2022 Update: I am and in many ways have always been an Alchemical Astrologer. It started with Venus Alchemy eight years ago. No wait! It started in 1996 when I was asked to come up with my life purpose in two words or less, something we did in my Priestess Community. The longer story is HERE but the short version is…while contemplating this question on my daily walk I heard “you are an alchemist”. I was startled.
I followed up with – “Okay then what do I alchemize?” And I heard “Awareness!” So 1996 is when I had my first conscious inkling of being an Alchemical Astrologer.
Then in 2014 Venus Alchemy was born and in 2021 My Star Alchemy found its expression. Yup. I guess I really am an Alchemical Astrologer and have been for a long time – closing in on three decades. Loving that I am finally claiming this in a bigger way and I am sure I will be adding to these insights in the future…
More recently: In 2023 I am remembering how I started my training as an alchemist in early childhood when my parents introduced me to the Rosicrucians and their teachings for children. I was 5 when my Mom started sharing these teachings with me and my sister. I had no idea until I found references to the Rosicrucian Alchemical Teachings.
You can contact me via email at: cayelin.k.c@gmail.com
My Super Brief Story
There have been many changes that have radically altered the course my life. The best one so far was from 2002 to 2006 when I was undergoing powerful initiation cycles designed to empower my life’s direction in ways I hadn’t even imagined. These changes included leaving my second marriage, moving, letting go of my youngest son (who was age 16 at the time) to move to Colorado with his dad, getting married for the third time in 2006 (all these years later this remains my best marriage ever and gets better every year) and creating a new identity via a legal name change also in 2006. See more about the name change below.
With gratitude for the understanding of these cycles, I knew these changes were empowering me. I also knew I couldn’t escape what was happening to me – in the same way the caterpillar can not escape the cocoon before it becomes a butterfly.
My Beloved Partner
As my second marriage was ending in 2005, I unexpectedly met Peter who I now lovingly refer to
as my BHE – Best Husband Ever!
After our initial meeting in June of that year, we didn’t connect again for several months. However, fate was in motion and before long we realized we were destined to be in a long-lasting loving relationship including getting married in October of 2006.
I am grateful every day for the many wonderful gifts in my life. I’m especially grateful for Peter’s profound ability to meet me as an equal and to appreciate my relentless pursuit for personal growth. He is a great mirror for the progress I have made and the places I am still growing.
Read about our Sacred Marriage and Secret Wedding HERE Many have told me it is an inspiring story providing hope no matter where a person is in their relationship journey.
My Beloved and Remarkable Children
My most remarkable achievement in this life is being a Mom to my 4 beloved children including Ryan, age 42 (July 2024), Twins – Ian and Jenna, age 39 (March 2024), and Jeremy, age 34 (May 2024). They are all bright lights, full of love and enthusiasm and they constantly delight me with their insights and wisdom.
My Joyous Grandson Gryffin Ryder born April 5, 2020 shown here Christmas 2021 almost 2 years old is giving us one of his most delightful smiles. For me I see him already lighting up the world with his smile and his joyous nature!
Update 2024: Gryffin has a baby brother arriving in July 2024. YAY…
Most of the photos in the collage below were taken in September of 2020. I am imaging it is way past time to do another collage to update how much Gryffin has grown.
Shamanic Astrology (as it WAS taught by the Shamanic Astrology Mystery School)
My Shamanic Astrology journey (having now evolved to Alchemical Astrology) began in May of 1990 when I attended a workshop Daniel Giamario was giving at the Tucson Astrologers Guild. My life was forever changed on that day and I have been studying, promoting and teaching this experiential form of astrology ever since. I love that I get to share these mysteries with others.
As the co-founder of the former Shamanic Astrology Mystery School, an official 501 (c) 3 educational non-profit organization, I assisted Daniel in developing The Shamanic Astrology Certification Program.
In 2012 and 2014, I updated, expanded and revised the original collaboration (1994) I did with Daniel to create The Shamanic Astrology Handbook. Some years later I also wrote and narrated the 12 Tribes CD along with many other guided journeys some available on this website, most of them are at VenusAlchemy.com
As of 2021 the school has gone through a transformation that I am no longer a part of though I still honor and value this life changing perspective and share it in everything I do.
In addition to facilitating online classes and events, I have been a guest presenter at conferences (including annually at the Conscious Life Expo since 2020), numerous online summits, talk radio shows, podcasts, retreats and workshops in the U.S. and internationally. In 2022, I was interviewed by Astrology Hub and in 2023 was one of their Inner Circle Teachers. I have published articles in several venues including magazines, online blog posts and my own website. I have several YouTube videos, with more to be added soon. View and Subscribe HERE.
My Name Changes
In 2006 at the age of 50, I birthed into a new life and legally changed my name from Carolyn Brent to
Cayelin K Castell*.
As my second marriage was dissolving, I realized I had been given names throughout my life, starting with my parents. Then I took my first two husband’s last names – so at age 50 I was ready to choose my own name and a whole new life to go with it.
About a year and half after I legally changed my name I was reading the book Message From Forever, by Marlo Morgan and was inspired by a section in the book. It explained that aboriginal cultures choose or are given different names at different times in their life.
“It is our way to learn from our names. We outgrow each name as we gain wisdom, and select a new one periodically that better describes who we are.”
I felt this was true for me as I considered taking on a new name to better describe the new me and the new chapter of my life that was beginning. I chose the name Cayelin because it means “pure joy” and Castell is the old English way of spelling “Castle”.
Complete legal name changes like this are not easy to do. I knew it would take time to get all my records updated. What I didn’t know was – it would take me 6 years to complete the name change process. In 2012 with the update and republishing of The Shamanic Astrology Handbook the last name change was finally in place. In 2011 the Twelve Tribes CD (available free HERE) got a new look and was republished with my new name. Both the book and the CD had been published before I changed my name.
It took 6 years to complete the name change but was so well worth it as I still loooove my now not so new name!
**I had three incarnations with the name Carolyn:
Carolyn Carter from my birth in 1956 up to 1978
Carolyn Van Cleve from 1978 to 1990
Carolyn Brent from 1990 to 2006
In August 2006 I legally changed my name to Cayelin K Castell, for good! One of the reasons I chose this name is because Caye means pure and in the Chinese hexagrams Lin means Profound Joy. Hence I was choosing a new name that would support me in embodying and living Pure Joy every time it is said or written.
This name also resonates with accomplishment for the greater good, being true to my word and fulfilling my responsibilities. Yep that’s me.
Here is more about my name change journey in an article called Name Changers are Game Changers
One more thing that was life changing for me…
Many life-changing shamanic experiences, or initiations, have dramatically altered my life. You can read about one of these initiations that took place in 1998 HERE before my name changed to Cayelin Castell. I describe how I mid-wifed my mother’s conscious death process and deepened my own journey and understanding with the death mysteries. Again many have told me this is a powerful story that has assisted their own journey with the passing of a loved one.
Bio Descriptions I have used for summits and interviews.
Short Bio
Cayelin K Castell is the co-founder of Venus Alchemy, My Star Alchemy and the Shamanic Astrology Mystery School. In addition to writing monthly Celestial Timings for over 27 years, she enjoys sharing these mysteries through personal readings and teaching both Online and in person events, changing lives and perspectives from the visionary understanding that we inform the mysteries as much as they inform us.😍
Venus Alchemy and My Star Alchemy
Cayelin has been a guest on several radio shows, online-summits, and the Astrology Hub podcast. Most recently she has been presenting at the Conscious Life Expo annually since 2020. She is also available for personal sessions. (See readings page in Menu) Cayelin also wrote and narrated the popular Twelve Tribes Journey through the archetypes of the signs.