The Astrology Podcast

In part 3 of our series on the fifth house in astrology we look at examples of the ruler of the fifth house in each of the twelve houses in a birth chart, with astrologers Chris Brennan and Leisa Schaim. As covered in our previous episodes, the fifth house is traditionally associated with topics such as children, creativity, pleasure, romance, sex and sexuality, games, and good fortune. When the ruler of the 5th is in different houses in a birth chart it exports the topics that it rules into the house that it is placed, both creating a link between those two areas of the life and also blending their significations. In this episode we systematically go through all twelve possible combinations of the ruler of the 5th house, with the goal of getting a better understanding of what the fifth house means. This is episode 511 of The Astrology Podcast. Timestamps 00:00:00 Introduction00:02:24 First House00:34:10 2nd House00:51:55 3rd House01:08:26 4th House01:29:01 IC in the 5th House01:44:39 5th House02:19:13 6th House02:40:36 7th House02:51:42 8th House03:15:14 9th House03:39:43 10th House04:02:40 11th House04:23:47 12th House05:07:28 Concluding Remarks05:15:44 End Cards Watch the Video Version of This Episode https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yq0eu6QsTgk - Transcript A full transcript of this episode is available: Episode 511 transcript Listen to the Audio Version of This Episode Listen to the audio version of this episode or download it as an MP3:

This forecast dives into November 2025's cosmic events, including an explosive Mars-Uranus opposition and Mercury's retrograde in Sagittarius. The hosts tie recent news, like the Louvre heist, to astrological phenomena. They explore Pluto's stationing direct in Aquarius and its implications for AI and technology. The conversation covers the tension of the Venus-Jupiter square and the stabilizing effects of the full moon in Taurus. Additionally, Saturn's final direct station in Pisces offers a moment for reflection and closure.

In this episode I debunk the recurring media claim that your zodiac sign has changed by explaining the 2,000-year history of why western astrologers have deliberately used the tropical zodiac. Every few years, headlines circulate claiming that your zodiac sign has changed due to the precession of the equinoxes. Following a recent New York Times article making this claim, I decided to set the record straight. In this episode of The Astrology Podcast, I explain the history behind this recurring narrative and demonstrate why these claims are misleading. We'll explore the difference between the three zodiacs (constellational, sidereal, and tropical) and show how Western astrologers, starting with Claudius Ptolemy nearly 2,000 years ago, made a deliberate and conscious choice to use the tropical zodiac, which is aligned with the seasons, not the constellations. This is not a recent mistake or discovery; it's a foundational principle of the Western astrological tradition that has been understood for centuries by history's most prominent astrologers and astronomers. We will also touch on the issue of the so-called 13th sign, Ophiuchus, and why it doesn't apply to the system most Western astrologers use. My goal is to clarify the history so that you can better understand why your zodiac sign has not changed and feel more equipped to respond to these arguments. This is episode 509 of The Astrology Podcast. Timestamps 00:00:00 Introduction00:00:23 Recent New York Times Article00:00:52 A Common Narrative That Goes Viral Every Few Years00:02:22 The Five Main Talking Points in Anti-Astrology Articles00:02:54 The Fundamental Problem & Rhetorical Goal of These Articles00:05:20 Explaining the Three Zodiacs00:05:52 The Origin of the Zodiac00:07:12 The First Zodiac: The Constellational Zodiac00:08:22 The Second Zodiac: The Sidereal Zodiac00:10:50 The Foundation of Western Astrology in Hellenistic Egypt00:13:47 How Planetary Rulers Were Assigned to Signs Based on the Seasons00:16:48 The Third Zodiac: The Tropical Zodiac00:22:41 The Discovery of Precession by Hipparchus00:23:56 Ptolemy's Deliberate Choice to Use the Tropical Zodiac00:28:43 The Source of Confusion: Using Constellation Names for Tropical Signs00:30:18 How Ptolemy's Influence Cemented the Tropical Zodiac in the West00:32:34 Historical Aside: Why Indian Astrology Uses the Sidereal Zodiac00:36:51 Famous Astronomers Deliberately Used the Tropical Zodiac00:40:06 Why the "Astrologers Made a Mistake" Argument is Flawed00:42:31 Rebuttal: Your Zodiac Sign Has Not Changed00:43:29 Rebuttal: The Ophiuchus "13th Sign" Argument00:44:41 The Underlying Goal of Skeptical Articles00:50:43 The Legitimate Internal Debate Among Astrologers00:51:51 Conclusion and Final Thoughts00:53:32 End cards Watch the Video Version of This Episode https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2KPfvsYPv9I - Transcript A full transcript of this episode is available: Episode 509 transcript Listen to the Audio Version of This Episode Listen to the audio version of this episode or download it as an MP3:

A look ahead at the astrology forecast for October 2025, with astrologers Chris Brennan and Austin Coppock, in episode 508 of The Astrology Podcast. We spend the first hour talking about the astrology underlying news and events that happened since our last forecast a month ago, and then in the second hour we begin our deep dive into the astrology of October. The astrology of October features a combative Mercury-Mars conjunction that goes exact around the 20th, and this sets things up for a Mercury retrograde and a second conjunction with Mars in October. Northwest Astrological Conference https://Norwac.net Astrologers Co-op Conference http://astrologerscoop.substack.com Austin's website https://Austincoppock.com Timestamps 00:00:00 Intro00:00:57 Quick Overview00:03:01 Chris and Austin Eclipse Stories00:13:13 Charlie Kirk00:23:40 Uranus in Gemini00:30:13 Free Speech00:45:36 Epstein Eclipse00:52:08 Palestine00:53:36 Life on Mars00:56:44 NYT Zodiac Story01:00:24 Cosmic Smooches01:03:11 NORWAC 202601:07:36 Astrologers Co-op01:09:53 Forecast Begins02:05:12 Election for October02:14:25 Full Moon and New Moon02:26:11 Wrapping Up02:30:21 Credits Watch the Video Version of This Episode https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zUewA9kUXwY - Transcript A full transcript of this episode is available: Episode 508 transcript Listen to the Audio Version of This Episode Listen to the audio version of this episode or download it as an MP3:

In part 2 of our series on the 5th house in astrology we look at examples of famous people that have the ruler of the Ascendant in the fifth house in their birth chart, with astrologers Chris Brennan and Leisa Schaim of The Astrology Podcast. The fifth house is traditionally associated with a wide range of topics in astrology such as children, creativity, pleasure, romance, sex and sexuality, games, and good fortune. In ancient astrology, the Ascendant was sometimes called the helm of the ship of the native’s life, and the ruler of the Ascendant was said to be the captain. The house where the captain of the chart is located can tell you a lot about where the life is being directed, and in this episode we explore what happens when the life is directed towards the topics of the fifth house. Over the course of the episode, we explore more than 50 example charts of famous people who have the ruler of the Ascendant in the fifth house in order to demonstrate how this placement can play out in a number of different ways. Some of the charts we look at include those of actors, directors, musicians, comedians, athletes, writers, artists, and more. Through this survey, we are able to see many different concrete manifestations of the fifth house archetype, and develop a more well-rounded and grounded understanding of its meaning. This is the second of a three-part series on the fifth house, which is itself part of our larger series where I've been doing a deep dive on the twelve houses in astrology. In the next episode in this series we will explore the meaning of the ruler of the fifth house in each of the twelve houses, showing how the topics of the fifth house can be exported into other areas of a person’s life. Timestamps 00:00:00 Introduction00:05:30 Children00:43:52 Sex and Sexuality01:24:11 Games and Sports01:50:02 Comedy and Comedians02:39:57 Acting and Actors03:22:29 Directors03:35:53 Musicians, Singers, & Entertainers04:01:40 Writers, Artists, and Creatives04:45:42 Conclusions04:53:33 End Cards Watch the Video Version of This Episode https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3fRLhAPulo - Transcript A full transcript of this episode is available: Episode 507 transcript Listen to the Audio Version of This Episode Listen to the audio version of this episode or download it as an MP3:

A deep dive into the meaning and significations of the fifth house in astrology, with astrologers Chris Brennan and Leisa Schaim, in episode 506 of The Astrology Podcast. This is the fifth installment in our ongoing series on the significations of the 12 houses, where we explore the meanings of each house in detail, going back to the earliest sources and conceptualizations in the astrological tradition. Our discussion on the fifth house will be broken into three parts, and in this initial episode, we focus on providing a comprehensive overview of its core significations and meanings. We begin by establishing the conceptual foundations for the meaning of the fifth house, which was known in ancient astrology as the Place of Good Fortune. Some of the principles we use to derive its meaning are the fact that it is a succedent house that follows the fourth, its positive trine aspect to the Ascendant, and the fact that Venus has her joy there. These concepts establish the fifth house as a place of bodily pleasures, the continuation of the family lineage, and generally positive and fortunate circumstances. The core significations of the fifth house that we explore in detail include: children, good fortune, pleasure and enjoyment, sex and sexuality, and creativity. This episode provides a detailed survey of the topics associated with the fifth house, drawing on both the traditional textual sources as well as our extensive research of hundreds of birth charts. In part two of this series, we will begin looking at some of these example charts in detail, starting with the ruler of the Ascendant in the fifth house. Then in part three, we will look at the ruler of the fifth house in each of the 12 houses. Timestamps 00:00:00 Introduction00:05:30 Children00:43:52 Sex and Sexuality01:24:11 Games and Sports01:50:02 Comedy and Comedians02:39:57 Acting and Actors03:22:29 Directors03:35:53 Musicians, Singers, & Entertainers04:01:40 Writers, Artists, and Creatives04:45:42 Conclusions04:53:33 End Cards Watch the Video Version of This Episode https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oIBIU7gr3Io - Transcript A full transcript of this episode is available: Episode 506 transcript Listen to the Audio Version of This Episode Listen to the audio version of this episode or download it as an MP3:

Astrologers dive into the intriguing celestial events of September 2025, focusing on the looming eclipse season and its transformative power. They discuss the chaotic atmosphere around peak reality distortion influenced by Saturn and Neptune, as well as a noteworthy Mars-Pluto square. Amidst challenges, a sweet Venus-Jupiter conjunction shines through with its connections to celebrity engagements. The hosts also tackle the implications of these alignments on personal growth and relationships, highlighting the importance of navigating chaos with clarity.

Uncover the hidden stories within your birth chart as the conversation delves into unique astrological placements. Explore how certain natal aspects reveal experiences like surrogacy and complex family dynamics. Witness the cosmic dance between friendships influenced by transits, and discover the impact of sibling placements on life events. Transformations through trauma and identity shifts are also examined, illustrating how astrology intertwines with personal narratives. It's a fascinating exploration of how the stars shape our lives!

Rod Chang, an astrologer and author specializing in mundane astrology, dives into the intriguing realm of comets and their historical significance in astrology. He contrasts the ancient Western perception, hindered by Aristotle's misconceptions, with the detailed Chinese documentation of comets. Listeners will learn about the unpredictable nature of these celestial bodies, their cultural implications as omens, and the need for modern astrologers to embrace comet studies. Personal anecdotes and insights on tracking comets inspire a deeper appreciation for the cosmic wonders.

In episode 502 of the podcast, I'm joined by astrologer and historian Philip Graves to talk about his work as an astrological librarian and the publication of his new book, Technical and Planetary Developments in Astrology. This is the first volume in a new series, Graves' Studies in the History of Astrology, which showcases the fruits of his decades-long project to build one of the largest and most comprehensive private astrological libraries in the world. Technical and Planetary Developments in Astrology and is available now on Amazon and from other booksellers. The Life of an Astrological Librarian We begin the episode by discussing Philip’s journey into astrology and how he began amassing his vast collection of astrological texts. His library includes not only modern books but also rare original editions from as early as the 16th century, alongside an extensive collection of astrological journals, periodicals, and almanacs. We delve into the fascinating world of antiquarian book collecting, touching on topics such as: The importance of first editions. The challenges of preservation, including issues like "foxing," "worming," and rebinding. How to handle very old books. The limitations of older, poor-quality digital scans and abridged reprints, and the value of comparing them to original source texts. Research from the Library A major theme of our discussion is how having access to this wide range of primary sources allows for a more accurate and nuanced understanding of astrology's history. Philip’s collection serves as a massive research database, enabling him to trace the development of astrological concepts through time. His new book is a collection of essays that demonstrates the value of this approach. Some of the historical questions we explore from his research include: The Development of Uranus: How did astrologers in the early 19th century figure out the meaning of Uranus? We look at surprisingly early and accurate delineations from journals in the 1820s and 1830s, showing the empirical process astrologers used to determine its significations. The Outer Planets: We contrast the empirical approach used for Uranus and Neptune with the more mythological approach applied to Pluto shortly after its discovery in the 20th century. The Meanings of the Houses: Philip’s book contains a detailed survey of the significations of the 12 houses, tracing their continuity and changes from the Hellenistic tradition through the Medieval and Renaissance periods. The History of Minor Aspects: We discuss the timeline of how harmonic aspects were developed, starting with Kepler and being gradually adopted and expanded upon by later astrologers. The Origins of Sun-Sign Astrology: Research from Philip and others has pushed back the origins of newspaper Sun-sign columns much earlier than the commonly cited 1930s date. Ultimately, our conversation highlights how astrology has never been a single, unchanging system, but a dynamic tradition that has always been growing and evolving. Find Out More You can find Philip’s work, including high-quality scans of rare texts and a secondhand bookshop, on his website: Astrolearn.com His new book is titled Technical and Planetary Developments in Astrology and is available now on Amazon and from other booksellers. Timestamps 00:00:00 Intro 00:00:34 Philip's library and background 00:10:13 Condition and handling of old books 00:17:03 Early significations about Uranus 00:28:08 Uranus in Gemini and the US 00:34:50 Did astrology die out in the 17th century? 00:37:50 More early Uranus significations 00:45:16 Assigning names of gods to planets 00:57:05 Early treatments of Neptune and Pluto 01:06:32 Schism between modern and traditional astrology 01:12:07 Survey of the houses 01:32:47 Lilith 01:36:09 12 letter alphabet 01:49:28 Alan Leo 02:00:59 Laws against fortunetelling 02:03:03 Development of minor aspects 02:19:51 History of astrological journals 02:20:46 Astrological traditions from different languages 02:23:28 Scans and secondhand books on Philip’s website 02:37:14 Academia and astrology 02:43:20 Graves’ natal chart 02:52:10 Conclusion Watch the Video Version of This Episode https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wOxIVYKVD8M - Transcript A full transcript of this episode is available: Episode 502 transcript Listen to the Audio Version of This Episode Listen to the audio version of this episode or download it as an MP3: