Power and Pleasure: Astrology and Constellations with Mars and Venus

In the horoscopic model, the mythological symbols named Venus and Mars can show us both our longing for belonging (Venus, our attraction to pleasure, beauty, connection, eros) and to authenticity, Mars, (our desire for autonomy and agency). Astrologers in the Middle Ages said of these two natures: “Mars separates, Venus unites.” However, they are not in conflict: they are both archetypal pictures of how we find our way in all the complex dynamics of the life we will live.

Often Mars and Venus are shared and talked about as being related to sexuality and gender. But, Mars and Venus cannot be reduced to gender. They offer us energetic qualities to cultivate which allow for our most authentic expression of self.

Do we feel fully supported to bring our strength – our Mars; and passion – our Venus, into the world? Are we allowed to be as big and as alive as we are? Does it feel terrifying to let the loudness of your care and curiosity show to those around you and to yourself?

Working in concert with Jungian astrologer Carol Ferris, the constellations in this session will take as their starting point the locations of Venus and Mars in the birth chart of the client. The constellation emerges from there, integrating Carol’s understanding of the interplay of the archetypes with the movements of the representatives. This is the fourth year that we will be working in this way, and the healing and integration have been so extraordinary that we can’t resist another dip into this pool.

Join Sarah and Carol in their mutual constellation work to explore these inherent qualities in each of us.

Where?

The course will meet via zoom. We welcome participants from all time zones who wish to learn asynchronously for some or all of the sessions. Recordings and visuals will be made available to those who are registered for the live program (typically available within 72 hours of the live session).

When?

The schedule will be as follows:

Friday, May 30, 2025: 9am-12pm, 1pm-3pm
Saturday, May 31, 2025: 9am-12pm, 1pm-3pm
Sunday, June 1, 2025: 9am-12pm, 1pm-3pm

All times are in the Pacific Time zone. (To convert to your time zone, please click here)

What to Expect:

Each day we alternate between short lectures on neuroscience and constellation concepts with mini-constellations to explore and practice the concepts, and then we do large group constellations. If you’re a visual learner you can imagine small islands of didactic learning, surrounded by slightly larger islands of small-group learning, and then interspersed with large, full-group constellations. Small group work will be done in small groups or dyads via breakout groups on zoom.

Constellations facilitated by Sarah will alternate with Constellations facilitated by Masterclass participants, interspersed with large and small group learning. Both being a facilitator and being a seeker happen by lottery. Only participants who have attended other master series sessions with Sarah will be eligible to be facilitators. Not all participants will have a chance to be a seeker or a facilitator.

What You’ll Learn:

Over this 3-day workshop series, participants will:

• Experience the energetic contributions of Mars and Venus in their individual horoscopes
• Discover their challenges and their gifts from the astrological point of view
• Work with mini-constellations that support the exploration of the relationship between Mars, Venus and their unified contribution to our authentic expression
• Work with the foundational skills of constellation facilitation
• Improve constellation facilitation confidence, humility and practices for general practice
• Have the opportunity to participate in a large-group constellation facilitated by Sarah, and and augmented by Carol’s commentary
• Have the opportunity to participate in a large-group constellation facilitated by a student and supported by Sarah and augmented by Carol’s commentary
• Have multiple opportunities to be in lotteries to be a client or to student-facilitate large group constellations.

Who Is This Course For?

These sessions are intended for people who are interested in learning about constellation facilitation and how constellation work transforms and heals. Both experienced and new facilitators are welcome. Student facilitators will have opportunities for supervision and support from Sarah Peyton. Sometimes, personal growth and transformation happen coincidentally, but personal work for participants isn’t the main focus of the offerings in the masterclass series.

Please Note:

• Your tuition payment is non-refundable (but it is transferable).
• This workshop will be recorded for those who want to learn asynchronously for some or all sessions.
• This work is not therapy and is not a substitute for therapy. If you have a sense that you would be destabilized by yourself or others speaking about difficult events, then this course may not be for you. While we hope that the processes and information that we share can be of use in your journey, we do not have the resources to support extreme psychological difficulties.