Natural Awakenings Interview (June, 2010)

Name:  Steve Nelson [Steven Lonnie Nelson]

Age:  62, born 4 July 1947 in Cherokee NC

Occupation:  Professional Astrologer, Writer

 

1) Education/Training:

BA in Psychology, BS in Biology from UNCC

Radar Electronics Training in the Air Force

Arcane School Training with Rachel Smathers 

Astrology Instruction with Dane & Leyla-Rael Rudhyar, Robert Zoller and Bernadette Brady

 

2) Bio:

I was born in Cherokee NC on 4 July 1947. My mother was part Cherokee so I got to be born free in the Cherokee reservation hospital! After my mother crossed over a few years later I was raised by my Aunt Maude who immediately started teaching me about the Moon Signs. While I didn't think too much of such "superstition" at the time, this early education in astrological folk wisdom ultimately played a big part in what I do. In addition to my Aunt Maude I was taught by her elder Aunt Tine (actual name Plutina!!), a much sought after expert on living by the Moon signs. I find many of these old teachings valuable now. One of the keys I learned is that the best time to break habits (or wean babies) is "the going out of the signs." This is the time each month when the Moon passes through the signs from Sagittarius (the Thighs) to Pisces (the Feet), all signs ruling parts of the body lower than the vital organs. This time of the lunar cycle is ideal for releasing old patterns from body and mind.

I call myself a Mythic Astrologer or Astromythologist. I believe our destiny is written in the stars and planets at birth and that the pattern of our natal lights tells the mythic stories of our lives. I have an activist view of astrology: our future isn't fixed or determined by the stars, the stars and planets simply reveal to us a range of possibilities to be realized as we choose. The more we know our cycles, the more at choice we become. The way of enlightenment and transformation is written in the birth map, this is a key understanding I enjoy sharing.  

In the early 90s I wrote and published a series of annual astrology guide books titled The New World Cycle of Celebrations. These books draw together many cross-cultural celebrations in context with the zodiacal circle of the year. This work also integrates several ancient oracular systems meaningfully with the cycle of the zodiac and year. These key oracle systems include the Tarot, the I Ching, the Norse Runes and Druid Tree months. All these traditions are brought together in an integral astrology system I've developed and named GAIA Astrology.

Currently I work out of my home/office in the Myers Park neighborhood of Charlotte where I've lived for over 25 years. My long time house mate Darley Adare and I are vegetarians and we follow a Chinese 5-element "food alchemy" system I count as key to my physical and psychic health. My interests include natural cycles, natural lifestyles, natural power places, hiking, drumming/dancing, celebrations, sacred geometry, esoteric Freemasonry, cosmic history, star gazing and astrological research.

 

3) You are somewhat of a cosmic icon in Charlotte. A lot of locals refer to you as “The Wizard.” What’s that about?

Well, there are several angles to this question. The first thing that comes to mind is that my approach to metaphysics and astrology is activist in that I believe we are more or less free agents in our own life story and we can become more free or self-determined the better we understand natural cycles generally and our personal cycles in particular. I belive cycles are key to our successful creative manifestation and that this is what many people would call magic or wizardry. More to your point, there is an old tradition about the four male archetypes King, Warrior, Magician and Lover. Every man is a mix of these four elements more or less and I've always identified most closely with the Magician. Finally, I've followed wizard myths of every culture, I believe in magic and think the Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter series accurately reflect the realities of the astral world. So I do think of myself as a wizard but also think every man and every woman has a little wizard inside.

 

4) You have vast knowledge across a diverse range of subjects – astronomy, astrology, metaphysics, chemistry, psychology, mathematics, history and mythology to name a few - how does one acquire and retain such an array of material?

Many people ask me how I hold all this stuff in my head and the simple answer is I don't. There's a trick for recalling such seemingly complex information, a technique that anyone can learn. As to crossing different areas of study this actually helps because you find the same parallel patterns in all areas of knowledge. One example that's mind blowing is how the Tarot cards (Rider-Waite) numbered 1 through 78 exactly mirror the chemical elements by atomic number. This discovery makes chemistry way more interesting! Esoteric study integrates all mundane knowledge according to the doctrine of correspondences. One good example is the connection between planets and colors. Mars is red so all things red in nature have a Mars quality. Mars is the god of war and iron is the metal of Mars. Iron in the Martian soil makes the planet red as iron in the blood makes blood red. Mars rules the blood and all red plants and herbs (cayenne etc) purify the blood. Mars is passion, red stimulates passion, etc etc. Following this way of thinking you discover the memory tree, an integrating symbol set that all these  diverse bits of information hang on in an orderly way. This memory tree is called Kabala, the Tree of Life or Tree of Knowledge. As you think along these lines this Tree becomes just like an antenna connecting you to the "cloud" of universal knowledge. Tune in when you need it and it's there, you don't have to keep it in your head. This is exactly how the Druids knew so much without ever writing anything down. 

 

5) Your work as an astrologer is unique in the sense that you combine traditional astrology, moon cycles, tarot, mythology and history. (Did I leave anything out?) How did this style come about and how can you assist people with it?

When I was a kid and up into high school I was fascinated with everything about astronomy. I didn't believe in astrology but was still interested in how the physical properties of the planets so neatly mirror the qualities of the gods and goddesses for which they're named. You know, Mercury the messenger is fastest, the goddess of mystery Venus is clouded, Saturn god of boundaries is ringed etc. But then how did the ancients know Venus was covered with clouds and that Saturn has a giant ring? Around age 13 I drew up a family tree of the gods and goddesses to see how they were all connected, I was a total nerd. Far later on after a techy tour of the Air Force and completing college (psychology and biology) I was lucky to find an awesome metaphysical teacher in the NC mountains. Among other things, Rachel taught me how to relate the meaning and numerology of a person's name with the birth chart to get a whole view of their life story. Rachel also keyed me into Jungian psychology and Dane Rudhyar who I afterward followed for my education in astrology.

 

6) How can we use moon cycles, ancient knowledge and observation of rituals to benefit us today?

Cyclic manifestation is the source of everything and the Moon cycle is the ultimate creative cycle key. You can't raise your symbol tree antenna without tuning to the Moon. In Kabala, Yesod the Moon sphere is the first step up the Tree. Living in rhythm with the Moon opens up the psychic vision and this is why knowledge of the lunar cycle was suppressed during the time of the Inquisition. We're only now beginning to recover from that dark age as we rediscover cycles. Cycles are key to creative manifestation and magic. All cycles are similar, learn one and you know them all. The primary cycles of creation and growth are the moon cycle and the year. How a cycle begins is most important, all the magic is in the beginning, begin well and the whole cycle goes well. The best way to begin the Moon cycle is to be quiet and go within to find the magic center. Referring to our new age, Nostradamus wrote "the day of Diana will be a day of silent rest." Diana is goddess of the Moon, her day is the day of the New Moon. The Full Moon on the other hand is the best time to have a party, this was one of my more fun discoveries about the Moon cycle.

 

7) You also call yourself a celebrationist – what does that mean and why is it important?

Celebration is key to keeping the soul free. The powers of oppression are always trying to stamp out celebration, the Taleban ban everything that frees the soul, everything from drumming and dancing to flying kites. In the absence of celebration psychic and physical tension build up that make us more vulnerable to astral influences and external manipulation.

I believe rhythm and ritual celebration are key to awakening and living our true destiny. Rudolph Steiner once said that it is through celebrations in the seasons that the deeper powers of human nature are realized. We've been doing these annual celebrations out at Sacred Grove. All are invited to join in this circle of celebration. 

 

8) You have a deep knowledge of Charlotte’s origins and history. What is special about the Queen City and what do you think the future holds for her?

The short answer is everything about Charlotte is special and her future looks bright indeed beginning this month and for many, many years to come. Anyone who says Charlotte has no history or that the future looks bleak is just plain ignorant. The future grows from the past so only as we come to appreciate Charlotte's history does the future (a beautiful future!) become clear. First we should know that this was from the beginning a planned community by cosmic design. Charlotte's founders were Scotch-Irish Presbyterians and Freemasons who dubbed themselves "the Covenanters" believing it their mission to found a city and align churches to build connection between Heaven and Earth. Toward this end, Freemason Thomas Polk (Charlotte's first Mayor) surveyed Charlotte laying out the four wards in the traditional City of Revelation design. This design is based on a nuclear square of 360 acres (granted to Thomas Polk on request by the royal governor) divided into four 90 acre sections (the four wards) to compose the "city four-square" described in the book of Revelation. After Charlottetown was laid out in this cosmic design the streets were paved with tailings from local gold mines in keeping with biblical tradition of the city paved with gold. Following this Thomas Polk built the first court house at the cosmic center of Trade and Tryon where was signed the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence on May 20th 1775. This led to the Philadelphia declaration one year later.

 Cycles repeat. Charlotte led in revolution and freedom then and Charlotte will lead in revolution and freedom in this new cycle. In large part this means willingness to think outside the box, we got that. This also means being challenged to change, we're experiencing this now. Banking and the arts have long been favored in Charlotte, now it's time to perfect these talents and discover new pathways to our success.

 

9) How do you view the role of Charlotte in terms of the emerging consciousness surrounding alternative healthcare and sustainable living?

Charlotte led in revolution before (the Meck Dec date is on the NC State Seal and Flag!) and Charlotte will lead in revolution again. This will be a revolution in consciousness leading to greater independence, independent energy resources and enlightened self care in relation to newly developing medical arts centered through Charlotte. Building on banking, Charlotte's developing primary focus will be energy resource development including hydrogen fuel cells. Technological innovations here in Charlotte will lead the world in new energy development. That's my prediction. 

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Uptown Magazine Interview 

Conversation: Steve Nelson gets Cosmic in the 4 Wards

      
Written by Celina Mincey   

 

He answers to wizard, magician, astrologer, and consultant. A conversation with Steve Nelson also reveals him as a scholar of many disciplines, and a Charlotte historian with a broad view. It is a common sentiment that Charlotte has a very short history, which may be why the debate over preserving older buildings and neighborhoods continues so strongly; it reveals urgency on the part of some to protect what little history we have. But Nelson’s thoroughly researched version of the Queen City’s past surpasses century-old buildings. He has provided a rich and deeply rooted record of the city’s origins that connects Charlotte to ancient knowledge.


An hour with Nelson is a bit like taking a calculus class while doing long division in your head, except here the professor is fascinating and very animated. “There’s a bit of a learning curve,” Nelson admits as he whizzes through solar numbers, celestial patterns and a story about Benjamin Franklin, all of which, of course, have something to do with Charlotte. Perhaps this is what is most impressive about Nelson--his vast knowledge across a diverse range of subjects. Nelson says he was born into it, and he received help from his Aunt Maude, who raised him after living for three years with a Cherokee Medicine Woman named Molly Running Wolf. Combining cosmic wisdom with traditional history, Nelson feels his role is to simply share the information he’s gathered about Charlotte’s past.

“It would just be interesting to see what would happen if we started paying attention.” What is it Nelson wants Charlotteans to consider? Let’s start with basic city planning. We all know the heart of Charlotte is laid out in four wards that make a square. A 360-acre area now bordered by Smith, 9th, Davidson, and Stonewall Streets forms the original square of Charlotte’s layout. The intersection of Smith and 9th marks the northern corner; 9th and Davidson mark the east point. Follow Davidson until it crosses Stonewall to get to the southern tip, then head northwest back to Smith to arrive at the eastern corner. Have you got the whole map pictured? Luckily, Nelson provided a visual. [Follow along on the diagram of the original “Charlottetown” City Nucleus and stay with me.] Many of us have heard something about a correspondence between the four cardinal directions and the fundamental Earth elements. In this system, east represents air; south, fire/sun; water is the western element and earth is represented by north.

You may not have known this same pattern applies to four angels. But Charlotte’s founder, Thomas Polk, did. He was a Freemason and avid scholar of a system of sacred geometry that relied heavily on esoteric Druid and other ancient traditions to detail the design for a sacred city. Charlotte’s first settlers were Scotch-Irish Presbyterians who were also mostly Masons. They called themselves ‘Covenanters’ whose purpose was ‘resonance:’ linking spirit and nature together. Charlotte Covenanters strove to be a bridge between heaven and Earth by recreating Nature’s designs on a larger scale. When they planned the city, their principal concern was enhancing spiritual connection. Nelson explains that, according to the City of Revelation plan, a city is ideally aligned with the cardinal points and the angels standing on the four corners of the world. Starting in the east and moving clockwise around the “city foursquare” these angels are Raphael, Michael, Gabriel, and Uriel. They serve as wardens of the town in which a protected citizenry can prosper. Polk began with First Ward in the East and labeled the four wards of Charlottetown as prescribed by the ancient blueprint. 

Guess what the center point is? Trade and Tryon, the intersection of two Native American trade routes, and a spot revered by natives as naturally powerful, as well as the proper center according to ‘cosmic geometric design.’ Thomas Polk paid attention and located the courthouse at Trade and Tryon. The building doubled as an all-purpose hall for town meetings, social events and church. 

It’s no accident, according to Nelson, that the Signers Monument is a cosmic obelisk. In Egyptian fashion, the obelisk was quarried in 1910 by Masons from a single piece of granite with a high quartz content. The monument’s solid portion is forty feet high and in precise proportion to the height of the Great Pyramid. It is Nelson’s belief that the town’s planners would have placed this monument at Trade and Tryon to focus and clear the energy there.

The Signers Monument, located in front of the original Mecklenburg County Court House, commemorates another key to Charlotte’s rich history: the signing of the Mecklenburg Declaration on May 20, 1775 at 2:00 A.M. Yes, yes, there is much dispute over particularities concerning the “Meck Dec” but Nelson believes the heavens authenticate the declaration. At the time of the signing, the minor planets Pallas (Athena) and Ceres were together directly overhead in the night sky. These figures appear in the North Carolina seal, Athena standing with a liberty staff and cap, and Ceres seated with her cornucopia. Nelson can talk for another hour and draw connections between astrology, dates and zodiac symbols. For the rest of us, this is where that learning curve, or lack thereof, comes into play. Basically, all elements of the Great Seal of the State of North Carolina (dated May 20, 1775) are reflected in the astrological chart for the Mecklenburg Declaration. So a specific alignment of the Earth and the Sun occurs every May 20th and, in collaboration with historical fact, proves the document’s origins.

Why should we care? If Mecklenburg did indeed declare independence from England in 1775, its declaration preceded the Philadelphia declaration, which created this nation, by more than a year. Some historians dispute the existence of the Mecklenburg Declaration, and Thomas Jefferson questioned it. A closer look into history shows that he only denounced the document after John Adams accused him of plagiarizing it when creating the Declaration of Independence. In addition, Charlotte was chartered November 7th, which means it shares its birthday with Philadelphia. Nelson also points to the fact that Thomas Polk and Benjamin Franklin were close acquaintances and fellow Masons. Some researchers believe Franklin may have heavily influenced the writing of the Mecklenburg Declaration. 

Charlotte’s history is getting a little deeper. Fortunately, Nelson and a group at the Charlotte Theosophical Society are planning to offer seminars to further explore the mysterious soul of Charlotte. You’ll have to attend to find out all the things that make Charlotte a Scorpio city or how Charlotte began as a love story. If your interest is piqued and you’d like to delve in now, you can start with the Full Moon drumming circle on Tuesday, May 1 at The Square at Trade and Tryon. Drummers will gather at 7:30 for the special occasion of a full moon on May Day. Nelson believes that the Sun in Taurus Full Moon is the most powerful full moon of the year. Buddhists call this the Wesak Full Moon and believe the Buddha was born, achieved enlightenment and left this world all under the Full Moon of Taurus. 
Each Full Moon is an opportunity for revelation and for healing body, mind and soul. 

In Steve Nelson fashion, here’s one more tidbit before we go while we’re on the subject of Taurus. In the Earth zodiac, Charlotte is in the 30th degree of Taurus. The final degree of a sign brings the qualities of that sign to full expression. Taurus rules banking and the arts. Charlotte is now the second largest banking hub in the U.S. and raises more money for the arts than any other city in the country. Oh yeah, the Sun - it’s in the 30th degree of Taurus each year on May 20th. 

Questions? Contact Steve at SteveNelson@carolina.rr.com.
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