Podcast
The Astrology Podcast
Hosted by Chris Brennan · EN
A weekly podcast on the history, philosophy, and techniques of astrology, hosted by professional astrologer Chris Brennan.
118episodes
Episodes
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Mars-Saturn Conjunction Transit Stories
Yesterday01:53:13Summary readyIn this episode a group of students and patrons join me to reflect on the recent Mars-Saturn conjunction in Aries, and to share stories of how it manifested in our lives based on which of the twelve houses it was transiting in our birth charts. The episode opens with a brief introduction where I talk about the importance of taking into account both the entire range of the sign-based conjunction or copresence between Mars and Saturn, which lasted from April 9 until May 18, as well as the more intense range of the degree-based conjunction which went exact on April 19. After that I interview several people about their experience of the conjunction, and we end up covering most of the twelve houses. A recurring theme that we keep encountering is letting go of something in our life that was represented by the house of the conjunction, such as quitting smoking under a 6th house conjunction, quitting one's job due to their boss in the 10th house, or leaving one's marriage in the 7th house. It was clear that although this process of letting something go wasn't easy, in many instances it was freeing up the native and making room for something better that would develop in that area of the life in the future. This is episode 537 of The Astrology Podcast. Timestamps 00:00:00 Introduction00:01:01 Sign-Based and Degree-Based Aspects00:03:08 Differing Levels of Importance00:04:52 Chris' Third House Examples00:11:22 Jacqueline: Mars-Saturn Conjunction in 6th House00:22:02 Dimitris: 10th House00:31:00 Kriemhild: 5th House00:45:49 Jessica: 11th House00:54:22 Morgan: 7th House01:01:07 Feven: 3rd House01:12:51 Whitney: 12th House01:18:50 Cheyenne: 1st House01:27:48 Olga: 5th House / IC degree01:42:49 Final Thoughts01:50:19 Credits Watch the Video Version of This Episode https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I64b_TJ5-88 – Listen to the Audio Version of This Episode Listen to the audio version of this episode or download it as an MP3:
SummaryLinda Goodman: Life and Legacy of the Sun Signs Astrologer
5d ago02:52:36Summary readyIn this episode I'm joined by writer Courtney Ann LaFaive to discuss the life and work of the famous 20th century astrologer Linda Goodman, who wrote the highest-selling astrology book of all time. In 1968, Linda's book Sun Signs became a runaway phenomenon, selling millions of copies and becoming the first astrology book to make the New York Times bestseller list. Goodman’s approachable writing style appealed to a wide variety of readers, and helped to catalyze a massive boom in astrology in the late 1960s and 70s, serving as the gateway for millions of people to discover their full birth chart. She then followed this up in 1978 with another successful book titled Love Signs, which was on relationship compatibility between zodiac signs. This book set a record at the time for the highest advance ever paid to an author, which was 2.25 million dollars, and helped to make the question "What's your sign?" a ubiquitous cultural catchphrase. However in her later years Goodman struggled to cope with immense personal loss, most notably the tragic death of her daughter in 1973, and her inability to distinguish between reality and illusion. Courtney is the author of a new book titled Follow the Signs: Searching for Linda Goodman, America’s Forgotten Astrology Queen. The book is a memoir about a period of her life spent researching Linda Goodman's biography for her PhD thesis, and the difficulties she faced in the process of piecing together Linda's nebulous story. Together, we explore and attempt to document the incredible life, complex legacy, and lasting astrological impact of Linda Goodman. This is episode 536 of The Astrology Podcast. Courtney's Book Follow the Signs: Searching for Linda Goodman, America's Forgotten Astrology Queen Timestamps 00:00:00 Introduction00:00:42 Introducing Courtney Ann LaFaive00:03:08 Introducing Linda Goodman00:04:49 How Courtney & Chris First Found Linda00:10:42 Astrology in the First Half of the 20th Century00:18:47 Linda's Early Life & Entry into Astrology00:20:46 Linda's Birth Chart00:23:09 Early Career in Writing and Radio00:25:34 First Marriage, Children, and Early Trauma00:35:00 Getting into Astrology and Writing Sun Signs00:48:28 The Release of Sun Signs in 196800:51:10 The 1968 Virgo Solar Eclipse00:52:35 NYT Bestseller Status00:55:40 Comparing the 1960s Astrology Boom to the 2020s Boom00:58:49 Introducing the Full Birth Chart to the Public01:05:25 Impact on the Astrology Publishing Industry01:08:44 Key Features of the Sun Signs Book01:15:00 Using Pop Culture & Celebrities to Teach Astrology01:18:25 Popularizing Modern Planetary Rulerships01:24:32 The Gap Decade & The Shift to Metaphysics01:29:45 The Tragic Loss of Her Daughter01:40:00 The Gemini Lunar Eclipse of 197301:50:54 Love Signs Book Released in 197801:58:48 Later Works: Star Signs (1987) and Gooberz (1989)02:13:25 Becoming the Epitome of a Pop Astrologer02:25:05 Linda Passes Away in 199502:27:10 Scorpio Eclipse When She Passes Away02:32:39 Final Analysis of Linda's Chart02:42:50 Concluding Discussion on Courtney's Book02:49:41 Credits Watch the Video Version of This Episode https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2B_y17cyGpg - Listen to the Audio Version of This Episode Listen to the audio version of this episode or download it as an MP3:
SummaryHantavirus Astrology: Mars-Saturn Conjunctions and Outbreaks
2w ago01:36:55Summary readyIn this episode I explore the astrology behind the deadly Hantavirus outbreak that is currently dominating global news headlines, specifically focusing on how it began around the recent Mars-Saturn conjunction, and demonstrating why ancient astrologers associated these alignments with plagues and pestilences. This is an alignment that we were nervous about and actually predicted in our year-ahead forecast for 2026, partially because it reminded me of the Mars-Saturn conjunction that took place in March and April of 2020. During that time, the world experienced the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns just as Mars and Saturn came together in Capricorn and Aquarius. I review clips from our previous forecasts to show how we anticipated this, and break down exactly why these specific malefic conjunctions describe very difficult periods of time historically. To show how these alignments work in practice, I go through a detailed timeline of the current Hantavirus outbreak that began on a cruise ship over the past month, showing how perfectly the crisis mapped onto the exact Mars-Saturn-Neptune conjunction. I also walk through several other historical case studies from the past decade to demonstrate this recurring pattern. We look at how previous Mars-Saturn conjunctions coincided with major inflection points for the 2014 Ebola outbreak, the 2022 Monkeypox outbreak, and the naming of the AIDS pandemic back in 1982. Part of my goal here was not simply to highlight a successful prediction and show how well the outbreak ended up coinciding with the alignment, but also to demonstrate why I made the prediction based on other similar alignments I had seen in the past. A couple of interesting additional things I found in this episode are that the Hantavirus first became recognized during a major outbreak in the Korean War in the early 1950s, which coincided closely with a Saturn-Neptune conjunction. Later, the Hantavirus was officially named and categorized under two Mars-Saturn conjunctions in 1980 and 1982. Now, we are seeing a recurrence of both of those planetary alignments, with the Mars-Saturn-Neptune conjunction that started in April, right as a new major outbreak of the virus is happening in the world. Finally, I touch on the underlying philosophy of mundane astrology: the idea that the planets are not necessarily causing events to happen, but rather they act as a timing mechanism that mirrors what is happening on Earth. Because repetition is the key to prediction in astrology, studying the alignments surrounding these current and past outbreaks can provide us with a framework for forecasting the future, and my hope is that this will provide a useful foundation for later studies. This is episode 535 of The Astrology Podcast. Timestamps 00:00:00 Introduction00:01:34 Our Predictions About This00:05:33 Current Hantavirus Mars-Saturn Timeline00:18:11 Covid Pandemic Timeline Comparison00:33:56 Outer Planet vs Inner Planet Cycles00:35:48 2014 Ebola Outbreak00:46:49 2022 Monkeypox Outbreak00:50:27 Naming of AIDS in 1982 on Mars-Saturn00:58:48 Ancient Views on Mars-Saturn Conjunctions01:01:04 1348 Report on the Plague Pandemic01:02:49 Signs vs Causes01:05:07 Repetitions are the Key to Prediction01:07:43 André Barbault's Prediction About the Covid Pandemic01:13:09 Hantavirus and Earlier Planetary Alignments01:24:27 Future Transits Timeline01:29:53 Final Thoughts and Remarks Watch the Video Version of This Episode https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R1C2fEYf51o - Transcript A full transcript of this episode is available: Episode 535 transcript Listen to the Audio Version of This Episode Listen to the audio version of this episode or download it as an MP3:
SummaryMay Astrology Forecast 2026
3w ago02:38:29Summary readyA deep dive into the astrology forecast for May 2026, with astrologers Chris Brennan and Austin Coppock. We spend the first hour talking about the astrology behind news and events that happened since our last forecast, and then in the second hour we get into the astrology of May. The month opens with a peace-shattering Mars-Jupiter square around May 4. At the same time there is a very intense Pluto station on May 6, which highlights themes of power and control, but will also mark an important turning point with respect to ongoing technological and social transformations over the past few years. Speaking of technological transformations, in the middle of the month a newly ingressed Uranus into Gemini will make its first conjunctions with Mercury and the Sun in Gemini, which will initiate and accelerate new technological advancements in communications and transportation, while also promising some unexpected disruptions and surprises. The middle of the month also features some mildly pleasant sextiles between the Sun and Jupiter and Mercury and Jupiter on May 10 & 12, as well as a sensual Venus-Mars sextile around May 18. Later in the month things become more tense, with a destructive Mars-Pluto square around May 26. Fortunately the very end of the month closes out with one of the most positive and auspicious alignments of the year starting to form in the sky, as Venus and Jupiter form a conjunction in Cancer that will culminate in early June. This is episode 534 of The Astrology Podcast. United Astrology Conference https://uacastrology.com Patreon for Bonus Content + Electional Podcast https://www.patreon.com/astrologypodcast Austin’s Website https://Austincoppock.com Timestamps 00:00:00 Introduction00:00:37 Quick Overview of May Astrology00:03:49 Iran War & Naval Blockades00:17:53 Saturn-Neptune Cycle & The History of Oil00:38:36 Uranus Enters Gemini00:45:45 Mars-Neptune Conjunction & Religious Heresy00:54:58 Weaponization of AI video01:00:39 Reactivating Dark side of Saturn-Neptune01:04:33 The OpenAI Bubble: Mars & Saturn-Neptune01:10:34 United Astrology Conference01:13:23 Forecast Segment Begins: Overview01:29:11 May 1: Full Moon in Scorpio01:34:22 May 4: Mars Square Jupiter01:39:29 May 5-7: Pluto Station & Mercury Square Pluto01:47:50 May 10-12: Sun & Mercury Sextile Jupiter01:50:00 May 16: New Moon in Taurus01:51:26 May 18: Venus Sextile Mars01:54:26 May 12: Venus Square Neptune01:59:21 May 17-22: Mercury & Sun Enter Gemini & Conjoin Uranus02:03:18 May 18: Mars Enters Taurus02:11:44 May 25: Mars Square Pluto02:16:56 May 28: Venus Square Saturn02:17:41 May 31: Full Moon in Sagittarius02:22:46 Auspicious Election for May02:29:19 Austin's Projects02:32:43 Chris' Projects02:35:34 Credits Watch the Video Version of This Episode https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KWnEQjvLtLY - Transcript A full transcript of this episode is available: Episode 534 transcript Listen to the Audio Version of This Episode Listen to the audio version of this episode or download it as an MP3:
SummaryOil Crisis Astrology: Mars, Saturn, and Neptune
Apr 1400:35:43Summary readyIn this episode I explore the stark astrological alignments coinciding with the escalating global oil crisis, which is rapidly accelerating as the planets Mars and Saturn form a conjunction in the sky. In the first part of the episode I discuss how the Mars-Saturn conjunction, which goes exact on April 19, is set to coincide with when the last oil tankers that made it out of the Strait of Hormuz before the war in Iran began will arrive at their destinations. Then in the second part of the episode I discuss how this is tied in with the broader Saturn-Neptune conjunction that recently occurred, and how important turning points in the history of oil often coincide with these conjunctions, which take place every 36 years. This is episode 533 of The Astrology Podcast. Timestamps 00:00:00 Introduction00:01:41 Mars-Saturn: Grinding to a Halt00:10:39 Oil and the Saturn-Neptune Cycle00:27:12 Conclusions00:32:48 Credits Watch the Video Version of This Episode https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qmYGY8kU0tI - Transcript A full transcript of this episode is available: Episode 533 transcript Listen to the Audio Version of This Episode Listen to the audio version of this episode or download it as an MP3:
SummaryThe Birth Chart as a Story: Fate and the Life Narrative
Apr 1202:31:15Summary readyThis episode is a recording of a live chart reading webinar I did with patrons, where I talked about how I conceptualize the practice of natal astrology as identifying a person's life narrative and fate, and then I interviewed three patrons about how their chart describes some unique facets of their life story. Before jumping into the readings, I give a brief philosophical introduction exploring how ancient Hellenistic astrologers viewed fate as an ordered sequence of events, reflecting on Vettius Valens' analogy of each person playing a specific role as an actor in a cosmic play. During the live consultations, we trace how specific transits and eclipses align with major turning points in these individuals' lives, unexpectedly uncovering fascinating shared themes like profound family secrets revealed through DNA testing, major career shifts, and physical health challenges. Ultimately, this episode serves as a demonstration of how a static birth chart truly comes alive through the reciprocal dialogue of a consultation, offering a grounded perspective on how we can understand the underlying sequence of our lives. This is episode 532 of The Astrology Podcast. Timestamps 00:00:00 Introduction00:05:23 Charlene00:51:15 Jennifer01:18:05 Ray02:19:17 Concluding Remarks02:28:20 End Cards Watch the Video Version of This Episode https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xzSrIs9ObIk - Transcript A full transcript of this episode is available: Episode 532 transcript Listen to the Audio Version of This Episode Listen to the audio version of this episode or download it as an MP3:
SummaryExact Transits in Astrology Webinar
Apr 902:15:33Summary readyIn this episode I discuss the importance of exact transits to the birth chart within one degree of orb, and I interview patrons who share personal stories about events that happened in their lives under these close alignments. While sign-based transits set the broader stage and signify the overarching themes of an extended period, the moment a transiting planet aligns exactly to the degree and minute of a natal placement is often when the most critical, tangible events occur. We explore how these precise hits function like a spike in intensity, bringing the reality of the transit to the immediate forefront of our lives. Throughout the episode, listeners share a wide spectrum of lived experiences, demonstrating how both major life milestones and seemingly minor day-to-day occurrences can be mapped to exact planetary alignments. We delve into firsthand accounts covering everything from career promotions and sudden job losses to the severing of long-term relationships, medical emergencies, and the heavy culmination of the Saturn return. These examples also beautifully illustrate how overlapping astrological timing techniques, like annual profections and retrogrades, can dramatically amplify the significance of a single degree-based transit. Ultimately, this collection of stories serves as a powerful reminder of astrology's precision and its ability to reflect both our internal choices and our external circumstances. By tuning in to the exact transits occurring in your own chart, you can better anticipate key turning points and understand the specific timeline surrounding unfolding events. This is episode 531 of The Astrology Podcast. Timestamps 00:00:00 Introduction00:01:05 Sign-Based vs. Degree-Based Transits00:03:36 When transits go exact within 1 degree00:09:54 Different Transit Scenarios00:13:24 Listener Examples from Social Media00:14:44 How to identify more important transits00:16:34 Social Media Examples Continued00:21:15 Interviewing Patrons About Exact Transits00:21:33 Charles - Mercury conjunct Ascendant in 2nd house year00:27:42 Bebe - End of a relationship transits00:37:36 Karen - Mars-Jupiter opposition loss of father00:45:15 Josh - Job loss transit00:53:34 Maureen - Sick while on a trip01:03:52 Aimee - End of a marriage01:16:53 Jessica - Saturn return01:29:43 Laura - Home birth transit01:36:40 Kelly - Job promotion and loss of brother01:52:08 Rachel - Medical event01:54:58 Naʻe - Loss of mother and father02:07:44 Wrapping Up02:12:36 Credits Watch the Video Version of This Episode https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ghcvUxK82Ak - Transcript A full transcript of this episode is available: Episode 531 transcript Listen to the Audio Version of This Episode Listen to the audio version of this episode or download it as an MP3:
SummaryApril Astrology Forecast 2026
Mar 3002:49:00Summary readyA deep dive into the astrology forecast for April 2026, with astrologers Chris Brennan and Austin Coppock. The first hour is dedicated to unpacking the astrology behind recent world events, with a primary focus on the outbreak of war in Iran that aligned with the recent Mars-Uranus square. We explore the striking historical repetitions at play, discussing how current Saturn-Neptune and eclipse cycles mirror significant historical turning points from the past, and what that means for the present global landscape. In the second half, we transition into the granular astrology of April, a month characterized by a fiery, highly concentrated planetary stellium in Aries. The standout alignment is a severe and grinding Mars-Saturn conjunction peaking mid-month, bringing intense friction, tests of endurance, and a distinct feeling of pressing the gas and the brakes at the exact same time. Finally, we look ahead to the monumental shift occurring on April 25 as Uranus officially ingresses into Gemini, where it will remain for the next seven years. We discuss the profound historical precedents of this transit, often coinciding with major ideological shifts, communicative and technological disruptions, and pivotal conflicts in US history, and what it implies for the years ahead. This is episode 530 of The Astrology Podcast. Patreon Early Access + Electional Podcast https://www.patreon.com/astrologypodcast Austin’s Website https://Austincoppock.com Timestamps 00:00:00 Introduction00:00:42 Quick Overview of April00:02:09 News Segment Begins00:03:07 Iran War00:53:45 Cuba00:59:39 New Dime01:06:19 AI Video and VR Reductions01:11:51 Astro-Seek Website Down01:13:04 Oscars01:16:53 Lee Lehman Passed Away01:22:25 Northwest Astrology Conference01:28:15 April Astrology Segment Begins01:35:39 Mars Conjunct Saturn01:38:49 Mars Conjunct Neptune01:47:44 Mercury-Mars Conjunction01:52:44 Uranus Enters Gemini02:03:37 Full Moon in Libra02:04:19 Mercury Trine Jupiter & Venus Square Pluto02:05:46 Sun Square Jupiter02:08:46 Auspicious Election: April 102:11:11 First week of April vs later02:14:07 Mars Enters Aries02:19:57 New Moon in Aries02:27:10 Mars Separates from Saturn02:29:40 Mercury Square Jupiter02:32:26 Venus Conjunct Uranus02:35:54 Full Moon in Scorpio02:41:38 Upcoming Projects02:46:03 Credits Watch the Video Version of This Episode https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PNMInpu2IXg - Transcript A full transcript of this episode is available: Episode 530 transcript Listen to the Audio Version of This Episode Listen to the audio version of this episode or download it as an MP3:
SummaryMidpoints in Astrology: Historical Origins
Mar 2701:19:29Summary readyIn the episode I trace the history and origins of the astrological technique called midpoints back to two students of Placidus who lived in the 17th century, and then tell the story of its recovery and popularization by German astrologers in the early 20th century. For the past twenty years, the history of midpoints has been shrouded in mystery. Many astrologers have speculated about its origins, with myths tracing the technique back to the 13th-century astrologer Guido Bonatti, the 2nd-century astrologer Claudius Ptolemy, or assuming it was invented from scratch by Alfred Witte and the Hamburg School around the 1920s. After spending a while researching the history, I'm excited to present the conclusions I came to and help set the record straight. It turns out that the midpoint technique actually originated in 1675. That is when two students of the famous astrologer Placidus, named Francesco Brunacci and Francesco Maria Onorati, introduced the concept of what they called "equidistances" in an appendix to the second edition of their teacher’s work, Physiomathematica. However, this technique almost didn't survive. Throughout the episode, I discuss how the midpoint doctrine went through two distinct periods of suppression: first by the Catholic Church and the Inquisition in the late 17th century, and later by the Nazis in Germany during the 1930s and 1940s. We follow the lineage of the technique from its near-erasure in Italy, to its survival via a subtle reference by the 17th-century astrologer Antonio Francesco de Bonattis (not to be mistaken for Guido Bonatti), and finally to its rediscovery by Albert Kniepf in Germany at the beginning of the 20th century. From there, we explore how the technique was championed and popularized by Alfred Witte and the Hamburg School and Uranian Astrology, as well as by Reinhold Ebertin through his approach called Cosmobiology, eventually becoming a staple of late 20th-century astrology. This is episode 529 of The Astrology Podcast. Timestamps 00:00:00 Introduction00:01:45 What is a Midpoint?00:03:56 The Mystery of Historical Origins00:08:49 17th Century Origins of Midpoints00:16:55 Introduced by Students of Placidus in 167500:31:20 Did Ptolemy Mention Midpoints?00:34:01 Placidus's Works Banned by the Inquisition00:38:41 Antonio Francesco di Bonattis in 168700:43:39 Rediscovery and Popularization in Germany00:45:01 Albert Kniepf Recovers the Technique00:46:06 Alfred Witte and the Hamburg School00:49:39 Reinhold Ebertin and Cosmobiology00:54:06 Suppression of Astrology During WWII01:01:45 Popularization of Midpoints After WWII01:03:55 Summary and Conclusions01:10:16 Special Thanks and Sources01:16:35 Endcards Watch the Video Version of This Episode https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EfFK61RenOg - Transcript A full transcript of this episode is available: Episode 529 transcript Listen to the Audio Version of This Episode Listen to the audio version of this episode or download it as an MP3:
SummaryChildhood Astrology Through the Twelve Houses
Mar 1202:13:41Summary readyAstrologer Ileana Reyes joins me to talk about childhood astrology, and how placements in the twelve houses are experienced early in life. While most astrological consultations focus on adults who have the autonomy to make their own choices, reading a child's chart offers a unique glimpse into their foundational environment, early developmental milestones, and raw temperament. The core of the conversation takes listeners on a step-by-step journey through the twelve astrological houses, specifically tailored to the experiences of children from birth through their early teenage years. Ileana breaks down how each house manifests differently in a child's life, from the 1st house representing physical vitality and tantrums, to the 3rd house signifying early speech and sibling dynamics, all the way to navigating peer groups in the 11th and processing big emotions in the 12th. Beyond the houses, we also dive into the vital ethics of reading children's charts. We discuss the importance of avoiding self-fulfilling prophecies, the profound impact of parent-child synastry, and how astrology can be used as an empowering tool to offer kids the exact support, creative outlets, and encouragement they need to flourish. This is episode 528 of The Astrology Podcast. Ileana's Website and YouTube Channel https://matriarchastrology.com https://www.youtube.com/@MatriarchAstrology Timestamps 00:00:00 Introduction00:24:35 1st house00:38:47 2nd house00:46:35 3rd house01:07:50 4th house01:23:30 5th house01:31:33 6th house01:36:11 7th house01:42:00 8th house01:48:04 9th house01:52:47 10th house01:58:00 11th house02:03:40 12th house02:08:27 Wrapping up02:10:46 Credits Watch This Episode https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5qvipmTitns – Transcript A full transcript of this episode is available: Episode 528 transcript Listen to the Audio Version of This Episode Listen to the audio version of this episode or download it as an MP3:
Summary