September 2025 Speaker Highlight: Marc Laurenson Explores the Transformative Power of Eris
September 2025 Speaker Highlight: Marc Laurenson Explores the Transformative Power of Eris
In September 2025, we were delighted to welcome Marc Laurenson, founder of the Sydney Astrology School, to present one of the most psychologically rich and thought-provoking talks of the year. Marc is a widely respected teacher of evolutionary astrology, known for his ability to bring deep emotional insight and spiritual clarity to complex astrological themes. His teaching style is both compassionate and unflinchingly honest, and this session on Eris was no exception.
The evening centered around an in-depth exploration of Eris, the dwarf planet discovered in 2005. Traditionally associated with strife, discord, and chaos, Eris is only just beginning to find her place in mainstream astrology. For Marc, however, Eris is not simply a chaotic troublemaker. She is a powerful symbol of rejection, marginalization, and the raw emotional responses that often follow these experiences.
The Essence of Eris
Marc began by unpacking the myth of Eris, the goddess who was excluded from a divine wedding banquet. In retaliation, she rolled a golden apple into the festivities inscribed with the words "to the fairest," igniting a feud that eventually led to the Trojan War. This myth, Marc explained, reveals the deep pain of being excluded, and how unresolved hurt can trigger devastating consequences.
Astrologically, Eris represents the part of us that remembers being shut out or silenced. She speaks to the ways we might act out in response, especially when we feel invisible, disregarded, or disrespected. Marc framed Eris not just as a goddess of chaos, but as a mirror for how we cope with rejection and how we seek to reclaim power when we feel powerless.
Eris in the Birth Chart
Marc went on to explore how Eris appears in natal charts. With her slow orbit, she has been in Aries since 1925 and will remain there until 2047. This long transit suggests that Eris has a generational influence, yet her impact in an individual chart is often deeply personal.
When Eris is strongly placed or in hard aspect to personal planets like Mars, Pluto, or Chiron, she can indicate unresolved pain around competition, exclusion, or perceived injustice. People with a strong Eris influence may wrestle with the urge to retaliate, undermine others, or resent those who appear to have what they lack. Yet this same energy, when acknowledged and integrated, can become a source of resilience, courage, and fierce authenticity.
Stories from Real Life: Eris in Action
To bring Eris to life, Marc presented a number of powerful chart case studies. These included public figures such as Tonya Harding, Lorena Bobbitt, Julian Assange, Eckhart Tolle, and Louise Hay. Each example illustrated a different aspect of how Eris can play out.
In some cases, Eris manifested as destructive action driven by pain or revenge. In others, Eris became a force of healing, creativity, and personal evolution. What mattered most was how each individual responded to their wound. Did they project it outward and try to make others suffer, or did they work through the pain and use it to uplift themselves and others?
These case studies gave the audience a tangible sense of what it means to work with Eris constructively and what it looks like when Eris energy remains unconscious or distorted.
Eris as a Spiritual Teacher
Marc emphasized that Eris is not a planet to fear, but one to understand. Like Pluto, Eris challenges us to look at what we might rather avoid. She invites us to become aware of the shadow aspects of our psyche — especially those related to competition, resentment, and exclusion — and to make more conscious choices.
At her best, Eris represents empowerment, voice, bravery, and the strength to walk our own path. She is the part of us that says, "I will not be defined by how others see me." But this higher expression can only emerge when we stop projecting our hurt and start taking responsibility for our healing.
Marc’s message was both uplifting and humbling. He encouraged us to see Eris not as a destroyer, but as a spiritual catalyst. Her lessons are difficult, but necessary for growth. By moving from bitterness to empowerment, we begin to free ourselves from the past and claim a deeper, more authentic version of ourselves.
Letting Go: Pure Energy and Forgiveness
Toward the end of the session, Marc offered a practice for working with Eris energy. He encouraged us to send out what he called "pure energy" to those who have hurt us. Not forgiveness out of obligation, and not forced positivity, but a sincere willingness to release the emotional grip of resentment.
Pure energy, he explained, is neutral, clean, and freeing. It allows us to reclaim our power and stop being energetically tied to people or situations that continue to hurt us. This, he said, is one of the most powerful ways to honor Eris — by refusing to let the pain of rejection define our identity.
Marc Laurenson's presentation was a heartfelt, insightful, and deeply moving exploration of Eris and her transformative potential. It offered a framework for turning shadow into light, pain into wisdom, and conflict into clarity. We are incredibly grateful to Marc for sharing his knowledge and his own experience with such honesty and grace.
If you are curious about your own Eris placement, this is the perfect time to begin exploring how this archetype lives in your chart and your life.
In September 2025, we were delighted to welcome Marc Laurenson, founder of the Sydney Astrology School, to present one of the most psychologically rich and thought-provoking talks of the year. Marc is a widely respected teacher of evolutionary astrology, known for his ability to bring deep emotional insight and spiritual clarity to complex astrological themes. His teaching style is both compassionate and unflinchingly honest, and this session on Eris was no exception.
The evening centered around an in-depth exploration of Eris, the dwarf planet discovered in 2005. Traditionally associated with strife, discord, and chaos, Eris is only just beginning to find her place in mainstream astrology. For Marc, however, Eris is not simply a chaotic troublemaker. She is a powerful symbol of rejection, marginalization, and the raw emotional responses that often follow these experiences.
The Essence of Eris
Marc began by unpacking the myth of Eris, the goddess who was excluded from a divine wedding banquet. In retaliation, she rolled a golden apple into the festivities inscribed with the words "to the fairest," igniting a feud that eventually led to the Trojan War. This myth, Marc explained, reveals the deep pain of being excluded, and how unresolved hurt can trigger devastating consequences.
Astrologically, Eris represents the part of us that remembers being shut out or silenced. She speaks to the ways we might act out in response, especially when we feel invisible, disregarded, or disrespected. Marc framed Eris not just as a goddess of chaos, but as a mirror for how we cope with rejection and how we seek to reclaim power when we feel powerless.
Eris in the Birth Chart
Marc went on to explore how Eris appears in natal charts. With her slow orbit, she has been in Aries since 1925 and will remain there until 2047. This long transit suggests that Eris has a generational influence, yet her impact in an individual chart is often deeply personal.
When Eris is strongly placed or in hard aspect to personal planets like Mars, Pluto, or Chiron, she can indicate unresolved pain around competition, exclusion, or perceived injustice. People with a strong Eris influence may wrestle with the urge to retaliate, undermine others, or resent those who appear to have what they lack. Yet this same energy, when acknowledged and integrated, can become a source of resilience, courage, and fierce authenticity.
Stories from Real Life: Eris in Action
To bring Eris to life, Marc presented a number of powerful chart case studies. These included public figures such as Tonya Harding, Lorena Bobbitt, Julian Assange, Eckhart Tolle, and Louise Hay. Each example illustrated a different aspect of how Eris can play out.
In some cases, Eris manifested as destructive action driven by pain or revenge. In others, Eris became a force of healing, creativity, and personal evolution. What mattered most was how each individual responded to their wound. Did they project it outward and try to make others suffer, or did they work through the pain and use it to uplift themselves and others?
These case studies gave the audience a tangible sense of what it means to work with Eris constructively and what it looks like when Eris energy remains unconscious or distorted.
Eris as a Spiritual Teacher
Marc emphasized that Eris is not a planet to fear, but one to understand. Like Pluto, Eris challenges us to look at what we might rather avoid. She invites us to become aware of the shadow aspects of our psyche — especially those related to competition, resentment, and exclusion — and to make more conscious choices.
At her best, Eris represents empowerment, voice, bravery, and the strength to walk our own path. She is the part of us that says, "I will not be defined by how others see me." But this higher expression can only emerge when we stop projecting our hurt and start taking responsibility for our healing.
Marc’s message was both uplifting and humbling. He encouraged us to see Eris not as a destroyer, but as a spiritual catalyst. Her lessons are difficult, but necessary for growth. By moving from bitterness to empowerment, we begin to free ourselves from the past and claim a deeper, more authentic version of ourselves.
Letting Go: Pure Energy and Forgiveness
Toward the end of the session, Marc offered a practice for working with Eris energy. He encouraged us to send out what he called "pure energy" to those who have hurt us. Not forgiveness out of obligation, and not forced positivity, but a sincere willingness to release the emotional grip of resentment.
Pure energy, he explained, is neutral, clean, and freeing. It allows us to reclaim our power and stop being energetically tied to people or situations that continue to hurt us. This, he said, is one of the most powerful ways to honor Eris, by refusing to let the pain of rejection define our identity.
Marc Laurenson's presentation was a heartfelt, insightful, and deeply moving exploration of Eris and her transformative potential. It offered a framework for turning shadow into light, pain into wisdom, and conflict into clarity. We are incredibly grateful to Marc for sharing his knowledge and his own experience with such honesty and grace.
If you are curious about your own Eris placement, this is the perfect time to begin exploring how this archetype lives in your chart and your life.
February Astromusings – Happy Birthday Pisceans!
As the Sun moves through Pisces from February 18 to March 20, we celebrate the dreamers, mystics, and visionaries of the zodiac. Pisces, symbolised by two fish swimming in opposite directions, represents the eternal dance between the physical and spiritual realms—a sign of deep intuition, boundless creativity, and profound compassion.
In honour of this Piscean season, we explore some of its rich symbolism, astrological influences, and notable figures born under this sign.
The Soul’s Journey of Pisces
No story reflects the spiritual path of Pisces more than Hans Christian Andersen’s The Little Mermaid. Like the mermaid, Pisces often experiences sacrifice, longing, and transcendence in pursuit of a higher ideal. She gives up her voice, endures great suffering, and ultimately chooses service over self—a theme that also ties Pisces to its opposite sign, Virgo, both of which symbolise devotion.
Pisces is a mutable water sign, highly adaptable and deeply connected to the emotional undercurrents of life. The Piscean journey is one of surrender—learning to trust the flow, dissolve ego attachments, and reconnect with the divine.
The Age of Pisces & Its Influence on Spirituality
The Age of Pisces, which began over 2000 years ago, was marked by the birth of Jesus Christ and the rise of major world religions. Christ himself is an archetype of Pisces—the saviour who suffers, sacrifices, and redeems. The symbol of the fish (Icthys) was used by early Christians, and many stories from this era reflect Piscean themes of faith, devotion, and illusion versus truth.
As we transition into the Age of Aquarius, the emphasis shifts from external religious structures to personal spiritual awakening, encouraging humanity to embrace collective consciousness, innovation, and humanitarian ideals.
Neptune: The Ruler of Pisces
Pisces is ruled by Neptune, the planet of dreams, intuition, and the unseen realms. Before Neptune’s discovery in 1846, Pisces was traditionally ruled by Jupiter, linking it to spiritual wisdom and expansive consciousness.
Neptune dissolves boundaries, blurring the line between reality and illusion.
It governs the arts, music, film, poetry, and mystical experiences.
It teaches non-attachment, reminding us that everything in the material world is transient.
This theme is beautifully captured in the myth of Orpheus and Eurydice, where Orpheus, desperate to retrieve his lost love from the underworld, is granted his wish on the condition that he does not look back. Yet his longing overcomes him, and Eurydice dissolves before his eyes—a powerful lesson in surrendering to fate and trusting in the unseen.
Pisces in the Zodiac: The Final Initiation
Pisces is the twelfth and final sign of the zodiac, representing completion, endings, and spiritual transcendence. Its journey is captured in the Twelfth Labour of Hercules, where he must steal the red cattle of Geryon, symbolising the liberation of the soul from material bondage. This final task reflects the Piscean theme of sacrifice leading to enlightenment.
In the sky, Pisces is represented by two fish tied together by a silver cord, mirroring the soul’s connection to the physical body and its journey toward ascension.
Piscean Figures & Their Legacy
Many of history’s most visionary artists, poets, and spiritual leaders have been born under Pisces, embodying the sign’s depth, imagination, and mysticism.
Artists & Creatives – Michelangelo, Renoir, Botticelli, Handel, Chopin, Johnny Cash, George Harrison.
Writers & Thinkers – Dr. Seuss, Elizabeth Barrett Browning, Kenneth Grahame (The Wind in the Willows).
Mystics & Healers – Edgar Cayce, Rudolf Steiner, Meher Baba.
Actors & Performers – Elizabeth Taylor, Glenn Close, Drew Barrymore, Liza Minnelli.
Pisces also governs compassionate leadership, as seen in Shane Fitzsimmons, the former NSW Rural Fire Service Commissioner, who became a symbol of selfless service during the 2019–2020 bushfires. His Pisces Sun and humanitarian numerology reflect the devotion, resilience, and emotional intelligence often found in this sign.
Professor Brian Cox – A Piscean Mind Exploring the Cosmos
One of the most extraordinary modern Pisceans is Professor Brian Cox, the physicist and former musician whose work bridges the scientific and metaphysical realms. Born on March 3, 1968, Cox is known for his ability to translate the mysteries of the universe into poetic and awe-inspiring narratives, a hallmark of the Piscean gift for blending logic with imagination.
From rock music to quantum physics, Cox embodies Pisces’ fluid ability to navigate different realms, reminding us that science and spirituality are not opposing forces but complementary perspectives on the same cosmic dance.
The Healing Wisdom of Pisces
Pisces governs the feet, lymphatic system, and pineal gland, making grounding practices essential for those with strong Piscean energy.
Biochemic cell salt: Ferrum Phos (iron phosphate) supports the blood and immune system.
Herbs & Aromatherapy: Sandalwood, jasmine, myrrh, and ylang-ylang promote spiritual balance.
Healing Foods: Leafy greens, brown rice, and citrus fruits support the lymphatic system.
Rituals: Meditation, dream journaling, and water therapy help Pisceans reconnect with their inner world.
Neptune also rules addiction and escapism, making it crucial for Pisceans to channel their emotions into creative or spiritual outlets rather than becoming lost in illusion.
Pisces & The Path Ahead
As Jupiter stations direct and Mars moves forward, this month carries a sense of momentum and realignment—an opportunity for all signs to integrate the spiritual lessons of Pisces before stepping into the active, initiating energy of Aries season.
For Pisceans, this is a time of self-reflection, deep inner knowing, and embracing their unique role as intuitive healers, artists, and visionaries.
Happy Birthday to all the Pisceans—may this season bring clarity, inspiration, and connection to the divine flow of life.
Blog Post Title Two
It all begins with an idea.
It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
Don’t worry about sounding professional. Sound like you. There are over 1.5 billion websites out there, but your story is what’s going to separate this one from the rest. If you read the words back and don’t hear your own voice in your head, that’s a good sign you still have more work to do.
Be clear, be confident and don’t overthink it. The beauty of your story is that it’s going to continue to evolve and your site can evolve with it. Your goal should be to make it feel right for right now. Later will take care of itself. It always does.
Blog Post Title Three
It all begins with an idea.
It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
Don’t worry about sounding professional. Sound like you. There are over 1.5 billion websites out there, but your story is what’s going to separate this one from the rest. If you read the words back and don’t hear your own voice in your head, that’s a good sign you still have more work to do.
Be clear, be confident and don’t overthink it. The beauty of your story is that it’s going to continue to evolve and your site can evolve with it. Your goal should be to make it feel right for right now. Later will take care of itself. It always does.
Blog Post Title Four
It all begins with an idea.
It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
Don’t worry about sounding professional. Sound like you. There are over 1.5 billion websites out there, but your story is what’s going to separate this one from the rest. If you read the words back and don’t hear your own voice in your head, that’s a good sign you still have more work to do.
Be clear, be confident and don’t overthink it. The beauty of your story is that it’s going to continue to evolve and your site can evolve with it. Your goal should be to make it feel right for right now. Later will take care of itself. It always does.