Podcast
On the Soul's Terms
Hosted by Chris Skidmore · EN
The wisdom of stories. Approaching what the ancients knew. On the Soul's Terms: The Podcast
25episodes
Episodes
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#120 | Jason Holley | The Art of the Possible | 11th House
Feb 1301:37:19Tap to summarizeAstrologer Jason Holley joins me again on the podcast today to delve into the 11th house - the house of groups, the polis, mass media, theatre, the audience, 'the people'.It’s a rich and far-reaching conversation that, we both felt, got right to the heart of this complex and often misunderstood house that takes us into the entangled world of collective consciousness. Along the way we speak on:• diurnal motion as the lived logic of house meanings• the 11th as context maker for 10th house vocation• Jupiter’s joy, morale, and shared vision• theater, polis, and mass media as 11th house arenas• fifth–eleventh polarity of eros and audience• Athena’s birth as vision turning into action• Medusa’s image as power carried into public life• hopes and dreams versus cynicism and dissociation• worldwork, conflict, and group process as remedies• all our relations beyond humans in the group fieldCover Artwork: James Gurney - Clashing RocksFurther readingHomer — The Iliad (Zeus, “the plan of Zeus”, collective order and fate)Homer — The Odyssey (Athena as Mentor; Telemachus and guidance/destiny)Ovid — Metamorphoses (mythic transformation as a living psychological process)Roberto Calasso — The Marriage of Cadmus and Harmony (brilliant modern retelling/interpretation of Greek myth)Arnold Mindell — Sitting in the Fire (worldwork, group fields, conflict as an intelligence)Jacob L. Moreno — Who Shall Survive? (psychodrama and group dynamics foundations)Join the Newsletter!Podcast Musician: Marlia CoeurPlease consider becoming a Patron to support the show!Go to OnTheSoulsTerms.com for more.
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#119 | The Eleventh House | The Desire for a More Beautiful World
Feb 600:46:57Tap to summarizeWhat happens when personal destiny meets the wider world of friends, teams, and the public square? We dive into the Eleventh House as the arena where your hard‑won calling turns into collective contribution, guided by Aquarius’s twin rulers—Saturn, who sets the frame, and Uranus, who refreshes it. Along the way, we unpack how projection travels from siblings to partners to society, why the traits you disown often show up as “the group,” and how to retrieve that gold without losing yourself.We lean on myth and psychology to make it practical. Jupiter, in joy here, models leadership that holds tension without collapsing into control or chaos. Athena shows how to carry real achievement into service with clarity. Hermes, the psychopomp, translates Twelfth‑House visions into language the public can actually use. And the dance of Apollo and Dionysus reveals why cultures need both order and creative disruption to stay alive. From festivals that loosen roles to structures that protect dissent, the message is simple: give the trickster a seat and the rules a spine.You’ll also hear how Hercules and the Argonauts illustrate an Eleventh‑House upgrade to leadership—when the central hero steps aside, the system wakes up and many gifts emerge. We explore participation mystique in both its light and shadow: the ecstasy of healthy belonging versus the danger of melting into the mass. Expect grounded cues for spotting the difference and for building teams that are resilient, creative, and humane. If you’re ready to turn personal genius into public good—without burning out or blending in—this conversation will meet you where you are and stretch you where you’re going.If this sparked something, subscribe, leave a quick review, and share it with a friend who leads or longs to belong. Your support helps more thoughtful listeners find the show.* the above was autogenerated by Buzzsprout's AI.The podcast art is oil painted on canvas by Leonid Ilyukhin - Apollo and Dionysus.I mentioned a book by Arnold Mindell called Sitting in the Fire (but I mistakenly called it Standing in the Fire. Also an option but not the correct name of the book). This book is well worth looking into if you'd like to find out more about how Process Oriented Psychotherapy works with groups. Truly visionary stuff for our times. Join the Newsletter!Podcast Musician: Marlia CoeurPlease consider becoming a Patron to support the show!Go to OnTheSoulsTerms.com for more.
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#118 | Micheal Meade | May Everything Come Back Together | Ode to the 11th
Jan 2201:28:56Tap to summarizeMichael Meade rejoins the podcast to discuss all things 11th house; the house of collective consciousness, groups, teams and the Polis: society at large. The 11th is where the great mystery occurs in the interaction between the individual cell and the whole organism. Michael's words act as a steadying force in unsettling times. He brings us back to a sense of cohesion and collaboration, reminding us of our internal spark of life that he calls the Genius. In his vision, that he draws from ancient wells, he sees a world of individuals waking up to the truth within their souls and participating in the creation of a new world as the current paradigms collapse. The more this happens the more gold within the cracks of the world are revealed.In these times of upheaval and uncertainty, Michael gives us a soothing balm whilst encouraging us to step forward and participate in the great theatre of life. Within this episodes theatre we meet the following characters:PhaëthonThe figure who takes power without inner maturity; the danger of inflated authority disconnected from soul.ChristThe one nailed to the crossroads of collective tension; sacrifice, revelation, and the danger of myth hardening into dogma.DionysusThe twice-born god; Eros, ecstasy, dismemberment, and the return of soul energy that culture tries to repress.Tiresias — the blind seer; inner sight over literal vision; prophetic knowing that comes through loss, transition, and a life lived between worlds.HermesThe trickster and messenger; boundary-crosser, mediator between worlds, carrier of transition.VishnuThe cosmic dreamer; the world inhaled and exhaled through cycles of dissolution and renewal.The TricksterDisruptor of rigid systems; brings medicine through paradox, humour, and mischief.The GeniusThe indwelling spirit unique to each person; purpose as something listened to rather than achieved.The OutsiderThe one on the margins; carrier of renewal and new imagination when the centre collapses.The BodhisattvaThe figure who returns to the broken world rather than escaping it; compassion in times of collapse.Visit Michael Meade's website here where you can find links to his podcast, books and offerings.Cover Art: The Fall of the Rebel Angels - an oil-on-panel painting created in 1562 by Pieter Bruegel the Elder.Join the Newsletter!Podcast Musician: Marlia CoeurPlease consider becoming a Patron to support the show!Go to OnTheSoulsTerms.com for more.
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#117 | Thomas Moore | Taking Shape in the World
Jan 1501:34:36Tap to summarizeCalling doesn’t arrive as a neat job title. It asks for consent. In this deep, playful, and piercing conversation with Thomas Moore—author of Care of the Soul—we explore how the Midheaven (tenth house) points not to status but to a life that can bear its own meaning in public. Thomas shares how fifty years of quiet preparation—monastic study, Latin and Greek, music, Jung—suddenly opened into visibility, and how he learned to stand on big stages without losing the cave within.We trace practical pathways from symbol to life. Ficino’s Renaissance astrology and the idea of stellar rays become a usable art: choosing textures, colors, plants, and music that genuinely nourish temperament. Beauty shows up as medicine, a missing ingredient in clinical spaces shaped solely by science. From there we wade into the myths that guide us—Rapunzel’s root hunger, Pegasus striking the spring of the Muses—and ask what it means to descend to our roots so we can rise well. Depth versus height, “higher” education versus lower, richer knowing; Thomas prods us to find what truly feeds the soul.The heart-work is also gritty. Parents and culture can shrink a life. Angels—those messenger moments—ask for an answer. Sometimes you jump in the river, sometimes you wrestle toward a yes, but either way the next step is usually the truest one. We talk late blooming, saving depression rather than erasing it, Saturn’s gifts, and why aiming higher than your current story of yourself is an act of care. If you’re feeling adrift, this is a map and a nudge: let your roots inform your reach, let the muses tune your work, and meet your calling as it unfolds.If this resonated, follow the show, share it with a friend, and leave a quick review—then tell us: what’s the next step your calling is asking you to take?*The above blurb was auto-generated by Buzzsprout's AIThomas Moore's website where you can find his books, teachings and more. Episode Artwork: The Alchemist c. 1558 - Philip Galle after Pieter Bruegel the ElderJoin the Newsletter!Podcast Musician: Marlia CoeurPlease consider becoming a Patron to support the show!Go to OnTheSoulsTerms.com for more.
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#116 | Rapunzel & The Six Swans | The Ups and Downs of the Tenth & MC
Jan 800:46:22Tap to summarizeA tower without roots looks impressive until the wind picks up. We follow Rapunzel and The Six Swans to uncover how a real calling demands both height and depth: the Midheaven’s shine, the IC’s ground, and the sixth house’s quiet craft. Using vivid fairy-tale images, we explore the earth-house triad—second, sixth, and tenth—and what happens when desire for “more” outruns our sense of enough. From stolen rampion and severed hair to a desert reunion healed by tears, Rapunzel shows the cost of ambition cut off from home and body. The Six Swans answers with a different power: six years of wordless work, sewing starwort shirts under accusation, modeling the discipline and devotion that transform ideals into form.I share how scarcity in the second house morphs into compulsion, why the IC’s hearth practices restore vision when the public gaze distorts, and how the sixth house rescues the tenth from burnout by dignifying humble routines. We talk Thomas Moore’s insight on moving both up and down—growing and deepening—so authority stays human. Expect practical reflections: crafting a resource plan that feels like “enough,” creating rituals that anchor memory and grief, and building systems for deep work that keep you steady when attention splinters. The ending isn’t neat by design—one brother keeps a wing—because meaningful work is always incomplete and that’s the point.If you’ve felt visible yet unmoored, driven yet depleted, these stories offer a map: braid your golden ladder back to living soil, let tears restore sight, and keep stitching the star into the everyday. Subscribe, share this with a friend who’s rethinking their path, and leave a review to help others find the show.* the above blurb was auto generated by Buzzsprout's AIThomas Moore: A Life at WorkEpisode Artwork is here and here. Join the Newsletter!Podcast Musician: Marlia CoeurPlease consider becoming a Patron to support the show!Go to OnTheSoulsTerms.com for more.
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#105 | Brian Clark | The Second Half of the Houses
Sep 2601:32:36Tap to summarizeWhat happens when we venture beyond the horizon of self and encounter the world? In this profound continuation of our houses journey, Brian Clark and I explore the second half of the astrological wheel - where we meet the other, confront our shadows, and discover our place in the cosmic order.Recorded during a solar eclipse at the equinox (coinciding with Brian's 76th birthday), our conversation takes on a synchronistic quality that exemplifies how astrology works through us rather than merely being studied by us. Following the thread of Ariadne from Greek mythology, we explore how she reveals family secrets, follows the heroic impulse, and ultimately finds her way to the center after being abandoned - mirroring our own soul journey.The seventh house brings us to the horizon where we encounter "the other" - that quality in relationships that reveals parts of ourselves we've yet to recognize. As Brian notes, "We marry our own shadow." Moving into the eighth, we face "loving in the face of loss" and discover how betrayal becomes a pathway to consciousness. The ninth house offers rebirth into spirit and wonder, while the tenth shapes our character through vocation and contribution. We then explore the communal eleventh house before concluding with the twelfth - a sanctuary for our exiled parts that need integration.Throughout our dialogue, we return to Ariadne staring at the sea as Theseus abandons her, then turning toward the center of Naxos where Dionysus awaits. This powerful image captures how our greatest disappointments often lead us to our truest path - when we give back to the sea what was never truly ours and find ourselves essential parts of something greater.How might your relationship struggles be mirrors revealing aspects of yourself? What ancestral patterns are you carrying in your intimate connections? Where do you find genuine rebirth after painful losses? Join us for this expansive exploration of how we become ourselves through our encounter with the world.* The blurb above was generated by Buzzprout's AITo find out more about Brian's work go to astrosynthesis.com.au.Podcast Musician: Marlia CoeurPlease consider becoming a Patron to support the show!Go to OnTheSoulsTerms.com for more.
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#104 | Allerlirauh "Thousandfurs" | with Ryan Nielsen
Sep 1801:31:38Tap to summarizeWhat can a centuries-old fairy tale teach us about our astrological journey? In this illuminating conversation, jazz musician and professor Ryan Nielsen explores the Grimm Brothers' tale "Allerleira" (Thousand Furs) as a profound map of psychological development through the first six astrological houses.Ryan shares his personal path from a rigid religious upbringing to discovering the healing language of depth psychology and astrology. Drawing on Marian Woodman's work, we unpack how fairy tales can guide us through healing what Woodman calls "patriarchal consciousness" – defined not as gender but as any culture devoted to power and perfection at the expense of authenticity.The story follows a princess who flees her father's kingdom disguised in animal furs, finding refuge in a castle kitchen where she works with ashes and soup-making – beautifully illustrating the sixth house themes of humble service, repetition, and alchemical transformation. Through three magical dresses (golden as the sun, silver as the moon, bright as stars), we witness the integration of solar and lunar consciousness necessary for wholeness.This episode illuminates why regression isn't failure but often necessary healing, how cycles matter more than linear progress, and why the "woodshed" work (as jazz musicians call practice) prepares us for authentic relating. As Jung reminds us, "Real consciousness has to be based upon life experienced. Just talking about things is not enough."Whether you're curious about astrology, psychological development, or simply love fairy tales, this conversation offers rich insights into the soul's journey toward authenticity and belonging – and how sometimes, we must don a mantle of a thousand furs before we can reveal our true cosmic nature.* Writeup generated by Buzzsprout AICover Art: Illustration from p. 281 of The Green Fairy Book (1902) by Andrew LangRyan's New Website is yourveryownlife.comReferencesAuthors / ThinkersBessel van der Kolk – The Body Keeps the ScoreGabor Maté – When the Body Says No / The Myth of NormalPeter Levine – Waking the Tiger: Healing TraumaDonald Kalsched – The Inner World of TraumaMarion Dunlea – BodyDreaming in the Treatment of Developmental TraumaMarion Woodman – Leaving My Father’s House / The Pregnant Virgin Liz Greene – archetypal/psychological astrology James Hillman – archetypal psychologyBrian Clark – astrologer, mythologist, soulful astrology AstrosynthesisMelanie Reinhart – Chiron and the Healing Journey Anne Baring – The Myth of the Goddess / writings on lunar consciousnessMyths / Fairy TalesAllerleirauh (Aller Lira) – Grimm Brothers tale (“Thousandfurs” or “All-Kinds-of-Fur”)Handless Maiden – Grimm BrothersCinderella (Aschenputtel) – Grimm BrothersThe Frog King – Grimm BrothersThe Three Feathers – Grimm BrothersAriadne’s Thread (Greek myth, labyrinth and Minotaur)Dionysus & Folis (Centaur’s jar of wine) – myth of Hercules and the centaurs Podcast Musician: Marlia CoeurPlease consider becoming a Patron to support the show!Go to OnTheSoulsTerms.com for more.
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#103 | Kira Sutherland | The Sixth House
Sep 401:06:09Tap to summarizeDive deep into the astrological sixth house with medical astrologer Kira Sutherland as she unpacks the fascinating connection between health, routine, and mythology. This episode reveals how this often-overlooked house serves as the critical integration point between our personal journey and our relationships with others.The conversation weaves through mythology, with Artemis emerging as the powerful sixth house archetype – self-contained, knowledgeable, and deeply connected to healing wisdom. Kira explains why Mars finds its joy here, illuminating how our health requires the same disciplined effort as Hercules' twelve labors. You'll discover the profound relationship between the sixth house (acute illness and preventative health) and its opposition, the twelfth house (chronic conditions and necessary rest).Perhaps most fascinating is the sixth house's rulership of the small intestine – the organ that literally decides what becomes part of us and what doesn't. This perfect metaphor extends through modern discoveries about the gut-brain axis, confirming ancient astrological wisdom about body-mind connection. The discussion also explores how pets fall under sixth house domain, creating routine and requiring service while teaching us about care cycles.Whether you're an astrology enthusiast, health-conscious seeker, or mythology lover, this episode offers rich insights into the daily rhythms that sustain well-being. Kira's expertise in both natural medicine and astrology creates a holistic perspective that will transform how you understand your own health practices. Listen now to discover how the sixth house might be influencing your life, and learn practical wisdom for working with these energies more consciously.* The above episode description was generated by Buzzsprout AIDiscover more about Kira Sutherland at astrologyofhealth.com.Podcast Musician: Marlia CoeurPlease consider becoming a Patron to support the show!Go to OnTheSoulsTerms.com for more.
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#102 | The Sixth House | Habits & Helpers
Aug 2900:36:54Tap to summarizeWhat happens when we fly too close to the sun? The sixth house of the zodiac teaches us this crucial lesson as we transition from the boundless creativity of the fifth house into a realm where we must learn our limits.Through the cautionary tales of Icarus and Phaethon—young men who attempted great feats without proper training—we discover why developing skills and respecting boundaries matters. These mythological figures crashed spectacularly because they lacked sixth house wisdom: the discipline to transform raw talent into practical mastery.Artemis, goddess of the hunt, emerges as our guide through this terrain. Unlike her reckless counterpart Orion who sought to destroy all wilderness, Artemis embodies perfect sixth house energy—skilled with her bow, attuned to natural rhythms, and knowing exactly how much to take from nature without disturbing its balance. Her hunting dogs represent those animal helpers that appear throughout fairy tales, offering instinctual wisdom when we surrender our heroic striving.Historically, Hellenistic astrologers called this the house of "bad fortune," seeing it as a blind spot to our personality. But modern understanding reveals its gifts: Mars finds its joy here not to bring suffering but to provide the necessary discipline for developing skills through persistent effort. The sixth house isn't glamorous—it's about chopping wood and carrying water—yet these humble routines can become sacred rituals when approached with devotion.Health also falls under sixth house dominion, with Hygieia (goddess of preventative medicine) and Chiron (whose name means "hands") teaching us that well-being comes through daily maintenance and practical knowledge. When sixth house energy becomes imbalanced through perfectionism or joyless drudgery, we might need to revisit fifth house qualities of play and spontaneity.As we complete our journey through the sixth house, we prepare for the Descendant—the threshold to the seventh house where we meet others. Having established our individual boundaries and skills, we're ready to engage in relationship with integrity rather than losing ourselves in others.What limits have you learned to respect in your own life? How might transforming daily routines into devotional practice change your relationship with the mundane? Join us next week when Kira Sutherland returns to discuss the sixth house approach to health and wellness.*The above write up was generated by Buzzsprout's AIResources & MentionsSisyphus & Camus – The Myth of Sisyphus:Astro.com – add asteroid Hygieia: astro.comClarissa Pinkola Estés – Mother Night Podcast Musician: Marlia CoeurPlease consider becoming a Patron to support the show!Go to OnTheSoulsTerms.com for more.
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#101 | Storytime with Libby Rose Waite | Persephone in the Fifth House
Aug 14, 202501:45:10Tap to summarizeWhat if Persephone's abduction wasn't just a tragedy, but the beginning of her empowerment? Storyteller and dream witch Libby Rose Waite weaves a spellbinding retelling of the Persephone myth that challenges everything we thought we knew about this ancient tale. Rather than focusing solely on Demeter's grief, we witness Persephone's transformation from a silenced princess to the powerful Queen of the Underworld.The story begins with Persephone trapped between her mother's suffocating love and Olympian expectations, unable to express her creative gifts. When Apollo plays his lyre, she's told not to share her music. When the Muses recite poetry, she's instructed to keep her verses hidden. This painful fifth house experience—being told your creativity isn't worthy—resonates deeply with our modern struggles.As we descend with Persephone into Hades' realm, something unexpected unfolds. Rather than remaining a victim, she begins to transform the underworld itself—decorating with flowers from Asphodel's fields, arranging stones from Sisyphus's boulder, creating beauty in darkness. In this hidden place, unseen by the judging eyes of Olympus, Persephone discovers her authentic voice and power.This revelatory episode explores the astrological tension between the fifth house (creative expression) and eleventh house (societal expectations), illuminating how our most profound self-discovery often happens in the places we least expect. Libby and Chris share personal stories of ritual, grief, and honoring the underworld journey, reminding us that sometimes we must descend to truly find ourselves.As we witness Persephone finally taking her throne beside Hades, we understand that her annual cycle of descent and return isn't just about seasons—it's about embracing all aspects of ourselves, blanketing even our darkest journeys with love, and finding sovereignty in unlikely realms.*this write up was generated by Buzzsprout's AITo find out more about Libby's work go here. Artwork is from John William Waterhouse - Persephone.Podcast Musician: Marlia CoeurPlease consider becoming a Patron to support the show!Go to OnTheSoulsTerms.com for more.
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