In the realm where celestial bodies dance and cosmic energies intertwine, there exists a beacon of wisdom and insight – Rebecca M. Farrar, affectionately known as the Wild Witch of the West. With over 14 years of delving into the mystical realms of archetypal astrology, Rebecca has carved a unique path as a seer, wild woman, and archetypal astrologer, captivating seekers with her profound knowledge and down-to-earth approach. Nestled in the vibrant energy of the San Francisco Bay Area, Rebecca offers a portal into the depths of astrology, guiding individuals and groups alike through the labyrinth of their own celestial maps. Her journey, however, was not always paved with stars and planets but rather meandered through diverse landscapes of skepticism and exploration. Today, Rebecca’s work transcends the boundaries of traditional astrology, weaving together threads of holistic healing, magic, and revolution. Join Mystic Mag as we embark on an illuminating odyssey with Rebecca M. Farrar, unraveling the mysteries of the cosmos and uncovering the hidden gems of the soul’s journey.
What was the pivotal moment or experience that transformed you from an astrology skeptic to a practitioner?
Most of my experience with astrology was horoscopes or over-generalized stereotypes about the zodiac signs, it wasn’t until I learned about archetypal astrology that I started to appreciate and understand the complexity of the entire natal chart. The main difference between archetypal astrology and other forms is its emphasis on the planetary archetypes more than the constellations/zodiac signs. In sessions, I focus on the planets, asteroids, and other planetary bodies in relationship to the Sun, Moon, and rising rather than just the zodiac sign. In this way, astrology acts as a bridge between the conscious and unconscious, helping us uncover aspects of our soul and integrate the many parts of us rather than hyper-focusing on a few pieces such as the Sun and Moon. Astrology for me is about complexity and understanding how all the facets of us come together uniquely and what makes us different rather than putting us all into 12 zodiac buckets.
As the Wild Witch of the West, how do you navigate the intersection between spirituality, activism, and personal growth in your work?
On an individual level to me, being a witch means enchanting myself with Earth and Ether, as a connector between above and below, and a lover of darkness and light. On a collective level, it means a strong political stance against the macro expression of patriarchy and its value of dominance over collaboration. The word witch often suggests a Pagan or Wiccan practice or spirituality, but I understand it as a wave of feminism focused on how we interact with power personally and collectively. My spirituality relates to my relationship to my Earthly nature and the entire cosmos and how my values can best align with those.
What type of services do you offer?
I offer one-on-one soul-centered astrology readings focused on individuals desiring healing and insight that can focus on life purpose, relationships, timing, and career direction. As well as astrocartography or astro mapping and how location impacts our experience in finding the best places to live, work, or travel. Astrology readings also offer a fun, playful way to bring people together at an event, celebration, or work group to increase empathy, improve communication, or build collaboration.
In your opinion, what role do archetypes play in understanding and navigating our individual and collective journeys?
An archetype is a universally recognizable symbol, pattern, or character type representing a particular idea, theme, or concept. These are often recurring patterns in literature, mythology, and other forms of art and culture that are deeply ingrained in the collective unconscious of humanity. The ancient concept of forms created by Plato evolved with Carl Jung who developed the concept of archetypes to explain the universal patterns of behavior and symbols found across different cultures and societies. By tapping into the collective unconscious, archetypes can evoke deep emotions and resonate with people on a subconscious level, making them a powerful tool for communication and expression we see reflected in each of us individually.
As a writer, what themes or messages do you find yourself drawn to exploring in your work?
On my blog, I often muse on astrology, depth psychology, witchiness, and wildness. Though I consistently feel pulled to writing about the mysteries of the soul that express themselves through archetypes but also through the Hero’s Journey, or as my favorite philosopher Erich Neumann calls centroversion. The deep desire to know ourselves and uncover the layers of soul and psyche is a constant curiosity of mine.
How do you reconcile the mystical aspects of astrology with the practicalities of everyday life in your consultations?
I love this question so much! Often astrology feels extremely abstract, I do my best to ground into the day-to-day enchantment by using my chart as a guide. I think about what things would light me up, versus where I tend to get stuck as well as how to work with phases and cycles with certain themes. Then I do my best to transfer this into helping people find the same patterns in their natal charts. Astrology comes alive through experience deepening into our chart and understanding how our lens impacts our lives and relationships. We can use that information to build more intimacy with ourselves and others.
