Astrologer Blaze-Maximus joins host Jenn Zahrt from Orlando, Florida for a chat covering traditional astrological texts and more! Join the duo, as they discuss: differing translations of the same text; word choice for planetary indications; world astrology; a love of conjunctions; predictions and forecasting; the recent Libra eclipse; Jupiter in Gemini; book bans and preserving knowledge; measuring the Mars-Jupiter and Jupiter-Saturn cycles; the dawr of Jupiter in Libra; how the influence of the larger world supersedes one’s nativity (or does it?); the prenatal syzygy; and taking it to the bounds! All that, plus: moms who love astrology, plagues of locusts, and… the history of Martin Luther’s fake birthday!

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Transcripts available upon request.

Song “Wake Up” used with permission by The E-Block Band.

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Episode timestamps (conversation recorded July 2024):

00:31 – Blaze-Maximus is a queer Latin astrologer from the Bronx, New York living in Orlando, Florida studying and practicing Hellenistic and Medieval Islamicate astrological traditions. Following in the lineage of ancient and medieval astrologers, Blaze brings ancient astrology alive in their consultations with clients, on their Patreon, and through their writing and educational content. Blaze also connects with others on social media platforms by hosting live {Twitter} Space discussions where anyone can listen in on a conversation about astrology around the world, and at in-person events, bringing the tradition of astrology to a wider audience.

01:05 – Blaze’s very first (heart-shaped!) astrology book was Love Signs: Who's the One for You? by Laurie Reid. (Thanks, Mom!) Later, Blaze dove into Astrology: A Cosmic Science by Isabella Hickey. And two texts that helped Blaze learn traditional astrology were William Lilly’s Christian Astrology and Chris Brennan’s Hellenistic Astrology: The Study of Fate and Fortune.

06:08 – If Blaze could bring only three books to a deserted island, what would they be? Their first choice is The Great Introduction to the Science of the Judgments of the Stars by Abū Maʿshar Jaʿfar ibn Muḥammad, translated by Benjamin Dykes. This is such a foundational title! (And a nod to the work of Dr. Olomi!)

10:32 – Blaze’s second choice would be The Book of Religions and Dynasties by Abu Ma’shar (edited by K. Yamamoto and C. Burnett). There is significance in studying world astrology, and this one provides a good framework.

15:01 – Interlude: Join CAELi and snag yourself a Saturn stress-relief ball. (Yes, you read that right!)

15:48 – The third title Blaze would bring is The Astrology of Sahl b. Bishr: Volume I: Principles, Elections, Questions, Nativities by Sahl Ibn Bishr and translated by Benjamin Dykes. This text has great treatments on identifying the situations and circumstances of a person’s life through astrological configurations. (And a hat tip to Jenn’s mention of No Logo: Taking Aim at the Brand Bullies by Naomi Klein.)

31:16 – For beginners, Blaze recommends On the Heavenly Spheres by the late Helena Avelar and the living Luis Ribeiro and Brennan’s previously mentioned Hellenistic Astrology.

34:10 – Find Blaze at their website https://astrobymax.com/, where you can also find links to their social and Patreon!

35:23 – Thanks for listening to Within Orb! If you love the show, please help support it at no cost to you: Follow or subscribe wherever you listen, rate it five stars, or write a happy review! And if you’d like to become a CAELi member or support our work with a contribution of any amount, we’d be delighted – thanks!

Show notes by Jen Braun, JJ Boots Productions LLC.