The Astrology Podcast

Episode 344 features a discussion between astrologers Rick Levine and Chris Brennan about the future of astrology and whether it will become more or less poplar in the world. This talk was recorded on March 19, 2022 for a webinar hosted by the International Society for Astrological Research to celebrate International Astrology Day. The theme of the two day series of webinars was predicting general trends in the world over the next decade, and so we decided to take a unique approach by trying to talk about and predict the future of astrology itself. The premise of the discussion is that astrology has seen a rapid explosion in popularity in the west over the past 5 years, especially among younger people, which has not happened since the late 1960s. The main question we focused on was whether astrology would continue to increase in popularity and eventually reach new heights of acceptance, or whether it had reached a high water mark or plateaued in some way and we are due for a decline. From a long term historical perspective the popularity of astrology has waxed and waned over the centuries, sometimes going up and other times going down, but it never stays in one state permanently. During the course of the episode we try to frame and understand the important historical moment that we are in now, anticipate what is coming up so that we can understand better what we need to work on now, and then finally also celebrate where astrology is at now by reflecting on how far it has come. You can find out more about Rick Levine on his YouTube channel: Youtube.com/RickLevine This episode is available in both audio and video versions below. Timestamps Timestamps for different topics discussed in the episode: 00:00:00 Intro 00:00:34 Current popularity of astrology 00:01:03 Historical context of the current wave 00:03:06 Young astrologers 00:03:46 Is astrology's popularity still rising? 00:08:34 Reintegration with scientific thinking 00:11:38 Possible misuses of astrology 00:19:48 Parallels with massage therapists 00:20:56 The need to regulate 00:23:28 What might a reduction in popularity look like? 00:27:53 Possible social media platform shifts 00:32:01 Teaching astrology to children 00:33:02 Neptune in Aries effect 00:34:56 The role of skepticism 00:43:08 What can we improve? 00:50:51 The impact of astrology software 00:54:52 Parallels with GPS use 00:58:00 Other planetary ingresses 01:07:34 New planetary bodies 01:08:55 Holographic animations 01:09:44 Cycles and waves 01:13:15 Deliberate choices as legacy 01:17:05 Post-psychoanalytical emphasis 01:18:34 An amazing time to be an astrologer 01:19:48 Cosmic feedback loops Watch the Video Version of This Episode Watch the video version of this episode on the future of astrology: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zr31ar8DukA - Transcript A full transcript of this episode is available: Episode 344 transcript Listen to the Audio Version of This Episode You can play the audio version of this episode of the podcast directly from the website or download it as an MP3 to your device by using the buttons below:

In episode 343 astrologer Eric Purdue joins the show to talk about his new translation of the Three Books of Occult Philosophy by Heinrich Cornelius Agrippa. Agrippa published his Three Books of Occult Philosophy in 1533, and it is a compilation of astrology, magic, and philosophy. After its publication Agrippa's work developed a very large influence and reach in the western esoteric tradition, as an important Renaissance compilation on occult lore. The last time it was translated into English was in 1551, and Eric's translation improves on the previous one in a number of scholarly and stylistic ways. Get the book here: Three Books of Occult Philosophy, Purdue Translation Find out more about Eric's work: EricPurdue.com This episode is available in both audio and video versions below. Watch the Video Version of This Episode Watch the video version of this episode on Agrippa's Three Books of Occult Philosophy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vsq7gCr9cJ0 - Transcript A full transcript of this episode is available: Episode 343 transcript Listen to the Audio Version of This Episode You can play the audio version of this episode of the podcast directly from the website or download it as an MP3 to your device by using the buttons below:

In episode 342 astrologers Catherine Urban and Nick Dagan Best join the show to discuss what happens when planets station retrograde or direct by secondary progression, and how this can be used as an important timing technique in astrology. In secondary progressions each day after a person is born represents an entire year of their life, and the planetary alignments on a specific day will correspond to events and experiences in a given year of life. In this episode we focus in particular on what happens in a native's life in the years that correspond with planets stationing retrograde or direct by secondary progression, and how this can help to identify some of the most important years in a person's life. During the course of the show we use a bunch of celebrity and personal charts as examples in order to demonstrate how the technique works in practice. For more info about Catherine and Nick visit: CatherineUrban.com NickDaganBestAstrologer.com This episode is available in both audio and video versions below. Watch the Video Version of This Episode Watch the video version of this episode on secondary progressed planetary stations: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m-E6LsFled4 - Transcript A full transcript of this episode is available: Episode 342 transcript Listen to the Audio Version of This Episode You can play the audio version of this episode of the podcast directly from the website or download it as an MP3 to your device by using the buttons below:

In episode 341 astrologers Chris Brennan, Austin Coppock, and special guest co-host Christopher Renstrom look ahead at the astrology of March 2022. The astrology of March features the second of two Venus-Mars conjunctions, as well as the build up to a conjunction between Mars and Saturn in Aquarius and a Jupiter-Neptune conjunction in Pisces. There is also a New Moon in Pisces early in the month on March 2, and a Full Moon in Virgo on March 18. At the top of the episode we reflect on the ongoing Venus-Mars conjunction and the archetypal themes of war and peace that have become prominent recently. This episode is available in both audio and video versions below. About the Astrologers You can find out more information about each astrologer on our websites: ChrisBrennanAstrologer.com AustinCoppock.com RulingPlanets.com Zodiac Buzzed Our sponsor this month is the Zodiac Buzzed astrology drinking card game! Drunkendecks.com Get a copy of the deck by signing up for their Kickstarter which is launching on March 3! Patreon Get early access to new episodes and other bonus content by signing up for our Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/astrologypodcast Auspicious Date for March The most auspicious astrological date for March is: March 2, 2022 at 10:45 AM local time, with Gemini rising For more good dates in March see our subscription electional astrology podcast. For dates later in the year see our 2022 Year Ahead Electional Astrology Report! Watch the Video Version of This Episode Watch the video version of this episode on the astrology of March 2022: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cg-jRW2hvfg - Transcript A full transcript of this episode is available: Episode 341 transcript Listen to the Audio Version of This Episode You can play the audio version of this episode of the podcast directly from the website or download it as an MP3 to your device by using the buttons below:

In episode 340 astrologers Chris Brennan and Leisa Schaim discuss whether the preferred designation for a practitioner of astrology is "astrologer" or "astrologist", and why it is important. The motivation for this discussion is that there seems to be some confusion among non-astrologers about what the preferred word is to use. In general, the preferred designation is "astrologer", and this is the word that is used and often strongly preferred by the vast majority of practitioners today. During the course of the episode we review three informal polls that were done on social media that indicate that between 90–99% of astrologers prefer the term "astrologer" over "astrologist". Despite the overwhelming preference for the term astrologer, some social media sites such as Facebook, Instagram, and more recently Twitter have made it so that practitioners can only select the term "astrologist" when listing their profession. Thus, part of the purpose of this discussion is to raise awareness about this issue among the general public. While there are occasionally some astrologers who do use the term astrologist, and that is ok, the purpose of this discussion is to clarify that since the vast majority of practitioners prefer the term astrologer, that is the word that should probably be used by non-astrologers when referring to the profession. This discussion is partially based on an article Chris wrote in 2014 titled Is it Astrologer or Astrologist? This episode is available in both audio and video versions below. Watch the Video Version of This Episode Watch the video version of this episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q0W4t5QCCWw - Transcript A full transcript of this episode is available: Episode 340 transcript Listen to the Audio Version of This Episode You can play the audio version of this episode of the podcast directly from the website or download it as an MP3 to your device by using the buttons below:

In episode 339 Sam Block joins the show to talk about the ancient philosophy of Hermeticism and its relationship to Hellenistic astrology. Hermeticism is a religious, philosophical, and mystical movement that arose in Hellenistic Egypt around the first century, and is attributed to the teachings and practices of Hermes Trismegistus. It represents a popular synthesis of a number of philosophical and religious trends that were popular during the Hellenistic period, including Stoicism, Platonism, native Egyptian religion, and astrology. The majority of what is known about this philosophical or religious school survives in the Corpus Hermeticum and a handful of other writings from that time period. During the course of the episode we talk about what is known about the Hermetic philosophical tradition, and how it relates to the technical tradition of astrology that arose during the same time period. Sam is the author of a series on Hermeticism on his website, which I would recommend checking out for more information on this topic: https://digitalambler.com/about/hermeticism-posts/ Sign up for our Patreon to get early access to new episodes and other bonus content: https://www.patreon.com/astrologypodcast This episode is available in both audio and video versions below. Timestamps Timestamps for different topics covered and parts of the discussion: 00:00:00 Intro 00:01:07 What survives from ancient Hermeticism 00:06:12 Religions and philosophies that influenced Hermeticism 00:15:00 The Corpus Hermeticum 00:24:44 Excerpts from the Hermetica 00:34:00 Hermeticism vs. Gnosticism 00:37:00 Excerpts about planets, soul, and fate 00:50:40 Diagram of the spheres of the cosmos 00:52:26 Gnosis meaning 00:55:25 Excerpt about salvation of the soul 01:02:19 Passage from Introduction to Gnosticism 01:03:18 Why astrology recurs as a motif in Hermeticism 01:07:00 A Stoic prayer and fate 01:12:05 Philosophical Hermetica vs. practical Hermetica 01:19:37 Hermetic influence on Vettius Valens 01:24:52 Alchemist Zosimos on fate 01:29:46 The Hermetica had multiple authors 01:50:04 Thoth and Hermes 01:52:36 Hermes and Mercury 01:54:08 Planetary joys scheme originates from Hermetic text 02:01:27 House significations and the Hermetica 02:16:40 Eclecticism and accessibility of the Hermetica 02:27:56 Birth charts in Egyptian temples 02:31:06 Divination in the Mediterranean world 02:35:17 Astrology as divination 02:38:44 Why is Hermes called thrice great? 02:40:30 What is the Way of Hermes? 02:44:51 What to do with birth chart information? 02:49:49 Hermeticism and Christianity 02:52:41 How much of our fate can we change? 02:55:57 Resources about Hermeticism 03:02:59 Book 3 of the Hermetica and astrology 03:09:25 Patrons and sponsors Watch the Video Version of This Episode Watch the video version of this episode on Hermeticism here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KupaADzq88g - Transcript A full transcript of this episode is available: Episode 339 transcript Listen to the Audio Version of This Episode You can play the audio version of this episode of the podcast directly from the website or download it as an MP3 to your device by using the buttons below:

Episode 338 features an interview with Kenny Ausubel, director of a new astrology documentary series called Changing of the Gods. Changing of the Gods is a 10-part series on astrology that is being released later this month, starting on February 22, 2022. The series is based on the work of the astrologer Richard Tarnas, and his 2006 book Cosmos and Psyche. The focus of the series is the cycle of Uranus and Pluto, and how the alignments of these two planets coincide with major world events and changes. The series draws on Tarnas' work in order to show how Uranus-Pluto alignments have coincided with historical events in the past, and then compares them with the most recent alignment, which was a square between 2007 and 2020. Each episode focuses on different facets of how these alignments have manifested in different levels of society and culture. During the course of the interview we talk about the production of the series, some of the topics covered, and what the overall vision and message of the series is. Find out more about the series at: ChangingOfTheGods.com Sign up to watch the series for free when it premieres on February 22 here: https://www.j8d2trk.com/7QDDDL/55M6S/ This episode is available in audio and video versions below. Watch the Video Version of This Episode Watch the video version of this episode on Changing of the Gods here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MpinqJFnaPo - Transcript A full transcript of this episode is available: Episode 338 transcript Listen to the Audio Version of This Episode You can play the audio version of this episode of the podcast directly from the website or download it as an MP3 to your device by using the buttons below:

In episode 337 astrologers Chris Brennan, Austin Coppock, and special guest co-host Patrick Watson look ahead at the astrology of February 2022! The astrology of February features a stellium of planets piling up in Capricorn, with Venus and Mercury stationing direct there, and Mars having recently ingressed into the sign. Mid-month Mars will catch up to Venus and form a conjunction in Capricorn, and then later in the month the United States has the first of three exact Pluto returns. The lunations this month include a New Moon in Aquarius and a Full Moon in Leo. This episode is available in both audio and video versions below. Our Websites More info about Austin, Patrick, and Chris: AustinCoppock.com PatrickWatsonAstrology.com Patreon.com/AstrologyPodcast Ephemeris.co Birth Chart Necklace This episode is sponsored by Ephemeris, which creates custom birth chart necklaces: Ephemeris.co Use the promo code ASTROLOGYPODCAST to get a 10% discount. February 2022 Astrology Alignments New Moon in Aquarius on February 1 Mercury stations direct in Capricorn February 3 Sun-Saturn conjunction on February 4 Mars trine Uranus on February 8 Mercury conjunct Pluto on February 11 Mercury moves into Aquarius on February 14 Full Moon in Leo February 16 Mars conjoins Venus exact on February 16 Jupiter sextile Uranus on February 17 Sun moves into Pisces on February 18 US Pluto Return exact on February 22 Mars sextile Neptune February 23 Venus sextile Neptune February 24   Auspicious Date for February The most auspicious astrological date for February is: February 2, 2022, at 8:15 AM, with Pisces rising For more dates in February see our subscription electional astrology podcast. For dates later in the year see our 2022 Year Ahead Electional Astrology Report! Watch the Video Version of This Episode Watch the video version of this episode on the astrology of February 2022: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7KjT-M_iPX8 - Transcript A full transcript of this episode is available: Episode 337 transcript Listen to the Audio Version of This Episode You can play the audio version of this episode of the podcast directly from the website or download it as an MP3 to your device by using the buttons below:

In episode 336 astrologer Richard Tarnas joins the show to talk about the meaning of the planet Pluto in astrology. In astrology Pluto is generally associated with power, control, manipulation, intensity, the underworld, taboos, transformations, destruction and regeneration, death and rebirth, making big things small and small things big. Richard is the author of the 2006 book Cosmos and Psyche: Intimations of a New World View, and he previously appeared on episode 84 of The Astrology Podcast in 2016 to talk about the book on its 10 year anniversary. At the beginning of the episode we talked a bit about the recent conjunction of Saturn and Pluto in 2020, how it coincided with the beginning of the pandemic, and how Richard felt about having discussed that cycle in Cosmos and Psyche in retrospect. Some of this was tied into a discussion in episode 254 titled Misconceptions About Mundane Astrology in the Media. Later we get into the discovery of Pluto, discuss how astrologers establish the meaning of new planets, and then read through some passages from different astrologers that talk about the meaning of Pluto. Later in the episode we also touch on how to deal with skeptics of astrology, and how to demonstrate the validity of astrology in general. We also discuss a new astrology documentary series based on Richard's work titled Changing of the Gods, which will be released next month. Find out more about Changing of the Gods series at: https://changingofthegodsseries.com This episode is available in both audio and video versions below. Timestamps Timestamps for when we discuss different topics in the episode: 00:00:00 Introduction 00:02:25 Welcoming Richard + Changing of the Gods series 00:08:25 Uranus-Pluto alignments 00:11:10 Reflections on the Saturn-Pluto conjunction of 2020 00:32:07 How do astrologers establish the meaning of new planets? 00:57:00 Pluto significations in Reinhold Ebertin 01:05:09 Robert Hand's Pluto significations 01:12:48 Richard Tarnas' Pluto significations 01:31:30 World events coinciding with Pluto's discovery 01:38:45 Pluto return of the United States 01:46:40 Depth psychology and Pluto 02:05:47 Pluto makes big things small and small things big 02:11:02 Venus-Pluto aspects 02:25:05 Jupiter-Pluto aspects 02:33:25 Orbs and Archetypal Explorer 02:43:04 Dealing with skeptics of astrology 02:57:35 The goal of Cosmos and Psyche 03:08:10 Experience vs. intellectual argument for convincing skeptics 03:15:30 Pluto's demotion to dwarf planet 03:30:46 Astrology as a gift from the cosmos 03:36:09 Changing of the Gods documentary 03:39:16 Concluding remarks, patrons, and sponsors Watch the Video Version of This Episode Watch the video version of this episode on the meaning of Pluto on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dyRJGctu_zc - Transcript A full transcript of this episode is available: Episode 336 transcript Listen to the Audio Version of This Episode You can play the audio version of this episode of the podcast directly from the website or download it as an MP3 to your device by using the buttons below:

In episode 335 astrologer Kent Bye joins Chris in the studio in Denver to talk about artificial intelligence and consciousness through the lens of astrology. Kent is the former host of the Voices of AI Podcast, and has conducted hundreds of interviews with different specialists in AI over the years. During the course of the episode we cover topics such as whether it will ever be possible to replicate human consciousness with artificial intelligence, what planetary alignments in the future might coincide with this if it was possible, and whether astrology itself could be used as a model for consciousness. This conversation was recorded the day after our previous episode on virtual reality and astrology, and was originally intended to be more of a casual discussion about artificial intelligence only available to patrons of the podcast, but the discussion went so well that I decided to release it as a full episode of The Astrology Podcast. For more about Kent check out the Voices of VR Podcast: Voicesofvr.com This episode is available in both audio and video versions below. Timestamps Here are some timestamps for topics covered at different points in the episode: 00:00:00 Intro 00:03:18 Chris gets a VR headset after last episode 00:11:30 Artificial intelligence 00:19:30 Kent's birth chart 00:23:40 The astrology of artificial intelligence 00:34:14 The Turing test 00:38:12 Alan Turing's natal chart 00:39:15 Litmus tests for AI 00:42:47 Human relationships with AI 00:48:30 Stoicism, fate, and free will 01:04:06 Synthesizing planetary placements and AI 01:24:18 Horary astrology 01:30:00 The challenge for astrology in the next decade 01:33:40 Is astrology a language? 01:44:50 Consciousness and AI 01:56:22 Dystopian scenarios with AI 02:17:46 Different qualities of divination systems 02:20:59 Electional charts of AI 02:23:54 Electional chart of the episode 02:28:16 Outer planet cycles in 2030-2050 02:34:05 Kent's podcasts 02:35:59 Concluding remarks and sponsors Watch the Video Version of This Episode Watch the video version of this episode on astrology and artificial intelligence: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-qM0ojuz4rA - Transcript A full transcript of this episode is available: Episode 335 transcript Listen to the Audio Version of This Episode You can play the audio version of this episode of the podcast directly from the website or download it as an MP3 to your device by using the buttons below: