231 - Michael J. Morris - The Work of Magic and Ritual, Organizing and Activism
“Rather than thinking of my heart being broken, I’m thinking of my heart being broken open and what then gets to come through because of that heartbreak, what becomes possible because our hearts have been broken.” - Michael J. Morris
It’s a difficult time to identify as a fiercely open-hearted, optimistic human. That’s especially true for folks embodying marginalized identities. And yet, somehow, Michael J. Morris finds ways to lead with love. They’re a powerhouse multi-hyphenated talent committed to personal and collective healing and liberation through their work as an astrologer, tarot reader, artist, writer, teacher, facilitator, and witch. Michael’s ability to thrive in possibility rather than succumb to pessimism is deliciously dangerous energy to flaunt in a world hell-bent on erasing trans folks––and it's the kind of spirit that just might save us all.
“Looking back,” recalls Michael, “I think that as a young queer person in that deeply evangelical Christian context in the deep south of the United States, I felt forbidden in a lot of ways.” It’s no wonder they drifted toward less mainstream environments and found welcome in spaces that felt taboo, like witchcraft and astrology. Michael deepened their knowledge of witchcraft under elders of the Ara tradition and studied astrology with Demetra George and Chani Nicholas while also pursuing their Ph.D. in Dance Movement. Their professional endeavors are, as a result, incredibly diverse: tarot consultations, reiki, astrological readings, ritual facilitation, teaching… Ultimately, Michael helps folks find the tools they need to create a more meaningful life.
I firmly believe in astrology’s power to connect (or maybe push) us toward our better selves, although it’s difficult to articulate that faith into something coherent. Thankfully, Michael has cultivated an easy way to express the possibility of this moment in time. “One of the basic assumptions has to be that there is some sort of meaningful connection between our lives that we are living here on earth and what is happening with the movements of the planets, the stars in the sky, the cosmos,” they explain. “Just coming into that awareness or that consciousness––that we have always been connected to a cosmos that's bigger than us, but also bigger than this moment and bigger than this particular political organization called a nation-state and bigger than this moment in history––just coming into that awareness can already facilitate so much healing and belonging for so many people.”
There’s medicine and magic embedded in this human.
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RECOMMENDED LISTENING
MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Rising Strong - Brené Brown
Black Trans Feminism - Marquis Bey
GUEST CONTACT AND BIO
Michael J. Morris, PhD., is an astrologer and tarot reader, artist, writer, teacher, facilitator, and witch committed to personal and collective healing and liberation. They began their consulting practice, Co Witchcraft Offerings, in 2019, through which they share astrology, tarot, and movement ritual practices. They hold a PhD in Dance Studies, and their work is inspired and informed by many years of experience in dance, yoga, feminism, queer studies, and making connections between different disciplines and practices.
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