this summer. Uranus is another octave of Mercury and guides us to step into Spiritual Wisdom, Innovation and inspiration from the Heart/Mind. Slow down and go into your intuitive heart to know the direction flow with your life. “A Heart Of Gold Is Light As A Feather.” See you at the Pisces Full Moon on Aug 30.
- 90 min Personal Birth Chart Reading
- A look at your Karma/Dharma (Life Purpose)
- Guidance on how to work with your Karma/Dharma and Soul’s Purpose
- A Recording and Guided Notes on your Birth Chart.
- Exploring any questions that you may have about any aspect of your life- Relationship, Parents, Trauma, Spiritual Gifts, Soul’s Purpose, Gifts, Understanding the Meaning of Experiences…




About Your Astrologers
Michael Shankara
Michael is a certified yoga teacher, Mayan Shaman, Priest, and Astrologer. Initiated into the sacred wisdom of the Maya, Michael is the sole apprentice under elder, priest and shaman Dr. Don Miguel Angel Vergara- former director of the sacred Chichen Itza Archeology Site in Mexico. Michael is also a musician and sound healer, providing live music for yoga classes, retreats, journeys and mediations at Karma Yoga Center. Michael is a certified Crystology Healer and studies Soul Astrology, Astronomy, and the Mayan Calendars. He offers Energy Healings and Astrology Readings that integrate his shamanic and yogic trainings. Michael & Katrina also provide a free videos series on the New Moons and Fulls called the The Shaman & The Mermaid Astrology.

Katrina Marie Gustafson
The mermaid of the mountains, Katrina Marie seeks the heights of the peaks and the depths of the oceans in her practice. Through the wisdom of the heart, her purpose is to help guide others to open their own. She has studied in the temples of India, the pyramids of Mexico, and in the crucible of modern life. She finds the sacred in the rhythm of the seasons, the stars, and every second of life. As the owner and founder of Karma Yoga Center in Denver, she brings the bhakti from all wisdom traditions to her yoga classes- singing, chanting, dancing, and journeys into the heart. Katrina fills every yoga session with love. She weaves in the teachings of her yoga mentor Saul David Raye and the cosmic knowings from the lineage of Evolutionary Astrology. She shares her life journey with her half-side husband Michael Shankara and her two boys Max & Bo. Katrina offers Spiritual Counseling, Crystal Healing Sessions, and incorporates her innate understanding of astrology. Contact Katrina for Spiritual Counseling or Crystal Healings.