Yesterday I was talking to Maria Kay Simms, whose publishing house, ACS Publications, produces many astrological reference works such as the American Ephemeris series and the American Atlas. I asked her how many people still hand-calculate charts in the computer age, and mentioned that I haven't done so in decades. She replied that those who … Continue reading Tools of the Trade
General Astrology
The Node Knows
The last time I thought seriously about the lunar nodes - apart from my study of traditional astrology - was in 1985, when astrologer Robert Hand made a statement at a lecture in Belmont, MA that "the nodes mean connections, period." By this he meant connections (North Node) or, alternately, separations (South Node) between people. … Continue reading The Node Knows
Drums in the Deep
First off, this isn't so much a prediction as a premonition. In The Lord of the Rings, Gandalf, reading from the Book of Mazarbul while in Moria, quotes the following ominous passage: "They have taken the Bridge and the Second Hall. We have barred the gates, but cannot hold them for long. The ground shakes... … Continue reading Drums in the Deep
“Adam Cardman”
There is a qabalastic tradition that places an image of the male human body within the structure of the Tree of Life, such that the ten spheres (or sephiroth) of the Tree relate to different parts of the anatomy. This image is known as "Adam Kadmon," or the Primordial Man. The most common version of … Continue reading “Adam Cardman”
Hard and Soft, Red and Black
During my intermittent involvement with the Tarot de Marseille (I'm still waiting for that "one book to rule them all"), I've come across the opinion that Batons and Swords are the "hard" suits, while Cups and Coins are "soft." There is some logic to this: both wooden batons (also called staves) and edged metal blades … Continue reading Hard and Soft, Red and Black
Venus and the Horned Moon
“ . . . while close above the Eastern bar the horned Moon, with one bright Star almost between the tips." (from The Rime of the Ancient Mariner, Samuel Taylor Coleridge). On Sunday night, July 16, 2018, we observed a rare celestial phenomenon, technically called an occultation of Venus by the Moon with Earthshine, but … Continue reading Venus and the Horned Moon
An “Astrological Lemniscate” Problem-Solving Spread
I've become rather bored with the traditional 12-position astrological spread; it often turns into a case of too much information, to the point that you "can't see the forest for the trees." But I do believe a good deal of interpretive mileage can be gained from blending the active and passive natures of the twelve … Continue reading An “Astrological Lemniscate” Problem-Solving Spread
The Pathfinder
In a previous post I examined the relationship between astrological Saturn and its "counterbalance," Jupiter, likening the former to the structure of our individual social vehicle (also our protective shell or "armor") and the latter to the indwelling spirit of adventure that motivates the apparatus of interpersonal outreach. One represents the gears, wheels and levers … Continue reading The Pathfinder
An Astro-Tarot Mood Index
I'm always looking for new ways to blend the Golden Dawn's astrological correspondences with practical tarot applications. Here is my latest effort. The idea behind it is to use the "natural" (Aries-rising) zodiac and the current "sky-map" for the five "personal" planets (Sun through Mars*) to create a template on which to cast a number … Continue reading An Astro-Tarot Mood Index
The Ideal Study Group
Esoteric study groups of the face-to-face kind are mercurial beasts. Interest tends to wax and wane, and attendance is anything but consistent as members occasionally choose to deal with more mundane matters on meeting day. When I lived in the Hartford, CT area in the '70s, there were numerous opportunities to meet regularly with kindred … Continue reading The Ideal Study Group
