Astrologer, 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!

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Transcripts available upon request.

Song “Wake Up” used with permission by The E-Block Band.

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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.