Astrology, mythic poetry and the spirituality of India have been constant companions on my life's journey.  Growing up in Milwaukee, WI, for as long as I can remember, I was fascinated by the myths of the Greek and Roman gods and heroes and by Parzival's mythic quest for the Holy Grail.   

As a teenager, the music and lyrics of the Beatles, Moody Blues, Donovan and Bob Dylan inspired my passion for poetry, philosophy, spirituality and India.  During that time, I began playing and writing music, which is a creative outlet I still enjoy (some songs I have written can be heard on my Photos & Links page).  In my late teens, I met my Gurudev, Swami Rama of the Himalayas, and took my first astrology classes.  Together, these interests were important signposts that would point the way for my future journey in life.  

Then, at a fork in road, I ventured my way onto the “road most traveled” - the path of social expectations and a career in the financial services industry, where my roles included working with groups and individuals as a trainer, coach, manager and productivity consultant.  While I experienced success, I was constantly frustrated and was not rewarded in a personally meaningful way. 

However, it was through this work that I met my wife, Tammy in the fall of 1989.  Through it all, meditation and spirituality remained a constant foundation of my life.  In 1993, Tammy and I were married at Paramahansa Yogananda’s Lake Shrine in Pacific Palisades, CA, while we lived in Los Angeles. 

After having moved to Minneapolis, MN, a second fork in the road of life was accompanied by minor health issues and increasing personal dissatisfaction with my work.  So, in a moment of great inspiration, I left the corporate world and, with the emotional support of my loving wife, I returned to my passion for astrology.  My life-long interest in astrology that began as a teenager was transformed into a career of service to others when I founded The Traveler’s Well.  

The skills I developed in my years in the financial services industry now find more meaningful expression by working with clients to connect the myth and inspiration of their birth chart with their direct life experiences and goals in a personally meaningful way.  Planning skills like reviewing past experiences, business planning, setting goals for the future and prioritization find practical daily expression through astrology.

The services I provide explore the  birth chart from the combined perspective of classic myth and the yogic tradition of India.  Astrology provides the insights into the archetypal themes of the birth chart as well as the intention for this lifetime, along with identifying the locations around the world where the intention of the soul's journey can be fulfilled.  The yogis of India provide the wisdom that each person can choose to become the architect of their own life and by doing so, "move in harmony with the Sun, Moon and stars".  

For many years, we have been discussing the next phase of our life and, in 2007 after living in Minneapolis since 1994, we took action to simplify our life and finances.  We decided to move to Fairfield, Iowa, which is a town of 10,000 people in Southeastern Iowa.  The cost of living is nicely affordable and the quality of life is high.  Fairfield, Iowa is the town where the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi founded a community and university in the 70's.   While we are not associated with the Maharishi, we truly appreciate the peaceful, international community that has been established here. 

Travel and being a traveler has transformed my life and continues to be my muse.  In 1998, we took our first international trip and spent three weeks in Rishikesh, India (India Photo Journal).  Since 2001, we have become “frequent travelers” to Europe exploring and imbibing its culture, quality of life, history and art.   Our goal now is to spend a portion of each year in Europe and we are planning to spend a few months each year in Munich, Germany.  In the Spring of 2007, we took a test drive and spent 1 month in Germany (Germany Photo Journal).  In the Summer of 2008, we took another test drive and spent 1 month in Paris (Paris Photo Journal).  Alas, all of our travels to Italy were before we owned our digital camera so that photo journal awaits the scanning process.

My spiritual beliefs are the foundation of my life and my calling to serve others - my dharma.   The following quotes from my Gurudev Swami Rama form the core of the intention for The Traveler's Well

(click for more dedications to Swami Rama and Swami Veda Bharati):

"The most ancient traveler in the universe is love."

"Why are the sun, moon and stars constantly on the move? 

If you know the purpose of their movement,

then move in harmony with them. 

If you do not know, then move in harmony with them still,

for by doing so,

one day you will know their purpose."

"You are the architect of your life and you decide your destiny."

I enjoy writing and speaking at conferences and meetings around the country.  In 2007, I was the President of Minnesota STARS, the local NCGR chapter in Minnesota, and a member of the International Society of Astrological Research (ISAR).  I am a certified consultant of Astro*Carto*Graphy^TM as championed by Jim Lewis and Continuum, and Evolutionary Astrology as taught by Jeffrey Wolf Green. 

Scott's Birth Chart & A Cute Photo...

Born July 3, 1957; Milwaukee, WI; 7:45 AM

The image of the Traveler's Well, brought to life through the artistic work of Todd Dakins, represents the unending cycles of the zodiac.  This image is intended to convey a couple of key themes.  First, the reflection of the sun, moon and stars in the well, symbolically represents a birth chart and the keys to unlock meaning in our lives if we take time to stop and reflect upon them.  Second, the Celtic triple knot represents the place where the circles of the body, mind and spirit are united together in harmony.