New Books in Intellectual History Spike Bucklow, "The Year: An Ecology of the Zodiac" (Reaktion Books, 2025)
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Sep 15, 2025 Spike Bucklow, author of "The Year: An Ecology of the Zodiac," merges his background in chemistry and heritage conservation to explore the intricate connections between nature and human experiences. The discussion traverses the cyclical nature of time, emphasizing how seasonal shifts shape emotions and perceptions. Bucklow reflects on the balance of light and darkness, the ecological awakening of spring, and the deeper meanings behind the summer solstice. Through historical insights and literary reflections, he advocates for a harmonious understanding of science, nature, and cultural beliefs.
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Workshop Notes Sparked The Book
- Spike Bucklow recounts receiving monthly nature workshop notes from Jane Chenker Sunderland and turning them into this book.
- He adapted her idea of correlating local natural observations with zodiacal cycles into The Year.
Linearity Undermines Ecological Thinking
- Bucklow argues Western linear, progress-focused time undermines ecological thinking grounded in cycles.
- He links loss of circular time awareness to problems in how we treat nature and climate change.
Hipparchus Linked Zodiac To Seasons
- Hipparchus's shift tied the zodiac to seasons and made astrology more about visible ecological cycles.
- That change reoriented Western thinking toward immediate seasonal rhythms and agricultural needs.
