Guest Articles

The March 2023 edition of the FAA Journal (www.faainc.org.au) celebrated the Pluto in Libra generation. For this edition I asked eight astrological practitioners from this generation to summarize their experience of being part of this astrological peer group.

Now in mid-life, these Pluto in Libra astrologers are in full stride in their vocation – here’s what Frank Clifford, Stormie Grace, Jason Holley, Jessica Lanyadoo, Alejo Lopez, Safron Rossi, Amanda Simon and Kelly Surtees shared.

Angela Voss describes her academic passion as ‘the marriage of scholarship with spiritual wisdom’. To this end, she says: ‘I research and write about the power of symbolism and symbolic interpretation’. This passion led to her PhD dissertation on the astrological music therapy of Marsilio Ficino. She has also edited the book Marsilio Ficino and is co-editor of a series of insightful collections such The Imaginal Cosmos, Seeing with Different Eyes: Essays in Astrology and Divination, Daimonic Imagination: Uncanny Intelligence, AND Re-Enchanting the Academy.

In this article Angela takes us on a journey from the literal to the mystical world, a path that can open up through the use of astrological symbolism. Applying the hermeneutic method to astrology, Angela invites us into the mysteries of symbolic perception.

This article is inspired by Angela Voss’s above article. After reading From Allegory to Anagoge I reflected on the Hermeneutic process as applied to my astrological practice. While I had a passing awareness that Hermeneutics focused on the practice of interpretation, I had never applied the process to reflect on my astrological practice, especially those times when something else beyond the horoscope, the client, and I happened…

Carole Taylor has played a vital role in the success of the Faculty of Astrological Studies and significantly contributed to its comprehensive syllabus. Now as a tutor for the MA in Cultural Astronomy & Astrology at the University of Wales, Carole brings her depth of wisdom to the students in the MA program. Her new book Using the Wisdom of the Stars in Your Everyday Life has become a bestseller.

In her article Astrology, Archetype and Symbol Carole introduces us to the shadow and trickster and how their understanding helps to deepen our appreciation of astrological symbol. Carole clearly articulates how symbols speak in a myriad of ways when we turn from literal to symbolic thinking, stressing that “nothing is more powerful than the archetypal language of astrology”.

Hadley Fitzgerald’s inspirational and creative book Images of Soul developed an ongoing conversation focused on soul in astrology. A popular and engaging astrological lecturer, Hadley is also a psychotherapist with a depth of consulting experience.

Combining astrology and archetypal psychology is her forte and this is clearly evident in Regarding Venus. She holds our attention as she amplifies the archetypal Venus and her often-complex integration socially. Hadley invites us to accompany her Venusian journey as she metaphorically turns her inner kaleidoscope to reveal other phases of the bright Venus.

Website: https://www.hadleyfitzgerald.com/

Jason Holley is a dynamic and creative astrologer who brings his experience as both psychotherapist and astrologer to his consulting and teaching practice. He amplifies the astrological archetypes in a way that infuses the tradition with mythopoetic insights and revelations.

In this article Jason evokes the myth of Ceres, which comes to life in his consultation work with Cora. Jason weaves a story of mystery, of loss and suffering, of betrayal and of healing, all archetypal artefacts of Cora’s horoscope and the myth of Ceres.

Website: http://jasonholley.net/astrology/

For many years Safron Rossi was the curator at Opus Archives, home of James Hillman’s manuscript collections; hence the perfect guide to present how the pioneering works of James Hillman is a boon to astrologers. It is evident that Safron is passionate about her work and the depth of insight that can be revealed when astrologers take an archetypal approach to the spectrum of symbols.

As she says, “Astrology is efficacious in working with the soul’s troubles because it brings images, Gods, journeys and cycles to the fore. In other words, it brings a symbolic sensibility.” Safron reveals her symbolic and scholarly sensitivity in her article and offers us a cornucopia of insight.

Website: https://www.thearchetypaleye.com/

Dorian Gieseler Greenbaum has practised and taught astrology since 1992 and is an international lecturer and teacher. In 2009, she received her Ph.D. from the Warburg Institute, London. Her book, based on her PhD, The Daimon in Hellenistic Astrology: Origins and Influence, was published in 2016. She is also known for her book Temperament: Astrology’s Forgotten Key (2005).

Her scholarship is outstanding and on display in this article on as trilogy as a stochastic art, taking us on a journey of discovery into divination, prediction and the art of astrology.

Website: http://www.classicalastrology.org/

Melanie Reinhart is not only well known for her ground-breaking book Chiron and the Healing Journey, but also for her innovative research and work on the Centaurs. She has lectured extensively, including Australia. A prize-winning diploma holder of the Faculty of Astrological Studies (UK), she is now one of its esteemed patrons. Well-respected and loved in our astrological community, she was awarded the Charles Harvey Award in 2004 for ‘exceptional service to astrology’.

This article by Melanie was originally published in 2017 in the AA Journal (Astrological Association of Great Britain), but I only became aware of it when researching information on the galactic centre. I found the article on Astro.com and asked my dear friend Melanie if she would allow us to include it on our website as it is a fascinating read.

Website: https://melaniereinhart.com/

Frank Clifford is one of our most active astrologers in our community, supporting and encouraging students and professionals in numerous ways, and promoting ethical astrology. He is a prolific author; some of his most popular books are Getting to the Heart of Your Chart, The Solar Arc Handbook, and Horoscope Snapshots.

Well-loved as a teacher, counsellor and colleague; so, this article by Frank is apropos as Frank gathers together the community to reflect on Uranus. This article was originally published in The Mountain Astrologer.

Websites: www.londonschoolofastrology.com and www.frankclifford.co.uk