Vision for Trauma-Informed Astrology

Hello friends,

In this post, I will discuss my plans and thoughts for Trauma-Informed Astrology. Scroll down for a post about the Mission of Trauma-Informed Astrology – along with a detailed description of what “Trauma Informed ” means to me. (Previous post)

Trauma-informed Astrology is an exploration of the intersection of Western Astrology and trauma resolution skills / theory / tools. Research into trauma resolution techniques has come a long way in the past 20 years – in fact, the Polyvagal Theory is really only 20+ years old (in terms of significant research behind it). Similar with Somatic Experiencing – Peter Levine’s incredible life’s work and offering. So this class could not have happened much earlier.

I see myself training many people – of all skill levels – in working with the birth chart (the horoscope) and in learning how to self-regulate and settle their own nervous systems, which will better allow them to offer this to clients in turn. Each of these topics is broad! So there will be several courses offered to attain this ambitious goal.

There will be a mix of different types of classes – didactic classes will involve teaching on the basics of working with the nervous system and the astrology chart, or teaching on specific topics (the advanced classes will be quite focused). Plus there will be classes on Somatic Exercises and once there is enough interest, workshops on Somatic Processing. There will not be a lot of room (or the assistants required for containment) in the didactic classes for doing our own processing work – I will direct people to the Somatic Processing specific class for that.

At present, I am excited to be offering Fundamentals One – a course more for beginners or those with a casual relationship to astrology. It will be heavier on the trauma-informed side of the material however, so professional astrologers would certainly get a lot out of it. And by the later weeks of the class, we can discuss most topics autonomic nervous system and astrology!

I am committed to having students go through some Fundamentals class before taking any Advanced topic. This is because orienting to Resource and Health is not easy to do – we must have a skillful mentor, counselor or coach. And it takes time. In this current culture we live in, the contours of harshness are deeply ingrained. My intention is to bring about a significant culture-shift to the astrological environment. More compassion, more softening, more gentleness, greater humanity = increased creativity, spontaneity, play, ease, humor and more!

Other classes planned:

Fundamentals Three – this class will be similar in the nervous system material to Fundamentals One. However, on the astrology side, we will get into how nervous system challenges show up in the chart sooner. Still leaning more into the nervous system topics. A class for serious amateur or professional astrologers.

Fundamentals Two – the follow-up class after Fundamentals One. Here we will get more into chart interpretation (and we can start discussing how various nervous system challenges can manifest in the chart). It continues the theme of doing our own work, of gently inviting embodiment and learning how to boost our resilience.

Zapchen Somatics – a course where we primarily do gentle somatic exercises to invite more play, more spontaneity as we move toward the noble intention of stable embodiment. “Sneakily powerful” exercises. You will learn many self-care techniques and tools as we deepen our somatic awareness. If everyone participating has taken a Fundamentals course, we can go deeper and explore more advanced techniques as we stretch and bring more presence to our somatic experience.

Houses and Ascendants – a shorter class, this will focus on the Houses, Rulerships and Ascendants. Participants must have taken Fundamentals One and Two or Fundamentals Three at least. (Advanced Course)

Developmental Aspects – Advanced Course – In this class, we will look at developmental themes – psychological ramifications of various aspects and chart configurations. We will still do occasional somatic exercises to continue to invite groundedness in our bodies.

Medical Astrology – Advanced Course – must have completed two classes prior to taking this one. Here we look at what happens when repressed / suppressed energy (which we can see in the birth chart) becomes dis-ease. Bringing a very compassionate and regulated presence to these topics, we will continue the theme of doing somatic exercises to help liberate and process this stuck energy.

Timing Aspects – Advanced Course – looking at Transits, Secondary Progressions and Solar Arc Directions, we will get into how certain energy manifests in our life when various Timing Aspects approach and open. Not fatalistic – we take a frequency-based, choice-centered approach. Always connecting to resources and Health first.

Birth Process Astrology – Advanced Course – in order to take this course, participants must have completed the Fundamentals classes, taken a Somatics course and Developmental Aspects. We will get into attachment theory, birth dynamics, imprinting and other awesome topics as we explore how different birth patterns show up in the astrology chart. It will take some time to get the prerequisite classes, so I will offer this in 2022 at the earliest.

Somatic Processing – Advanced Course – I would love to offer some process-oriented workshops. We will see if there is enough interest in this work. Due to requiring more assistants, the cost will reflect the extra containment and safety. Small groups only.

I have been “chewing on” the idea of Trauma Informed Astrology for a couple of years now. So I have jotted down many notes and iterations. The form you are currently seeing is maybe a refined third draft. I look forward to seeing where Spirit takes us and continuing to grow and transform along the way!

Thank you for reading,

Kirby Moore

Konchog Chakchen