Astrologer and writer Alexander Baker joins host Jenn Zahrt from Pittsburgh, PA to chat books and more! Rise above the horizon and join the duo for a conversation covering: the decans and faces; fixed stars; divinatory systems; secondary, tertiary, and converse progressions; humanistic roots, and more. Plus: tossing coins in the fountain, less is more, and space-time synesthesia!

Visit CAELi’s Within Orb pod page!

Learn more about the CAELi Institute.

Visit our bookshop.org page to support CAELi and purchase books mentioned on the show!

Become a CAELi member or renew your membership!

Love the show? Support our work with a financial contribution or book donation.

Follow CAELi on FB, IG, YouTube, and Bluesky.

Transcripts available upon request.

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

*****

Episode timestamps (conversation recorded December 2024):

00:01 – Jenn introduces the show with a reminder to join her Kepler College Advanced Progressions class with Camm Cassidy, which started yesterday (February 16). It’s not too late to join – enrollment is available until February 19, 2025!

01:10 – Alexander Baker is a writer, astrologer, and vinyasa yoga teacher from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, whose approach blends Hellenistic and modern techniques. His astrology is animistic and relational, using a blend of decanic imagery and psychological application to invite others into deeper dialogue with the Story they find themselves enmeshed in.

03:49 – Alexander’s first astrology books were a combination of pop astrology texts like The Secret Language of Birthdays by Gary Goldschneider and The Only Astrology Book You'll Ever Need by Joanna Martine Woolfolk. Early on, he also worked with the Thoth tarot deck, scoured articles online, and dove into the writings of Aleister Crowley.

09:22 – If Alexander could bring only three books to a deserted island, his first pick would be Austin Coppock’s 36 Faces: The History, Astrology and Magic of the Decans.

12:27 – Interlude: Join the CAELi Support Drive and for only $35, you can enjoy your morning beverage out of a gorgeous CAELi mug!

13:13 – Calling in Sun-Uranus energy, Alexander offers a runner-up: Cosmos and Psyche: Intimations of a New World View by Richard Tarnas.

15:49 – Alex’s second choice would be The Moment of Astrology: Origins in Divination by Geoffrey Cornelius.

16:26 – The third title Alexander would bring is The Astrological Houses: The Spectrum of Individual Experience by Dane Rudhyar.

19:45 – Breaking the rules for another pick, Alex mentions Psyche and Symbol: A Selection from the Writings of C. G. Jung by Carl Jung (edited by Violet S. De Laszlo).

30:47 – For beginners, Alexander recommends… nothing! JK (sort of)! He talks about the importance of looking up charts. But in addition to that, he mentions You Were Born For This: Astrology for Radical Self-Acceptance by Chani Nicholas, Astrology: Using the Wisdom of the Stars in Your Everyday Life by Carole Taylor, and having a Robert Hand on hand (lol)!

33:49 – The best place to find Alex is at his website: https://www.reverieastrology.com/. His YouTube channel is @alexbakerastro. And on IG and Threads, follow: @reverie.unfold.

34:38 – 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.

This week, we’re tossing it back to a comprehensive and fun episode! Astrologer Alberto Forero joined host Jenn Zahrt from San Francisco, California to offer a myriad of astrology texts, bolstered by his Gemini sense of curiosity! In this chat, Alberto and Jenn covered some wonderful territory, including: fixed stars and constellations; bringing astronomy into astrology; the Uranus/North Node conjunction in Taurus; symbolism and metaphors; when astrology went underground; balancing temperament; physiognomy and cultural biases; astro charts with thumbprint patterns; Ceres, Pallas, Juno, and Vesta; sensitive degrees; extending ephemerides; a hypothetical map of astro migration and data visualization; fantasteroids; creating degree symbols; and geomancy. Plus: rethinking book cover designs, reporting from humanity’s living room, and… a degree system based on David Bowie albums!

Visit CAELi’s Within Orb pod page!

Learn more about the CAELi Institute.

Visit our bookshop.org page to support CAELi and purchase books mentioned on the show!

Become a CAELi member or renew your membership!

Love the show? Support our work with a financial contribution or book donation.

Follow CAELi on FB, IG, YouTube, and Bluesky.

Transcripts available upon request.

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

*****

Episode timestamps (conversation recorded June 2024):

00:01 – Jenn introduces the show and offers some great new classes: Join her for the CAELi Lab on Comparative House Systems starting February 12 and her Kepler College Advanced Progressions class with Camm Cassidy starting February 16!

02:38 – Alberto Forero has studied and practiced astrology since 2017, practicing both traditional and modern techniques in bringing ancient wisdom to clients. His interest in astrology emerged from several threads: fascination with symbolism, psychology, and alchemy. Alberto serves as President of the San Francisco Astrological Society and is the co-host of the YouTube astrology game show “Astrology Deathmatch.”

03:05– Alberto found astrology when a work colleague did a reading for him, and he got the astro-bug! His very first book was Parker's Astrology (New Edition): The Definitive Guide to Using Astrology in Every Aspect of Your Life Paperback by Julia and Derek Parker.

06:24 – If Alberto could pack only three books on a long trip, what would he bring? The first one would be the voluminous Secrets of the Ancient Skies, Vol. 1 and 2 by Diana K. Rosenberg. This text offers a massive amount of knowledge, and the historical info is vast. It also offers good info on fixed stars and constellations.

09:41 – Alberto’s second choice is The Penguin Dictionary of Symbols by Jean Chevalier and Alain Gheerbrant, and translated by John Buchanan-Brown. This one is like popcorn for your mind, and it helps Alberto with the symbolic understanding of reality!

15:34 – The third title that Alberto would bring is the wonderful Temperament: Astrology's Forgotten Key by Dorian Gieseler Greenbaum, because it helps get a good baseline sense of a person.

18:45 – Interlude: Join the CAELi Support Drive and for only $35, you can enjoy your morning beverage out of a gorgeous CAELi mug!

19:32 – Alberto also shared some Gemini bonus books! A hat tip goes to: Your Destiny in Thumb: Indian System of Thumb Reading by R. G. Ra; Ephemerides of the Asteroids: Ceres, Pallas, Juno, Vesta, 1900-2000 by Eleanor Bach; the controversial Rules for Planetary Pictures (Uranian System): Adapted from the Teachings of Alfred Witte by Hans Niggemann; Astrology and the Modern Psyche by Dane Rudhyar; and Astrolabium Planum by Johann Engel. And Jenn gave a shout-out to A Graphic Ephemeris of Sensitive Degrees also by Eleanor Bach!

28:39 – Wondering what fantasteroids are? Learn about them here!

32:31 – For beginners, Alberto recommends The Geomancer's Handbook: Divination and Magic by John Michael Greer, and Astrology: Using the Wisdom of the Stars in Your Everyday Life by Carole Taylor.

38:02 – Find Alberto at his website: https://www.translationoflight.org/. And he’s also the curator of @MuseumAstro on Twitter/X (the visual history of astrology).

38:33 – 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 by Jen Braun, JJ Boots Productions LLC.

It’s a treat from the archives this week with astrologer Celeste Brooks (as host Jenn Zahrt continues to roam around Europe, woot)! Celeste joined Jenn from Oakland, CA to chat about books, eclipses, communication styles, quintiles and other minor aspects, forecasting, and more! Plus, Celeste offered a mini-lesson on the Lunar Phase Families – an astonishing technique if this is new to you. Plus: the magic of the number nine, astrology as reading data, and… go Bears!

Visit CAELi’s Within Orb pod page!

Learn more about the CAELi Institute.

Visit our bookshop.org page to support CAELi and purchase books mentioned on the show!

Become a CAELi member or renew your membership!

Love the show? Support our work with a financial contribution or book donation.

Follow CAELi on FB, IG, YouTube, and Bluesky.

Transcripts available upon request.

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

*****

Episode timestamps (conversation recorded Oct. 2023):

00:01 – Producer Jen Braun kicks off the show with a little intro, which felt appropriate since she’s the audio magician for both Celeste and Jenn’s podcasts! Celeste has lots of workshops and classes coming up, so check them out! (And if you’re interested in starting a podcast – or want help with an existing show – you can learn more about Jen and reach out to her here!)

02:03 – Celeste left her 25-year corporate career in sales, marketing, and business development to become an astrologer! She feels called to guide others on their paths, and loves to connect with clients through readings, coaching, group events, and classes. Celeste is the Transit Talk host and OPA Live Manager for the Organization of Professional Astrologers (OPA). She has an undergraduate degree in Integrative Biology from UC Berkeley and an MBA from St. Mary’s College. She holds the Practitioner’s Level Horary Certificate from the School of Traditional Astrology.

03:01 – The first astrology book that made an impact on Celeste was The Power of Mercury: Understanding Mercury Retrograde and Unlocking the Astrological Secrets of Communication. Celeste met the author, Leslie McGuirk, at Leslie’s book launch – and Celeste’s interest was piqued! Nothing like entering astrology via Mercury’s invitation to get a new career started, right??

10:25 – If Celeste were to take three important books with her to a remote location, what would they be? First, she’d bring Sue Tompkins’s Aspect in Astrology: A Guide to Understanding Planetary Relationships in the Horoscope. Sue’s work details everything from the planets to aspects to chart patterns and more – all from a psychological perspective.

12:17 – Celeste’s second selection is The Art of Predictive Astrology: Forecasting Your Life Events by Carol Rushman. This book has lots of tools and tricks, going deep into progressions, eclipses, retrogrades, and transits.

14:00 – Interlude: Join the CAELi Support Drive and for only $35, you can enjoy your morning beverage out of a gorgeous CAELi mug!

15:43 – Lastly, Celeste would take along the invaluable Lunar Shadows III: The Predictive Power of Moon Phases & Eclipses by Dietrech Pessin. This dense, technical book offers so much wisdom about eclipses and the Moon Phase Families that it’s had a huge impact on Celeste’s work!

23:19 – Celeste’s recommendations for beginners are: The Inner Sky by Steven Forrest, The Archetypal Universe by Renn Butler, and Keywords for Astrology: The Essential Guide to Correspondences and Interpretation of Planets, Signs, Houses, and Aspects by Hajo Banzhaf and Anna Haebler.

26:22 – Learn more about Celeste at: https://www.astrologybyceleste.com/. Check out her pod, Celestial Insights Podcast (available on all platforms)! Celeste is also on social everywhere @astrologybyceleste (Insta, TikTok, YouTube, Threads, Facebook, Bluesky), but note: Instagram is her main platform, where she does live shows three times per week.

27:50 – 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.

A throwback to Lyon, France with astrologer, poet, and artist Azur César – how appropriate while host Jenn Zahrt is in Paris and Brussels this week! Join the dynamic duo, as they cover Azur’s favorite astrology books and more, including: fixed stars; planetary combinations; astrologer Jean-Baptiste Morin; a sturdy foundation for studying star stuff; should history or techniques come first?; Mars-Jupiter and Jupiter-Saturn-Neptune keywords and phrases; the beauty of haiku delineations; parans; when the Daimon speaks loudly; soldiers and military stars; discussing difficult topics with a client; and books for water signs! Plus: plunging in the deep end, spontaneous outbreaks of peace, and… popcorn, anyone?

Visit CAELi’s Within Orb pod page!

Learn more about the CAELi Institute.

Visit our bookshop.org page to support CAELi and purchase books mentioned on the show!

Become a CAELi member or renew your membership!

Love the show? Support our work with a financial contribution or book donation.

Follow CAELi on FB, IG, YouTube, and Bluesky.

Transcripts available upon request.

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

*****

Episode timestamps (conversation recorded July 2024):

00:01 – Producer Jen Braun introduces this reboot episode while your host, the other Jenn, is in Europe launching her book (a French translation of her PhD research on astrology in early 20th century Germany)!

01:00 – Azur is an astrologer and student of astrology, an astrolaterand artist from France. Especially interested in fixed stars, astrolatry and astrological magic – with a background and deep interest in psychotraumatology as well as queer and disability studies – Azur can be set off to ramble about ethics exceedingly easily. Find Azur at his website, on Substack, or on Instagram @azuradastra.

03:04 – First, Azur caught the astrology bug through websites and podcasts – which led him to Chris Brennan’s The Astrology Podcast. From there, Azur’s initial astrology book was Hellenistic Astrology: The Study of Fate and Fortune by Chris Brennan, which was a great foundational resource.

05:23 – If Azur could bring only three books to a deserted island, what would they be? First up: The Archetypal Universe by Renn Butler, because the keywords and archetypal combinations of planets are amazing!

11:05 – Interlude: Join the CAELi Support Drive and for only $35, you can enjoy your morning beverage out of a gorgeous CAELi mug!

11:52 – Azur’s second choice would be Star and Planet Combinations by Bernadette Brady. This one is special because it’s the text that Azur uses most often – an underrated cookbook!

20:22 – The third title Azur would bring is Secrets of the Ancient Skies, Volumes 1 and 2 by Diana K. Rosenberg. These tomes struck his heart in the best of ways – there’s so much to dig into and lots of examples!

23:07 – For beginners, Azur recommends You Were Born for This: Astrology for Radical Self-Acceptance by Chani Nicholas, On the Heavenly Spheres by Helena Avelar and Luis Ribeiro, and Astrology and the Authentic Self: Integrating Traditional and Modern Astrology to Uncover the Essence of the Birth Chart by Demetra George.

26:40 – 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.

Sending hugs this week to astrologer and podcaster Daniel Norman in this throwback episode as our hearts are with those affected by the LA wildfires. In this one, Daniel slid up the West Coast from LA to join host Jenn Zahrt for a vibrant and fast-paced conversation about books and more! Join them as they discuss: intercepted signs; the lord of the orb; dwar and Jupiter-Saturn conjunctions; the bound ruler of a degree; the hierarchical weighting of essential dignities (or are they equal?); the fantasteroid way; jumping in the deep end of the astrological pool; and thinking about culturally determined significations. All that, plus: Bruce Springsteen, the juicy astrological house debate, and book genies!

Visit CAELi’s Within Orb pod page!

Learn more about the CAELi Institute.

Visit our bookshop.org page to support CAELi and purchase books mentioned on the show!

Become a CAELi member or renew your membership!

Love the show? Support our work with a financial contribution or book donation.

Follow CAELi on FB, IG, YouTube, and Bluesky.

Transcripts available upon request.

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

*****

Episode timestamps (conversation recorded Jan. 2024):

00:01 – Jenn introduces the show, with a shout-out to those affected by the LA wildfires. (The Theosophical Library burned down, and it calls to mind the irreplaceable documents and books at CAELi. To protect and support our astrological community’s important archives, here's a link to the CAELi Support Drive (awesome mug included for only $35)! And to help with the wildfire relief efforts, please check out this helpful Vanity Fair article, California Wildfires: How to Help Los Angeles From Anywhere in the World, and give what you can.)

02:35 – Daniel is an astrologer, magical practitioner, artist, and lifelong spiritual seeker. They previously pursued careers in music and film while working for 15 years as a bartender in Los Angeles, where they currently reside with their wife and three children. These experiences are an indelible part of Daniel’s approach to divination which seeks to align the inherent mystery of the cosmos with the practical reality of day-to-day life. Check out Daniel’s podcast, What Time Is It?

04:53 – Daniel’s first astrology book was The Inner Sky by Steven Forrest. They read it years before getting into astrology because they were dating an astrologer at the time! (A bonus book worth noting is Understanding Interceptions: A Key to Unlocking the Door by Chris McRae.)

10:33 – If Daniel were stuck on a desert island, which books would they bring? First up: the green book, which has all the stuff you might need in your toolkit, aka Abu Ma'shar Al-Balkhi’s Persian Nativities IV: On the Revolutions of the Years of Nativities, translated by Benjamin Dykes. But they’d also take the helpful notes of Dr. Ali Olomi to provide context! (And to hear more on the lord of the orb, visit Episode 5, Camm Cassidy & the Lord of the Orb!)

18:21 – Interlude: Join the CAELi Support Drive and for only $35, you can enjoy your morning beverage out of a gorgeous CAELi mug!

19:08 – Daniel’s second selection is the useful and magical Inside Degrees: Developing Your Soul Biography Using the Chandra Symbols by Ellias Lonsdale. It’s been fun to ask friends about their Ascendant degree and amaze them with the book’s accuracy! (And learn about fantasteroids here!)

27:14 – Daniel’s third choice is Austin Coppock’s 36 Faces: The History, Astrology and Magic of the Decans, because this hard-to-find text highlights the inherently narrative nature of the significations.

30:20 – Daniel’s recommendations for beginners are: Temperament: Astrology's Forgotten Key by Dorian Gieseler Greenbaum; Astrology and the Authentic Self: Integrating Traditional and Modern Astrology to Uncover the Essence of the Birth Chart by Demetra George (also, a bonus rec is Demetra’s Mysteries of the Dark Moon: The Healing Power of the Dark Goddess which you can find at CAELi AND hear more about on Episode 7 with Aerin Fogel!); and last but not least, Postcolonial Astrology: Reading the Planets through Capital, Power, and Labor by Alice Sparkly Kat.

37:24 – Find Daniel at their website: https://www.everhappening.com/. They are also on most social media @everhappening!

38:13 – 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.

Astrologer and tarot worker Mo Olufemi joins host Jenn Zahrt from Toronto, Ontario in Canada! Join the duo in a wide-ranging discussion of astrology and how Mo blends the Hellenistic, Medieval Islamicate, and Jyotish traditions! The two cover tons, including: electional astrology and placing the Moon; conditions of the houses; horary astrology; triplicity work; the dawr; and the Arudha Lagna in Vedic. All that, plus: reviewing predictions, time twins, and ignoring the outer planets!

Visit CAELi’s Within Orb pod page!

Learn more about the CAELi Institute.

Visit our bookshop.org page to support CAELi and purchase books mentioned on the show!

Become a CAELi member or renew your membership!

Love the show? Support our work with a financial contribution or book donation.

Follow CAELi on FB, IG, YouTube, and Bluesky.

Transcripts available upon request.

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

*****

Episode timestamps (conversation recorded January 2025):

00:31 – Mo is an astrologer and occultist who blends symbolism from Hellenistic, Medieval Islamicate, and Jyotish to assess how planetary influences characterize periods of time for individuals and societies. She also weaves in astrological symbols into her tarot work to provide deeper divinatory insights.

00:50 – Mo can’t remember the title of her very first astrology book, but she remembers getting it at a Scholastic Book Fair! It was a pink booklet on friendships for compatible Sun signs. The first serious book Mo read was The Only Astrology Book You'll Ever Need by Joanna Martine Woolfolk.

06:25 – If Mo could bring only three books to a deserted island, her first pick would be The Astrology of Sahl b. Bishr: Volume I: Principles, Elections, Questions, Nativities by Sahl ibn Bishr and translated by Benjamin Dykes.

27:14 – Interlude: Join CAELi and snag yourself a Saturn stress-relief ball. (Perfect for Capricorn season!)

28:01 – Mo’s second choice would be The Book of Religions and Dynasties by Abu Ma’shar (edited by K. Yamamoto and C. Burnett).

36:16 – The third title Mo would bring is the Jyotish tome Brihat Parashara Hora Shastra (aka the BPHS)!

41:00 – For beginners, Mo recommends listening to astrologers talk, because the oral tradition is so important!

50:32 – The best place to find Mo is via her handle @australtaur on Instagram, Bluesky, and Substack!

51:13 – 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.

Astrologer and writer Barry Perlman joins host Jenn Zahrt from sunny Palm Springs, CA! Join the duo as they chat about deserted-island book picks and more, including: doing the “right” reading with the “wrong” chart; how to contribute to fate, not outsmart it; the nuances of opening squares versus closing squares; planetary aspects as storytellers, and more! Plus: beheaded palm trees, pondering when birth begins, and… is rectification necessary?

Visit CAELi’s Within Orb pod page!

Learn more about the CAELi Institute.

Visit our bookshop.org page to support CAELi and purchase books mentioned on the show!

Become a CAELi member or renew your membership!

Love the show? Support our work with a financial contribution or book donation.

Follow CAELi on FB, IG, YouTube, and Bluesky.

Transcripts available upon request.

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

*****

Episode timestamps (conversation recorded December 2024):

00:31 – Barry Perlman is an astrologer, writer, metaphysical entrepreneur, and magical human best known for his “astrobarry” horoscopes, published weekly from 2002 to 2018. As an astrologer, he taught, mentored, and consulted with clients worldwide, in addition to writing for media in the US and Australia. He co-created the first-ever Queer Astrology Conference (QAC), where he presented in 2013 and 2015. He also co-founded and owned The Raven’s Wing Magical Co., a thriving retail business, until it became a worker-owned co-op in 2022. He currently lives in southern California.

01:51 – After winning a friendly bookstore tussle, Barry’s first astrology text was The Only Way to Learn Astrology, Vol 1 by Marion March and Joan McEvers. (Volumes 2 and 3 quickly followed!)

05:09 – If Barry could bring only three books to a deserted island, his first pick would be The Moment of Astrology: Origins in Divination by Geoffrey Cornelius.

12:28 – Barry’s second choice would be The Lunation Cycle: A Key to the Understanding of Personality by Dane Rudhyar.

16:48 – Interlude: Join CAELi and snag yourself a Saturn stress-relief ball. (Perfect for Capricorn season!)

17:34 – Barry offers an unofficial, leave-it-on-the-tarmac pick: Dynamics of Aspect Analysis: New Perceptions in Astrology by Bil Tierney.

21:58 – The third title Barry would bring is Planets in Transit: Life Cycles for Living by Robert Hand. (Barry also shouts out Autobiography of a Yogi by Paramahansa Yogananda and Cosmos and Psyche: Intimations of a New World View by Richard Tarnas.)

31:50 – For beginners, Barry recommends any book by Derek and Julia Parker, especially Parkers' Astrology: The Definitive Guide to Using Astrology in Every Aspect of Your Life. This episode was recorded before the recent passing of Derek Parker. May he Rest in Peace.

33:41 – The best place to find Barry is on Instagram @astrobarry.

35:05 – 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.

Astrologer and psychologist Alejo López joins host Jenn Zahrt from Athens, Greece to chat about astrology books and more! Join the two as they dive into a heartfelt conversation about employing empathy and respect with natal chart work, as well as: the importance of midpoints; meteorological astrology for deserted-island weather predictions; using the mean motion to calculate Jupiter-Saturn conjunctions; mundane astrology, and more. Plus: distorted houses, beloved midpoints, and embracing Pluto transits!

Visit CAELi’s Within Orb pod page!

Learn more about the CAELi Institute.

Visit our bookshop.org page to support CAELi and purchase books mentioned on the show!

Become a CAELi member or renew your membership!

Love the show? Support our work with a financial contribution or book donation.

Follow CAELi on FB, IG, YouTube, and Bluesky.

Transcripts available upon request.

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

*****

Episode timestamps (conversation recorded December 2024):

00:31 – Alejo López holds the Faculty of Astrological Studies Diploma where he teaches. He is a licensed psychologist with a second degree in Performing Arts and an MA in Cultural Astronomy and Astrology from the Sophia Centre at the University of Wales Trinity Saint David, where he received the 2023/2024 Alumni Association Dissertation Prize. He is training to become a certified Jungian analyst with the IAAP. Alejo works as a consultant astrologer and psychologist, aiming to foster self-awareness. He believes astrology’s symbolic language enables deep dialogue with hidden aspects of the self and the divine, guiding individuals toward authentic self-discovery.

01:07 – The book that got Alejo started was definitely something by Liz Greene! He suspects it was The Development of the Personality: Seminars in Psychological Astrology by Liz Greene and Howard Sasportas.

02:49 – If Alejo could bring only three books to a deserted island, his first pick would be Astrology of the World by Benjamin Dykes. (And Jenn references The Moment of Astrology: Origins in Divination by Geoffrey Cornelius!)

11:01 – Is this Within Orb: Survivor Edition? LOL! Changing his mind midstream (sorry, Sue Tompkins!), Alejo’s second choice would be Planets in Transit: Life Cycles for Living by Robert Hand.

12:14 – The third title Alejo would bring is The Combination of Stellar Influences by Reinhold Ebertin.

15:13 – Interlude: Join CAELi and snag yourself a Saturn stress-relief ball. (Perfect for Capricorn season!)

16:00 – Alejo and Jenn noodle over how to help somebody going through a long transit. (We’re looking at you, Pluto!)

21:58 – For beginners, Alejo recommends: Star Power: A Simple Guide to Astrology for the Modern Mystic by Vanessa Montgomery; Astrology: Using the Wisdom of the Stars in Your Everyday Life by Carole Taylor; the previously mentioned The Development of the Personality by Greene and Sasportas; and (welcome back, Sue!) Aspects in Astrology: A Guide to Understanding Planetary Relationships in the Horoscope by Sue Tompkins.

30:46 – Find Alejo at his website: https://www.liminalcosmos.com/. On IG, his handle is @liminalcosmos.

31:31 – 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.

It’s the perfect throwback for winding down the year: Astrologer, author, and teacher Adam Elenbaas joined host Jenn Zahrt to chat books, astrology, ayahuasca, and more! In this episode: Sun signs as the astrology gateway; horary and conditions against judgment; serial reading to understand a text anew; astrology as a form of divination; and leaning into Hellenistic with a modern twist. Plus: wrong charts that work, Saturn in your ears, and the Lord of the Rings!

Visit CAELi’s Within Orb pod page!

Learn more about the CAELi Institute.

Visit our bookshop.org page to support CAELi and purchase books mentioned on the show!

Become a CAELi member or renew your membership!

Love the show? Support our work with a financial contribution or book donation.

Follow CAELi on FB, IG, YouTube, and Bluesky.

Transcripts available upon request.

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

*****

Episode timestamps (conversation recorded September 2023):

00:01 – Jenn shares some super cool news about upcoming labs at CAELi, so check them out! (And here’s Adam’s Kickstarter page!)

02:01 – As an astrologer, author, and yoga instructor, Adam’s style of astrology stems from a deeply grounded, spiritual, and devotional approach to everyday life. He began practicing in 2010 and has completed more than 12,000 birth chart readings and led hundreds of students through his natal and horary astrology instruction programs. He also shares regular content on his popular YouTube and Instagram channels!

02:14 – The first astrology book Adam ever read was in 2006 or so: Your Sun Sign as a Spiritual Guide by Swami Kriyananda. He’d just been on an ayahuasca journey, and this archetypal exploration of the 12 Sun signs was deeply impactful. Tune in to hear about Adam’s intriguing path from ayahuasca to astrology, and how NYC astrologer Rebecca Gordon pushed him out of the nest!

11:56 – If Adam were stranded on a desert island, what three books would he take? First up: Cosmos and Psyche: Intimations of a New World View. Author Richard Tarnas’s fascinating mapping of mundane transits through such a wide arc of history stems from deep roots in psychedelic, holotropic breathwork – literally “breathtaking in its scope” – mirroring part of Adam’s own journey into being a professional astrologer and public figure.

15:43 – Interlude: Join CAELi and snag yourself a Saturn stress-relief ball. (Yes, you read that right!)

16:30 – Adam’s second selection is The Moment of Astrology: Origins in Divination by Geoffrey Cornelius. This philosophically meaningful work offers the worldview of astrology as a form of divination rather than simply empirical science.

21:56 – Finally, Adam would bring along William Lilly’s famous text on horary astrology, Christian Astrology. Every time he reads this one, he sees what Lilly is saying in new ways.

26:38 – Adam’s recommendations for beginners are many! Two massive texts for folks studying Hellenistic astrology are Demetra George’s Ancient Astrology in Theory and Practice: A Manual of Traditional Techniques (Volumes I and II), and Chris Brennan’s Hellenistic Astrology: The Study of Fate and Fortune. To study archetypes, Adam offers Liz Greene’s works, and mentions the Center for Psychological Astrology. For modern astrology, no one can tell a story like Steven Forrest, so Adam suggests Forrest’s books – but especially The Book of the Moon: Discovering Astrology’s Lost Dimension. A good intro to traditional astrology is On the Heavenly Spheres by the late Helena Avelar and the still-living Luis Ribeiro. For those interested in horary, check out Derek Appleby’s Horary Astrology: An Introduction to the Astrology of Time and John Frawley’s The Horary Textbook – Revised Edition. Last but not least, for mundane astrology, the previously mentioned Cosmos and Psyche is a keeper.

29:32 – Learn more about Adam at https://nightlightastrology.com/. And if you like his work, here’s his Kickstarter!

30:09 – 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.

Astrologer, writer, and teacher Kira Ryberg joins host Jenn Zahrt this week from magnifique Paris, France! Kira and Jenn sit down for an energizing chat about astrology books and other bonus goodies, including: how the bounds add personal flavor; the daimon; digging into the decans; zodiacal releasing, and more. All that, plus: the lunar mansions, Jupiter in Leo equating with floods (say what?!), and reasons to be distanced from the essential dignity scoreboard!

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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 November 2024):

00:31 – Kira Ryberg is a professional astrologer who specializes in natal and electional astrology. She illuminates the threads of fate for her students and clients, fostering a deeper connection between them and the cosmos. Kira has been published in The Mountain Astrologer, featured on The Astrology Podcast, and authored several guidebooks on niche astrological topics. She also teaches her astrology students how to explore and work with the cosmic patterns that shape their lives.

03:57 – The book that got Kira started was Astrology for Yourself: How to Understand and Interpret Your Own Birth Chart by Demetra George and Douglas Bloch.

05:13 – If Kira could bring only three books to a deserted island, her first pick would be The Daimon in Hellenistic Astrology: Origins and Influence by Dorian Gieseler Greenbaum.

08:58 – Kira’s second choice would be the out-of- and hopefully soon-to-be-back-in-print 36 Faces: The History, Astrology and Magic of the Decans by Austin Coppock. 

17:05 – Interlude: Join CAELi and snag yourself a Saturn stress-relief ball. (You know you want one!)

24:48 – The third title Kira would bring is The Anthology by Vettius Valens, with Mark Riley (translator) and Chris Brennan (editor)—and, a little-known fun fact, our own Jenn as book layout designer! Andrea Gehrz also gets a shout-out for her translation and publication of Valens through her Portland, OR–based Moira Press!

31:15 – For beginners, Kira recommends: the previously mentioned Astrology for Yourself by Demetra George and Douglas Bloch and You Were Born for This: Astrology for Radical Self-Acceptance by Chani Nicholas. Kira has also published a guidebook called The Baby Astro Guidebook: A Beginners Guide to Traditional Astrology – so check it out!

32:34 – Find Kira at her website: https://www.kiraryberg.com/. On IG and Threads, her handle is @kirastrologyy; on Bluesky it’s @kirastrology.

33:22 – 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.