Re-Haunting Astrology: Towards a Chthonic, Sub-Lunar, Astrological Spirit Work

“With three diverse presentations under the umbrella of astrology, this panel seeks to question, dialogue, and explore the question of what an astrology better equipped to handle the nuances of spirit might look like. This notion is approached through the general term of ‘haunting,’ that is, a looming or nearby dwelling force of spirit which often goes unnoticed yet undoubtedly affects the place, subject, and person at hand: in this instance, the practice of astrology in the modern Anglosphere.   

The element of haunting involves an active engagement with the spirits of the Dead, chthonic spirits, and all of those underworld denizens who were thought to have, at least some segment, of their existence in the luminous darkness of the night sky. The heavens are not entirely ‘up there.’ Our models that we have inherited have largely placed the influence in top down fashion, wherein, the planetary body exerts its influence upon us and nothing more. Though there have been certain Gnostic tendencies to bypass these perceived archontic forces, the element of ‘free will’ which we have inherited from modern astrology is just as limited. In this way we possess some degree of agency, yes, but often in a de-sacralized manner. This solipsistic cosmos, based upon our individual human consciousness, is inherently limited in its capacity for communing with the so-called ‘other.’ Either way, we are mere playthings of the grander forces at work or the buck stops with us; little middle ground for the subtle and beautifully rich, and ever present, spirit worlds potentially accessible around any turn of the corner.   

Our three presentations will begin with J.M. Hamade focusing on star lore of the Americas with a particular emphasis around Mayan underworld cosmology and its place within the greater Mesoamerican astrological tradition. Kadmus will focus on the spirit-centered approach to astrology found in both the development of the Decans in Egyptian temple craft and the use of spirits of the hours in the Greek Magical Papyri. Sasha Ravitch will speak to the praxis and actionable value of “scrying the skullcap of the nativity”, and extrapolate on the techne and episteme of engaging the hauntings of clients’ birth charts via several case studies and chart examples.”

About the Presenter:

J.M. Hamade is a talismanic artist, florist, diviner, writer, and educator, currently residing in New York City. Specializing in various traditions of 'Image Magic,’ with a focus on astrology, star lore, and talismanic craftsmanship, his work seeks to bridge contemporary aesthetics with time tested magical techniques rooted in astrological magic. Possessing a keen interest in craft, he has apprenticed in the ways of butchery, the funerary arts, and most recently, the art of floristry. To this he has also received a BFA in Printmaking with a focus in the arts of metal engraving, intaglio, and works emphasizing etching and line. He currently offers courses as well as divination on these related subjects through The Cauldron Black. His blog, his contact, and news can be found at starnightdwell.com

Kadmus is a practicing ceremonial magician and pagan. He recently published the book True to the Earth: Pagan Political Theology through Gods and Radicals Press, presented his paper "True to the Earth and a Pagan Conception of the Self" at the conference Rewriting the Future: 100 Years of Esoteric Modernism and Psychoanalysis, and taught classes at the Salem Summer Symposium in 2019 and the Salem Witchcraft and Folklore Festival in 2020. Most recently Kadmus taught two classes on Teiresias and Medea for The Cauldron Black Mighty Dead series.

Sasha Ravitch is a professional astrologer, educator, folk-necromancer, and counselor based in New Orleans, LA. She strives to support her students and clients in cultivating magical and mundane lenses of seeing and healing, with deep respect and passion for connecting to the familial dead and their daemons, and a tenderness and affection, in particular, for Saturn.

*This class is part of the General Admission & Saturday 8/14/21 Day Pass registrations, if you are interested in attending all of the events during this festival, or all of the events offered on Saturday 8/14/21, please select the appropriate registration type on our Events & Registration page.*

**Attendees will have access to this recording until the end of 2021 - class recording links will be emailed to attendees within 7 business days of the conclusion of the festival. To protect the IP of our presenters, class recordings will not be downloadable.**

***Your class link will be emailed to you in your confirmation email. If you have not received your registration confirmation email within 24 hours please email info@salemsummersymposium.com***

****PLEASE NOTE: We cannot guarantee that any class registration within 24 hours of the class start time will be admitted to the livestreaming of the class. You will however receive the class recording link within 7 business days of the conclusion of the festival and will have access to the recording for the remainder of 2021****