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Hellenistic Astrology Introduction, with Alan White

The Astrology Podcast・109 minutes read

Alan White's lecture on Hellenistic astrology and its impact on the revival of the tradition, emphasizing the translation of complex ideas into simpler language, and contrasting modern with classic astrology, highlighting planetary significations and their influences. The speaker's journey from skepticism to traditional astrology, critiquing modern practices and emphasizing a deeper, more historical approach rooted in philosophical and astrological coherence, and advocating for a deeper understanding of astrological concepts.

Insights

  • Alan White, a former military man and associate of Project Hindsight, found a passion for Hellenistic astrology in the mid-1990s, playing a pivotal role in its revival.
  • Alan White's lecture on Hellenistic astrology, reflecting Robert Schmidt's work, made the complex ideas accessible, emphasizing reconstructing the past, understanding the present, and predicting the future.
  • Demetra George, influenced by Alan White, developed a course on Hellenistic astrology, contributing significantly to the tradition's revival.
  • Alan White's lecture delves into planetary significations, aspects, and life stages, emphasizing the importance of planets in their domiciles and exaltations.
  • Hellenistic astrology, with its interconnected system and logical approach, contrasts with modern astrology's superficial interpretations, advocating for a deeper historical context.
  • Understanding events, the interplay of fate and free will, and the role of luck are central themes in traditional astrology, reflecting the essence of Hellenistic practices.

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Recent questions

  • What is Hellenistic astrology?

    Hellenistic astrology refers to a traditional form of astrology that originated in ancient Greece and Egypt. It focuses on the philosophical and astrological coherence of the practice, tracing its roots back to the Chaldeans, Sumerians, Greeks, Egyptians, Arabs, Medievals, and Vedic influences. Hellenistic astrology involves the study of classic, ancient, Hermetic, Greek, and Hellenistic astrology, emphasizing the translation of complex ideas by Project Hindsight. This form of astrology contrasts with modern astrology, highlighting both similarities and major differences in symbolic representations of planets, their significations, and astrological techniques.

  • Who was Alan White and what was his contribution to astrology?

    Alan White was a former military man and associate of Project Hindsight who found a passion for Hellenistic astrology in the mid-1990s. He played a pivotal role in the revival of Hellenistic astrology through his lectures and association with Project Hindsight. Alan's lecture, reflecting Robert Schmidt's early work on Hellenistic astrology, introduced classic, ancient, Hermetic, Greek, and Hellenistic astrology, emphasizing its translation by Project Hindsight. His role as a translator of complex ideas into simpler language made Hellenistic astrology accessible to a wider audience, contributing significantly to the field's history.

  • What are the key planets in Hellenistic astrology and their significations?

    In Hellenistic astrology, the key planets include Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, and the Moon, each ruling specific zodiac signs and having unique significations. Mercury, known as Stilbon or Hermes, represents statements and declarations, while Venus, or Phosphorus, symbolizes enticement. Mars, or Puroeides, signifies commands, and Jupiter, or Phaethon, speaks in metaphors. Saturn, or Phainon, represents logic and deduction, and the Moon, or Selene, is associated with true phasis. These planets have specific domiciles, exaltations, and depressions, influencing their roles in astrology and chart interpretations.

  • What are some key techniques used in Hellenistic astrology for chart analysis?

    Hellenistic astrology employs various techniques for chart analysis, including rising decan, lord of the nativity, and 12th harmonics. Profections, decennials, quarters, zodiacal releasing, and transits are essential time-lord procedures used to predict events accurately. These techniques help astrologers interpret planetary placements, aspects, and interactions in a chart, providing insights into an individual's life events, challenges, and opportunities. By utilizing these methods, astrologers can offer detailed and comprehensive readings based on the principles of Hellenistic astrology.

  • How does Hellenistic astrology differ from modern astrology?

    Hellenistic astrology differs from modern astrology in its focus on historical context, philosophical coherence, and interconnected system of astrological principles. While modern astrology often emphasizes superficial interpretations and appropriates significations without true understanding, Hellenistic astrology delves into the origins of the practice and its evolution through different cultures. Hellenistic astrology also contrasts with modern astrology in its symbolic representations of planets, significations, and astrological techniques, offering a more traditional and structured approach to chart analysis and prediction.

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Summary

00:00

Alan White: Hellenistic Astrology Pioneer's Legacy

  • Episode 250 of The Astrology Podcast, recorded on April 19, 2020, at 7:30 PM in Denver, Colorado, features a two-part episode.
  • The first part is a lecture by astrologer Alan White on Hellenistic astrology, recorded before his passing in August 2011.
  • Alan White, a former military man and associate of Project Hindsight, found a passion for Hellenistic astrology in the mid-1990s.
  • Alan's lecture, with a gruff yet insightful character, played a pivotal role in the revival of Hellenistic astrology.
  • The lecture showcases Alan's astrological chart, highlighting his Aries rising and military background.
  • Alan's lecture, while reflecting Robert Schmidt's early work on Hellenistic astrology, also includes some of Schmidt's innovations.
  • Alan's role as a translator of Schmidt's complex ideas into simpler language was crucial in making Hellenistic astrology accessible.
  • Alan's obituary details his journey from a skeptic to a passionate traditional astrologer, emphasizing his significant contributions to the field.
  • Alan's philosophy of astrology, focusing on reconstructing the past, understanding the present, and predicting the future, resonated with many.
  • Alan's impact on the astrological community, especially through his lectures and association with Project Hindsight, remains a significant part of the field's history.

15:25

Influential Lecture on Hellenistic Astrology Revival

  • Alan White gave an impromptu lecture on Hellenistic astrology at Kepler, leading to the development of a course by Demetra George.
  • Demetra studied under Alan and Robert Schmidt of Project Hindsight in 2001/2002 before teaching Hellenistic astrology at Kepler in 2002.
  • Alan White's influence on the revival of Hellenistic astrology is significant, with Demetra's teachings playing a crucial role.
  • Alan White's lecture on Hellenistic astrology is a pivotal historical event that influenced the tradition.
  • The lecture by Alan White delves into the differences between his formulation of Hellenistic astrology and later formulations by others like Demetra George.
  • Alan White's lecture introduces classic, ancient, Hermetic, Greek, and Hellenistic astrology, emphasizing its translation by Project Hindsight.
  • The lecture highlights the restoration of Western astrology by Project Hindsight, focusing on philosophical and astrological coherence.
  • The lecture traces the origins of astrology from Chaldeans and Sumerians to Greeks, Egyptians, Arabs, Medievals, and Vedic influences.
  • Alan White's lecture contrasts modern astrology with Hermetic or Hellenistic astrology, emphasizing similarities and major differences.
  • Alan White's lecture explains the symbolic representations of planets as wandering stars and their significations during phasis conditions.

32:22

"Planetary Influences in Astrology Explained"

  • Mercury, known as Stilbon or Hermes, makes statements and declarations, with phasis being the appearance that speaks.
  • Mercury rules Gemini and Virgo, being exalted in Virgo and feeling lousy in Pisces.
  • Venus, or Phosphorus, entices and takes domicile in Taurus and Libra, being exalted in Pisces and depressed in Virgo.
  • Mars, or Puroeides, commands and takes domicile in Aries and Scorpio, being exalted in Capricorn and cast down in Cancer.
  • Jupiter, or Phaethon, speaks in metaphors and comparisons, ruling Pisces and Sagittarius, being exalted in Cancer and depressed in Capricorn.
  • Saturn, or Phainon, speaks in logic and deduction, ruling Capricorn and Aquarius, being exalted in Libra and depressed in Aries.
  • The Moon, or Selene, is true phasis, ruling Cancer, being exalted in Taurus, and depressed in Scorpio.
  • The Moon has an affinity to Cancer, co-ruling it with the Sun, according to Zoroastrians.
  • Planets have detriments when not in their domicile, leading to erratic behavior and requiring direction.
  • The Sun and Moon represent diurnal and nocturnal sects, with different planets giving confirmation, unification, rejection, or separation.

50:02

Astrological aspects and planetary influences explained

  • Valens discusses two planets in the same zoidion, referred to as co-mixture, similar to a conjunction but not a real aspect.
  • Aversions occur when planets are 30° apart, such as Pisces and Aries, or Taurus and Aries, being adverse to each other.
  • The 'semi-sextile' crowd includes the 2nd and 12th house, and 1st house, while 'inconjunction/quincunxes' involve the 6th and 8th house from the 1st.
  • 'Adjacent' aversions, 30° off, are hostile to each other, while 'opposite' aversions are Saturnian and mercurial, dealing in hostility and debating.
  • 'Reverse' aspects involve the 'hurling of rays', taxing planets by reducing their strength by 10%, considered a negative condition.
  • 'Superior' planets direct 'inferior' planets, with mitigations and sympathies based on shared rulership and zoidion at the same essential time.
  • Planets in their domicile are responsible for managing their domicile, hosting other planets that transit or are deposited there.
  • Planets in their 'exaltation' are honored and held highly, with the domicile's bound lord setting the standard of judgment.
  • 'Trigon lords' determine the success and material conditions of events, while 'solar phase' intensifies planets 15° from the Sun.
  • 'Combustion' occurs when a planet is less than 15° from the Sun, absorbing its strength, and retrogrades are considered inherently dangerous, taking away or recalling things.

01:08:34

Astrology: Moon, Lots, Techniques, Time Lords

  • The 7th day of the Moon indicates family, home, children, and life foundations.
  • The 40th day of the Moon signifies death, old age, reincarnation, and rebirth.
  • Planets positioned at 3°, 7°, 15°, or 30° from the Moon represent different life stages.
  • Various 'lots' represent virtues of planets and their influences based on positions.
  • The 'Lot of the Father' is calculated as Ascendant plus Saturn minus Sun, symbolizing father figures.
  • The 'Lot of Fortune' is crucial, representing possessions, reputation, and health.
  • Different 'lots' like 'Eros', 'Necessity', 'Courage', 'Victory', and 'Nemesis' correspond to various aspects of life.
  • Hellenistic astrology involves '7 Hermetic Techniques', 'Topical Methods', and 'Time Lord Procedures'.
  • Techniques like 'rising decan', 'lord of the nativity', and '12th harmonics' are used for chart analysis.
  • 'Profections', 'decennials', 'quarters', 'zodiacal releasing', and 'transits' are key time-lord procedures in astrology.

01:24:40

Evolution of Astrology: From Medieval to Modern

  • Medieval astrology influenced Renaissance astrology, leading to modern astrology's transit doctrine.
  • Transits stretch or intensify planets, with transiting planets informing native planets of their actions.
  • Natal planets act as sensitive points, affected by transits.
  • Jupiter in conjunction with Venus is considered a positive transit, bringing sweetness and light.
  • Venus transiting Jupiter is viewed negatively in modern astrology, leading to overspending and regret.
  • Saturn transiting Mars is a bad transit, halting action and causing frustration.
  • Mars transiting Saturn, despite being the planet of 'no', encourages hard work and responsibility.
  • The Thema Mundi, or 'chart of the world', features Cancer rising and planetary placements in specific orders.
  • Aspects between planets in the Thema Mundi influence their interactions and effects.
  • The Age of Pisces is the current astrological era, with the Age of Aquarius approaching, symbolizing peace and love.

01:41:47

Astrological symbolism and technological advancements intersect.

  • Neptune is associated with perfect imagery and showed up in 1842 or '46, ruling Pisces.
  • The discovery of photography coincided with Neptune's appearance, leading to the creation of realistic images.
  • Neptune's position in Aquarius, ruled by Saturn, suggests a connection to illusion and deception.
  • Neptune's superior position to Uranus in the United States symbolizes a shift towards government centralization.
  • Pluto's appearance in Cancer coincided with the invention of the first computer, highlighting transformation from big to small.
  • The Sun in Leo represents fission, transforming atoms into lighter nuclei and releasing nuclear energy.
  • Fusion, represented by the Sun in its feminine domicile, transforms lighter material into heavier atoms.
  • Sputnik's appearance in the '50s led to the construction of bomb shelters, indicating its association with protection.
  • Hellenistic astrology is recommended for its logical and interconnected system, contrasting with modern astrology.
  • Alan White, a Hellenistic astrologer, stumbled into astrology to disprove it but became captivated by its accuracy and metaphysical aspects.

01:58:43

Astrological Community: A Veteran's Perspective

  • The speaker attended an astrological lecture in the mid-70s where the spirit was absent, leading to a negative impression of the modern astrological community.
  • Despite initial disappointment, the speaker later attended Lynn Koiner's picnic in Silver Spring and encountered Ellen Black from Project Hindsight, who invited the speaker to a conference in 1994.
  • The speaker received a call from Ellen Black in 1994, urging them to attend the conference, emphasizing the importance of their presence.
  • At the conference, the speaker was asked to wear a 'Go to Hell' jacket with Special Forces patches, which led to mixed reactions from the astrological community.
  • The speaker, a Green Beret, faced snubs from the astrological community but found acceptance among veterans at the bar, fostering camaraderie.
  • Despite some peace with the veterans, the astrological community continued to snub the speaker, highlighting ongoing challenges in acceptance.
  • The speaker's unique background as an ex-Special Forces member influenced their approach to Hellenistic astrology, favoring a more concrete and event-oriented perspective.
  • The speaker emphasized the importance of astrology making both philosophical and astrological sense, rejecting superficial interpretations common in modern astrology.
  • The speaker critiqued modern astrology for appropriating significations without true understanding, advocating for a deeper, more meaningful approach rooted in historical context.
  • The speaker's approach to the outer planets in astrology involves considering their discovery degrees as key points, linking them to societal shifts and significant events.

02:13:46

Pluto's Influence: Transformations and Predictions

  • Valens associates Mercury with unexplained occurrences in our lives, similar to Uranus.
  • Pluto's position at 17° of Cancer is linked to significant events, like the Trinity atomic explosion.
  • Pluto is described as transforming big things into small and vice versa, such as the evolution from large computers to small cellphones.
  • Pluto's influence on individuals, like Schmidt, can amplify their impact in specific fields, such as Hellenistic astrology.
  • The Declaration for the Necessity of Taking Up Arms, dated July 6, 1775 at 11:05 AM in Philadelphia, is considered the birth chart of the United States.
  • The chart's placements, like Saturn in the 1st house and the Moon in the 1st house, symbolize key aspects of the nation's identity and structure.
  • Mundane astrology, particularly using Hellenistic techniques, is applied to interpret historical events and predict future occurrences.
  • The intensification of planets and their interactions are crucial in predicting events accurately, with a focus on timing mechanisms.
  • The concept of 'zoidion' is preferred over 'signs' to emphasize the living nature and qualities of astrological placements.
  • Advice is given to new astrologers to avoid getting involved in astrological politics and to prioritize understanding the living essence of astrological concepts.

02:28:37

Controversies and Evolution in Astrology Certification

  • Certification from the NCGR is required for astrologers.
  • The teachings and demands of the NCGR are considered bogus by some, including the fact that they know it.
  • Despite recognition of the issues, many prominent astrologers have not made necessary changes to their lectures or books.
  • Project Hindsight in the '90s was anticipated to revolutionize astrology, but the community remains stagnant.
  • ISAR's ethics guidelines prohibit discussing death, which is seen as incompetent by some.
  • Modern astrology often avoids prediction, despite it being the core of astrology.
  • Astrology is defined by predicting the future and reconstructing the past, according to Bonatti.
  • There is a push in astrology to align with academic and scientific communities, which may lead to co-opting by universities.
  • The role of astrological colleges like Kepler is debated, with concerns about academic contexts overshadowing astrology.
  • The concept of sect in astrology is discussed, suggesting it represents the soul's purpose in life and planets contrary to sect act as distractions.

02:42:33

Astrology: Fate, Luck, and Free Will

  • Malefic planets of the sect in favor (Saturn in a day chart or Mars in a night chart) present surmountable obstacles, while those contrary to the sect pose challenges that are harder to overcome.
  • The Lots, like the Lot of Death and the Lot of the Destroyer, play a role in personal crises when certain planets align in a chart.
  • The concept of fate versus free will is discussed, with the ability to mitigate events and choose responses impacting outcomes.
  • Luck, or Tyche, is seen as a factor in events, with chance occurrences like winning the lottery highlighting the unpredictability of life.
  • The importance of understanding events in astrology, the role of free will in shaping responses, and the potential to influence the magnitude of outcomes are key themes in traditional astrology.
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