Within Orb

014 | Maeg Keane: Plants as Astrological Teachers

Astrologer and herbalist Maeg Keane joins host Jenn Zahrt from Salem, MA in a conversation centered around plant and planet devotion work and how to bring the stars closer! Maeg offers a wonderful list of books (including one that is yet to be born) and also sinks into the power of words through hymn. Plus: emulating the ancients, star omens, and drinking rose tea to cozy up to Venus!
 
View full show notes at our Within Orb pod page!
Learn more about the CAELi Institute.
Visit our bookshop.org page to support CAELi and purchase books mentioned on the show!
Become a CAELi member or renew your membership!
Love the show? Support our work with a financial contribution or book donation.
Follow CAELi on FB, IG, and YouTube.
Transcripts available upon request.
Song “Wake Up” used with permission by The E-Block Band.
 
*****
 
Episode timestamps (conversation recorded August 2023):
 
00:51 – Maeg kicks us off with a big, “Thank you, Aurora!” The first astrology book they ever read was Lesbian Love Signs: An Astrological Guide to Women Loving Women by Aurora. The introduction of synastry and how to better understand our partners through astrology was a big plus for Maeg.
 
07:11 – The first book that Maeg would save from their burning house would be Babylonian Star-lore: An Illustrated Guide to the Star-lore and Constellations of Ancient Babylonia by Gavin White. Maeg reaches for this book every time they sit down to write!
 
14:55 – Next, Maeg mentions Astronomicon by Marcus Manilius, because they love his inclusion for the guardians of the signs. (Maeg gets extra points for here for calling Manilius a beloved weirdo – LOL!)
 
22:08 – Visit our sponsor: JD Kelley’s AstroMagia Online Conference (November 16-18, 2023)!
 
23:06 – An embryo book! Maeg’s third selection is a book that is yet to be published: Kristin Mathis’s spirit-led work on the Orphic Hymns. (Visit Kristin’s Substack page.) Maeg loves this one, which is like a prayer book; tune in to hear Maeg read the hymn to the Moon. (And we can all look forward to Revelore Press publishing this one!)
 
37:23 – Which books for beginners would Maeg recommend? Chani Nicholas gets the nod, with her wonderful primer You Were Born for This: Astrology for Radical Self-Acceptance. It’s one to whet the appetite without getting bogged down in astro-jargon.
 
39:38 – Find Maeg at https://www.third-sister.com/. They are also on Instagram (link on their site). And be sure to sign up for Maeg's newsletter!
 
40:23 – 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 by Jen Braun, JJ Boots Productions LLC.

013 | Matt Trease: Poetic Inspiration, Star Work, & Paying Attention

Astrologer and poet Matt Trease joins host Jenn Zahrt from Seattle, lyrically encouraging us to take note of the world around us and test astrology against our lived experience! Matt and Jenn dive into a variety of astro topics, from open mic nights, to Chandra symbols, to Saturn-Pluto times, to engaging with ancient texts, to omen-divination in early Babylon. All that, plus: hatching escape plans during a twelfth-house year, divination and getting oriented on our own personal maps, and… remember the TV show LOST??
View full show notes at our Within Orb pod page!
Learn more about the CAELi Institute.
Visit our bookshop.org page to support CAELi and purchase books mentioned on the show!
Become a CAELi member or renew your membership!
Love the show? Support our work with a financial contribution or book donation.
Follow CAELi on FB, IG, and YouTube.
Transcripts available upon request.
Song “Wake Up” used with permission by The E-Block Band.
 
*****
 
Episode timestamps (conversation recorded July 2023):
 
00:31 – Matt kicks us off with one of his bibliomantically-composed poems! Thanks, Matt!
 
05:37 – The first astro book that Matt ever read was Inside Degrees: Developing Your Soul Biography Using the Chandra Symbols by Ellias Lonsdale.
 
08:52 – The first book that Matt would bring to a desert island would be Carmen Astrologicum by Dorotheus of Sidon, translated by Benjamin Dykes. The mystery of the elements and having a set of mitigating factors is what draws Matt to this one.
 
10:48 – Next, Matt would bring Persian Nativities III: Abu Ma'shar on Solar Revolutions by Abu Ma'shar, also translated by Benjamin Dykes. There is a richness to this book, and explanations of the symbolic repetitions of time make this green text a winner!
 
13:27 – Finally, Matt would pack An Astrological Mandala: The Cycle of Transformations and Its 360 Symbolic Phases by Dane Rudhyar. This hard-to-find classic is all about the Sabian symbols, and a great resource.
 
15:17 – Visit our sponsor: Rod Suskin School of Astrology!
 
16:06 – Which books for beginners would Matt recommend? First, he suggests getting a journal of some kind (via Chani Nicholas or the Honeycomb Collective, for example), and tracking how astrology works in your own life.  He also suggests picking up Bruce Scofield’s The Nature of Astrology: History, Philosophy, and the Science of Self-Organizing Systems. This recent book gives a good framework for how astrology is both art and science, and how we need to come back to our own lived experience. The bibliography is great, too! Finally, Cosmos and Psyche by Richard Tarnas – especially the non-jargon intro, which offers a philosophical framework for astrology.
 
24:10 – Any final books to share? For traditional techniques, Matt mentions Demetra George’s most recent tome, Ancient Astrology in Theory and Practice.
 
28:41 – Find Matt at https://www.intransitastrology.com. Learn about poetry readings on offer at https://www.marginshift.org/. And to find his poetry, he suggests searching “Matt Trease poet.”
 
23:42 – 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 by Jen Braun, JJ Boots Productions LLC.

012 | Janelle Belgrave: So Above, So Below

Astrologer and licensed acupuncturist Janelle Belgrave beams in from New York to chat astrology books with CAELi’s Jenn Zahrt! Don’t miss this brief but busy conversation, which runs the gamut from Janelle’s beloved texts, to writing horoscopes for thousands, to the similarities between astrology and acupuncture, to Saturn’s role as the natal glue in relationships. Plus: Princess Leia makes an entrance; relaxing the gaze and checking the weather; and why ending and failure aren’t the same thing!
 
View full show notes at our Within Orb pod page!
Learn more about the CAELi Institute.
Visit our bookshop.org page to support CAELi and purchase books mentioned on the show!
Become a CAELi member or renew your membership!
Love the show? Support our work with a financial contribution or book donation.
Follow CAELi on FB, IG, and YouTube.
Transcripts available upon request.
Song “Wake Up” used with permission by The E-Block Band.
 
*****
 
Episode timestamps (conversation recorded July 2023):
 
00:31 – Janelle is not only an astrologer, but also a licensed acupuncturist, herbalist, clairvoyant intuitive, meditation instructor, and podcaster! The first starry book she ever read? The timeless classic from Linda Goodman, Love Signs: A New Approach to the Human Heart. Did it make Janelle a hit at the middle school lunch table? You betcha it did!
 
02:03 – If Janelle were in an isolated, remote location, what books would she want with her? This self-proclaimed nerd first mentions author Sue Tompkins, with not only one, but two texts: The Contemporary Astrologer’s Handbook and Aspects in Astrology: A Guide to Understanding Planetary Relationships in the Horoscope. The latter is a wonderful one because it’s theoretical and helps as a guide through problem-solving; it’s not just about rote memorization.
 
03:51 – The second book Janelle would bring is Chris Brennan’s Hellenistic Astrology: The Study of Fate and Fortune. This info-packed tome helps to fill in any gaps in knowledge!
 
07:20 – Sneaking in two books onto the list, Janelle next loves A Wonderbook of True Astrological Case Files by Judith Hill and Andrea Gehrz. The real-life case examples are intriguing and helpful! Also on the list: Helena Avelar and Luis Ribeiro’s On the Heavenly Spheres – making the cut for the second week in a row! This one offers the nuts and bolts of traditional astrology, and is a must-have textbook in any astrological library.
 
09:31 – Baby birds gotta fly! For beginners, Janelle mentions The Inner Sky by astrologer and lyrical storyteller Steven Forrest – a beloved book for many. Next, The Only Astrology Book You'll Ever Need by Joanna Martine Woolfolk, which is a wonderful selection for newbies. And finally, April Elliott Kent’s The Essential Guide to Practical Astrology, which Janelle believes would be helpful for new astrologers.
 
12:25 – Visit our sponsor: Rod Suskin School of Astrology!
 
13:13 – Janelle also shares the astrology books that have grabbed her attention at the moment! When Stars Collide by Paul Westran is a fascinating study of couples and how secondary progressions impact the relationship. Tune in, as this kicks off a great chat around what to consider when it comes to relationships!
 
22:20 – Janelle is also currently reading Mapping the Psyche Volume 1: The Planets and the Zodiac by Clare Martin, which is a great read to learn about the symbols and other basic building blocks of astrological language.
 
23:42 – 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 by Jen Braun, JJ Boots Productions LLC.

011 | Elodie St-Onge-Aubut: Astrology as a Divinatory Moment

Astrologer and French Canadian Elodie St-Onge-Aubut joins host Jenn Zahrt from Newfoundland to offer a wide-ranging survey of books! This power-packed convo spans from archaeo-astronomy to modern psychological astrology to renaissance horary, and more. Case studies, bones as timekeepers, reading the dictionary for fun as a child, and museums of bad graphic design also take the stage! Plus: the ontology of birth, healing by electricity, and… how can “wrong” charts be so right?!
View full show notes at our Within Orb pod page!
Learn more about the CAELi Institute.
Visit our bookshop.org page to support CAELi and purchase books mentioned on the show!
Become a CAELi member or renew your membership!
Love the show? Support our work with a financial contribution or book donation.
Follow CAELi on FB, IG, and YouTube.
Transcripts available upon request.
Song “Wake Up” used with permission by The E-Block Band.
 
*****
 
Episode timestamps (conversation recorded July 2023):
 
00:31 – Jenn and Elodie kick off the episode to set you up with a robust personal astrological library! First up: The initial astrology book that Elodie read? Robert Hand’s Horoscope Symbols. (And no, the internet doesn’t count, LOL!)
 
03:15 – Lots of texts made Elodie’s list of books that had a big impact on her astrology practice. But the first one mentioned? The Moment of Astrology: Origins in Divination by Geoffrey Cornelius. It’s a philosophical book that Elodie could read over and over, and the divinatory lens speaks volumes to her.
 
08:16 – Elodie’s list also includes A History of Western Astrology Volume 1: The Ancient World by Nicholas Campion. It’s a well-researched and academic reading, but one where Nick’s passion for astrology shines through.
 
10:18 – Next up: The Encyclopaedia of Medical Astrology by H.L. Cornnell. Elodie finds that this tome (almost 1,000 pages!) makes you think and apply your own observations. Tune in for Jenn and Elodie’s great discussion of case studies and some thoughts on how and why the author emphasized the outer planets… at a time when they’d been newly discovered!
 
16:19 – Visit our sponsor: Rod Suskin School of Astrology!
 
17:07 – Other books that had an impact include John Frawley’s The Horary Textbook, with its efficient, no-nonsense approach to horary. Also, The Houses: Temples of the Sky by Deborah Houlding, which is a must-have in one’s personal library.
 
20:20 – Any books that Elodie would like to share from the French-speaking world? Pluton, which was published in the late 1970s. Also, Le Calendrier Luni-Solaire Paléolithique de Sergeac Décodé by archaeo-astronomer Chantal Jègues, which includes fascinating info about notches on bones as a clock!
 
25:18 – For beginners, Elodie selects anything by storyteller and astrological titan Liz Greene. Also, Predictive Astrology: The Eagle and the Lark by Bernadette Brady. Helena Avelar and Luis Ribeiro’s On the Heavenly Spheres is a wonderful reference book. And finally, James R. Lewis’s Astrology Encyclopedia gets a nod.
 
30:46 – But wait, there’s more! The Greatness of Saturn: A Therapeutic Myth by Robert Svoboda. The Astrology of Sexuality by Martin Schulman. The Astrological Body Types by Judith Hill. Cycles of Becoming: The Planetary Pattern of Growth by Alexander Ruperti. And finally, The Daimon in Hellenistic Astrology: Origins and Influence by Dorian Gieseler Greenbaum.
 
32:24 – 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 by Jen Braun, JJ Boots Productions LLC.

010 | Adam Sommer: Holes to Heavens

Astrologer and podcaster Adam Sommer hops across the pond and sits down with host and literary midwife Jenn Zahrt to chat books, podcasting, and how to trojan horse astrology into your grey matter! Come build a fort with giant astrology books and enjoy some meandering detours: how old-school telephones were once used to record Adam’s podcast in the days of yore (his 13-year-old show was originally called Exploring Astrology, and is now called Astrology & the Hermetic Arts: Holes to Heavens); starting things while Venus is retrograde; living in Liz Greene’s backyard; and footnoting Saturn’s sense of humor.
View full show notes at our Within Orb pod page!
Learn more about the CAELi Institute.
Visit our bookshop.org page to support CAELi and purchase books mentioned on the show!
Become a CAELi member or renew your membership!
Love the show? Support our work with a financial contribution or book donation.
Follow CAELi on FB, IG, and YouTube.
Transcripts available upon request.
Song “Wake Up” used with permission by The E-Block Band.
 
*****
 
Episode timestamps (conversation recorded July 2023):
 
00:46 – Let’s dive right in, and hear all about the first astrology book that Adam ever read: Cosmos and Psyche by Richard Tarnas. The second one was Pluto: The Evolutionary Journey of the Soul by Jeff Green.
 
12:18 – The first two books that Adam would take into apocalyptic exile would be the formerly mentioned Cosmos and Psyche, followed by Mundane Astrology by Michael Baigent, Nicholas Campion, and Charles Harvey.
 
14:01 – Visit our sponsor: Rod Suskin School of Astrology!
 
14:49 – What is Adam’s third selection? The Planets Within: The Astrological Psychology of Marsilio Ficino by Thomas Moore. This book is food for the soul!
 
27:00 – What book for beginners would Adam recommend? The Planets Within would come first, because it’s chock full of information. But The Inner Sky by Steven Forrest also makes the cut!
 
28:03 – Adam mentions one final book of historical fiction before we depart: Liz Greene’s The Dreamer of the Vine: A Novel About Nostradamus. Very intriguing!
 
31:55 – 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 by Jen Braun, JJ Boots Productions LLC.

009 | Mj Patterson: Tools of the Trade

Astrologer Mj Patterson, founder and director of the Halifax Astrology School, spoons up good news as she joins host Jenn Zahrt! The two chat about Mj’s initiatives related to the Red Seal Program, which will make astrology an official trade in Canada! Eavesdrop in the secret, underground tunnel to learn about the books that shaped Mj’s practice as well as her student- and experiential-centered approach toward learning. Plus: the tidal “boar,” Pangea’s bellybutton, and … why do some people feel like sandpaper up the nose?
View full show notes at our Within Orb pod page!
Learn more about the CAELi Institute.
Visit our bookshop.org page to support CAELi and purchase books mentioned on the show!
Become a CAELi member or renew your membership!
Love the show? Support our work with a financial contribution or book donation.
Follow CAELi on FB, IG, and YouTube.
Transcripts available upon request.
Song “Wake Up” used with permission by The E-Block Band.
 
*****
 
Episode timestamps (conversation recorded August 2023):
 
00:45 – How exciting to hear about Mj’s initiatives to put astrology on the map in Canada!
 
07:25 – Three cheers for the “Debbie Hyphen” story! Mj loves Secrets From a Stargazer’s Notebook: Making Astrology Work for You by Debbi Kempton-Smith. This fun and sassy read has been called, “the definitive lazy person’s guide to astrology.” LOL – sign us up!
 
10:22 – Another book that Mj was drawn to: The Light of Venus: Embracing Your Deeper Feminine, Empowering Our Shared Future by Adam Gainsburg. Need help unlocking your Venus placement and understanding phase buddies? Then this one might be for you.
 
13:06 – If Mj only had a small satchel to bring to a remote location, which book would she pack? The Only Way to Learn Astrology, Vol. 3: Horoscope Analysis by Marion D. March and Joan McEvers. Is it the green one? Yes. Is it filled with metaphorical gold? Yes! And how wonderful that Jenn happens to be sitting next to the room where Marion’s research is housed – go, CAELi!
 
15:17 – Visit our sponsor: CAELi’s Fertility Astrology Intensive!
 
16:17 – What is Mj’s second official book pick? The Round Art: The Astrology of Time and Space by A.T. Mann. This book has everything, including stunning artwork! It also has a novel approach to rectification at the back.
 
19:05 – Who is the Capricorn young man from Toronto with black hair? Mj’s third pick is Steven Forrest’s The Inner Sky. Gotta admire someone who understands the signs as verbs!
 
22:29 – What book for beginners would Mj recommend? Once again, Secrets From a Stargazer’s Notebook gets the hat tip. Also, anything by John Frawley or André Barbault (the latter for his work in mundane astrology). And tune in for a riveting discussion of the charts of Canada, and why Mj gave us a chuckle at the “secret a**hole” chart!
 
29:54 – The final honorable mention goes to Chris Brennan’s Hellenistic Astrology Hellenistic Astrology: The Study of Fate and Fortune. Mj admires the wonderful index in this book, too!
 
30:50 – 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 by Jen Braun, JJ Boots Productions LLC.

008 | Cameron Allen: Astrological Authenticity & Depth

Astrologer and herbalist Cameron Allen brings a cannonball to the depths of our souls! Joining in from Memphis, TN, Cameron chats with our host Jenn Zahrt about his favorite books, his work with plants, and embodying astrology with a spiritual essence. Breathe, take a break, and allow yourself to get back in your body with this one. Plus: exchanging astrology readings for sandwiches, celestial agriculture, and the deep self.
View full show notes at our Within Orb pod page!
Learn more about the CAELi Institute.
Visit our bookshop.org page to support CAELi and purchase books mentioned on the show!
Become a CAELi member or renew your membership!
Love the show? Support our work with a financial contribution or book donation.
Follow CAELi on FB, IG, and YouTube.
Transcripts available upon request.
Song “Wake Up” used with permission by The E-Block Band.
 
*****
 
Episode timestamps (conversation recorded August 2023):
 
01:00 – Cameron, an ISAR board director, shares his love of holistic health, medical astrology, and predictive techniques!
 
04:30 – Cameron shares how astrology entered his brain in book format, kicking it off with Pluto: The Evolutionary Journey of the Soul, Volume 1 by Jeffrey Wolf Green.
 
08:19 – If Cameron were stranded somewhere and wanted to bring along astrology books, what would he choose? His first selection is Evolutionary Herbalism: Science, Spirituality, and Medicine from the Heart of Nature by Sajah Popham.
 
11:32 – Cameron’s second pick is Healing the Soul: Pluto, Uranus and the Lunar Nodes by Mark Jones. He has even recommended it to non-astrologers to help folks learn about the deep self!
 
16:36 – Visit our sponsor: CAELi’s Fertility Astrology Intensive!
 
20:15 – The final shout-out in Cameron’s series goes to Mychal A. Bryan’s new release, Mastering Traditional Astrology: A Depth of Beginning in the Celestial Art. Cameron finds it both poetic and concrete – a lovely combination!
 
24:58 – To help someone get on the pathway of the stars, what astrology book for beginners would Cameron recommend? Steering folks to evolutionary astrology, he’d suggest Jeffrey Wolf Green, Mark Jones, or Steven Forrest – with the caveat of letting him know if these books don’t connect. (Cameron would help steer you in a different direction to find the astrology books that work for you!)
 
33:55 – 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 by Jen Braun, JJ Boots Productions LLC.

007 | Aerin Fogel: Awestruck through Star & Song

Meet astrologer and musician Aerin Fogel, as she joins host Jenn Zahrt this week! Tune in to hear Aerin’s unique book picks, which are music to our ears. Learn all about how music and astrology are intertwined for Aerin – and enjoy a clip from her new album, “Year 8”! Plus: Venus Fest (hint: it’s not necessarily about women!); a life-affirming, shared sense of awe; and… are Capricorns always on schedule?
View full show notes at our Within Orb pod page!
Learn more about the CAELi Institute.
View the books mentioned on our bookshop.org page. (By purchasing books through this site, you help support CAELi!)
Become a CAELi member or renew your membership!
Love the show? Support our work with a financial contribution or book donation!
Coming soon: Read a full transcript of this episode.
Follow CAELi on FB, IG, and YouTube.
Song “Wake Up” used with permission by The E-Block Band.
 
*****
 
Episode timestamps (conversation recorded July 2023):
 
01:00 – Aerin’s musical project is called Queen of Swords. (Is it a metal band? Nope.) A big thanks to Aerin for sharing a clip of her music! Also, Aerin is a community builder, and we’re delighted to hear all about Venus Fest! [Aerin’s music clip used with permission.]
 
04:18 – Aerin got her start in AstrologyLand with the book The Only Astrology Book You’ll Ever Need… the yellow one, with the interactive CD-ROM. Love how Aerin and Jenn dive into Aerin’s first experience consulting an astrologer, and how the tables were turned later in her life. [Note: Some books mentioned are available on our bookshop.org page! By purchasing books through this site, you help support CAELi – woot!]
 
14:07 – Visit our sponsor: CAELi’s Fertility Astrology Intensive!
 
15:05 – What astrology books would Aerin bring with her to a remote location? Pick #1 – because she just started reading it and would like to finish it! – is Vettius Valens: The Anthology (Mark Riley translation, edited by Chris Brennan).
 
17:33 – Aerin’s second choice is Demetra George’s Mysteries of the Dark Moon. Aerin finds this a book with deep meaning, connecting her to a larger soul purpose.
 
22:32 – Aerin’s final remote-location pick is Cosmos and Psyche by Richard Tarnas, a book which examines some larger cycles throughout human history. Isn’t it cool how reading the same book multiple times can bring new insights?
 
28:01 – What astrology book for beginners would Aerin recommend? The popular You Were Born for This by Chani Nicholas gets the green light! But Aerin also recommends a newcomer to our list: Astrology’s Twelve Great Myths: The Twisted Archetypes of a Dominator Culture by Julie Simmons, which you can find as an e-book. (Runners up include Hellenistic Astrology by Chris Brennan, and Ancient Astrology in Theory and Practice, Vol. 1 by Demetra George. But a word of caution: Both would need a foundation first, so start with Chani or Julie!)
 
33:55 – 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 by Jen Braun, JJ Boots Productions LLC.