About Mark

...a bit about me (No, my parents weren't hippies!)

A bit about me...

Welcome to my About section! I lead a reasonably normal everyday life in rural PEI -- nestled in the woods on our beautiful wooded 22-acre property. Most days I'm chopping wood or driving to town to take our daughter thrifting. I practice traditional karate (my daughter does, too) and it's pretty central to our lives. I also play traditional music (bagpipes, whistle) and have a Guinness or two, since you need balance in life, eh?! Lots of reading, and when given the chance, likely Robbie Burns poetry, making bagpipe reeds, or every now and then on my PS5, usually playing Gran Turismo. I'm no big gamer, but it's fun to play with my daughter.

I've studied and used astrology my whole life, but it wasn't until 2016 that I started taking it seriously and enrolled in the Diploma program at the APA. I furthered my practice by studying under the master astrologer, John Frawley, from 2019 to 2023. I feel very blessed to have received such a high-quality education in my astrology studies. Astrology is a lifelong pursuit, and it should make you humble. As an art, it deserves respect and careful study. I'm continuously learning new things about myself through the birth charts. 

International Professional Astrological Appearances 

In 2021 I presented for the International Society for Astrological Research’s “Star Club,” Mark Douglas – Stress Planets in the Huber Energy Curve: Compensation, Sublimation, Transformation, and in 2019 for the Northern Stars Astrology Conference, “Age Points - Journey from the AC.”

In Dec 2023, presented for ISAR Star Club in Calls of Self, Age Point Timing.”

Before founding The Sea Within You I worked in human development, life skills, communications, and adult literacy with groups such as the Adventure Group, Reach Foundation, Mi’kmaq First Nations, PEI Council of People with Disabilities from 2008-2020. This was a thoroughly enriching time and made made him realize he loves one-on-one working with people, hearing their stories. Previous to that, I worked in environmental research and the tech industry - a profitable, fun time when I got to travel to Australia and Toronto quite regularly (not complaining!). I still work in human development, NGOs and astrology/psyhosynthesis/coaching is a vocational endeavour. I don't treat it as a business. If I can help, I will, and my services help pay for websites, business processes, continuous learning, etc. 

Qualifications:  

Astrology - I earned a diploma in astrological psychology from the Astrological Psychology Association (U.K.). Member of the Atlantic Association of Professional Astrologers, provincial representative. Member of the International Association of Professional Astrologers International. Dipl. (APA)

Completed his Horary Apprenticeship through John Frawley, a fantastic human and teacher, and also one of the best astrologers in the world. 

Board Certified Coach from CCE #4556. I adhere to their code of ethics alongside the APAI code of ethics for professional astrologers.

Psychosynthesis Transpersonal Psychology - Graduate of the Synthesis Center San Francisco's International Board Certified Psychosynthesis program (2019-2022) including two years of supervision with Dr. Didi Firman and Karen Randall. TA Teaching Assistant from 2020-2021.

One unit of CPE (Clinical Pastoral Education), 400-hour supervised program. 2022-2023, QE Hospital Spiritual Care Dept.  working on-call in the spiritual care dept. at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, assigned to the emergency dept, unit 7 and unit 3. This was an intense, beautiful period of learning. 

Imagery and the 5th dimension:  Completed extensive coursework through the Amsterdam School for Imagery under Dr. Jan Taal, Winter 2020-2021 including supervision and trauma relating to coaching and imagery. 

Wild Imagination, waking dreams in psychotherapy and everyday life course and group supervision with psychotherapist and author Allan Frater. January-May, 2021.

Grief Coaching Certificate through ILCT: A program to assist those who support, encourage, and help clients discover the meaning of life after the death of a loved one, or non-death losses and transitions.

Bachelor's in Human Development from the University of Prince Edward Island and a minor in religious studies.

Master in Peace & Justice Studies - Inner Transformation, thru St Stephen's University. (Currently completing).

My parents, who, being incredibly practical, and non-esoteric (putting it mildly ;) ) always supported and embraced many ways of knowing. They bought me my first astrology book at age 9 — how cool is that!? Having lost both parents in recent years, through suicide and heartbreak, I've leaned into the archetypal necessity and the meaning-making in the ineffable mysteries, embracing a journeying process from waves to wings - embracing Neptune’s desire for us to leave dry land. Soul-making. 

FYI: My business is a small offering. I have no desire to grow a following or drain your pocketbook with new age spiritualism. My aim is an open, professional practice. I receive monthly supervision, mentoring and group alignment through the APAI. If I can be of service to you, please reach out! I’m happy to chat and support you to the best of my ability. 

Mark Douglas, MAPAI, Dipl. APA (UK), BEd, Human Development