Guest Articles
Our community has many imaginative and soulful astrologers who regularly contribute to our understanding through their teaching and writing. The following astrology articles, which have previously appeared in astrological magazines or websites, introduce you to some of these bright and inspiring minds. My thanks for allowing me to republish these articles. Please note all articles are copyrighted. If you wish to use any information published in any of these articles, please contact Astro*Synthesis or the author for permission.
From Allegory to Anagoge:
the Question of Symbolic Perception in a Literal World by Angela Voss
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.
Astrology, Archetype and Symbol by Carole Taylor
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”.
Regarding Venus: a kaleidoscope, an imaginal gypsy and a 16th Century courtesan
by Hadley Fitzgerald
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/
Two Tales of the Wanderings of Ceres – Journeys of Transcendent Embodiment
by Jason Holley
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/
Planetary Interiority: James Hillman & the Archetypal Psyche
by Safron Rossi
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/
Arrows, Aiming and Divination: Astrology as a Stochastic Art
by Dorian Gieseler Greenbaum
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/
