Let’s take a brief but loving journey through history of astrology and look at some of key players in development of field. After all, you have to know your players!

Astrology as we know it came into being in ancient Chaldea/Bablyon (roughly modern Iraq) around 1645 BC with first “horoscope” dating around 410 BC. “Astrology as we know it” means procedure of consulting stars to pick favorable times for doing things, answering questions, forecasting mundane events and analyzing individual destiny by a horoscope. Interestingly, Rising Sign was first used for predictions, though sometimes Sun, Moon or Part of Fortune was used as well.

Ptolemy Astrological progress was also made in Egypt, Greece and Rome. Ptolemy (85-165 CE) in Greece was perhaps our first famous unique astrologer and of course he is known for many other things as well.

Copernicus and Galileo Skipping ahead through Dark Ages in Europe, there were two famous men who emerged during Renaissance who practiced astrology, Copernicus (1473-1543) and Galileo (1564-1642). Both these men are famous in scientific field, but at one time there was a comfortable and natural association between astronomy and astrology, exoteric and esoteric of stars, if you will. In 1524 credibility of astrology was severely and permanently affected when predictions about “great conjunction” that year failed to come true.

Oddly, resurgence of interest in astrology today can be dated to birth of England’s Princess Margaret in 1930. That year “London Sunday Express” ran an astrological profile of princess that was so popular, it peaked a general interest in astrology and from this developed your newspaper’s “daily horoscope”, not that daily horoscopes have much to recommend them.

This is a beautiful little bit of circular history (the more things change, more they stay same) because originally astrology was used only for royals. Others like serfs, slaves and peasants did not have much to their “fate” other than a life that was “nasty, brutish and short”. But fate of a nation hung on destiny of its ruler and his or her horoscope was a critical interest to all.

Evangeline Adams The first astrologer of modern interest is very interesting indeed Evangeline Adams (1868?-1933). Adams, who lied about her birth date, was considered “Mother of Modern Astrology”. She was a colorful figure who practiced in New York City during first half of 20th century. Adams became famous because she predicted a hotel would catch fire. When she was put on trial, she insisted that astrology itself be put on trial. Astrology won! Adams asked for horoscope of judge’s son and told him things about his own son that convinced him of veracity of this field. Adams’ life is fascinating and there are many biographies, anecdotes and discussions about her in magazines like “The Mountain Astrologer” and online. Among her clients are reputed to have been John Pierpont Morgan and Enrico Caruso.

Dane Rudhyar Dane Rudhyar (1895-1985), considered by some to be greatest astrologer who ever lived, was a tremendous force in development of humanistic and spiritual astrology in 60s and 70s, beginning interface of astrology with psychology that so enriched our field. Rudhyar’s essays and discussions are well worth reading today. Of particular interest in my opinion are his writings about relationship between Sun and Moon. Rudhyar’s book: “Lunation Cycle: Key to Understanding of Personality” is a classic addition to any astrologer’s library.

Ivy Goldstein-Jacobson An unforgettable force in field of astrology of a very different nature was Ivy Goldstein-Jacobson (1893-1990). With her professional precision and purity, Goldstein-Jacobson restored tools and techniques of modern astrology. Perhaps her most famous book is “Simplified Horary Astrology”.

Reinhold Ebertin Reinhold Ebertin (1901-1988), his mother Elsbeth and his son Baldur, have been a major force in both German and international astrology since beginning of century. Ebertin’s work with midpoints has been influential in developing an understanding of transits and prediction. His book to read is “Combination of Stellar Influences”.

In my family, it was not an easy thing to be interested in good health. Believe it or not, being interested in health opened me to ridicule. Adele Davis, a pioneer in health food community, was just beginning to write books like, “Let’s Eat Right to Keep Fit”. My father called her a “health food nut” and downed another piece of rare roast beef, two martinis, French fries and a Caesar salad, chased with a chain of PallMalls

My grandparents lived past 95 in excellent health. My parents died at 58 and 60. They cut more than 35 years off those wonderful genes with their lifestyle.

These are principles I advocate for a lifetime of good health.

1.It’s your health. 2.Your physical health and your mental health are same thing. 3.Be yourself.

Let me explain each one with some examples.

#1 It’s your health.

Ladies and gentlemen, it is your health. It’s not doctor’s health or government’s health. It’s your health and it’s your responsibility to keep yourself healthy.

The Greeks had a wonderful saying about this, “After 30, every man is his own doctor.”

If, by time you’re 30, you don’t understand your own body and what makes it work, there is no power on earth that can save you from yourself.

•If there are some things that run in your family you’d like to change, learn about DNA reprogramming and healing with The Sunhealer at www.sunhealer.com

•Jesus is one of many great healers through ages. The first question Jesus asked a sick person was, “Do you want to be healed?” Ask yourself this question. Listen to your answer.

•Food is preventive medicine or slow poison. Please learn about your own body; take time to educate yourself about nutrition; and avoid white sugar and white flour as if your life depended on it.

•Know your stress points. When you’re under stress, what’s first thing in your body to “go”? Is it your stomach, headaches, your back? From now on, this will be your flagship. Your body knows before you do, it’s time to make a change.

#2 Your physical health and your mental health are same thing.

This principle is nifty for self healing because you can come at a problem either through mind or through body.

•If you’re feeling depressed, you can take Yoga and by putting your body into positions of self confidence and life force energy, your spirits will lift.

•If your stomach is tied up in knots all time and you have chronic anxiety, you can raise in your consciousness idea of self acceptance and concept that you are safe and wanted in world and these symptoms will disappear.

•You can make changes in physical world, such as leaving an abusive spouse and your mental and physical health will improve.

•The easiest and fundamental connection between mind (mental health) and body (physical health) is breath. When we breath consciously, no negative emotion can be present. Simple but profound, this is one of great secrets of meditation.

#3 Be yourself.