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About This Site
Joy at the Helm has been created for three purposes. First, I want to learn more about the ways astrology and therapeutic coaching can work together to improve life experiences. As you learn about yourself, I will be adding to my knowledge as well. Second, now at my midlife, I am seeking ways to integrate all of my gifts into a single practice. Third, and most importantly, I want to support the folks in my community. I know it is tough to cultivate bliss in this world we live in. We need each other now more than ever!
Who couldn't use a bit more joy at the helm?
About the Helm
In ancient astrology, the first house is referred to as the Helm and is considered a position of leadership in our nativity chart. It represents the Self and has the power to steer the entirety of the chart, ultimately determining our life direction. The degree of the Ascendant, a sensitive point in our nativity, marks the boundary between sky and earth at birth. The ascendant is a highly personal and influential point that determines our Helm. It has an impact on various aspects of our being, including our body, health, appearance, spirit, and character.
About the Opportunities
Presently I am offering free joy coaching to a few individuals as a beta test before launching Joy at the Helm. Beta testers must have complete accurate birth data, have a personal goal they would like to work on, and be motivated to explore their natal chart as a map to their goal.
Communication and coaching will occur through the Joy at the Helm TEAMS community, so you must have a Microsoft account of some kind in order to access TEAMS. To get free access to TEAMS, see here.
Part of your role as a beta tester will be to have ultimate patience with me as I learn to navigate internet stuff. There are no rules or expectations beyond this. We'll figure it out together.
About Me, Taryn Renee N.
I am an EAP therapist by day. I have a Leonine Venus at the Helm that enjoys flip flopping between helping others achieve their personal goals and delving head first into expressive or artistic projects. I am 49 and embracing my midlife! I find myself desiring more and more to unify my various interests and gifts in a way that better serves my community. So here we are!
professional
My formal education began as a painter, with a major in studio art at what is now known as Texas State University. When I was almost finished with my undergraduate degree, I became a single mother, and needed to pivot to a more lucrative profession. I completed my BA in Psychology at UTSA, with an emphasis on cognitive psychology. It was at this time that my interest in research sparked. After working in fundraising for kids at San Antonio Youth, I decided to pivot once again to return to school. I completed my Masters degree in Marriage & Family Therapy. At the encouragement of my mentor at the time, I applied for, and won, a national research fellowship called the American Association of Marriage & Family Therapy Minority Fellowship Program. The stipend was significant, and allowed me to continue on to complete studies in a Doctoral Program at St. Mary's University. After completing my dissertation, I experienced true burnout, and found myself needing to pivot once again away from academia. Without formally completing graduation, I began employment as an EAP Counselor for a major insurance company. This is where I began to see the true value in brief solution focused coaching, and the role it could play in all of our lives. Yes, there is always a place for psychotherapy when our focus is healing. But most of us, most of the time, need direction, support, skills, and focus to achieve our goals. And this is the beauty of the life coach.
Personal
CHILDHOOD My entry point into psychology was an interest in dreams. At ten I stumbled on Sigmund Freud's Interpretation of Dreams, and without knowing much more than a slight recognition of the author's name, I convinced my mom to buy it for me. This did two things for me-- it triggered an interest in the idea of psychology, and it made me realize my interest in dreams was less about psychology than it was about something more mysterious. By the time I was twelve, I was devouring books on divination and esoterica, but also on personality typology systems like factor 5, MBTI, and enneagram. I had my first tarot deck at 12. I knew I was an INFJ at 13. I read my first natal chart at 14. YOUNG ADULTHOOD My interest in the esoteric developed into spiritual leanings. My first major in undergrad was World Religions, and I also began to explore Eastern religions and mystical aspects of Western religions. I began meditating at 16. At 19 I began exploring the writings of Carl Jung. As a way of understanding the people around me and myself, I spent long hours at the bookstore reading the DSM-IV, which was too expensive for me to ever afford. ADULTHOOD At 28 I created a website called Alchemivida. I explored Jungian psychological alchemy, as well as provided dream interpretation, astrological readings, and tarot readings for the public. I did not charge for my services. I reached a place where I knew I needed more psychological training for the types of readings and support I was providing to the strangers who stumbled upon the website. I jumped on the academia train for psychology and systemic therapy, and put away all of the esoteric. MIDLIFE Now at midlife, I am finding increased need for the esoteric and spiritual threads I had put behind me. For myself, but also for others in how I am able to support other seekers. I have learned a lot, including knowing that providing free services devalues my gifts and the gifts of others like me. I have learned that collaborative communication styles can really flip the switch on who is the teacher and who is the student in a conversation. That engaging in collaboration, rather than "teaching," I can continue to learn from others, and others can enhance their own empowerment and expertise on their own lives. I have also learned that only about 50% of astrology is book learning, and that to truly ascend in my knowledge, I need to start providing natal consultations and engaging in client work.
astrology
My foundation in astrology began in modern perspectives in the 80s and 90s. I explored everything, settling on no particular method. In the early 2000s, as Hellenistic translations were rapidly making a presence, I resonated with ancient astrology. I primarily rely on Hellenistic techniques with some modern perspectives. For example, the interpretive methods I use focus on ancient tradition, but I include the outer planets, and I often rely on Jungian language and metaphors to connect the language of the stars with others.
I use:
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Tropical Astrology/Western astrology
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Whole Sign House System
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Traditional Rulerships & Dignities
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Jungian Perspectives
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Outer Planets, Some Arabic Lots, Chiron, and Lunar nodes
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Natal charts, Secondary Progressions, Synastry & Composite charts
At this time, I do not offer:
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Vedic Astrology
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Evolutionary Astrology
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Electional Astrology
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Horary Astrology
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Birth chart rectification
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Zodiacal Releasing
consults
What to expect from a coaching consultation
I will connect with you in our discovery call so we can determine if we are a good fit. I will assist you in creating a SMART goal so that you can get the most out of your session, and you will be able to clearly track your progress. All of our sessions will be conversational. My preparation in understanding your natal chart will occur prior to your session, so that we don't use up your time explaining astrological concepts. I will indicate astrological themes as they surface with a very brief mention. For example, "I see your Saturn/Venus configuration is at play here." Then we will discuss the themes in a more concrete personal way, so as not to overload the session with astrology jargon. You will have ongoing support options to discuss the astrology after the session if you like. Part of the coaching process is on me-- such as assisting in creating achievable steps to your goals, mentoring you in mastering the skills you need, acting as your accountability partner in your journey, and ensuring you are being kind to yourself along the way. Your part of the coaching process is to take accountability for your own actions and behaviors, to trust your instincts in knowing what is right for your life, and to remember that you are the expert on your life, not me. I will always collaborate with you. I will never tell you what to do.
cohesion
How will the astrology, life coaching,
and my psychotherapy background come together?
Our use of your natal chart will be our map. We will use it to chart the best path for you to achieve your goals. The natal chart will help us find the path of least resistance to your best life, while allowing us to easily maximize your strengths and minimize the challenges. This is not a typical astrological reading. On our journey, we won't stare at the map the whole time. Instead, we will be traveling to your destination. "Life Coach" is the most common title for what I do. I don't think it's the best title, but it works. To help you achieve your goals, I will mentor, guide, and support you. I will collaborate with you, and be your sounding board. Think ofyourself as the captain of your ship. I will be your scout and travel guide, helping you navigate the often treacherous waters. My therapeutic background and education in marriage & family therapy is always present. It never leaves. I regularly continue to expand my training in the background of my life. In our coaching consultations, you will always feel that therapeutic influence. But our goal together is not to heal you. We will not engage in treatment plans. As a whole, you will experience life coaching with astrology as our guide, and a therapist as your coach.