The Natural Wisdom Podcast

How will you invest your life force in the new reality? Cosmic Wisdom with Kristine and Emily

Friend, mentor and sister astrologer Emily Trinkaus and I had a lively conversation about the astrological alignments of the moment on The Natural Wisdom Podcast. This month, February, brings us the most significant planetary combination since 2020: the conjunction of Saturn (reality, structure) and Neptune (dreams, dissolution). The transition from Piscean energy to that of Aries feels, at the moment, like the “end of the end” prior to emergence of the new. We offered our best advice on how to navigate these times gracefully:* The rebirth we are undergoing at the moment is happening in three phases;* We are undergoing a sea change around how we understand and wield our personal power;* How you invest your life force has immense implications for the long term, both for you and for all of us;* Mercury’s retrograde in Pisces, which last happened in March of 2020, supports us to listen more deeply to our intuition rather than try to figure out what’s going on;* The Aquarius Solar Eclipse and the Virgo Total Lunar Eclipse, and the final months of the Lunar Nodes in Pisces and Virgo remind us to own our selves and our bodies; stay tuned in to the here and now while also envisioning the future we want to see.Emily is leading a six week workshop series on aspects in astrology, beginning on February 20. Kristine is offering a free workshop on Saturn as your spiritual ally and truth-teller of your soul next Friday, February 13th.Let us know how it’s going in the comments! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit kristinebackes.substack.com/subscribe

The Knowing Field: Quantum Astrology (and everything) with Tammy Roth

I had the pleasure of talking with psychotherapist, Family Constellation facilitator, and quantum astrologer Tammy Roth on The Natural Wisdom Podcast today, just hours ahead of the Gemini Full Moon. I got to know Tammy and her work through a quantum astrology course she and Emily Trinkaus offered earlier this fall, and gained a whole new way to access and understand the planetary energies.In our conversation, Tammy shared her wisdom and experience accessing the “knowing field” to help people, covering topics such as these:* What does “quantum” mean and what is quantum astrology?* How a 12-step recovery program gave her insight into true healing;* Saturn and Pluto are never being mean;* The energies of the cosmos are waiting to be invited in through your attention;* The more you trust your intuitive knowing, the more it comes through;* As these new inner technologies come more online, we need places and communities where we can practice.Tammy referenced Barbara Hand Clow’s book “Alchemy of Nine Dimensions” as a useful reference for understanding 3D, 4D, 5D and beyond.Find more of Tammy’s work on her website www.tammyroth.comLearn more about Tammy and Emily Trinkaus’ Saturn Return Quantum Immersion here: https://www.tammyroth.com/copy-of-qa-for-astrologersLearn more about the Lunar Grid course to connect with the Lunar Goddesses with Tammy and Kim Sales here: https://www.tammyroth.com/about-3-2Find out about Kristine’s Renew Your Life Solstice Retreat here: https://kristinebackes.com/integrate-and-renew-at-the-solstice/Tammy Roth, PhD is a holistic psychotherapist whose current quantum astrology coaching emerged at the crossroads of Family Constellation healing and the celestial intelligence of astrology. What began as a simple curiosity became a living pathway: a practice where ancestral patterns, cosmic codes, and embodied presence weave together to activate transformation.A native of Nashville, Tennessee, Tammy now makes her home in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Georgia, where the land itself informs her work and continues to call her into ever-evolving layers of remembrance.Become a paid subscriber to join Kristine’s quarterly astro-wisdom salons, get access to the full archive of posts and recorded workshops, and receive discounts on readings. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit kristinebackes.substack.com/subscribe

The Power to Liberate Your Mind with Emily Trinkaus

Emily joined me today for another episode of Cosmic Wisdom. We addressed the very busy week ahead as well as the longer term outlook of the next several months. A number of themes emerged from our conversation, including these gifts of the cosmic forces:* We have the power to liberate our minds from the programming and entrainment so prevalent right now;* We are in a concentrated period of endings in preparation for the new beginnings coming in 2026;* We are supported to heal old childhood stories and ways in which we haven’t claimed our right (and duty) to be fully ourselves;* The return of Uranus to Taurus plus Saturn and Neptune to Pisces reminds us of the spiritual dimension to the material realm;* The number of planets in water signs encourages us to feel deeply, and use the power of our emotions consciously in service to what we desire.Emily has a cool program coming in the new year to support people in their Saturn returns; make sure to join her mailing list to hear all about it.My energy forecast for 2026 is this Saturday, November 8th, free for paid subscribers, or register here for only $22.And, join me for an in-person Capricorn Solstice retreat to renew your life, December 19-22nd at a high desert hot springs, Ojo Santa Fe. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit kristinebackes.substack.com/subscribe

The great turning of the ages, with astrologer Daniel Giamario

Daniel Giamario is the founder of the Turning of the Ages Mystery School, an astrology school dedicated to helping people navigate this time of the great turning through direct experience and participation with the earth and sky. As you may remember from my recent posts, I spent a week in September studying the night sky with TOTAMS at a desert hot springs in southern New Mexico, where Daniel had designed and co-built a stone circle on the hill. We talked about why that connection with the sky was so potent, and receiving direct transmissions from the sky and earth itself.In our conversation, Daniel explained how the night sky tells us where we are in the 26,000 year cycle of the ages, and touched on many other topics, including:* Your chart shows your purpose and intent in this lifetime, rather than a description of how you are;* One of the shadows of Aquarius is a materialism of consciousness, as evidenced by AI and other technological efforts;* TOTAMS teaches us to use technology after first apprenticing to nature;* Use the three worlds approach to view life through the lenses of the celestial realm, middle world and underworld to understand what’s going on and how to navigate;* We are in a period of greatest density right now, and we must use our spiritual will to perceive what’s really going on and respond.Find out more about Daniel and TOTAMS on their website, https://turningoftheages.com/Join Daniel and TOTAMS at one of their upcoming events, in person and onlineIn addition to two levels of membership in TOTAMS, the school has a number of individual offerings coming up, both online and in person:This coming Monday, November 3rd, join a free call with the water element branch of the school .In December, the school offers two days of online teachings and ceremony for the Solstice.In August of 2026, travel to Spain to experience the solar eclipse and learn about sacred relationship with Daniel and members of the school: https://turningoftheages.com/event/spain/Find all their events on the calendar: https://turningoftheages.com/events/Join Kristine for an online 2026 forecast and/or an in-person Solstice retreat Gain insight into the astrological shifts of 2026 next Saturday, November 8th, free for paid subscribers or $22 for the workshop only. Register here: https://kristinebackes.com/product/astrology-of-2026/Join my Renew Your Life Solstice Retreat for magic, hot springs, deep relaxation, community and preparation for the coming year. Learn more and register: https://kristinebackes.com/integrate-and-renew-at-the-solstice/More about Daniel:Daniel Giamario has been an astrologer since 1969. After establishing his practice on a Rudhyarian foundation, he received a vision for this unique paradigm on a vision quest at Mount Shasta in 1981. The founding of TOTAMS is the natural evolution from the Harbingers of the Turning of the Ages and the Shamanic Astrology Mystery School.The paradigm includes mythic, psychological, and spiritual elements inspired by numerous global traditions, synthesizing the most important ingredients that are applicable to contemporary global humanity.This astrological system uses a Three Worlds Approach, inspired by global Shamanic traditions, offering techniques to navigate the Upper, Middle, and Lower Worlds. And above all, there is a strong emphasis on the experience and knowledge of the night sky. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit kristinebackes.substack.com/subscribe

Pushing the boundaries of reality: a conversation with Chad Woodward of Kosmic Mind Astrology

The feeling I was left with after a very Neptunian conversation today with astrologer Chad Woodward was hopefulness. I have been reading Chad’s newsletters and articles for several years, and was honored to have him join me on The Natural Wisdom Podcast. Chad shared his considerable insights into the archetypal forces at work in our world today, including:* Chad’s historical research into activations of the Aries Point (0 Aries, the first degree of the Tropical Zodiac) led him to aptly name its energy as “pushing boundaries of reality”;* The legacy of the previous conjunction of Saturn and Neptune at this point over 2500 years ago has lessons and resonance for our time;* We are in an uncomfortable liminal space of growing into something new, and we won’t know what it looks like on the other side until we get there; and* This is all part of a natural process - we know how to do this.Chad Woodward is a professional astrologer and founder of Kosmic Mind Astrology, with nearly twenty years of experience exploring the symbolic language of the sky. His work combines psychological and evolutionary astrology with a profound appreciation for the rich history of astrology, integrating ancient techniques into a modern, integrative approach. Certified through Steven Forrest’s Apprenticeship Program and holding a postgraduate certificate in Cultural Astronomy and Astrology from the University of Wales Trinity Saint David, Chad also draws on his background in cultural anthropology and other social sciences in his astrological research, exploring the complex interrelationship between cultural evolution and planetary alignments. In his counseling practice, Chad uses astrology as a tool for navigating the interplay of choice, creativity, karma, and destiny. His consultations invite clients to see beyond the materialist worldview and engage with the archetypal forces shaping their lives, uncovering deeper meaning, purpose, and potential for spiritual growth.For more of Chad’s work:Chad’s website: https://www.kosmicmind.com/Kosmic Mind Newsletter sign up: https://www.kosmicmind.com/kosmicmindnewsletterSubstack page: Watch Chad’s recent talk on the Aries Point: Find out more about Kristine’s Capricorn Solstice Renewal Retreat:https://kristinebackes.com/integrate-and-renew-at-the-solstice/ This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit kristinebackes.substack.com/subscribe