Podcast
Within Orb
Hosted by CAELi Institute · EN
WITHIN ORB: A podcast featuring interviews with astrologers about the books that changed their lives and practice. Join host Dr Jenn Zahrt every Monday for a new conversation. Each (roughly) thirty minute episode takes you on a journey across the textual territories of astrological publishing, both historical and future. Along the way, you’ll gather insights into the shifting sands of astrological trends, techniques, and the proliferation of practices and praxis. Each episode ends with the guest’s recommendations of books for beginners. Be careful, your tsundoku pile is about to double, or even quadruple!
21episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
112 | Narayana Montúfar: Holistic Celestial Empowerment
Dec 800:35:29Tap to summarizeAstrologer and author Narayana Montúfar joins host Jenn Zahrt from the San Francisco Bay Area! Jenn and Narayana chat books (including a new pick!) and more, including: a gem of a response to someone saying they “don’t believe in astrology”; Egyptian culture and cosmology; and interpreting the reversal of the Lunar Nodes. Plus: feeling seen as a Scorpio, the union of feminine and masculine, and stories of the progressed Moon! Narayana Montúfar joins Episode 112 of Within Orb! Visit CAELi’s Within Orb on our new Patreon page! Learn more about the CAELi Institute and check out their latest lab offerings. Visit our bookshop.org page to support CAELi and purchase books mentioned on the show! Become a CAELi member or renew your membership! Love the show? Support our work with a financial contribution or book donation. Follow CAELi on FB, IG, YouTube, and Bluesky. Transcripts available upon request. Song “Wake Up” used with permission by The E-Block Band. ***** Episode timestamps (conversation recorded November 2025): 00:51 – Narayana Montúfar is a Mexican-born, California-based astrologer, writer, and akashic reader who finds inspiration in the symbolic language of the cosmos. She is the author of Moon Signs: Unlock Your Inner Luminary Power and Written in Your Stars: Use Your Saturn Return, Your Pluto Square, and Other Planetary Cycles to Become Your Best Self. Between 2011 and 2023, Narayana was Managing Editor and Senior Astrologer for Astrology.com and Horoscope.com. She now serves as the in-house astrologer for House of Intuition. She's a guest writer for Women's Health, Cosmopolitan, Well + Good, Refinery29, and Parade and has been featured in Vogue, Teen Vogue, PopSugar, Bustle, Brit + Co, The Zoe Report, and more. She was featured as one of Medium.com's Authority Magazine 2020's Strong Female Leaders, Destig Magazine's Top Artists to Collect in 2020, and one of Vogue's 13 Astrologers to Follow in 2021. In her private astrology practice, Narayana's holistic approach seeks to create a positive impact by connecting each client to the uniqueness of their chart and illuminate their path towards the ultimate state of self-empowerment and self-discovery. In her artistic process, she is inspired by the richness of the cosmos as she channels the vibe of what is happening in the sky at certain times in the form of colorful palettes, shapes, and textures. 01:21 – Narayana doesn’t remember the title of the very first astrology book she ever read (it was about Scorpio), but the first memorable one was Planets in Therapy: Predictive Technique and the Art of Counseling by Greg Bogart. 08:17 – If Narayana could bring only three books to a deserted island, her first pick would be Cosmos and Psyche: Intimations of a New World View by Richard Tarnas. 11:20 – Narayana’s second choice would be Serpent in the Sky: The High Wisdom of Ancient Egypt by John Anthony West. 16:53 – The third title Narayana would bring is The Lunar Nodes: Your Key to Excellent Chart Interpretation by Judith Hill. 21:32 – For beginners, Narayana recommends Horoscope Symbols by Robert Hand. 23:20 – Interlude: Join the CAELi Support Drive and for only $35, you can enjoy your morning beverage out of a gorgeous CAELi mug! 24:07 – Narayana chats about her book Moon Signs – which is also for beginners! 31:20 – Find Narayana at: https://www.naramon.com/. Her handle on Instagram and Threads is @narayanamontufar, and on YouTube it’s @narayanamontufar1111. 34:51 – Thanks for listening to Within Orb! If you love the show, please help support it at no cost to you: Follow or subscribe wherever you listen, rate it five stars, or write a happy review! And if you’d like to become a CAELi member or support our work with a contribution of any amount, we’d be delighted – thanks! Show notes and production by Jen Braun of JJ Boots Productions LLC.
Transcribe →111 | Rick Levine: An Asteroid Belt of Books
Dec 100:26:41Tap to summarizeAstrologer, scholar, and author Rick Levine joins host Jenn Zahrt while visiting the United Kingdom (and en route to India)! This fast-paced episode breaks the mold and is packed with both astrology and non-astrology books for everyone. Jenn and Rick tackle a lot of ground, including: how Rick came to write a daily astrology column back in the day; the value of reading beyond astrology; and the title you didn’t know every Capricorn needs. All that, plus: C. G. Jung and the four elements, the thing Jackson Pollock and Bob Dylan have in common, and… what do you call a group of astrologers? Rick Levine joins Episode 111 of Within Orb! Visit CAELi’s Within Orb on our new Patreon page! Learn more about the CAELi Institute and check out their latest lab offerings. Visit our bookshop.org page to support CAELi and purchase books mentioned on the show! Become a CAELi member or renew your membership! Love the show? Support our work with a financial contribution or book donation. Follow CAELi on FB, IG, YouTube, and Bluesky. Transcripts available upon request. Song “Wake Up” used with permission by The E-Block Band. ***** Episode timestamps (conversation recorded November 2025): 00:12 – Rick Levine is a world-renowned astrologer, scholar, and author. As a Founding Trustee of Kepler College, he continues to be a widely respected voice in the global astrology community, giving professional talks and seminars around the world and in the USA. He has a special gift for bridging gaps between astrology and spirituality, science and religion, the head and the heart. Every month, tens of thousands of astrology students from around the world view his teachings on YouTube. For nearly 20 years, Rick authored Tarot.com’s authentic daily horoscopes published on Yahoo, AOL, Huffington Post, Los Angeles Times, and many other sites. Find Rick at: https://www.ricklevineastrologer.com/. He’s also @ricklevineastrologer on Facebook and Instagram, and @ricklevine on YouTube. You can find his Patreon here. 00:39 – As a teen, the very first astrology book that Rick ever read was My World of Astrology by Sydney Omarr. Next came Sun Signs by Linda Goodman. But the first “real” astrology book Rick read – and the one that changed his life – was The Astrology of Personality: A Re-Formulation of Astrological Concepts and Ideals, in Terms of Contemporary Psychology and Philosophy by Dane Rudhyar. Look out for a special lab on this seminal Rudhyar book hosted by Lars Panaro on CAELi’s virtual campus! 07:33 – If Rick could bring only three books to a deserted island, his first pick would be Astrophysical Directions by Michael Erlewine. (But for decades, Rick would have taken Planets in Transit by Robert Hand.) 10:05 – Rick’s second choice would be the I Ching. (Or maybe Finnegans Wake by James Joyce, along with the companion A Skeleton Key to Finnegans Wake by Joseph Campbell and Henry Morton Robinson.) 12:38 – Will Rick ever write his book Quantum Astrology? We hope so! But for now, the third title Rick would bring is probably a poetry book. 14:14 – Interlude: Join the CAELi Support Drive and for only $35, you can enjoy your morning beverage out of a gorgeous CAELi mug! 15:00 – The non-astrology books that changed Rick‘s life are many and include the work of Isaac Asimov. Other important books are: The Tao of Physics by Fritjof Capra, Arthur Young’s The Reflexive Universe: Evolution of Consciousness and The Geometry of Meaning, and Synergetics: Explorations in the Geometry of Thinking by Buckminster Fuller in collaboration with E.J. Applewhite. Rick also mentions that the best book on Pluto is The Dream and the Underworld by James Hillman, and the best one on Chiron is The Fisher King and the Handless Maiden by Robert Johnson. And last but not least, Rick cites Jitterbug Perfume and Still Life with Woodpecker by Tom Robbins. 19:09 – For beginners, Rick recommends Taking the Quantum Leap by Fred Alan Wolf, The Inner Sky: How to Make Wiser Choices for a More Fulfilling Life by Steven Forrest, Astrology For Yourself by Demetra George and Douglas Bloch, Astrology by Ronald Davison, and Grant Lewi’s Astrology for the Millions and Your Greatest Strength. 26:03 – Thanks for listening to Within Orb! If you love the show, please help support it at no cost to you: Follow or subscribe wherever you listen, rate it five stars, or write a happy review! And if you’d like to become a CAELi member or support our work with a contribution of any amount, we’d be delighted – thanks! Show notes and production by Jen Braun of JJ Boots Productions LLC.
Transcribe →110 | Chloe Margherita: Bridging the Plants & Stars
Nov 2400:27:19Tap to summarizeAstrologer and writer Chloe Margherita joins host Jenn Zahrt from Portland, Oregon! Tune in for a fun-filled and info-packed episode that covers: fixed stars; subdivisions of the zodiac; considering Saturn; and the magical properties of plants. Plus: Vesta, a wealth of correspondences, and beauty in translation! Chloe Margherita joins Episode 110 of Within Orb! Visit CAELi’s Within Orb on our new Patreon page! Learn more about the CAELi Institute and check out their latest lab offerings. Visit our bookshop.org page to support CAELi and purchase books mentioned on the show! Become a CAELi member or renew your membership! Love the show? Support our work with a financial contribution or book donation. Follow CAELi on FB, IG, YouTube, and Bluesky. Transcripts available upon request. Song “Wake Up” used with permission by The E-Block Band. ***** Episode timestamps (conversation recorded November 2025): 00:12 – Chloe Margherita is a writer, astrologer and spiritual practitioner in Portland, Oregon. Her work focuses on bringing the heavens down to earth using art, the decans, the fixed stars, herbalism and ritual practice. 01:24 – The very first astrology book that Chloe ever read was The Inner Sky by Steven Forrest. 02:42 – If Chloe could bring only three books to a deserted island, her first pick would be Astronomica by Marcus Manilius. (And dive into Episode 2, Sasha Ravitch: Fixed Stars & the Cosmological Wheel Beyond Saturn!) 07:20 – Chloe’s second choice would be Mathesis by Julius Firmicus Maternus. 15:15 – Interlude: Join the CAELi Support Drive and for only $35, you can enjoy your morning beverage out of a gorgeous CAELi mug! 16:01 – The third title Chloe would bring is The Green Mysteries: An Occult Herbarium by Daniel Schulke. You can read this hard-to-find book at CAELi! 21:28 – For beginners, Chloe recommends On the Heavenly Spheres by Helena Avelar and Luis Campos Ribeiro, Brady's Book of Fixed Stars by Bernadette Brady, and You Were Born for This: Astrology for Radical Self-Acceptance by Chani Nicholas. (And visit the new CAELi Patreon page!) 25:40 – Find Chloe at: https://chloe-margherita.com/. Her Substack newsletter is here, and on Instagram she’s @desired_constellations. 26:41 – Thanks for listening to Within Orb! If you love the show, please help support it at no cost to you: Follow or subscribe wherever you listen, rate it five stars, or write a happy review! And if you’d like to become a CAELi member or support our work with a contribution of any amount, we’d be delighted – thanks! Show notes and production by Jen Braun of JJ Boots Productions LLC.
Transcribe →109 | Sofia Barao: Art, Philosophy, & Astrology
Nov 1700:21:43Tap to summarizeAstrologer and teacher Sofia Barao joins host Jenn Zahrt from Paris, France! Together the two chat about books, philosophy, and more, including: seven-year cycles; mythology and archetypes; and the importance of art and artists. Plus: helpful neighbors, Black Moon Lilith, and a decan-based astral color palette! Visit CAELi’s Within Orb on our new Patreon page! Learn more about the CAELi Institute and check out their latest lab offerings. Visit our bookshop.org page to support CAELi and purchase books mentioned on the show! Become a CAELi member or renew your membership! Love the show? Support our work with a financial contribution or book donation. Follow CAELi on FB, IG, YouTube, and Bluesky. Transcripts available upon request. Song “Wake Up” used with permission by The E-Block Band. ***** Episode timestamps (conversation recorded November 2025): 00:12 – For Sofia Barao, astrology is a lifelong passion, kindled in her childhood. With over 30 years of astrological exploration, she’s developed a profound love for humanistic and archetypal astrology, which she passionately shares as a teacher, researcher, and professional astrologer (since 2014). Following Jungian studies, her approach blends traditional and modern techniques with Jungian (and post-Jungian) archetypal symbolism, giving meaning to the soul’s creative expression. Originally from Portugal and based in France, Sofia is also a visual artist (since 2007). Her interests extend to art, poetry, Jungian psychology, philosophy, alchemy, mythology, eco-psychology and the ongoing exploration of these subjects through diverse media, all of which serve to consistently enrich her astrological practice. She also has a deep affection for languages, speaking four fluently. In her desire to draw a connection between art and astrology, Sofia developed a decan-based astral color palette, which was published in the re-edition of Miroir d’Astrologie by Max Jacob and Claude Valence, illustrated by the renowned designer Christian Lacroix for Gallimard (2024). She is a member of ISAR, OPA and AA and the OPA Satellite leader for France and French-speaking countries. 01:08 – Sofia’s early astrology books included titles by Dane Rudhyar, Stephen Arroyo, and Alexander Ruperti. She also mentions Saturn: A New Look at an Old Devil by Liz Greene as pivotal. 05:10 – If Sofia could bring only three books to a deserted island, her first pick would be the French title Rythmes et destinée: Comprendre sa destinée par les cycles de sept ans (or Understand Your Destiny by the Seven-year Cycles) by Pierre Lassalle and Brigitte Maffray. 08:18 – Sofia’s second choice would be Astrological Time: Transits, Progressions and Returns by Brian Clark. 10:12 – Interlude: Join the CAELi Support Drive and for only $35, you can enjoy your morning beverage out of a gorgeous CAELi mug! 10:58 – The third title Sofia would bring is Astrology, Magic, and Alchemy in Art by Matilde Battistini. 14:22 – For beginners, Sofia recommends On the Heavenly Spheres and Traditional Astrology Course: Essential Concepts & Interpretation Basics, both by Helena Avelar and Luis Campos Ribeiro. She also likes Brian Clark’s Soul, Symbol and Imagination: The Artistry of Astrology. 19:53 – Find Sofia at www.astrologieETcreativite-holistique.com or on her Substack at https://artastrologyarchetype.substack.com/. She’s also on Instagram @art.astrology.archetype and YouTube @art.astrology.archetype. 41:37 – Thanks for listening to Within Orb! If you love the show, please help support it at no cost to you: Follow or subscribe wherever you listen, rate it five stars, or write a happy review! And if you’d like to become a CAELi member or support our work with a contribution of any amount, we’d be delighted – thanks! Show notes and production by Jen Braun of JJ Boots Productions LLC.
Transcribe →108 | Philip Graves: Speaking (Astrological) Volumes
Nov 1000:42:15Tap to summarizeAstrologer, historian, and archivist Philip Graves joins host Jenn Zahrt for this special 108th episode! This one is a treat for the ears, as Jenn and Philip chat about astrological history, book collections, and more, including: why transit data from decades ago was all the same length; an auspicious voyage time as an unexpected popular topic; and astrological “modernizers.” Plus: watershed moments, when astrology went underground, and learning to cast charts! Visit CAELi’s Within Orb on our new Patreon page! Learn more about the CAELi Institute and check out their latest lab offerings. Visit our bookshop.org page to support CAELi and purchase books mentioned on the show! Become a CAELi member or renew your membership! Love the show? Support our work with a financial contribution or book donation. Follow CAELi on FB, IG, YouTube, and Bluesky. Transcripts available upon request. Song “Wake Up” used with permission by The E-Block Band. ***** Episode timestamps (conversation recorded October 2025): 00:12 – Philip Graves is an astrological historian and archivist who has lectured on the history of astrology at four international conferences and has had 41 essays on the history of astrology published in astrological magazines, to be reprinted in the Revelore Press series Graves’s Studies in the History of Astrology. He formerly managed and wrote dozens of articles on the principles of astrology for a large astrological community within MSN Groups. His private astrological library includes 11,000 volumes of books and 14,000 issues of periodicals. Also the serving librarian for the Astrological Association, he is developing their International Astrology Library Online. 01:18 – The very first astrology book that Philip ever read was Linda Goodman’s Love Signs (paperback reprint of 1978 original). 11:15 – If Philip could bring only three books to a deserted island, his first pick would be Planets in Transit by Robert Hand (1976). 17:11 – Interlude: Join the CAELi Support Drive and for only $35, you can enjoy your morning beverage out of a gorgeous CAELi mug! 17:57 – Philip’s second choice would be Nauticum Astrologicum by John Gadbury (1691 or 1710). 22:43 – The third title Philip would bring is Astrologia Gallica Principiis & Rationibus propriis stabilita, Atque in XXVI Libros distributa by Jean-Baptiste Morin de Villefranche (1661). 31:26 – For beginners, Philip recommends Parkers’ Astrology by Derek and Julia Parker (2001, 2nd edition), The Only Way to Learn Astrology Volume One: Basic Principles by Marion March and Joan McEvers (first published in 1976 and reprinted many times since), and Sun Sign Moon Sign: Discover the Key to Your Unique Personality Through the 144 Sun-Moon Combinations by Charles & Suzi Harvey (1994). 38:30 – Find Philip at: https://www.astrolearn.com/. To support him on Patreon, visit: https://www.patreon.com/astrolearn. And on Facebook, he’s @philipgravesastrologer (for security, he only accepts friend requests from astrologers with multiple common friends or whose accounts show clear signs of an interest in astrology). 41:37 – Thanks for listening to Within Orb! If you love the show, please help support it at no cost to you: Follow or subscribe wherever you listen, rate it five stars, or write a happy review! And if you’d like to become a CAELi member or support our work with a contribution of any amount, we’d be delighted – thanks! Show notes and production by Jen Braun of JJ Boots Productions LLC.
Transcribe →107 | Sydni Deveraux: Cosmically Curious
Nov 300:35:26Tap to summarizeAstrologer Sydni Deveraux joins host Jenn Zahrt from Oakland, California! Embrace the spirit of a Gemini Moon and tune in as the pair chat about the gift of growing up within orb of Astrology et al (a Seattle-based bookstore owned by Maggie Nalbandian!), books, and more, including: the fascinating world of horary astrology (and the Facebook groups you never knew you needed); triangulating between evolutionary sources; and the importance of understanding planetary cycles. Plus: podcasting with doggies Lamont and Young Meatball, diving into the cosmic deep end, and…how do you pronounce IKEA?? Visit CAELi’s Within Orb pod page! Learn more about the CAELi Institute and check out their latest lab offerings. Visit our bookshop.org page to support CAELi and purchase books mentioned on the show! Become a CAELi member or renew your membership! Love the show? Support our work with a financial contribution or book donation. Follow CAELi on FB, IG, YouTube, and Bluesky. Transcripts available upon request. Song “Wake Up” used with permission by The E-Block Band. ***** Episode timestamps (conversation recorded September 2025): 00:01 – Jenn introduces our new Patreon page: https://www.patreon.com/caeliinstitute!! For less than a cup of coffee, you can become a Friend, getting frequent behind-the-scenes updates not shared on social media or elsewhere. It's like a PG-rated OnlyFans for astrology books! Or upgrade a teeny bit for print issues of The CAELi Review! 02:09 – Sydni Deveraux is a newer astrologer. She has Virgo Rising with a culminating Gemini Moon and is ridiculously curious. Sydni works for NORWAC (Northwest Astrological Conference) and is an ISAR (International Society for Astrological Research) board member. 07:15 – The very first astrology book that Sydni ever purchased was Pluto, Volume I: The Evolutionary Journey of the Soul by Jeffrey Wolf Green. 14:05 – If Sydni could bring only three books to a deserted island, her first pick would be one covering medical astrology. (How serendipitous! Jenn selected A Handbook of Medical Astrology by Jane Ridder-Patrick in Episode 39, Jenn Zahrt: For the Love of Astrology (Books)!) 15:10 – Sydni’s second choice would be Horary Astrology: Your Ultimate Horary Textbook with 124 Example Cases by Ema Kurent. (Side note: The work of Anthony Louis is wonderful!) 18:02 – The third title Sydni would bring is On the Heavenly Spheres: A Treatise on Traditional Astrology by Helena Avelar and Luis Campos Ribeiro. (And enjoy the trip to Electional Astrology by Vivian Robson!) 20:12 – Interlude: Join the CAELi Support Drive and for only $35, you can enjoy your morning beverage out of a gorgeous CAELi mug! 25:41 – For beginners, Sydni recommends Predictive Astrology: The Eagle and the Lark by Bernadette Brady, Planets in Transit: Life Cycles for Living by Robert Hand, and Green’s Pluto, Vol. I. She also suggests reading books on mythology and the Moon! 32:43 – Find Sydni at: https://www.ddastrology.com/. She’s also on TikTok (@divine.deveraux), Instagram (@theshowgirlastrologer), Facebook, and YouTube (@DivinelyDeveraux). 34:48 – Thanks for listening to Within Orb! If you love the show, please help support it at no cost to you: Follow or subscribe wherever you listen, rate it five stars, or write a happy review! And if you’d like to become a CAELi member or support our work with a contribution of any amount, we’d be delighted – thanks! Show notes and production by Jen Braun of JJ Boots Productions LLC.
Transcribe →106 | Madam Faraluna: Bridging Astrology & Academia
Oct 2700:28:38Tap to summarizeAstrologer and researcher Madam Faraluna joins host Jenn Zahrt from Argentina! Tune in as the two chat about astrology books and more, including: learning the mechanics behind star stuff; synchronicity; the elements; and time as a construct. Plus: synastry, physics, and the importance of chart data! Visit CAELi’s Within Orb pod page! Learn more about the CAELi Institute and check out their latest lab offerings. Visit our bookshop.org page to support CAELi and purchase books mentioned on the show! Become a CAELi member or renew your membership! Love the show? Support our work with a financial contribution or book donation. Follow CAELi on FB, IG, YouTube, and Bluesky. Transcripts available upon request. Song “Wake Up” used with permission by The E-Block Band. ***** Episode timestamps (conversation recorded October 2025): 00:12 – Madam Faraluna is a humanistic astrologer, researcher, and esoteric popularizer, bridging East to West decoding the natal chart. She’s also a mum, loves astrology, and enjoys helping people. 00:58 – Madam Faraluna’s very first astrology book was El Gran Libro del Horóscopo by Marta Carreras. 03:33 – If Madam Faraluna could bring only three books to a deserted island, her first pick would be Synchronicity: An Acausal Connecting Principle by C. G. Jung. (Check out the English translation by R.F.C. Hull.) 04:12 – Madam Faraluna’s second choice would be Astrology for Dummies by Rae Orion. 09:35 – Interlude: Join the CAELi Support Drive and for only $35, you can enjoy your morning beverage out of a gorgeous CAELi mug! 10:22 – The third title Madam Faraluna would bring is By Jove! The Meaning of the Astrological Jupiter by Liz Greene. (Greene’s Saturn: A New Look at an Old Devil also earns a mention. And she loves Astrology, Psychology and the Four Elements by Stephen Arroyo.) 23:11 – For beginners, Madam Faraluna recommends Marta Carreras’s El Gran Libro. But she also likes the work of Stephen Arroyo, Tito Maciá, and Dane Rudhyar. 24:06 – Find Madam Faraluna’s info at: https://linktr.ee/madamfaraluna. 28:00 – Thanks for listening to Within Orb! If you love the show, please help support it at no cost to you: Follow or subscribe wherever you listen, rate it five stars, or write a happy review! And if you’d like to become a CAELi member or support our work with a contribution of any amount, we’d be delighted – thanks! Show notes and production by Jen Braun of JJ Boots Productions LLC.
Transcribe →105 | Gemini Brett: The Harmony of Tension & Release
Oct 2000:44:52Tap to summarizeAstrologer, educator, and musician Gemini Brett joins host Jenn Zahrt from Berkeley, California! Tune in for an uplifting episode as Jenn and Brett cover the living sky, books, and more, including: shamanic astrology; mysteries hidden in plain sight; sacred geometry; and the astrology chart as a musical composition. Plus: the out-of-bounds Moon, stories from Chaco Canyon, and… can we bring a ruler, a compass, and a musical instrument on the journey?? Visit CAELi’s Within Orb pod page! Learn more about the CAELi Institute and check out their latest lab offerings. Visit our bookshop.org page to support CAELi and purchase books mentioned on the show! Become a CAELi member or renew your membership! Love the show? Support our work with a financial contribution or book donation. Follow CAELi on FB, IG, YouTube, and Bluesky. Transcripts available upon request. Song “Wake Up” used with permission by The E-Block Band. ***** Episode timestamps (conversation recorded October 2025): 00:12 – Gemini Brett is a leader in the movement to re-nature astrology by integrating our two-dimensional charts with the infinite living sky. He is a world-renowned astronomy-for-astrologers authority, shamanic StarryTeller, and inspiring educator. Brett’s terrestrial translations of the celestial conversation, expressed through the ancient arts of sacred geometry, musical harmony, embodied astronomy, and number magic, activate seasoned sages as much as they initiate students new to the cosmic curriculum. Brett is the president of the San Francisco Bay Area chapter of NCGR and the winner of the 2020 OPA Orion Award for Outstanding Contribution to Astrology. 03:17 – Brett’s very first astrology book was The Shamanic Astrology Handbook by Daniel Giamario with Cayelin Castell. (And a hat tip goes to The Tarot Handbook by Angeles Arrien.) 06:23 – If Brett could bring only three books to Chaco Canyon, his first pick would be the Quadrivium compilation (published by Wooden Books with six titles from the series). Specifically, Brett appreciates A Little Book of Coincidence in the Solar System by John Martineau - but they’re all amazing! 16:06 – Interlude: Join the CAELi Support Drive and for only $35, you can enjoy your morning beverage out of a gorgeous CAELi mug! 16:53 – Brett’s second choice would be The Mystery of the Cathedrals by Fulcanelli. 18:16 – The third title Brett would bring is The Real Book, which is a compilation of jazz standards. 34:59 – Before recommending an astrology book, Brett would ask the student why they’re learning astrology – but he often suggests Giamario’s The Shamanic Astrology Handbook. Brett also likes The Heavens Declare: Astrological Ages and the Evolution of Consciousness by Alice O. Howell. 41:03 – Find Brett, his School of Earthstrology, and the Constellations Community at: https://geminibrett.com/. And learn more about his Song of the Soul project with master pianist Erik Deutsch at: https://www.chartsong.com/. 44:14 – Thanks for listening to Within Orb! If you love the show, please help support it at no cost to you: Follow or subscribe wherever you listen, rate it five stars, or write a happy review! And if you’d like to become a CAELi member or support our work with a contribution of any amount, we’d be delighted – thanks! Show notes and production by Jen Braun of JJ Boots Productions LLC.
Transcribe →Reboot 023 | David Leskowitz: Going Beyond Modern Astrology
Oct 1300:39:08Tap to summarizeRewinding back to an eclectic and fascinating episode: Astrologer and author David Leskowitz sits down with host Jenn Zahrt to chat about centaurs, asteroids, and books! Learn about: using the Davison chart with centaurs; the outer planets and humanity’s readiness to work with that archetype; stationary Vesta in Aquarius; a Pholus story; when the planetary symbol and the poetic symbol coalesce; relocating a progressed chart; black holes; bibliomantic divination, and more! Plus: when the planetary gods find you; Bucky Fuller’s geodesic dome; and… are we our parents’ transits crystallized in human form? Visit CAELi’s Within Orb pod page! Learn more about the CAELi Institute and check out their latest lab offerings. Visit our bookshop.org page to support CAELi and purchase books mentioned on the show! Become a CAELi member or renew your membership! Love the show? Support our work with a financial contribution or book donation. Follow CAELi on FB, IG, YouTube, and Bluesky. Transcripts available upon request. Song “Wake Up” used with permission by The E-Block Band. ***** Episode timestamps (conversation recorded Nov. 2023): 00:01 – Jenn offers a quick intro – and tune in for new episodes starting next week! 01:28 – David is a beyond modern astrologer with an interest in the Centaurs and outer planets. He believes that Chiron and kin are more than just symbols in a birth chart, but life-affirming guides to the Cosmos. (We’re excited that he also has an anthology on this topic!) Additionally, David has practiced meditation and energy healing for much of his life. 02:27 – What was David’s first meaningful astrology book? He initially remembers reading a Vedic astrology text by Bepin Behari. Later, Dane Rudhyar’s The Magic of Tone and the Art of Music made its way into his orb. Finally, Noel Tyl’s intro to astrology books (namely, The Principles and Practice of Astrology series) helped David get his bearings from a psychological, humanistic worldview. 06:47 – Should David find himself stranded on M87, the first book he’d bring with him would be The Astrological Neptune and the Quest for Redemption by Liz Greene. His Piscean nature feels the call! 08:02 – David’s second selection is The Yavanajataka, an ancient book in Indian astrology. Finally, he’d have the time to study this text and give it the attention it deserves! 08:36 – Thirdly, David would take along Inside Planets by Ellias Lonsdale, a book which Ellias channeled with his departed beloved; this one examines the consciousness of the planets. (Enjoy the side trip to Jenn’s mention of A Graphic Ephemeris of Sensitive Degrees by Eleanor Bach.) 14:00 – Interlude: Join the CAELi Support Drive and for only $35, you can enjoy your morning beverage out of a gorgeous CAELi mug! 14:46 – Our duo discusses David’s work with the Centaurs and sensitive degrees. 23:38 – David’s class on the DRC (Davison Relationship Chart) method can be found here. 25:28 – Another book that David loves is Astrology: A Language of Life, Volume 1 – Progressions by Robert Blaschke. It’s wonderful; dense, but short! 29:01 – David will soon be publishing an anthology of the Centaurs, Sideways From Saturn: Astrological Guidance From the Centaurs, which is currently available for order from Praesepe Press. You can catch him soon for a book talk about this project at CAELi! (One more reason to become a CAELi member! 😊) 29:19 – Lastly, David’s recommendations for beginners include: Inside Degrees: Developing Your Soul Biography Using the Chandra Symbols by Ellias Lonsdale; the Pleiadian degree series (The Circular Temple) by John Sandbach; Chiron and the Healing Journey by Melanie Reinhart; Chiron: The Wisdom of a Deeply Open Heart by Adam Gainsburg; Steven Forrest’s work, especially Yesterday’s Sky; and the work of Jeff Green. 38:01 – Learn about David’s work at: https://centaurs.space/ and https://centaurhealing.earth/. 38:26 – Thanks for listening to Within Orb! If you love the show, please help support it at no cost to you: Follow or subscribe wherever you listen, rate it five stars, or write a happy review! And if you’d like to become a CAELi member or support our work with a contribution of any amount, we’d be delighted – thanks! Show notes and production by Jen Braun of JJ Boots Productions LLC.
Transcribe →Reboot 046 | Issachar Bey: Busting Through the Stars!
Oct 600:37:25Tap to summarizeOne more from our vast archives: Astrologer, author, and podcaster Issachar Bey joins host Jenn Zahrt from San Antonio, Texas to chat books and more! This wide-ranging conversation brings you within orb of oodles of star stuff, including: Uranian astrology; how the glyphs have meaning; the Trans-Neptunian “planets”; geodetic astrology, relocated charts, and making your Jupiter line come to you; significators and dispositorship; the cheat code to life; blending Sabian symbols with various levels of progression; holographic transits and pattern returns; the idea of mapping out the degree-symbol systems; astro-theology; and using the Capricorn ingress. All that, plus: coming out of the star closet, using astrology to win, and… can we bring a Kindle and a charger to the deserted island?? Visit CAELi’s Within Orb pod page! Learn more about the CAELi Institute and check out their latest lab offerings. Visit our bookshop.org page to support CAELi and purchase books mentioned on the show! Become a CAELi member or renew your membership! Love the show? Support our work with a financial contribution or book donation. Follow CAELi on FB, IG, YouTube, and Bluesky. Transcripts available upon request. Song “Wake Up” used with permission by The E-Block Band. ***** Episode timestamps (conversation recorded May 2024): 00:01 – Jenn offers up an intro for this comprehensive and fascinating episode! And learn about Rod Suskin’s master series class on primary directions at www.isarastrology.com! 02:25 – Issachar Bey is the founder and spiritual director of the Temple of Enlightenment International Spiritual Center. The author of four books, Issachar is also a minister, life strategist, and radio and podcast host. Issachar has spent over 20 years advising people around the world with consultations personally designed to assist them in creating their own reality using his Manifestation Methodology. The Temple of Enlightenment International Spiritual Center is a global community dedicated to teaching New Thought Ageless Wisdom – recognizing, honoring, and nurturing the dignity and uniqueness of all people. 08:06 – Issachar’s first astrology book was recommended by his teacher: Alan Oken's Complete Astrology: The Classic Guide to Modern Astrology. This one is like a Bible to Issachar; he loves the way Oken breaks everything down from A to Z. And amazingly, both Jenn and Issachar took parallel tracks and were studying the same book in the late 1990s! (To hear Jenn’s episode, check out Episode 39, Jenn Zahrt: For the Love of Astrology (Books)!) The duo also takes a quick side trip to a great beginner book: The Only Way to Learn Astrology by Joan McEvers and Marion March. 09:58 – If Issachar were stranded on a deserted island, which texts would he bring? His first pick is The Language of Uranian Astrology by Roger A. Jacobson. This one keeps him sharp, and new readings always bring new insights! 12:58 – The second title that Issachar would bring is Geodetic Astrology for Relocating and World Affairs by Chris McRae. He finds this one phenomenal and loves the world maps. (Nick Campion’s The Book of World Horoscopes also gets a mention!) 17:45 – Interlude: Join the CAELi Support Drive and for only $35, you can enjoy your morning beverage out of a gorgeous CAELi mug! 18:32 – Issachar’s third selection is volume 21 in Jean-Baptiste Morin’s series, Astrologia Gallica: The Morinus System of Horoscope Interpretation, which has been translated many times. The way that Morin breaks down a chart and how to interpret it is incredibly helpful. (The Rules of Chart Interpretation by Rod Suskin also gets a nod by Jenn here, as it’s based on Morin’s work.) 22:44 – Issachar has many runners-up, including: Christian Astrology by William Lilly, Vocations: The New Midheaven Extension Process by Noel Tyl, the Dial Detective by Maria Kay Simms, and Abu Ma'shar Al-Balkhi’s Persian Nativities IV: On the Revolutions of the Years of Nativities (translated by Benjamin Dykes). Issachar also likes anything by Alphee Lavoie, Anthony Louis, Stephen Arroyo, or Robert Blaschke. And the casino story highlighting Winning!! Zodiacal Timing by Joyce Wehrman was a winner! 32:28 – Find Issachar on Instagram @IssacharBey, or on YouTube @AstroCommission2024. And check out The Astrological Commission Podcast wherever you listen! 36:43 – Thanks for listening to Within Orb! If you love the show, please help support it at no cost to you: Follow or subscribe wherever you listen, rate it five stars, or write a happy review! And if you’d like to become a CAELi member or support our work with a contribution of any amount, we’d be delighted – thanks! Show notes and production by Jen Braun of JJ Boots Productions LLC.
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