The Astrology of The San Luis Valley

When looking at locations & the energy they hold, we can turn to Astrology to give us insight as to the blueprint and archetypes that come through a land or location. The San Luis Valley has a long and rich history as the "Bloodless Valley", yet there is a date that stands out as to the modern establishment of the Valley. After the San Luis Valley was ceded to the US and then became a part of Colorado, a settlement was established in 1851. Although we do not have an exact date of incorporation, we do have an event that solidified it. On the Summer Solstice, June 21st of 1851, the settlers of the San Luis Valley constructed a church and dedicated the establishment of the Valley under the Feast of San Luis.

Looking at the chart, with a time of 12 PM, which would be the height of the Summer Solstice Celebrations, we see a very interesting Birth Chart.

For starters, we see the San Luis Valley has its Sun at 29 Degrees Gemini, conjuct its Midheaven at 28 Degrees Gemini. The Valley also carries a strong Gemini stellium. This is important to understand, not only because Gemini represents information, connectivity, short-term travel and sometimes....erratic energy. But also, the 29th Degree is known as the aneretic degree, there is a critical and intense nature to it. Conjunct the Midheaven, the Valley has become seen and known for paranormal or strange occurrences and stories coing out of it. It has also been used heavily through history as a trade route and passageway between locations. Could this also indicate it serves as a vortex or energetic passageway?

We might find that answer with the Moon at 29 Degrees Pisces. Pisces is otherwordly, paranormal, unexplainable, and mysterious. Again we see a critical degree popping up, and this means the Moon is in a direct square with the Sun in Gemini. Squares create tension and often conflict in some way. If nothing else, we can all agree that the mysterious and bizarre stories and events that often come out of the San Luis Valley end up with no explanations. There are conflicting and confusing narratives and clarity is hard to find. On the other hand, this also lends to the Vortex theory in that when you enter here, you enter somewhat of a cosmic whirlwind. Anything can happen. Anything can be perceived based on the nature of the perceiver. With Neptune also retrograde in Pisces in this chart, there is a out-of-this-world energy here that can only be felt and experienced, but certainly cannot be explained. Neptune is also retrograde at 9 Degrees, which happens to be a Sagittarius degree. In modern Astrology, Sagittarius has come to represent different belief systems or religions, which makes sense considering that the Valley holds more spiritual centers per capita than anywhere in the world.

We then stumble upon the Taurus stellium in this chart, containing Saturn, Uranus and Pluto all falling into the 8th house of the unseen and unspoken. Maybe this is where the intensity of the land itself emits from. There are secrets and myths within the moutains, lands, and waters here. The land itself seems to be alive and conscious in ways we cannot fully understand. This also relays how this land can be harsh and difficult to live upon. Our high mountain desert makes it challenging to grow crops and the weather conditions can be less than ideal. One must have some grit and strength to make it on this land, and I think this chart explains why. Only those who are called into the Vortex and can work with it successfully, will be able to remain.

Finally, Jupiter in Libra in the first house of the chart explains why the Natives called this land the "Bloodless Valley." Jupiter is our magic, our gift of growth and expansion. In the first house, it becomes part of the self-identity and Libra is the peacekeeper, the one who sheds no blood but rather focuses on beauty and harmony. This placement creates the sacred container that is the San Luis Valley.

For those called to the Valley, and Crestone specifically, you will enter an energy field that is hard to explain in words. The magical, mystical and sacred energy is very apparent, but so is the intensity. The Vortex will show you yourself in many ways. For those traveling here for the Vortex Festival or traveling here at anytime, this is a sacred journey and more of a pilgramage than a vacation. The land will speak to you in many ways and the synchronicities will often be abound. We welcome you all to experience it first hand.

Aurora