Astrologer Berna Lee joins host Jenn Zahrt from London, England to chat about the long lens of history, astrology books, the Chinese sky and more, including: various translations of the I Ching; the 28 lunar mansions; a collaborative research project distilled into a poetic archive for 45 generations; and personal empowerment and growth as a key part of life, healing, and creative inspiration! All that, plus: growing up with a deep astrological lineage, choosing your own adventure, and chameleon synchronicity!

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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 February 2025):

00:31 – Berna Lee, an MA graduate in Cultural Astronomy and Astrology, earned distinction for her dissertation on the theory and practice of Chinese astrology in modern Hong Kong. A Chinese astrologer and 45th-generation practitioner, she descends from the Lees of Wong Jim 凰漸李氏, a royal lineage tracing back to the Tang Dynasty. Berna has inherited and preserved the teachings of the Tang royal family, passed down through generations from the esteemed royal astrologer Yang Junsong 楊筠松.

01:40 – Berna’s first astrology book was 通勝 Tung Shing, or The Chinese Farmer’s Almanac.

09:29 – If Berna could bring only three books to a deserted island, her first pick would be the previously mentioned Chinese Almanac! But since that’s her “freebie,” her next choice would be a copy of the I Ching (stay tuned for more)! The discussion kicks off, however, with You Were Born For This: Astrology for Radical Self-Acceptance by Chani Nicholas.

11:48 – Interlude: Join the CAELi Support Drive and for only $35, you can enjoy your morning beverage out of a gorgeous CAELi mug!

12:34 – More discussion on the I Ching! The version Berna suggests for English readers is Understanding the I Ching: The Wilhelm Lectures on the Book of Changes by Hellmut Wilhelm and Richard Wilhelm.

22:16 – The third title Berna would bring is an unpublished book passed on from her long line of royal astrological ancestors, which Berna describes as a collection of poems of the stars!

30:49 – For beginners, Berna recommends a few, including the Tao Te Ching and the I Ching.

32:18 – Find Berna at her Instagram page: @astromergency. And consider hopping into her Short Course at the Sophia Centre: http://sophia-project.net/lectures-and-seminars/shortcourses/2025-lee-chinese-cultural-a-and-a.php.

33:20 – 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.