" For you, a comet, under a blue sky, leaves trail of color,
For you, a star, dreams of being able to kiss you, dream to hear your voice,
For you, full moon, keep vigil for you, my girl, keep vigil for you, my love. "
― Miguel Ángel Sáez Gutiérrez, Zori 2ª Parte
What's up, everyone? I've been pretty busy photographing a couple of extended profiles, lots of beautiful boudoir, and some pretty awesome kids.
One such amazing business is Awakened Astrologic, the work of #hotyoungastro Aaron Fried. I spent a couple of days with Aaron and his patrons during their readings and just generally getting to know him. It was a really terrific experience, especially watching people have "ah-ha" moments while interacting with Aaron and I'm really excited to share his business and passion with you!
His typical healing work space is located inside of Inspiration Point at 483 Elmwood Ave., and it certainly made for a dynamic atmosphere. The soft music, happy shopkeeper (Claire), sweet smelling incense, locally handcrafted jewelry and trinkets, tapestries, books, and other lovely novelties make up the cozy storefront. It's only natural you would find Aaron situated in the back in a comfy chair, surrounded by beautiful artwork.
(For those not in the know, astrology is defined as the study of the movements and relative positions of celestial objects as a means for divining information about human affairs and terrestrial events. As a Metaphysical Medicine Astrologer, Aaron's mission is to help "you gain clarity into life's most pressing questions, and move beyond challenges," through practical, cosmic insights.)
When we first spoke, Aaron told me he is 29 and tapped into his life's purpose at the age of 23 after spending some time discovering his inner yogi. It became immediately clear that he is compassionate and engaging with the people who's lives he enters, no matter how briefly. He tells me, "More than anything, I want to nourish and inspire the people who welcome me into their lives both personally and professionally."
It was, at first, really intriguing to talk with someone who has a formal background as a mathematician and formerly taught calculus at U.B. because I had a much more casual image in mind when imagining what an astrologer yogi is like. Throughout our first conversation, though, I found myself suddenly realizing the two things went perfectly hand in hand for him. As he spoke, I came to realize that Aaron facilitates a lot of practical understandings in what might seem to some to be an abstract calling. Even, last Friday night, while speaking about some of these images that we created together, I heard the mathematician time and again. For him, his logical mind makes him quite facile in engaging with a technical art
I was also able to get some follow up feedback from one of his clients, Alex. She was able to answer some questions that I think will help a lot of others who've never experienced a reading like this understand what you gain from it.
Q. Hi Alex! Was this your first reading? If not how did it differ from a previous reading and who was that reading with?
a. This was my first astrology reading but I have had a few psychic and tea leaf readings. This was different in the sense that it was more of an over all an introspective reading. What's really going on very deep inside the mind and heart as my other readings were about my surroundings and my place within them.
Q. How did you feel throughout the experience? Did you feel welcomed, open, calm, or did you feel you were leading the reading, anxious, or uncomfortable?
a. Overall, I felt amazing, all day. I felt completely comfortable and at ease from beginning to end.
Q. What was your reading's main theme? Is this something you often find yourself coming to a head with in your daily life?
a. Relationships and a current state of learning and tuning into my inner being. All extremely relative of where my energy has been focused.
Q. What did Aaron help you become more mindful of? Did he encourage you to let go of anything and, if so, what?
a. Of course, very mindful. Aaron was very encouraging to continue the path I have been on.
Q. Do you feel you were easily able to navigate steps to accomplishing the previous?
a. Yes, Aaron has a wonderful way of expressing everything he wants to say. Making me see things very clearly as we talked things through.
Q. Are there any new insights about yourself you'd like to share since the reading?
a. Aaron and I share very similar insights but new ones evolved as well. Simply opening so many new possibilities and ideas. What made it extra special was taking one thought or feeling and expanding it to its full capacity and/or breaking it down to it's deepest core.
Q. Overall, were you impacted by the reading in a meaningful way? If so, how?
a. Very much. I cannot exactly put into words how I was impacted because it was so powerful. It is inexplicable. It definitely goes beyond the reading. Like I said, expanding and breaking down ideas truly opens up even more possibilities and knowledge. Time did not exist during the reading.
Q. What did you think of Aaron himself?
a. Aaron has so much depth within himself. He has so much to share. Truly an amazing and special person. I could go on and on.
Q. When you received the reading, did you have questions and, if so, was Aaron able to help answer them for you?
a. Everything was so fluid and one aspect guided to the next. Of course, I had questions along the way. Aaron was always able to answer them and sometimes then cross over into other dimensions or level of relevance. Truly a wonderful experience. I am so so so grateful.
Q. What was the best part of the reading for you?
a. Truly getting lost within the depths of our discussion. Both of us lost of a sense of time.
He also, very occasionally, meets for readings within his own home. I had the opportunity to watch him work in both environments and can confidently say that he was equally on task in both locations.
Lovely Lunations, hosted by Aaron, is a free bi-weekly series dedicated to attuning participants to the astrology of the present by exploring the energies of the New and Full Moons, and Eclipses. Each lunation (New & Full Moon), they intentionalize the celestial influences consciously and creatively. Witnessing the lunar cycles reveals the evolution of their intentions: New Moons invoke times of conception and Full Moons illuminate times of manifestation. We sow what we reap, so the purpose of Lovely Lunations is to gift you with the awareness that lets you be the master of your destiny.
Each edition of Lovely Lunations carries a unique glimpse into the cosmic energy of the moment, along with relevant insights and universal life lessons. Lovely Lunations features guided meditations and imagery to nourish, support, and inspire you during these peak times of the monthly cycle and to honor and appreciate the magical patterns of life energy that are common to the human experience.
Lovely Lunations is offered both as a bi-weekly podcast, “The Lovely Lunations Stellar Astrology Podcast” and as a live community event, “Lovely Lunations Live”, at Inspiration Point in Buffalo, NY. “The Lovely Lunations Stellar Astrology Podcast” is available on Aaron’s website, awakenedastrologic.com and will soon be available on iTunes. “Lovely Lunations Live”, at Inspiration Point, features creative expression in the form of music, poetry, visual art, dance, and enactments to illuminate the astral energies of the time. Lovely Lunations is sustained by Lovely donations.
To remain accessible and fulfill his humble desire to be of service, nourish, and inspire others, Aaron currently offers his readings to local Buffalo residents at the remarkably affordable price of $90 for a 1-hr intensive session. For non-residents of his local community, he offers readings at the regular fee of $150 for a typical reading. He also offers long-term coaching and guidance through major life changes as well as everyday mundane details of life through his technical art, which allows him to tune-in to people's dynamic and evolving life experiences. His goal is to make his work relevant and to be a rock of inspiration for his clients when they need it most.
Check out his website for a more in-depth look at what Aaron offers with his gift here and follow him on Facebook for any special offerings! You can check out the Lovely Lunations podcast or Lovely Lunations Live events page to mark your calendars for the next one!
