The Astrology Podcast

In episode 372 astrologers Chris Brennan and Jenn Zahrt talk about the life and work of the second century astrologer Vettius Valens, and a new translation of his Anthology that they just published. Valens is one of our most important sources for understanding the practice of ancient astrology, because he wrote one of the longest texts on Hellenistic astrology that survives, and he included more than 100 example charts to demonstrate how the techniques work in practice. In 2010 a classics scholar named Mark Riley released an unfinished PDF of a translation that he made of Valens' Anthology online for free, and this has become the main source that many astrologers and academics use to read Valens today. However, because the translation wasn't finished, Mark didn't include diagrams in the text to illustrate Valens' chart examples, and there were also some important chapters that were not completed. The absence of illustrations in the text made it much harder for students to read Valens and understand what he was talking about with his chart examples. That is why, with Mark's permission, Chris has just published a new print version of his translation of Valens that includes diagrams every time a chart example is introduced. We also completed chapters that were unfinished, and corrected a number of typos, making this edition more definitive. The final book is 440 pages long, and it includes a 50 page survey of Valens' Anthology that was written by Mark, which gets into some really interesting stuff about the chronology of Valens' life. Chris also wrote a foreword for the book. The book has just been released yesterday, October 16, 2022, and you can order it through online retailers such as Amazon or Barnes & Noble. The Anthology of Vettius Valens on Amazon A free eBook version of Valens' Anthology was later released in June 2025: The Anthology of Vettius Valens Find out more about Jenn's astrological library and institute: https://caeli.institute 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 Vettius Valens on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V9bJ3Ne2WrA - Transcript A full transcript of this episode is available: Episode 372 transcript Listen to the Audio Version of This Episode Listen to the audio version of this episode or download it as an MP3:

In episode 371 astrologer Arielle Guttman joins the podcast to talk about the Venus star point cycle in astrology, and how the upcoming Venus cazimi signals a shift in history. We begin the episode by talking about the Venus synodic cycle as a concept, the upcoming Venus cazimi shift from Scorpio into Libra that will occur in late October, and how to determine your Venus star point. We then move into talking about how these different phases of the Venus synodic cycle play a role in personal and collective values, wants, and needs. Each person has five Venus star points, three before their birth and two after, which are connected to both the timing and tone of different phases of their lives, depending on when Venus returns to and conjoins the Sun at those points again. During the course of the episode we also discuss the implications of the broader 250 year cycle of Venus in mundane astrology, and how that is repeating a set of alignments that occurred during the founding of the United States. For more about Arielle work visit: SophiaVenus.com This episode is available in audio and video versions below. Watch the Video Version of This Episode Watch the video version of this episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dMklt0Gvs2U - Transcript A full transcript of this episode is available: Episode 371 transcript Listen to the Audio Version of This Episode Listen to the audio version of this episode or download it as an MP3:

In episode 370 astrologers Chris Brennan, Austin Coppock, and Diana Rose Harper look ahead at the astrology of October 2022! The forecast for the astrology of October starts off pretty tame, with the end of a Mercury retrograde in Virgo, and planets transiting through Libra for the first half of the month. Later in October there is a shift in tone, and we get a solar eclipse in Scorpio, Mars stations retrograde in Gemini, Saturn stations direct in Aquarius, and Jupiter retrogrades back into Pisces. At the top of the show we talk about the astrology of recent events in the news, and then eventually get into the astrological transits for October. This episode is available in both audio and video versions below. Electional Astrology Report for 2023 Released Our 2023 Electional Astrology Report has been released! TheAstrologyPodcast.com/2023report/ The report highlights the single most auspicious date in each month of 2023! Chris, Austin, and Diana’s Websites ChrisBrennanAstrologer.com AustinCoppock.com ddamascenaa.com Watch the Video Version of This Episode Watch the video version of this episode on the astrology of October 2022: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wEHMqJZH3Qg - Transcript A full transcript of this episode is available: Episode 370 transcript Listen to the Audio Version of This Episode Listen to the audio version of this episode or download it as an MP3:

In episode 369 astrologers Tony Howard, Rosalie, and Chris Brennan do a deep dive into the meaning of the zodiac sign Virgo in astrology, and discuss some of the traits and characteristics associated with people who are born with that sign prominent in their birth chart. Virgo is the sixth sign of the zodiac, and it is a feminine or nocturnal sign, mutable, earthy, and ruled by Mercury. This is the sixth entry in a series of episodes where we do a deep dive into each of the signs of the zodiac, one per episode, in order to develop a detailed understanding of their core meaning and significations. Tony and Rosalie's credentials for this episode are that they both have a number of placements in the sign of Virgo in their birth charts. During the course of the episode we talk about different keywords and archetypes associated with Virgo, and also look at some birth charts of celebrities who were born with different planets in that sign. Tony Howard’s website: https://www.astrologyuniversity.com Rosalie’s website: https://www.astrorosalie.com This episode is available in both audio and video versions below. Timestamps   00:00:00 Intro 00:01:07 Tony and Rosalie's Virgo credentials 00:02:00 Virgo rulerships and overview 00:03:02 Virgo vs. Gemini 00:05:00 Virgo's corrective qualities over Leo 00:10:54 Ability to be critical 00:15:25 Virgo vs. Pisces 00:18:25 Service and helpfulness 00:22:16 More Virgo vs. Pisces keywords 00:26:40 Jack of all trades 00:27:30 David Fincher 00:34:24 Keanu Reeves 00:36:40 Libra corrective qualities over Virgo 00:48:00 Editing 00:52:48 Virgo vs. Taurus 00:57:43 Plants 01:00:55 Virgo vs. Capricorn 01:04:34 Virgo vs. Scorpio 01:06:58 Virgo vs. Sagittarius 01:16:24 Adaptability 01:21:10 Virgo comedians 01:26:40 Robin Williams 01:28:36 Virgo musicians 01:29:51 Kurt Cobain 01:30:44 Billy Corgan 01:34:12 Beyonce 01:42:40 Improvement 01:45:16 Virgo vs. Aquarius 01:46:50 Virgo vs. Aries 01:54:52 Virgo vs. Cancer 01:59:38 Organisation 02:06:08 Kim Kardashian 02:09:37 Rosalie and Tony's upcoming work and websites 02:17:04 Patrons and sponsors Watch the Video Version of This Episode Watch the video version of this episode on the meaning of Virgo in astrology: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-IHrby9Kzt4 - Transcript A full transcript of this episode is available: Episode 369 transcript Listen to the Audio Version of This Episode Listen to the audio version of this episode or download it as an MP3:

In episode 368 astrologer and tarot reader Joy Vernon joins Chris in the studio for a casual chat about tarot, astrology, and a number of related metaphysical topics. Joy has been practicing tarot for more than 30 years, and has organized several local groups and conferences for tarot readers. During the course of the episode we talk about Chris' recent interest in tarot, the history of the popular Rider-Waite-Smith tarot deck, the connections between astrology and tarot, and Saturn as feminine in the tree of life. For more information about Joy visit her website: JoyVernon.com This episode is available in both audio and video versions below. Timestamps 00:00:00 Intro 00:02:20 Tarot as form of divination 00:05:00 How does tarot work? 00:09:35 Astrology vs. tarot 00:13:38 Tarot symbolism 00:18:10 Joy's approach to teaching tarot 00:24:57 Joy’s role in Austin joining the forecast episodes 00:27:38 Rider-Waite-Smith deck 00:33:40 Tarot, astrology, and images 00:47:28 History of the Rider-Waite-Smith deck 00:53:35 In-person consultations 01:02:33 Self-publishing vs. traditional publishing 01:10:12 Rise of tarot/astrology blend 01:31:08 Does any divination system work? 01:40:57 Finding a system and approach 01:46:00 Saturn as feminine and the Tree of Life 02:01:37 Joy's website and programs 02:03:57 Patrons and sponsors   Watch the Video Version of This Episode Watch the video version of this episode on tarot and astrology on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IxPST2Vp2MY - Transcript A full transcript of this episode is available: Episode 368 transcript Listen to the Audio Version of This Episode Listen to the audio version of this episode or download it as an MP3:

In episode 367 astrologer Nicola Smuts Allsop joins the show to talk about fertility astrology, and how it can be used to help someone have a baby. Nicola published a book in 2018 titled Fertility Astrology: A Modern Medieval Textbook, in which she outlines some case studies where she was able to help clients to have a child using astrology. During the course of the episode we talk about some of the techniques Nicola uses in practice, how astrology should be used as an adjunct to more conventional methods rather than a replacement, and what some of the limitations are. Find out more about Nicola on her website: https://www.fertilityastrology.com This episode is available in both audio and video versions below. Timestamps 00:00:00 Intro 00:01:23 Nicola's background 00:10:04 Reasons for having children 00:12:50 Ages when fertility problems begin 00:16:20 The almuten of pregnancy 00:22:42 Indicators of fertility issues in the birth chart 00:27:22 Emotional and physical strain of fertility treatments 00:36:05 How pregnancy fits into the life narrative astrologically 00:39:35 C-sections and increase in luminaries in the 10th house 00:44:00 Nicola's holistic approach 00:47:23 Managing client expectations 00:49:55 Moon-Saturn 00:55:13 Nicola's IVF story 01:07:06 Importance of medical knowledge 01:12:57 Skepticism during consults 01:21:18 Moon-Neptune 01:23:46 Using solar arcs 01:26:55 Problems with electing a chart for a child 01:36:48 Conception charts 01:42:14 Where fertility astrology is headed 01:49:10 Issues couples have before having children 01:54:30 Understanding destiny through astrology 01:59:20 Saturn-Neptune opposition 02:00:49 Nicola's app, YouTube, website, and book 02:01:27 Patrons and sponsors Watch the Video Version of This Episode Watch the video version of this episode on fertility astrology on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fes4B6Y2al0 - Transcript A full transcript of this episode is available: Episode 367 transcript Listen to the Audio Version of This Episode You can play the audio version of this episode of the podcast directly from the website or download it as an MP3 to your device by using the buttons below:

In episode 366 astrologers Chris Brennan, Austin Coppock, and Catherine Urban look ahead at the astrology of September 2022! The September astrology forecast features Mars entering its shadow phase in the build up to a long retrograde in Gemini, Mercury going retrograde in the signs of Libra and Virgo, and a Full Moon in Pisces and New Moon in Libra. At the top of the show we talk about the astrology of recent events in the news, and then eventually get into the astrological transits for September. Austin and Catherine were in town for a big conference in Denver this weekend that was being hosted by the International Society for Astrological Research, so we decided to record this episode in person last Thursday, just before the conference began. This episode is available in both audio and video versions below. Chris, Austin, and Catherine's Websites ChrisBrennanAstrologer.com AustinCoppock.com CatherineUrban.com Solar Fire and Astro Gold Astrology Software Our sponsors this month are the Solar Fire and Astro Gold astrology software programs! Find out more about them here: TheAstrologyPodcast.com/astrology-software/ Use the promo codes AP15 and ASTROPODCAST15 to get a 15% discount! Watch the Video Version of This Episode Watch the video version of this episode on the astrology of September 2022: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QJ8F410zxmw – Transcript A full transcript of this episode is available: Episode 366 transcript Listen to the Audio Version of This Episode You can play the audio version of this episode of the podcast directly from the website or download it as an MP3 to your device by using the buttons below:

In episode 365 astrologers Chris Brennan and Leisa Schaim provide an introduction to transits in astrology, which is one of the primary timing techniques that astrologers use to make predictions. Transits relate where the planets are at in the sky now to where they are located in the birth chart, and can be used in order to study how individuals experience the quality of different phases in their life. Transits are one of the most popular techniques in astrology for predicting the future, although they can also be used to study events in the past and present. During the course of the episode we give a detailed overview of the concept of transits, talk about how they work in practice, and then later reflect on some of the philosophical ramifications of the technique. This episode is available in both audio and video versions below. More About Chris and Leisa ChrisBrennanAstrologer.com LeisaSchaim.com Timestamps 00:00:00 What are transits in astrology? 00:21:24 Studying the past, present, and future 00:53:54 How to calculate transits 01:03:44 Visualizing transits 01:17:04 Sign-based vs. degree-based transits 01:34:37 Length of transits 01:46:12 Degree-based transits and orbs 01:51:42 Different types of transits 02:12:44 Resources for interpreting transits 02:31:35 Other The Astrology Podcast episodes on transits 02:39:27 Transits are not the only timing technique 02:46:34 Understand the past to predict the future 02:51:42 What is the purpose of foreknowledge? 02:55:45 The scope and limits of astrological predictions 03:17:39 Mundane astrology and the doctrine of subsumption 03:28:23 Transits as the most compelling demonstration of astrology 03:39:12 Followup transits episode & soliciting questions 03:41:12 Wrapping up, patrons, and sponsors Watch the Video Version of This Episode https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MY_xzvznEhE – Transcript A full transcript of this episode is available: Episode 365 transcript Listen to the Audio Version of This Episode You can play the audio version of this episode of the podcast directly from the website or download it as an MP3 to your device by using the buttons below:

In episode 364 astrologer Catherine Urban joins the show to talk about the progressed lunation cycle in astrology, and how to use this timing technique to identify the seasons and phases of your life. We begin the episode by talking about the lunation cycle as a concept, how to identify the 8 distinct phases of that cycle, and find out what lunar phase you were born in. We then move into talking about how each person experiences different phases of the lunation cycle at different points in their life within the context of secondary progressions. Each person will experience a secondary progressed New Moon at some point in their life, and this will mark the beginning of a new 28 year cycle which is divided into eight sections based on the lunar phases. During the course of the episode we talk through a few different example charts and discussed what happened in people's lives around the time of a progressed New Moon, and then the ways in which there was a culmination around 14 years later at the secondary progressed Full Moon phase. The end result was a great introduction to one of the most interesting and useful timing techniques in contemporary astrology. For more about Catherine's work visit: https://www.catherineurban.com This episode is available in audio and video versions below. Timestamps 00:00:00 Intro 00:01:42 What are secondary progressions? 00:04:26 Phases of the Moon diagram 00:06:40 Moon phase in the birth chart 00:10:40 Full Moon energy 00:12:13 Moon cycle as blueprint for all planetary cycles 00:16:30 Waxing vs. waning cycles 00:19:20 Balsamic Moon 00:20:50 New Moon phase 00:21:35 Crescent Moon phase 00:22:19 First Quarter Moon phase 00:22:44 Gibbous Moon phase 00:24:10 Full Moon phase 00:25:15 Disseminating Moon phase 00:27:50 Lunar phases and seasons 00:31:15 Last Quarter Moon phase 00:31:35 Balsamic Moon (part 2) 00:32:21 Catherine's natal chart and natal moon phase 00:35:10 Chris' natal chart and natal moon phase 00:37:19 Secondary progressed lunation cycle overview 00:41:43 How to calculate the progressed moon 00:47:30 Progressed New Moon and Catherine's example 01:04:23 Progressed First Quarter Moon 01:09:20 Progressed Full Moon 01:14:58 Progressed Gibbous Moon 01:17:48 Progressed Disseminating Moon 01:20:09 Progressed Last Quarter Moon 01:24:32 Progressed Balsamic Moon 01:30:00 Chris' progressed New Moon example 01:37:40 Steve Martin progressed New Moon example 01:42:12 Bill Clinton progressed Full Moon example 01:43:18 Dave Chappelle Balsamic Moon example 01:53:16 Public scrutiny during progressed Full Moon 01:56:32 Britney Speakers Balsamic Moon example 02:08:30 Advice for Balsamic Moon phase 02:12:38 Benefits of using secondary progressions 02:13:39 Catherine's upcoming course and website 02:15:36 Patrons and sponsors Watch the Video Version of This Episode Watch the video version of this episode on progressed lunations on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nNsd8tcdeJE - Transcript A full transcript of this episode is available: Episode 364 transcript Listen to the Audio Version of This Episode You can play the audio version of this episode of the podcast directly from the website or download it as an MP3 to your device by using the buttons below:

In episode 363 astrologers Jo O'Neill, Nick Dagan Best, and Chris Brennan do a deep dive into the meaning of the zodiac sign Leo in astrology, and discuss some of the traits and characteristics associated with people who are born with that sign prominent in their birth chart. Leo is the fifth sign of the zodiac, and it is a masculine or diurnal sign, fixed, fiery, and ruled by the Sun. This is the fifth entry in a series of episodes where we do a deep dive into each of the signs of the zodiac, one per episode, in order to develop a detailed understanding of their core meaning and significations. Jo and Nick's credentials for this episode are that they both have stelliums in Leo, which include both the Sun and Ascendant in that sign. During the course of the episode we talk about different keywords and archetypes associated with Leo, and also look at some birth charts of celebrities who were born with different planets in that sign. Jo O'Neill's website: https://www.jomakerofways.com Nick Dagan Best's website: https://www.nickdaganbestastrologer.com 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 the meaning of Leo in astrology: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WpchhyWB0-Q - Transcript A full transcript of this episode is available: Episode 363 transcript Listen to the Audio Version of This Episode You can play the audio version of this episode of the podcast directly from the website or download it as an MP3 to your device by using the buttons below: