Astrologer and librarian Jessica Irene joins host Jenn Zahrt from Washington, DC! Pull up a chair and lend your ears to this convo covering books and more, including: the human experience as a vehicle of the divine; tarot and astrology; the Lunar Mansions; and comparative philosophy. Plus: moving away from atheism, Mercury crafts, and the taxonomy of astrology texts!

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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 March 2025):

00:12 – Jessica Irene is a Washington, DC-based astrologer and has been providing consultations for four years following her formal studies with Nightlight Astrology School. Jessica has been a writer-contributor to the CHANI astrology app and has presented for both Nightlight Astrology School, OPA, AYA and AFAN. Astrology, for her, is a means to intimacy with a living, divine world. Apart from astrology and other esoteric things, she works full-time as a librarian in digital preservation, enjoys bodybuilding, and lots of sunlight.

00:36 – Jessica’s first astrology book was Parkers’ Astrology by Julia Parker and Derek Parker.

04:18 – If Jessica could bring only three books to a deserted island, her first pick would be The Archetypical Universe: Astrological Patterns in Human Culture, Thought, Emotion and Dreams by Renn Butler.

05:22 – Jessica’s second choice would be The Game of Saturn: Decoding the Sola-Busca tarrochi by Peter Mark Adams.

12:03 – Interlude: Join the CAELi Support Drive and for only $35, you can enjoy your morning beverage out of a gorgeous CAELi mug!

12:50 – The third title Jessica would bring is Procession of the Night Theatre: An Exposition on the Lunar Stations by J.M. Hamade.

17:25 – Runner-up texts include: The Shape of Ancient Thought: Comparative Studies in Greek and Indian Philosophies by Thomas McEvilley; Nietzsche, Heidegger, and Daoist Thought: Crossing Paths In-Between by Katrin Froese; and the coffee table book Fortune: “All Is But Fortune” by Leslie Thomson and produced in conjunction with an exhibition at the Folger Shakespeare Library.

27:00 – For beginners, Jessica recommends Butler’s formerly mentioned The Archetypical Universe, Ancient Astrology in Theory and Practice: A Manual of Traditional Techniques by Demetra George, and You Were Born For This: Astrology for Radical Self-Acceptance by Chani Nicholas.

29:02 – Find Jessica at her website: https://www.dendraletheia.com/. On socials, her handle is @dendraletheia.

29:33 – 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 and production by Jen Braun of JJ Boots Productions LLC.