In this episode Kelly Surtees and Austin Coppock join the show once again to talk about the major astrological aspects for the month of October 2015, as well as some of the most auspicious electional dates I could find that month.

During the course of the episode we cover Jupiter trine Pluto, Mars opposite Neptune, the pileup of planets in Virgo, Mercury stationing direct in Libra, Venus finishing up its post-retrograde shadow period, and more.

This episode was recorded in front of a live audience via out monthly webinar format, and the recording is available as either an audio only download or a video below. This was our first time using this format to record one of the monthly forecast episodes, so this was kind of an experiment and a learning process, although I think that it has a lot of potential for the future.

The audio only podcast episode version has been edited, and some work was done to improve the quality of the audio due to some issues we had during the live recording. The video is basically just the raw recording of the webinar, and it contains video from our webcams as well as some charts when we would share them on the screen, but the audio quality is a bit sketchy at different points in the show.

As always, the cover art for this episode is taken from the PlanetWatcher 2015 Astrological Calendar, which produced by astrologer Kirk Kahn.

Below you will find an outline of some of the different topics that we touched on during the course of the show, followed by links to download or stream the recording.

Announcements

* Austin’s online class on the decans starts Wednesday night, and his class on planetary dignity starts Saturday.

* Kelly’s Saturn in Sagittarius e-book is now out.

* Chris is finishing a new lecture on Annual Profections for his online course on Hellenistic astrology.

Astrology News

* Kepler College is getting ready to re-open its astrological library in Seattle, thanks to the work of Jenn Zahrt, Wonder Bright, Shannon Garcia. The library will be called the Maggie A. Nalbandian Memorial Library, in honor of the founder of Kepler College who passed away in June.

* There is a new astrology-themed movie titled Changing of the Gods that recently launched a KickStarter campaign in order to fund the production and distribution of the film. The movie is based on the work of Richard Tarnas, uses the recent/current Uranus-Pluto square as a focal point, and will be narrated by John Cleese. As of the recording of this episode of the podcast they are about halfway to their goal of raising $100,000 via Kickstarter. They are shooting for a 2017 release date.

* We are kicking around the idea of maybe putting on a conference sometime early next summer. We are trying to gauge how much interest there would be in contributors to the podcast putting on a conference, and if enough people would attend to make it successful. So, if you would be interested in attending something like that then please let us know.

Show Notes

* Major aspects for the month:

* Jupiter trine Pluto, October 11 – 12, 13 Virgo/Capricorn

* Mars trine Pluto,

In this episode astrologer Samuel F. Reynolds joins the show to talk about some common criticisms of astrology from the scientific and skeptical communities, and how astrologers respond to those criticisms.

Astrology occupies a unique position in society where it has historically been the subject of criticism from both the scientific as well as the religious communities.

In this episode we set out to address some of the criticisms of astrology from scientists, and then in a followup episode we plan to address other criticisms from different religions.

You can find out more information about Sam on his website at UnlockAstrology.com, as well as through the astrology group that he organizes called The Zodiac Lounge.

Below you will find a synopsis of some of the points that we covered during the course of the episode, followed by links to listen to the recording. First, one announcement:

Next Webinar on September 27

We are going to do a live recording of the astrology forecast and auspicious elections episode for October on Sunday, September 27, 2015 at 2:00 PM Mountain Time.

Listeners who sign up to support the podcast through our page Patreon at the $5 or $10 tiers can attend the recording of the episode and take part in the live Q&A session.

The format will be similar to the free astrology webinar that we hosted earlier this month, except that only Kelly, Austin, and Chris will be on the panel this time. The video and audio of the webinar will be posted online for free a day or two after we are done.

If you would like to attend the live recording of the episode then all you have to do it sign up to become a patron at the $5 or $10 tier through our page Patreon, and then you will receive an email with an invitation and instructions for attending the event.

Synopsis of the Episode

 Astrology has historically been the subject of criticism on both scientific and religious grounds.

* Our plan is to address some of the former in this episode, and then the latter in a later episode.

* The common phenomenon of astrologers who started out as skeptics, trying to debunk astrology.

* Addressing misconceptions about the history of astrology and how it fell out of favor around the time of the scientific revolution.

* Addressing the presumption that the fall of the Ptolemaic world view is still a relevant point today in criticisms of astrology.

* The question of whether astrology is a science.

* Astrology versus statistics, and the distinction between quantitative versus qualitative studies.

* Is astrology a hard science like physics, or a behavioral science like psychology?

* What is the mechanism underlying astrology, and if it works then how?

* To what extent are astrological notions derived empirically versus through symbolic reasoning?

* The argument that even when astrology seems to work that it is only due to cold reading.

* Or, alternatively, if not cold reading then confirmation bias.

* Popular criticisms in the past 10 years:

* The zodiac controversy in 2011.

* Astrology as a form of bigotry or prejudice is becoming a more popular argument.

Transcript

A full transcript of this episode is available: 

In the 45th episode of the podcast four astrologers join the show to talk about the upcoming ingress of Saturn in Sagittarius.

In the first half of the show I talk with Kelly Surtees and Austin Coppock about what Saturn in Sagittarius means from a broad symbolic perspective, as well as what it means for the world at large within the context of mundane astrology.

In the second half of the show I talk with Patrick Watson and Leisa Schaim about what Saturn in Sagittarius means within the context of natal astrology by looking at a collection of people who were born with it in that sign of the zodiac, and talking about what happened to them during their Saturn return.

Below you will find more information about each person who appeared on the show, followed by an outline of some of the different topics we covered, and then links to download or stream the recording of the episode:

Further Info on Saturn in Sagittarius

Kelly Surtees recently published an e-book on Saturn in Sagittarius, which will be on sale at a discounted price on her website on September 18.

Austin Coppock wrote an essay about Saturn in Sagittarius in his astrological almanac for 2015, and he is also beginning two different online classes starting on September 26, the first being a four week course on dignity and rulership, and the second a six week class on the decans or faces.

Leisa Schaim authors a blog called Saturn Return Stories, has lectured on the topic, and also offers consultations that are geared towards people who are going through their Saturn return.

Patrick Watson wrote an extensive and excellent essay on his blog titled Saturn in Sagittarius: The Skeptic, the Architect and the Luddite, and has the distinction of being the only panelist on this episode that actually has Saturn in Sag in his birth chart.

Chris Brennan is an occasional contributor to Saturn Return Stories, authoring articles such as Five Tips for Interpreting the Saturn Return, and a tutorial on How to Calculate Your Saturn Return.

Episode Outline

Part 1: Kelly, Austin, and Chris: Saturn in Sag, the Big Picture

* Saturn moves into Sagittarius on September 17, 2015.

* Stays in Sagittarius until December 19, 2017.

* Initial preview was from late December 2014 to mid-June 2015.

* Focal point around March 2015 with station at 4 Sag.

* Saturn in Sag themes

* Movement, travel, getting from here to there.

* Literal themes of travel and transportation. The Chunnel. Space travel.

* The idea of that which is foreign or alien.

* Visions, big picture ideals, making these manifest in a way that is good enough.

* Saturn and the ability to assess and be discerning.

* The quest for direction and meaning.

* Integrity, justice, law.

In the 44th episode of the show Leisa Schaim joins me to talk about a few different research projects and topics related to astrology that we’ve been working on or thinking about lately.

The four main topics that we discuss are 1) current models for astrological conferences, 2) finding a more appropriate technical term to use to refer to the concept of “detriment,” 3) the legality of astrology, and 4) how astrologers should interact with public figures who criticize astrology.

This was more of an information discussion about some things both of us had been thinking about lately, and the show ended up being about 2 hours long by the time we covered everything. As a result of that I included some notes on what time we started talking about different topics below.

For more information about Leisa please visit her website at LeisaSchaim.com.

Below you will find an outline of some of the different topics that we touched on during the course of the show, followed by links to download or stream the recording.

Outline of the Episode

* Astrological conferences and improving current models  (00:01:30 – 00:38:17)

* ISAR conference voting for speaker selection just finished.

* They are trying a new model, which has some pros and cons.

* Generational differences in terms of astrologers getting paid for speaking at conferences.

* The need to improve on the current models.

* The search for an alternate term for detriment  (00:38:17 – 01:03:50)

* Detriment wasn’t talked about a lot in the early tradition.

* Only traces in the early Hellenistic tradition.

* By the time they start talking about it they don’t really seem to have a name for it

* Rhetorius says enantioma, which means “anything opposite or opposed, obstacle, hindrance”. Schmidt translates as contrary or contrariety.

* Schmidt later called it anti-domicile.

* I had been playing with the idea of calling it the sign of a planet’s “antithesis.”

* Recently noticed some people using the term “exile.”

* Starting a community discussion about what to use.

* The legality of astrology  (01:03:50 – 01:27:25)

* Leisa was researching this for an OPA article.

* There were challenges to the legality of astrology in the early 20th century.

* Then again in the 1980s.

* Since the 1980s most cases have been decided based on first amendment – freedom of speech.

* Some anti-fortune telling ordinances target only those claiming to alter someone’s fortune. Potentially problematic for those who do remediation?

* Interacting with public figures who criticize astrology  (01:27:25 – 01:43:30)

* Sometimes certain types of astrologers try to pick fights with public figures.

* This is problematic for a number of reasons.

* Often not great motivations underlying it.

* Detrimental to the astrological community.

Other News: Free Webinar on September 13

* Chris is going to start offering a monthly webinar for people who support the podcast through Patreon at the 5 and 10 dollar tiers.

* Will be like a video chat session or hangout where we discuss some of the topics covered in the podcast that month.

* Will be more interactive than the podcast, since participants will have the opportunity to ask questions.

* See the screenshot to the right for an example from a test chat session we did recently.

Kelly Surtees and Austin Coppock join the show to talk about the major astrological alignments for the month of September, as well as some of the most auspicious electional dates for the month.

During the course of the show we cover Saturn’s ingress into Sagittarius and departure from Scorpio, Venus stationing direct in Leo and ending her retrograde phase, Jupiter’s opposition with Neptune, eclipses in Virgo and Aries, and more.

The cover art for this episode is taken from the PlanetWatcher 2015 Astrological Calendar, which produced by astrologer Kirk Kahn.

Below you will find an outline of some of the different topics that we touched on during the course of the show, followed by links to download or stream the recording.

News and Announcements

* Chris has a new lecture for sale on interpreting the rulers of the houses and timing their activation.

* Kelly’s Saturn in Sagittarius eBook will be on sale in early September – watch for pre-sale info at KellysAstrology.com.

* Austin will be teaching a month long online class on dignity, beginning on September 12th. More info at AustinCoppock.com.

Forecast for September

* Venus direct on the 5th, but still in its shadow the rest of the month.

* Saturn ingresses into Sagittarius and leaves Scorpio finally September 18.

* Previous Saturn in Sagittarius preview was December 23 – June 15.

* End Saturn of in Scorpio transit that started October 5, 2012.

* Mercury retrograde in Libra. / Mercury spending 2 months in Libra, mostly the first half of Libra

* Jupiter in Virgo opposite Neptune in Pisces, 1 deg orb Sept 13 – 22, 7 – 8 Virgo/Pisces.

* Jupiter invisible/ dimmest in Virgo (interesting link to detriment here)/ moving from evening star to morning star (September 15, Jupiter now 15 degrees from the Sun).

* Mars square Saturn, Sept 26, 0 Virgo/Sag.

* Eclipses:

* Solar eclipse September 13 at 20 Virgo

* Lunar eclipse September 28 at 4 Aries

* Solar eclipse March 20, 2015 at 29 Pisces

* Lunar eclipse April 4, 2015 at 14 Libra

* Solar eclipse March 8 at 18 Pisces

* Lunar eclipse March 23 at 3 Libra

* First Impressions of Jupiter into Virgo

* How it turned out / we called it segment.

* Reversal of some of the happy significations of Venus with it going retrograde, initially with Jupiter, but then just with Mars.

* Local magistrates refusing to give out marriage licenses.

Electional Charts for September

* September 6 at 6:55 PM, with 4° Pisces rising – Jupiter is the ruler of the Ascendant, and it is located in Virgo in the 7th house in a day chart. The Moon is in Cancer in the 5th house, applying to a close sextile with Jupiter. Venus is just stationing direct in Leo, and although it is in the 6th with Mars, this is mitigated somewhat by a close trine to the degree of the MC.

* September 11 at 6:30 p.m., with 2° Pisces rising – Similar to the September 6 chart...

In this episode I talk with astrologer Mark Jones about his new book titled The Soul Speaks: The Therapeutic Potential of Astrology.

In the book Mark uses his background as a psychotherapist to help teach astrologers some useful skills for doing counseling.

He makes the point that no matter what type of astrology you practice, once you start interacting with individuals on a one-on-one basis as part of your practice you are engaging in counseling, and so it is both useful and important to be able to identify and understand some of the dynamics that can arise from that interaction.

During the course of the show we talk about Mark’s background and interest in the Psychosynthesis approach to psychology that was developed by Roberto Assagioli, the relevance of psychology for astrologers, and some different types of dynamics that can arise between astrologers and their clients.

You can order a copy of Mark’s book either through his website at PlutoSchool.com, or through online retailers such as Amazon.com.

Outline of the Episode

Below you will find an outline of some of the different topics that we touched on during the course of the show, followed by links to download or stream the recording.

* Mark’s background, training, and motivation for writing the book.

* Psychological astrology as a method versus counseling skills being applicable to any type or tradition of astrology.

* The reader doesn’t need to adopt a certain type of astrology in order to find the book useful, as that’s not what it is about. It is about understanding different types of counseling dynamics.

* Preconceptions that clients will approach consultations with, and how that perception affects both client and astrologer.

* Assagioli’s development of Psychosynthesis as a spiritual psychology

* Assagioli and Jung’s interest in astrology, and their influence on Dane Rudhyar.

* Interactions between Assagioli, Rudhyar, Jung, and Freud.

* Different defense systems that people have when they see counselors.

* Reaction formation, projection, transference, countertransference, etc.

* What is the therapeutic potential of astrology?

* Later chapters of the book on Saturn and the cycles of the outer planets.

* The primary ethical directive of astrologers who see clients.

Transcript

A full transcript of this episode is available: Episode 42 transcript

Listen to This Episode

You can either play this episode of the podcast directly from the website or download it as an MP3 to your computer by using the buttons below:

In episode 41 of the podcast Patrick Watson and Nick Dagan Best join the show to discuss the topic of birth data collection.

We start by answering some fundamental questions about why the birth time is important in natal astrology and why data collection is crucial for different types of astrological research.

Later we launch into a broader discussion about the subject of data collection and provide a guide for those who are interested in getting involved, as well as some ways that we can still improve this effort as a community.

Ultimately the show is supposed to act as a call to action for the younger generations of astrologers to get involved in birth data collection and related research, since it seems like focus on this area has waned somewhat over the past decade or so.

Patrick, Nick, and Chris share different anecdotes about their own attempts at collecting different pieces of birth data from notable figures, and try to convey the sense of the interest and excitement that is involved when one gets involved in data collection.

Since we tried to cover a lot of ground this ended up being the longest episode of the podcast so far, clocking in at a solid 2 hours and 12 minutes.

Broad Outline of the Episode

Below you will find an outline of some of the different topics that we touched on during the course of the show, followed by links to download or stream the recording.

* Why is the birth time important in astrology?

* Why is birth data collection important?

* What are the primary collections or repositories for birth data?

* Discussion about AstroDatabank, its founder, history, and structure.

* Overview of the Rodden Rating system and the different levels:

* AA – Exact data as recorded by the family or state.

* A – Data as quoted by the person, kin, friend, or associate.

* B – Biography or autobiography

* C – Caution, no source

* DD – Two or more conflicting quotes that are unqualified.

* X – Data with no time of birth

* XX – Data without a known or confirmed date

* Discussion about the accuracy of birth times.

* Pros and cons of rectification.

* Areas where existing data collections can grow and improve.

* Call to action for more astrologers to get involved in birth data collection.

* Some tips or guidelines for collecting birth data and learning how to order birth certificates.

* Different sources for birth times.

* States and countries that record birth times.

* Open versus closed states and countries for ordering birth certificates.

* AstroDatabank Data Collector’s Handbook

* Discussion about the ethics of birth data collection.

Transcript

A full transcript of this episode is available: Episode 41 transcript

Listen to This Episode

You can either play this episode of the podcast directly from the website or download it as an MP3 to your computer by using the buttons below:

In the 40th episode of the podcast astrologers Kelly Surtees and Austin Coppock join the show to talk about the pros and cons of Sun-sign astrology.

The starting point for our discussion is a phenomenon where sometimes people  who are just getting into the study of more advanced forms of astrology go through a period of denigrating Sun-sign astrology as being “not real astrology.”

During the course of the episode we explore the question of whether Sun-sign astrology qualifies as “real” astrology, talk about some of the positive and negative aspects of the subject, and then try to determine whether it has a net positive or negative impact on the field of astrology in general.

Outline of the Show

Below you will find an outline of some of the different topics that we touched on during the course of the show, followed by links to download or stream the recording.

* Sun-sign columns started being produced in the 1930s and 40s, partially as a way to sell newspapers.

* R.H. Naylor in the UK starting in 1930. Rival paper followed suit Edward Lyndoe.

* Kim Farnell in the book “Flirting with the Zodiac” talks about how in the 13th BCE the Hittites determined a child’s fate by the month of its birth.

* Prior to the 20th century people didn’t necessarily identify themselves with their Sun-sign as much as we do today. More likely to identify with their rising sign.

* Before newspaper columns, the popular form of astrology was almanacs.

Pros

* It is most people’s gateway into astrology.

* Keeps astrology alive in the public consciousness, more than it would be otherwise.

* Provides an accessible introduction

* The Sun is important in everyone’s chart, and for some people it will be particularly descriptive.

* It trains you to look at a single configuration from the perspective of all 12 possible risings.

* It also aids in developing delineations that will be comprehensible to the laymen.

* Writing them is great training for the apprentice astrologer

* If reading sun sign columns, read for your ascendant sign as well as your sun sign (based on how they are often written).

Cons

* Too simplistic.

* Doesn’t represent astrology or astrologers very well.

* Gives people a false idea of what astrology is really like or what it can do.

* Astrology is so much more than just sun signs

* Easy target for skeptics.

* Not all horoscope columns are written by astrologers, evidently.

* Since most horoscope columns tend to be short they don’t tend to be super useful. Like a sweet candy for your day/week/month. Often written to target audiences rather than to fully express the astrology. Typically the brief includes write ‘up beat’ rather than include cautions.

* For some people their Sun-sign may not be as important as other placements, and thus they could be turned away from astrology rather than drawn into it due to this.

Transcript

A full transcript of this episode is available here: Episode 40 transcript

Listen to This Episode

You can either play this episode of the podcast directly from the website or download it as an MP3 to your computer by using the buttons below:

In the 39th episode of the show astrologer Nick Dagan Best joins me to talk about the phenomenon known as Venus retrograde, how it is defined, and what it means within the context of astrology.

Nick is one of the leading experts on Venus retrograde periods, and during the course of the show explains how they can be used to time events in natal and mundane astrology.

We also discuss other topics such as the importance of shadow periods, how to determine whether a specific Venus retrograde period is going coincide with a major event in a person’s life, and a bit about what the current Venus retrograde period in Virgo/Leo has in store.

For more information about Nick please visit his website at NickDaganBest.com, or his new podcast at iloveastrologypodcast.com.

Outline of the Show

Below you will find an outline of some of the different topics that we touched on during the course of the show, followed by links to download or stream the recording.

* Venus just stationing retrograde today, July 25, 2015.

* Good opportunity to do a show on Venus retrograde.

* First, what does Venus signify in astrology in general?

* Desire, love, partnership, relationships.

* Money, goods

* Inclusion

* Unifying and reconciling things

* Social consensus

* What does it mean when a planet goes retrograde from an astronomical standpoint?

* The planet appears to move backwards in the zodiac from our perspective.

* Optical illusion.

* Still has symbolic significance.

* Venus retrograde from an astronomical standpoint:

* Happens every 18-19 months, or every year and a half.

* Happens when Venus is closest to the Earth.

* Goes backwards for about 40 days.

* There is a the retrograde station (beginning), the inferior conjunction with the Sun (middle), and the direct station (end).

* Shadow periods extend the broader retrograde period

* Venus begins to slow down long before it goes retrograde, and it takes a while before it gets back to full speed after stationing direct.

* Events and circumstances surrounding the retro seem to start to develop once Venus passes over the degree that it will later retrograde back to when it stations direct.  This is the pre-retrograde shadow period.

* Things are not fully wrapped up until it passes the degree that it stationed retrograde at. This is the post retrograde shadow.

* Each shadow period is roughly 30 days.

* Thus the full retro cycle is a 100-day period roughly.

* Venus retrograde within the context of the zodiac:

* Venus is stationing retro at 0° Virgo today.

* Venus stations retrograde in approximately the same place in the zodiac every 8 years.

* Minus 2 degrees.

* 8 years ago in late July of 2007 it stationed retro at 2° Virgo.

* 8 years before in 1999 it stationed retro at 4° Virgo, etc.

* This connects together time periods in 8 year intervals.

* This is actually the last retro in Virgo in our lifetime.

* Since Venus goes retrograde every year and a half it does this in 5 spots in the zodiac, thus forming a pentagram, or a five sided star.

* What does Venus retrograde mean astrologically?

* Retrograde motion is a sort of anomaly, and thus there is something anomalous occurring with respect to what the planet normally signifies.

* Is it an intensification or a reversal?  Both?

* It has meaning both in mundane astrology as well as in natal.

* In mundane astrology, Nick associates Venus with “consensus”,

Kelly Surtees and Austin Coppock join the show to provide a look ahead at the major astrological alignments in August of 2015.

We cover the Venus retrograde in Virgo/Leo, Saturn stationing direct in Scorpio, Jupiter making its ingress into Virgo, and more.

We also highlight several auspicious dates that occur during the course of the month using the principles of electional astrology.

In particular we focus on a series of Leo and Virgo rising electional charts, since the Sun and Mercury are in their own signs at different times over the next few weeks.

The cover art for this episode is taken from the PlanetWatcher 2015 Astrological Calendar, which we were given permission to use to us by its author, astrologer Kirk Kahn.

You can find out more information about Kelly’s work at KellysAstrology.com, and you can find out more about Austin at AustinCoppock.com.

Outline of the Show

Below you will find an outline of some of the different topics that we touched on during the course of the show, followed by links to download or stream the recording.

* Major aspect square from Jupiter to Saturn first week of August, which Mercury and Venus both aspect. Poignant and precise – lots of emphasis (pressure?) around 28° fixed signs.

* Jupiter square Saturn, 28° Leo/Scorpio, August 2 – 6 (Venus August 3 – 6, Mercury August 6 – 7.

* Jupiter in the superior position but Saturn hurling a ray at Jupiter. Quite the tussle between two planetary heavyweights. Who has the upper hand?

* Venus stationing retrograde in Virgo and then being retrograde in Leo for the entirety of August.

* Elemental shift from Fire to Earth as Mercury, Jupiter and the Sun (in that order) wind up visits to Leo and move into Virgo. Lingering influence in Leo with Venus and Mars. Signs in focus would be Leo + Virgo.

* Jupiter ingressing into Virgo in mid-August.

* Conjunctions to Jupiter: Venus August 5, Mercury August 7, Sun August 26 – 27

* Aspect wise, Mercury, Venus and the Sun all conjunct Jupiter, the first two in Leo and the Sun at the end of the month once both in Virgo.

* The last gasps of Saturn in Scorpio with Saturn stationing direct at 28° Scorpio.

Elections for August

* Several strong Leo or Virgo rising elections this month, since the Sun is in Leo and Mercury in Virgo.  Leo rising elections are in the first part of the month, and Virgo later after the 7th.

* August 6 at 7:15 AM with 26° Leo rising. Sun in Leo in the 1st whole sign house, in a day chart shortly after sunrise. Mercury, Venus, and Jupiter forming a tight conjunction at the end of Leo. Saturn is angular in Scorpio in the 4th, but it is a day chart and it is enclosed by the rays of Venus and Jupiter on either side. The Moon is exalted in Taurus in the 10th, applying to a square with the Sun. Mars is out of the way in the 12th.

* August 1 at 6:50 AM with 18° Leo rising. This is the earlier alternate with Moon in Aquarius. Square Saturn, but with reception.

* Some auspicious Mercury elections once Mercury moves into Virgo Augu...