10 Minutes Ago

Just 10 minutes ago, I concluded a 43-year career on Wall Street. It was a rewarding journey. Throughout those 43 years, I worked consistently without ever changing my role or facing unemployment. It was an honor to assist so many individuals in managing their financial lives. During my career, I witnessed clients get married, divorced, have children, send them to college, and then see those children graduate, marry, and start their own families. Sadly, some clients passed away while I was their advisor. Navigating people's finances through life's inevitable changes can be challenging. It was a responsibility I always took seriously.

Similar to the lives of my clients, my own life journey has been filled with numerous twists and turns. One of the most significant changes occurred through a series of synchronicities starting in August 2011. Like breadcrumbs scattered in a mystical forest, I started to follow these signs, guiding me into a world I never imagined I would be involved in. It was undeniable that an unrelenting force that worked through persuasive whisperings was pulling me toward something seemingly destined... fated.

As I gathered these breadcrumbs, I became more confident in trusting this detour from my usual life path, or what I thought was my life path. The right people with the right information appeared at just the right moments, time after time. Each encounter built upon the last, transforming my life into something I never imagined it could be. Before long, I was heading to Spain to walk the Camino de Santiago, meditating daily, drawing mandalas, practicing yoga, attending sound baths, and studying subjects I once deemed irrelevant.

Though I could write page after page concerning the incredible series of events that have unfolded, there are two significant events that stand out from the rest, that are the reason this blog is being written. During the period from 2014 -2017 there was a remembering of some type occurring. The French term deja vu suddenly seemed very real; literally meaning "already seen". French philosopher Émile Boirac first coined déjà vu in 1876 in his book L'Avenir des sciences psychiques, where he used it to describe a paramnesia—a memory glitch feeling like a prior experience.

The initial event was triggered by receiving a mailing from a local community of nuns who frequently organized lectures and events at their venue on topics that were not typically Catholic. A weekend workshop titled "The Shaman's Walk" in the Fall of 2014 piqued my interest, and I decided to attend. A detailed account of this experience can be found here: https://www.theclevelandshaman.com/post/what-is-a-paqo-kuna-part-1. This significant weekend altered my path and eventually led me to apprentice for a year of training with a Shaman trained in Peru. Similar to my career as a financial advisor, I approached this process with utmost seriousness. Engaging in such an endeavor is not something done casually. A Shaman is a unique combination of a priest and doctor.

Shamans act as spiritual leaders, much like priests, by communicating with spirits, ancestors, or deities through trance, ritual, or ecstasy. They lead ceremonies for life events (births, marriages, deaths), preserve myths and traditions via storytelling/song, and guide souls to the afterlife as psychopomps. Their authority stems from direct spirit contact, not formal institutions, positioning them as intermediaries between human and supernatural realms,

As healers, shamans diagnose and treat illnesses seen as spiritual imbalances such as soul loss, spirit intrusions, or disharmony, using herbs, energy work, rituals, or soul retrieval. They blend physical remedies (plants, touch) with psychic methods, often addressing root causes beyond the body, like community conflicts or environmental discord.

In short, it's not a mantle one takes on for a while to see if you like it. It's an all-in proposition. The commitment required is profound and encompasses every aspect of your life, demanding not just a casual interest but a full-hearted dedication. You must be prepared to invest your time, energy, and resources without hesitation or reservation. When I say I went all in, I mean that I fully embraced this journey, immersing myself completely in the challenges and rewards that come with it.

The next event, which partially overlapped with my shamanic experience, took place on a fateful Wednesday afternoon while I was engaged in my aforementioned career. Sitting at my desk and working on some financial analysis for a client, I suddenly felt compelled to check the calendar of events for the upcoming weekend at a local church, the Unity Spiritual Center in Westlake, Ohio. Similar to the previously mentioned community of nuns, this venue often hosts guest speakers and unique events. This cosmic nudge proved accurate as I found myself browsing their website, where I discovered a lecture by someone unfamiliar to me, Dr. Robert Hand, who was described as a world-renowned astrologer. I decided to sign up, despite knowing nothing about astrology.

During the span of more than three hours, I listened attentively to Dr. Hand. What surprised me was that there wasn't a single moment when I felt bored or distracted; in fact, I wanted to hear more and more. Before the meeting, we were asked to submit our birth data. I wasn't sure why, but as the meeting began to wrap up, I soon discovered the reason. Dr. Hand randomly selected names from the attendees that day (I estimate there were over 80 people) and conducted a mini reading of their natal charts. I had never seen a natal chart before, so this was all new to me. As luck would have it, my chart was the first one chosen.

Let's just say he "captivated me from the start." I was amazed by how accurately this man described me, my life, my thought processes, my strengths, and my challenges—all within about 10-15 minutes. After the meeting ended, I quietly walked to my car, deeply reflecting, and spent about 20 minutes processing what had just happened. Right then, I decided to learn how he did it. The following week, I began attending regular meetings focused on astrological discussions, and within a month, I enrolled in a formal astrology school. An irresistible force was drawing me further and further down this new path.

In short order, I completed both my shamanic apprenticeship as well as my astrological studies and stepped into a world that 6 years earlier I would have laughed if someone had suggested I would be doing this in the future. There are other details to this journey that I could share, mostly significant people to whom I owe a debt of gratitude who mentored me, encouraged me, and made me trust the process. The words of one of those people I now repeat frequently to others "when the student is ready, the teacher arrives".

Without delay, upon receiving official confirmation of completion, I started seeing people on weekends as a Shaman and Astrologer. My first official session was on April 9, 2016. Since embarking on what I now confidently refer to as "a calling," I have conducted just over 800 astrological consultations, more than 100 shamanic healing sessions (including soul retrievals), numerous energy clearings of homes, and performed death rites. This journey has been one of the most rewarding and enriching experiences of my life. People have entrusted me during some of the most challenging and difficult times in their lives. Fortunately, my spiritual guides in this life have consistently appeared to support and assist me as I followed this destined path.

Today at 4 pm I finished my career on Wall Street. Now I fully enter into the final chapter, a fulltime Shaman and Astrologer. Below is an astrological chart for this moment. In the world of astrology, a chart can be cast for the moment anything significant occurs. In this case, this chart represents the official start of what has become known as Urban Shaman LLC. These charts treat the business's "birth moment" (e.g., incorporation, first sale, domain registration, or launch) as a living entity with its own astrological DNA, much like a natal chart cast for someone's birth moment.

Here is the chart:

Before I explain some of the more important elements of this chart, a little background is in order. I wanted to retire on December 31, 2025, but due to an agreement with a previous business partner who retired 5 years ago, I was required to work until January 30, 2026. So, I did not elect this chart for retirement, it just happened this way. Like so much of our lives, more often than not, our plans get changed because of something that we did not anticipate. However, as an astrologer, I can say I really like this chart.

The first thing that captured my attention was all of the "Aquarius". Above you will see that the Sun, Mercury, Venus, Mars, and Pluto all reside in the sign of Aquarius. This is known as a stellium. Why is this significant? Well, because Aquarius is the sign associated with astrology. Further, it favors all things that are humanitarian in nature, that further aid in the progress of consciousness, and ask us to envision a more idealistic future. Aquarian energy encourages stepping off the sidewalk and exploring the great unknown, opening one's mind to new knowledge and concepts. The modern ruler of Aquarius, Uranus, is said to bring flashes of inspiration and sudden insights. Needless to say, this alone was very satisfying to me.

The Sun in the founding chart of a business entity is a significator of its core business. In this case, an Aquarius Sun indicates a business that thrives as a relational entity, where success hinges on equitable, forward-thinking unions rather than hierarchical control, attracting unconventional clients, collaborators, or markets that value disruption and equality. The company's "personality" is destined to radiate intellectual freedom, positioning itself as a reformer in its field, perhaps pioneering tech-driven services, social enterprises, or niche networks that challenge industry norms. This is directly in line with what I hope to be going forward.

Moreover, the Sun is positioned in the 7th house, which in a corporate or business inception chart signifies client relationships, business partnerships, contracts, and the "market" or public as a relational counterpart. This placement illustrates how the company engages in one-on-one interactions with external entities to create mutual value. Essentially, the business's fundamental purpose is favorably situated in the house of the public. Additionally, angular houses (1st, 4th, 7th, 10th) provide general positional strength to planets for visibility and impact, allowing the Sun to shine brightly in interpersonal spheres, enhancing charisma in alliances or business dealings. 

Further, also present with the Sun in the 7th house are Mars and Pluto, both in Aquarius. This points to the company's core identity (Sun) as fiercely revolutionary, powered by intense action (Mars) and transformative depth (Pluto), all focused on partnerships, clients, and market dynamics.

Turning our attention now to the other luminary in the chart, the Moon, we find that it is domiciled in the sign of Cancer in the 12th house and conjunct a Cancer Jupiter. When I saw this placement, I was delighted in that the Moon is in rulership in Cancer, and the planet Jupiter is exalted in Cancer. Having these placements, and particularly with Jupiter rising in this chart is a powerful combination.

A Cancer Ascendant at 22° with Jupiter at 17° Cancer and Moon at 13° Cancer in the 12th house describes a business whose public face (Ascendant) is nurturing, intuitive, and protective, but with its emotional core (Moon) and expansion drive (Jupiter) hidden in the realm of the unseen, spirituality, and behind-the-scenes work. This tight Cancer stellium—Moon (ruler of Ascendant), Jupiter exalted, just 4-9° from the horizon makes the company feel like a "spiritual enterprise" operating from retreat, compassion, and quiet benevolence. Again, if I had wanted to design this chart myself, these are placements I would have desired. This is akin to a lighthouse powered within.

Out of curiosity I wanted to add the royal star Sirius to the mix to see where it might be placed in this moment. Sirius carries with it a regal, protective, and prosperous influence. As you can see above it fell directly between Jupiter and the Moon. In this configuration Sirius fuses directly, making the business a vessel for higher purpose, nurturing (Cancer Ascendant/Moon) meets cosmic wisdom (Jupiter-Sirius), hidden yet luminously effective. This alignment marks the company as "star-blessed"

Examining the other planets located in Aquarius, we observe that Mercury and Venus are positioned in the 8th house of this chart. In a business chart, the 8th house signifies financial involvements beyond the company's direct income. This can encompass joint financial agreements and partnerships that may be established. With the influence of Aquarius, these arrangements are likely to be innovative and distinctive. Mercury and Venus situated in Aquarius in the 8th house of this Cancer Ascendant business chart (with a Moon-Jupiter-Sirius stellium rising from the 12th, and an Aquarius stellium in the 7th) bring innovation, harmonious networking, and unconventional financial dynamics to shared resources, investments, and transformations, making them ideal for tech-driven funding or groundbreaking joint ventures.

Ultimately, I have a special connection with the asteroid Atlantis, as it is conjunct my midheaven in my natal chart. I chose to include it in this founding chart to explore its potential influence. As shown in the chart above, it is also in Aquarius and forms a stellium with Mercury and Venus in the 8th house. Overall, Atlantis enhances Mercury-Venus into a visionary financial oracle, merging Cancer's soulful protection with Aquarius' innovative genius for ethically advanced shared wealth. Nonetheless, I am aware that achieving success requires humility to avoid a mythic downfall associated with the Atlantis story.

In conclusion, just 10 minutes ago, I completed a fulfilling 43-year career as a financial advisor, a role that has allowed me to engage deeply with individuals and families, guiding them through the complexities of financial management and investment strategies. As I close this significant chapter of my professional life, I am filled with a sense of excitement and anticipation for the new journey that lies ahead. This transition is not merely a shift in career; it represents the beginning of a profound and transformative phase where I will dedicate myself to what I consider sacred work on a full-time basis.

The chart cast for this next chapter aligns seamlessly with my personal goals, which emphasize serving others and contributing positively to the world. The abundance of Aquarian energy that I am tapping into is not just a concept rooted in astrology; it embodies a rich tapestry of qualities that resonate deeply with my aspirations. Aquarian energy is characterized by altruism and humanitarianism, reflecting a commitment to the greater good and the well-being of all. It is also connected to faith healing, psychology, and spirituality, areas that I have always held in high regard and wish to explore more fully. This energy encourages advanced thought, pushing the boundaries of conventional wisdom and inviting innovative approaches to life's challenges.

Moreover, the influence of the Cancer ascendant, along with the powerful presence of Jupiter, Sirius, and the Moon rising in Cancer, further enriches this new path. These celestial bodies bring forth energies of protection, nurturing, and comfort, creating a safe harbor for those who seek guidance and support. The Cancerian qualities of being emotionally attuned to the needs of others are essential to my overarching purpose, as I strive to be resilient in crises and offer solace to those in distress. This nurturing aspect is not just about providing comfort; it is about fostering an environment where individuals can thrive, feel valued, and find their own paths to healing and growth. And so, as I embark on this new journey, I am filled with gratitude for all those who have placed their trust in me throughout my career. Each client has shared their most private selves with me, and for that, I am profoundly thankful. I now look forward to broadening that reach, aiming to serve as many people as possible in the days ahead.

This next chapter is not merely about personal fulfillment; it is about creating a ripple effect of positive change, where I can extend my hand to those in need and help them navigate their own journeys with compassion and understanding. The adventure begins now, and I am ready to embrace it wholeheartedly.