In episode 482 features an interview with astrologer Berna Lee about the history, philosophy, and practice of Chinese astrology.

Berna is a graduate of the MA in Cultural Astronomy and Astrology program from the Sophia Centre, with a thesis examining the theory and practice of astrology in modern Hong Kong, and she is a 45th generation Chinese astrologer.

During the course of the episode we discuss the historical development of Chinese astrology, and the different eras in which specific technical practices arose.

We also touch on a number of other topics, including fate and free will, the Chinese zodiac, and the role of comets as omens in mundane astrology.

You can follow Berna through Instagram at:

https://www.instagram.com/astromergency/

This episode is available in both audio and video versions below.

Timestamps

00:00:00 - Introduction

00:01:22 - Berna's Background & 45-Generation Lineage

00:07:28 - The Legendary & Archeological Origins of Chinese Astrology

00:11:09 - The Textual Tradition: Oracle Bones & the First Characters

00:15:22 - Mundane vs. Natal Astrology

00:27:08 - How Astrology Became Institutionalized in the Royal Court

00:28:58 - The Mandate of Heaven: The Emperor's Right to Rule

00:32:56 - Reading Omens: Eclipses, Comets & Novas

00:40:27 - Chinese Astrologers' Detailed Records of Comets

00:47:41 - Fate & Free Will in Chinese Astrology

00:55:51 - A Personal Story About a Prediction of Death

01:11:07 - The 12 Animal Signs of the Zodiac

01:13:09 - When Natal Astrology (BaZi) Developed in the Tang Dynasty

01:16:20 - How the Zodiac Animals Are Used in a Chart

01:22:38 - How Chinese Astrology Was Sidelined and Moved to the Periphery

01:33:09 - The Impact of the Cultural Revolution

01:39:23 - Is Astrology Making a Comeback in China?

01:43:35 - How Contemporary Practitioners Approach the Tradition

01:51:33 - Berna's Future Work

01:54:41 - Conclusion

Watch the Video Version of This Episode

Watch the video version of this episode on Chinese astrology on YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xamRgTzVP4M

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Transcript

A full transcript of this episode is available: Episode 482 transcript

Listen to the Audio Version of This Episode

Listen to the audio version of this episode or download it as an MP3: