
The Astrology Podcast
A weekly podcast on the history, philosophy, and techniques of astrology, hosted by professional astrologer Chris Brennan.
Latest episodes

Mar 10, 2025 • 1h 58min
Chinese Astrology
In episode 482 features an interview with astrologer Berna Lee about the history, philosophy, and practice of Chinese astrology.
Berna is a graduate of the MA in Cultural Astronomy and Astrology program from the Sophia Centre, with a thesis examining the theory and practice of astrology in modern Hong Kong, and she is a 45th generation Chinese astrologer.
During the course of the episode we discuss the historical development of Chinese astrology, and the different eras in which specific technical practices arose.
We also touch on a number of other topics, including fate and free will, the Chinese zodiac, and the role of comets as omens in mundane astrology.
You can follow Berna through Instagram at:
https://www.instagram.com/astromergency/
This episode is available in both audio and video versions below.
Watch the Video Version of This Episode
Watch the video version of this episode on Chinese astrology on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xamRgTzVP4M
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Transcript
A full transcript of this episode is available: Episode 482 transcript
Listen to the Audio Version of This Episode
Listen to the audio version of this episode or download it as an MP3:

Mar 4, 2025 • 50min
Oscars Astrology Recap 2025
In episode 481 astrologer Chris Brennan gives a recap of some of the highlights of the 2025 Oscars ceremony from an astrological perspective.
Venus stationed retrograde in Aries the day before the Oscars, and so we expected some firsts, some controversies, and some snafus, and it did not disappoint!
Listen in for a full recap of all of the highlights!
Watch the Video Version of This Episode
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BamB04H6hXE
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Transcript
A full transcript of this episode is available: Episode 481 transcript
Listen to the Audio Version of This Episode
Listen to the audio version of this episode or download it as an MP3:

Feb 27, 2025 • 2h 59min
March Astrology Forecast 2025
In episode 480 of The Astrology Podcast astrologers Chris Brennan and Austin Coppock look at the astrological forecast for March of 2025.
March is one of the most active and important months of 2025, which includes Venus and Mercury going retrograde in Aries, eclipses in Virgo and Aries, and Neptune moving into Aries at the very end of the month.
We spend the first hour of the episode talking about the astrology of news and events that have occurred since our last forecast, and then in the second hour we transition into talking about the astrology of March.
Chris' Horary Astrology Course
TheAstrologySchool.com
Austin's Website
Austincoppock.com
Timestamps
(00:00:00) Introduction
(00:00:51) Quick Overview of March
(00:03:13) News Section Begins
(00:04:32) US News & Mars Retro in Cancer
(00:47:14) Airline Crashes
(00:52:19) Kendrick Superbowl
(00:58:53) Oscars Controversy
(01:04:20) Crypto Scam & Hack
(01:06:22) Luigi & Mars Stations
(01:10:26) SNL 50th Anniversary
(01:13:51) Fyre Festival 2
(01:16:44) New Horary Course
(01:23:15) Forecast begins
(01:23:24) Leaving Mars Retrograde
(01:26:57) Venus retrograde
(01:44:15) Mercury Retrograde
(01:51:27) Lucky Date for March
(01:54:59) Eclipse in Virgo
(02:14:34) Venus and Mercury Cazimi
(02:18:01) Mercury and Venus Return to Pisces
(02:25:02) Eclipse in Aries
(02:51:48) Austin's Projects
(02:54:45) Chris' New Horary Course
(02:56:37) Credits
Watch the Video Version of This Episode
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EkwUpYkVMbA
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Transcript
A full transcript of this episode is available: Episode 480 transcript
Listen to the Audio Version of This Episode
Listen to the audio version of this episode or download it as an MP3:

Feb 25, 2025 • 6h 21min
Mars Retrograde in Cancer in US History
In episode 479 of The Astrology Podcast, astrologers Chris Brennan and Nick Dagan Best delve into the repeating historical patterns underlying Mars retrograde in Cancer periods, specifically within the context of United States history.
During the course of the episode we explore how these retrogrades, which occur roughly every 15-17 years, coincide with significant events and recurring themes in American history. By examining past instances of Mars retrograde in Cancer, our goal is to provide perspective on current events and potential future developments.
The discussion begins with an explanation of the Mars retrograde cycle and its unique characteristics, including its varying durations and the signs it retrogrades through. We emphasize the importance of looking at the entire period Mars spends in Cancer, including the time before and after the actual retrograde station, to fully grasp its impact.
After that we proceed to discuss the specific dates and degrees of Mars retrogrades in Cancer, starting with the year of the US Constitution's ratification and moving forward.
In particular we highlight the 79-year repetition of Mars retrogrades in Cancer, which is based on the Babylonian Goal-Year periods, and how it aligns with important turning points in American history. We also note the shorter 47-year and 32-year repetitions, which coincide with other planetary cycles.
During the course of the episode we explore the themes that emerge during these Mars retrograde periods, including important turning points related to immigration, civil rights, and economic shifts.
The episode concludes with a reflection on the potential implications of these historical patterns for the present and future.
Timestamps
(00:00:00) Introduction
(00:20:34) Planetary Periods
(00:36:52) Immigration
(01:05:28) Citizenship
(01:14:09) Racism and Reactionaries
(01:35:19) Boundaries and Borders
(01:42:15) US-Russia Relations
(02:18:59) Tariffs, Trade & Monetary Policy
(03:03:38) Financial Crises
(03:12:14) Homes and Housing
(03:19:44) Military Debacles
(03:50:33) Imperialism
(04:05:02) Misc Mars Retrogrades
(04:08:46) Panama Canal
(04:10:32) Aviation Incidents
(04:18:25) Superbowls
(04:37:53) SNL Special
(04:50:27) World Bank
(04:53:08) Scottsboro Boys
(05:00:57) Uncle Tom's Cabin
(05:26:04) Compromise of 1850
(05:33:37) Andrew Jackson & National Debt
(05:42:16) Panic of 1819
(05:47:09) Lewis and Clark Expedition
(05:49:50) Nuremberg trials
(05:52:18) Retrogrades for Rectification
(05:56:46) Concluding Remarks
(06:19:29) Credits
Watch the Video Version of This Episode
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uKWAaDN4rSQ
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Transcript
A full transcript of this episode is available: Episode 479 transcript
Listen to the Audio Version of This Episode
Listen to the audio version of this episode or download it as an MP3:

Feb 15, 2025 • 2h 41min
Experiential Astrology and Astrodrama
Episode 478 features and interview with astrologer Jason Holley about Experiential Astrology, which is a dynamic approach that attempts to embody the symbols of astrology through creative and interactive methods, including making the chart come alive by acting it out in a group setting with Astrodrama.
Experiential astrology has its origins in some of the experimentation with different psychological methods that were happening in the astrological community in the 1970s and 80s, and Jason highlights the work of astrologer Barbara Schermer in particular.
Jason defines Experiential Astrology as engaging with astrological symbolism through multiple intelligences and perceptual faculties, including somatic, sensuous, imagistic, instinctual, kinesthetic, expressive, and relational.
This approach emphasizes the full-consciousness experience of astrological symbolism, moving beyond conceptual understanding to a felt, lived experience.
In the discussion we focused on one particular application of Experiential Astrology known as Astrodrama, which involves a group of people standing around and acting out a person's birth chart, and we discuss some of the different ways that this can be done.
Living Astrologies Conference
Jason is hosting an Experiential Astrology conference in October 2025:
https://livingastrologies.net
Timestamps
(00:00:00) Introduction to Experiential Astrology
(00:06:03) Engaging the Senses in Astrology
(00:11:52) Historical Context of Experiential Astrology
(00:18:51) The Process of Astrodrama
(00:25:49) Facilitating Astrodrama Sessions
(00:37:55) Multiplicity of the Self in Astrology
(00:43:51) Comfort with Uncertainty in Astrology
(00:49:22) Experiential Astrology: Enactments and Transits
(00:56:55) Empathy and Role Reversal in Relationships
(01:05:16) The Oracle and the Querent Dynamic
(01:11:17) Foundational Texts in Experiential Astrology
(01:17:53) Creating a Sacred Field for Astrology
(01:23:57) Experiential Work: Listening to the Field
(01:29:32) The Importance of Movement in Astrology
(01:34:54) The Subtlety of Experiential Work
(01:41:31) Warm-Up and Integration in Group Work
(01:58:30) Learning from Challenges and Limitations
(02:04:21) Navigating Emotional Responses in Astrology
(02:10:44) Experiential Astrology: Bridging Theory and Practice
(02:17:37) The Living Astrologies Conference
(02:25:38) Personal Journeys in Astrology: A Family Legacy
(02:37:45) Credits
Watch the Video Version of This Episode
Watch the video version of this episode on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aKhNYhY3bKY
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Transcript
A full transcript of this episode is available: Episode 478 transcript
Listen to the Audio Version of This Episode
Listen to the audio version of this episode or download it as an MP3:

Feb 8, 2025 • 1h 48min
Venus Retrograde Repetitions in the News
Recent news stories showcase fascinating repetitions linked to past Venus retrograde phases, highlighting an 8-year celestial cycle. Topics include scandalous events, Coca-Cola's historical changes, and significant achievements in women's space exploration. The impact on pop culture is notable, with discussions on Academy Awards nominations and the implications of social media trends. As history unfolds, listeners are encouraged to identify these parallels, revealing the cyclical nature of societal change and cultural narratives.

48 snips
Jan 29, 2025 • 2h 58min
February Astrology Forecast 2025
Astrologers delve into the February 2025 forecast, highlighting the powerful alignment of Uranus and Jupiter, and the upcoming Venus retrograde. They explore the astrological implications of recent news events, linking them to celestial influences. The discussion includes a fortunate date for significant actions and the transformative effects of Mars in Cancer. Insights into the interplay between technology and astrology reveal how innovations may unfold against the backdrop of historical shifts. Expect emotional reflections as Venus and Mars navigate their complex journeys.

Jan 25, 2025 • 7h 31min
Venus Retrograde in Aries in History
In episode 475 astrologers Chris Brennan and Nick Dagan Best discuss what every Venus retrograde in Aries period has coincided with in history over the past century, identifying patterns of 8-year repetitions in the past that are tied in with the present and future.
The premise of this episode is that we have a Venus retrograde in Aries and Pisces coming up over the next few months, and it seems to coincide with a really important part of the year in March and April where we are expecting some major world events, so I wanted to look back in history and see if I could get a better sense for what these particular retrogrades in Aries have coincided with in the past.
What Nick and I did in this episode is we started in 2025 and talked a little bit about what is already known or is clearly developing about the current Venus retrograde, and then after that we jumped back 8 years to 2017, which is the last time Venus went retrograde in Aries, and talked about major events that happened in that period.
Then we went back another 8 years to 2009, when Venus was again retrograde in Aries, and so on. During the course of the episode we made it all the way back to 1905, which was the first time that Venus retrograded Aries in this cycle.
Here is the full list of Venus retrograde in Aries years over the past century: 1905, 1913, 1921, 1929, 1937, 1945, 1953, 1961, 1969, 1977, 1985, 1993, 2001, 2009, 2017, 2025.
By moving backwards in time we went retrograde ourselves, and started with a period that is more familiar, but then kept showing how there are these weird 8 year repetitions that connect events and themes across these different time periods.
We ended up finding a LOT of really interesting stuff, and some major correlations that will end up being very relevant for news stories today.
I feel like this episode really helps to build on and expand the Venus retrograde research that we did in 2023, and to deepen our understanding of Venus retrogrades in general by really drilling more deeply into this particular series.
More importantly, it also helps to shed light on and provide further contextualization of some of the events that will happen in March and April of 2025.
Show Notes
Our research notes for this episode are available through our page on Patreon:
https://www.patreon.com/astrologypodcast
Nick's Website
https://www.nickdaganbestastrologer.com
Timestamps
00:00:00 Introduction
00:01:52 Venus retrograde this year
00:10:09 8 year repetitions
00:17:15 2025 Venus retrograde repetitions
00:47:48 2017 Venus retrograde
00:57:02 2009
00:57:02 2009
01:10:11 2001
01:21:08 1993
01:49:35 1985
02:15:09 1977
02:55:05 1969
03:50:09 1961
04:49:19 1953
05:24:35 1945
05:43:27 1937
06:05:04 1929
06:16:07 1921
06:28:48 1913
06:44:12 1905
07:02:29 Reflections & conclusions
07:29:36 Credits
Watch the Video Version of This Episode
Watch the video version of this episode on Venus retrograde in Aries:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uvqRaAdzxHQ
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Transcript
A full transcript of this episode is available: Episode 475 transcript
Listen to the Audio Version of This Episode
Listen to the audio version of this episode or download it as an MP3:

19 snips
Jan 17, 2025 • 2h 7min
Time Twins in Astrology: Adolf Hitler and Charlie Chaplin
Nick Dagan Best, an astrologer known for his insights on Venus retrograde, joins to explore the fascinating connection between Charlie Chaplin and Adolf Hitler. Both iconic figures born just days apart during a Venus retrograde period had strikingly similar birth charts. Their lives dramatically intersect at pivotal moments, such as moving to prominence during the Venus retrograde in 1913. The discussion unveils how astrological cycles can shape destinies, despite contrasting paths, highlighting the impact of timing on their unique journeys.

Jan 11, 2025 • 2h 39min
The 5th House: Sharing Life Stories
Stephanie, a devoted podcast patron, shares her dramatic life story filled with unexpected pregnancies, loss, and complicated relationships. She reveals how her fifth house placements profoundly influenced these experiences. The conversation explores themes of parenthood, creativity, and personal transformation, as Stephanie reflects on how astrology helped her navigate emotional complexities. Her poignant narrative underscores the interweaving of astrological insights with life's challenges and triumphs.