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
General Astrology
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
Personalizing the Astrological Spread
An interesting question came up on Saturday while I was giving a presentation on the Golden Dawn's Opening of the Key spread. It's been said that, due to its extreme complexity (and, I might add, its redundancy), the members of the Order almost never did all five operations of the OotK, contenting themselves with the … Continue reading Personalizing the Astrological Spread
Casting Lots
There are many forms of divination I know little about, but I'm constantly trying to educate myself. One such practice is lithomancy (the art of casting stones), for which these is very little published literature. One of the best resources I've found is this one by Gary Wimmer. http://garywimmer.com/writer/litho_book.htm Although Gary uses stones thrown onto … Continue reading Casting Lots
Are We Having Fun Yet?
I guess you could call me an "accidental professional." Will I read for the public, for pay? Sure, if the circumstances are right. Do I obsess about getting paid for my efforts? Not by a long shot. I learned to read the cards - and to cast and interpret horoscopes and geomantic charts - mainly … Continue reading Are We Having Fun Yet?
Is It or Isn’t It . . . ?
. . . a Full Moon, that is. Here are a few more thoughts on the subject of Lunar Phases. I am aware of at least one web-site out there that purports to define one's "lunar personality" according to the phase of the Moon under which birth occurred. It appears to apply the current "scientific" … Continue reading Is It or Isn’t It . . . ?
Cheap Shots #29: Faith, Hope and . . . Disparity
I sometimes wonder how those of us who practice divination - especially those for whom "faith" is not the normal mode of approach to all things spiritual - reconcile what we believe to be true about our pursuits and what we're able to confirm as truth. The gap (the "disparity" of the title) between what … Continue reading Cheap Shots #29: Faith, Hope and . . . Disparity
The Wheel and the World: Jupiter and Saturn
One time over thirty years ago, when I was still very much a novice astrologer with loads of book learning but little practical experience, I was brought up short by someone who obviously had slightly more of the latter. I had made an off-hand remark about Jupiter and Saturn being the “social” planets, bridging the … Continue reading The Wheel and the World: Jupiter and Saturn
An Astro-Tarot Analysis of a Suicide
This is a detailed study of a recent death-by-suicide using a method I've been developing for combining astrological and tarot techniques in horoscopic analysis. The event occurred following a family celebration; I was present at both the gathering and the scene of death. All images © U.S. Games Systems, Inc, Stamford, CT and Robert M. … Continue reading An Astro-Tarot Analysis of a Suicide