The Story of Psyche and the Psyche’s Gift Readings
The myth of the Greek goddess Psyche comes down to us through a curious text of the second century, The Golden Ass by Apuleius. Far from just a quaint old story, the myth of Psyche draws from the allegorical grades of ancient mystery schools to convey vital truths about the path of initiation. The four tasks Psyche must perform to appease Aphrodite, and the final episode of the myth in which Psyche is transformed from human to god, may be correlated with the ten heavenly bodies that form the basis of any natal chart reading.
Bouguereau, "The Abduction of Psyche"
The Psyche’s Gift series of astrology readings will detail each of the ten heavenly bodies and their placement in your natal chart by looking at them in planetary pairs. The complete series consists of five taped readings of thirty-six minutes each, to make a total of three hours. However, clients may pinpoint their needs by selecting any one of the five pairs described below, and purchase only a single reading. For example, a client in the grips of a romantic, religious, or artistic obsession might desire particular focus on those areas in her natal chart, and choose the Venus-Neptune grade. A client currently embroiled in a courtroom battle or other adversarial pursuit might select the Mars-Jupiter grade, etc. The Psyche’s Gift series of readings differs from Thea Wirsching’s Evolution reading. The Evolution reading focuses on the nodes of the Moon, the client’s life path, and major configurations in the natal chart.
The Psyche’s Gift readings, conversely, educate the client in the archetypal totality of his/her natal chart by isolating the unique nature of each of the ten planets in pairs. (It is common practice in astrology to refer to the Sun and the Moon as “planets.” The Earth is not charted in geocentric readings. The seven planets in the ancient Ptolemaic system, plus the “outer planets” Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto, equal a total of ten planets). The Psyche’s Gift readings offer a kind of “cookbook” astrology, with the difference that the focus on individual planets is interpreted through the framework of Psyche’s tasks and mythic transformation. Both approaches are powerful tools: the Evolution reading is suited to clients seeking an overview of the forces at work in the personality, while the Psyche’s Gift readings provide a mythic map of how universal archetypes may be accessed at the personal level.
A modern version of the ancient myth of Psyche appears in the popular fairy tale, Snow White. Like Snow White, Psyche is the fairest in all the land, and her legendary beauty enrages the reigning Goddess of Love, Aphrodite. In order to re-unite with her true love, Aphrodite’s son Eros, Psyche must bend to Aphrodite’s will and carry out the goddess’s insane demands, each of which is designed to either kill her or break her spirit. This part of the myth functions as a powerful astrological allegory. When we are undergoing strong transits to the natal chart, it can often feel as though we are in the hands of some vindictive deity, and that life itself is out to get us! Psyche first tries to get around Aphrodite, and worships at the temples of Ceres and Juno to obtain their help. But both of these kindly goddesses conclude, “Nope, sorry, your problem is with Aphrodite, you have to take this up with her.” In the same way, each of the ten heavenly bodies demands a task from us at some point in our lives, and we cannot avoid these life lessons by appealing to the planetary archetypes we’re more comfortable with.
Bouguereau, "Psyche"
The point at which Psyche approaches Aphrodite with the will to confront that which she cannot get around, is the point at which the Psyche’s Gift readings will engage Psyche’s myth with the astrology of your natal chart. Psyche is not a very intrepid heroine; she frequently falls into despair, and more than once jumps in a river to end her life. For this reason, her story has often been interpreted as a “feminine quest narrative.” Where Hercules brandishes a weapon and leaps into action, Psyche breaks down and requires help. Though we’d probably all rather identify as Hercules, a valiant warrior who slays epic monsters, Psyche’s myth represents the struggle and self-doubt that can assail us when we attempt to transform our lives. As an allegory of the Soul’s development, the myth of Psyche is relevant to any gender identification.
You may recall the seven dwarves who come to Snow White’s rescue, suggesting the seven heavenly bodies of the ancient world. In the Psyche myth, the heroine is continually assisted by seen and unseen forces, who help her to achieve the impossible. In the Psyche’s Gift readings, these redemptive forces are understood as the planets in your natal chart, which must be integrated and adapted consciously. In other words, all the power to change your life is already inside you, though you may not know it, like gold buried underground. The Psyche’s Gift readings will acquaint you with your personal set of archetypal forces and hidden potential.
The Complete Series
Five 45-minute taped readings for $275. The complete series offers the benefit of approaching all the planets in your chart as sequential steps in your heroic journey. Individual grades may be purchased for $60 each. To read about each grade individually, see the links below.