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The Anthology of Vettius Valens

The Astrology Podcast・2 minutes read

Chris Brennan and Jenn Zahrt discuss the translation of second-century astrologer Vettius Valens' work, aiming to make ancient astrology practices more accessible to modern readers. Valens' significant contributions in astrological techniques, including practical examples and chart drawings, are highlighted, emphasizing the importance of his surviving work for astrologers and scholars.

Insights

  • Valens' work, The Anthology, contains over 100 chart examples demonstrating practical astrological techniques for his students.
  • The new translation project of Valens' work, led by Mark Riley, aims to enhance understanding by including diagrams and all chart examples.
  • Valens' focus on practical application in astrology contrasts with Ptolemy's theoretical approach, making Valens' work valuable for learning astrological techniques.
  • Despite challenges like textual issues, Valens' surviving work remains a crucial resource for astrologers and scholars, providing insights into ancient astrological practices.

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Recent questions

  • What is the significance of Vettius Valens' work in ancient astrology?

    Vettius Valens, a second-century astrologer, wrote The Anthology, which is a crucial source for ancient astrology practice. His work includes over 100 chart examples that showcase the practical application of astrological techniques. Valens' textbooks were dedicated to his students, like Marcus, demonstrating his teaching approach. Despite being overshadowed by Ptolemy's astronomical work in ancient times, Valens' practical examples make his work valuable for understanding astrological application.

  • How did the new translation project enhance the understanding of Vettius Valens' work?

    The new translation project of Vettius Valens' work has been ongoing for two and a half years, aiming to complete Mark Riley's translation with diagrams. This project includes all chart examples to enhance understanding and practical application of Valens' work. The translation by Riley, a classics scholar, synthesized critical editions and made Valens' ancient astrology accessible again, containing all nine books of The Anthology.

  • What techniques did Vettius Valens introduce in his work on astrology?

    Vettius Valens introduced various techniques in his work on astrology, such as Time Lord methods and Zodiacal Releasing. Zodiacal Releasing, extensively covered by Valens, serves as a primary source for modern interpretations. Valens also delved into annual profections, with complex and advanced treatments compared to other ancient authors. His surviving work remains a valuable resource for astrologers and scholars, despite textual challenges.

  • How did the Celestial Arts Education Library contribute to preserving astrological knowledge?

    The Celestial Arts Education Library in Olympia, Washington, established by Jenn Zahrt, aims to gather and preserve astrological works for research. Zahrt, a collector of astrology books since 2013, has been part of the new translation project of Vettius Valens' work. Libraries like CAELi play a crucial role in preserving astrological knowledge, ensuring that ancient texts like Valens' work are accessible for future generations.

  • What challenges did the new translation project face in completing Vettius Valens' work?

    The new translation project of Vettius Valens' work faced challenges such as textual issues, the absence of diagrams in Valens' text, and the need for corrections by scholars. Despite these challenges, the project aimed to provide a comprehensive version of Valens' work for readers. The layout of the book was a significant task completed over a couple of years, with various individuals contributing to the project to enhance the understanding and accessibility of Valens' ancient astrology.

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Summary

00:00

"New Translation Reveals Ancient Astrology Techniques"

  • Chris Brennan and Jenn Zahrt discuss the new translation of second-century astrologer Vettius Valens' work.
  • Jenn Zahrt is part of the Celestial Arts Education Library in Olympia, Washington, collecting astrology books since 2013.
  • The new translation project has been ongoing for two and a half years, aiming to complete Mark Riley's translation with diagrams.
  • Vettius Valens, a second-century astrologer, wrote The Anthology, a significant source for ancient astrology practice.
  • Valens' work includes over 100 chart examples, showcasing practical application of astrological techniques.
  • Valens' textbooks were written for his students, with dedications to individuals like Marcus, showing his teaching approach.
  • The Anthology was not well-known among astrologers until modern times due to language barriers.
  • Valens and Ptolemy were contemporaries, but Ptolemy's astronomical work overshadowed Valens' astrological contributions.
  • Ptolemy's theoretical approach lacked practical examples, unlike Valens, making Valens' work more valuable for understanding application.
  • The new translation project aims to include all chart examples to enhance understanding and practical application of Valens' work.

12:56

"Reviving Ancient Astrology: Valens's Chart Drawings"

  • In ancient times, chart drawings were done by placing stones representing planets on a board to replicate a person's chart.
  • Chart drawings were also done in the medieval period, possibly in sand, to visualize and internalize the chart.
  • Visualizing the chart was challenging as Valens's text did not include diagrams, making it harder for students to learn.
  • Production, like creating diagrams, is crucial in the learning process, but Valens's text lacked this element.
  • Riley's translation of Valens's text in 2010 made the ancient astrology accessible again, containing all nine books of the Anthology.
  • Robert Schmidt's preliminary translations of Valens's first seven books were published between 1993 and 2001.
  • Schmidt's translations, though early and preliminary, were crucial in making Valens's work available to astrologers and academics.
  • Riley, a classics scholar, extensively studied the works of ancient astrologers like Valens and Ptolemy, publishing papers on them.
  • Riley's survey on Valens's work focused on chronology, connecting chart examples to specific events to determine Valens's active periods.
  • Riley's translation of Valens was a synthesis of the Kroll and Pingree versions, incorporating citations from both critical editions.

26:13

Valens' Birth Chart Translation: Astrological Insights

  • Riley translated Valens' work but initially set it aside until 2010 when he shared it with Roger Pierce, who encouraged him to release it online as a PDF.
  • The translation was released on December 14th, 2010, marking a significant event.
  • Valens' birth chart from 120 CE is available, allowing for the examination of current transits aligning with his chart.
  • Zodiacal releasing poses challenges when applied to individuals from almost 2000 years ago due to differing levels of bond loosing.
  • Extending tools like nataltransits.com/timelord to cover longer periods, such as 2000 years, can aid in astrological research.
  • Valens possibly used his own birth chart as an anonymous teaching example in his text, matching events in his life with the time he was active.
  • Astrologers' use of personal charts in teachings varies, with some openly sharing and others preferring anonymity for various reasons.
  • Dave Roell, a publisher of astrological texts, had plans to publish Riley's translation but passed away in 2014.
  • Valens' chart includes unique placements of planets, with discrepancies between tropical and sidereal zodiacs causing interpretational challenges.
  • Current transits, like Saturn stationing on Valens' Sun and an upcoming solar eclipse on his Moon, demonstrate the ongoing relevance of birth charts even after death.

39:29

Valens's Zodiacal Releasing: Ancient Wisdom Revealed

  • The discussion revolves around Valens's 2000 years of zodiacal releasing and the idea of calculating from L1.
  • Cynthia Schmitt collected works on zodiacal releasing from Robert's class, emphasizing its potency.
  • Valens's texts are crucial for understanding zodiacal releasing and predicting imminent events based on the lot of spirit.
  • The book's cover features a Greco-Roman coffin lid with the Egyptian sky goddess and zodiac signs, reflecting cultural synthesis.
  • A debate on the cover's crab illustration versus a lobster is settled, confirming it as a crab.
  • Book one of The Anthology introduces planets, zodiac signs, and planetary combinations in aspects.
  • Book two delves into triplicity lords, significations of houses, lots like Fortune and Spirit, and numerous chart examples.
  • Book three focuses on the length of life technique, directing the overall ruler of the chart until a malefic aspect indicates the end.
  • The length of life technique was historically significant but is now debated in modern Western astrology.
  • Different attitudes towards the length of life technique exist across various astrological and cultural traditions.

52:26

Valens' Astrology: Ancient Techniques and Modern Interpretations

  • Different crises can mark the end of life chapters and prompt a reevaluation of one's vitality.
  • Medical science advancements have raised questions about survival rates in comparison to ancient times.
  • Valens' work in astrology delves into techniques like Time Lord methods and Zodiacal Releasing.
  • Zodiacal Releasing, a key technique, is extensively covered by Valens and serves as a primary source for modern interpretations.
  • Other astrologers like Rhetorius and Firmicus Maternus also mention Zodiacal Releasing, attributing it to an earlier text by Abraham.
  • Valens' survival of ancient astrological knowledge is crucial, as he references lost texts and authors.
  • Valens' use of whole sign houses in astrology is highlighted, with some instances of mixing house division methods.
  • Textual issues in Valens' work, like misplaced chart examples, have been identified and corrected by scholars.
  • Riley's translation of Valens' work has been edited and completed to provide a comprehensive version for readers.
  • Despite textual challenges, Valens' surviving work remains a valuable resource for astrologers and scholars.

01:05:29

"Valens' Anthology: Advanced Astrology Techniques Explored"

  • Researching on a PDF is challenging due to screen time and computer use fatigue.
  • A book offers a different learning experience compared to a PDF, providing a tangible and immersive experience.
  • Print books are essential for astrologers to access intellectual history and traditional astrology.
  • Valens introduces the technique of annual profections in Book Four, Chapter 11, which he extensively discusses.
  • Valens' treatment of annual profections is complex and advanced compared to other ancient authors.
  • Books Five and Six delve into advanced methods of understanding and using annual profections.
  • Book Seven primarily focuses on timing techniques using essential times of planets and planetary periods.
  • Book Eight details an elaborate alternative length of life technique involving a table.
  • Book Nine covers various topics like length of life, Lots of Fortune and Spirit, and derivative houses.
  • Miscellaneous chapters added in the fifth century conclude the Anthology, providing a broad overview of its contents.

01:18:13

"Rare astrological books preserved in CAELi"

  • There are two proof copies in the library, with three total existing in the world.
  • The second copy was updated to fix typos before completion.
  • The layout of the book was a significant task completed over a couple of years.
  • Various individuals contributed to the project, including Paula Belluomini, Mikhail Medev, and Claire Ruches.
  • Revelore Press aims to publish books that larger publishers may overlook.
  • The importance of publishing books for astrologers is highlighted as a form of immortality.
  • Libraries play a crucial role in preserving astrological knowledge.
  • The Celestial Arts Education Library in Olympia was established with a focus on astrology.
  • The library, known as CAELi, aims to gather and preserve astrological works for research.
  • Books, even ancient ones, undergo revisions to improve accuracy over time.

01:30:13

Nazi-era book changes prompt modern research.

  • The Nazis had been in power for four years by 1937, leading to changes in books published in 1922.
  • To understand the alterations, one must compare the 1922 and 1937 versions line by line.
  • In 2009/2010, the realization dawned that insufficient material had been collected to track these changes.
  • The implication is that certain content acceptable in earlier years became unsuitable for printing in Nazi Germany.
  • The speaker is located in Olympia, Washington, with plans for virtual book launches and events.
  • The office is accessible by appointment only, with a gradual rollout of online and in-person events.
  • Collaboration with Philip Graves aims to establish a consortium for astrological research.
  • The recovery of ancient astrology is an ongoing process, with a clearer understanding now compared to 30 years ago.
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