Page 27 - Talented Astrologer • Volume 2 Number 1 • Winter 2019

historical and astrological, it’s quite difficult to integrate. Many neo- traditional astrologers can cite chapter and verse dropping names like Valens and Dorotheus and Bonatti, while throwing shade on the unfashionably modern (17th century) work of William Lilly, but most of this is academic pontificating. There’s precious little application or exploration of the practical value of the ideas.
Chris Brennan began his studies of Hellenistic astrology in at Kepler College in 2004. In 2017, Brennan published his first book, Hellenistic Astrology: The Study of Fate and Fortune. This book is a Rosetta Stone for anyone serious about exploring Hellenistic astrology. Brennan bridges the gap between traditional tools and modern applications. He makes sure that present day astrologers understand the connection between the more archaic terms (such as “place” or “domicile”) and the more modern terms (“house”). It’s definitely a textbook — don’t expect to be able to take this with you to read at the beach — but it’s also a significant contribution to the astrological canon. It’s my go-to resource for any questions about traditional tools, their origins, and applications.
The Future of Astrology: What’s Next?
The Renaissance period in European history signaled the end of the Dark Ages. During the Renaissance, scholars rediscovered
classical philosophy, literature, and art. But they didn’t just copy these forgotten principles; they began to incorporate
them into their modern perspectives. They considered each idea and explored how it was relevant to modern life. I believe that we’re just entering this
stage of the astrological renaissance. Now that we’ve rediscovered the lost history of astrology we can begin
to consider how those ideas, tools, and techniques can be used today.
Today’s astrologers have access to more data, more tools, and more information than ever before. The task before us is to begin to make sense of it. The historical context can help us to understand the original intentions of the tools of astrology, and from there, we can begin to use those tools with greater confidence and skill.
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