Alan Leo
Alan Leo | |
---|---|
Astrologer | |
Known for | Founding modern astrology |
Alan Leo, born William Frederick Allan, (
His work stimulated a revival of astrology in the Western world after its decline at the end of the 17th century. Leo was a devout theosophist and he worked many of its religious concepts such as karma and reincarnation into his astrology. He used the Theosophical Society's vast international connections to publish, translate and disseminate his work across Europe and America.
Astrological technique and influence
Leo, who took the name of his
Thereafter, what has been more recently called "event-oriented" astrology gradually receded in favor of character analysis and vague descriptions of possible areas of psychological harmony or stress.[4]
In 1890, Leo invited
Leo's book The Art of Synthesis (1912) was a probable influence on Gustav Holst's work The Planets. In this book, Leo gave the planets descriptions such as "Mars the Energiser".[6]
Leo was a non-smoker, teetotaller and vegetarian.[7] In 1915, Leo founded the Astrological Lodge of London.[8]
Legal controversies and death
In 1914, aged 54, Leo faced prosecution against the charge that he "did unlawfully pretend to tell fortunes" through astrology. The case was dismissed for lack of evidence, but it led to Leo's belief that astrology needed to be revised to be legitimised.[9] His advice to fellow astrologers was:
Let us part company with the fatalistic astrologer who prides himself on his predictions and who is ever seeking to convince the world that in the predictive side of Astrology alone shall we find its value. We need not argue the point as to its reality, but instead make a much-needed change in the word and call Astrology the science of tendencies.[10]
In 1917 Leo stood trial again on a similar charge. Despite his insistence that he told only "tendencies" and not "fortunes", he lost his case and was fined £5 plus costs.[9]
Leo was convicted of fortune-telling on 16 July 1917.
Works
- The Astrologer's Magazine, edited by Alan Leo, Vol. IV (1894) Vol. V series 1895–.
- How to Judge a Nativity. 2 vols. 1904. Reprint, London: Modern Astrology Office, 1928.
- Astrology for All series 1903–.
- The Progressed Horoscope. London: Fowler 1906.
- Horary Astrology. London: Modern Astrology Office, 1909.
- The Key to your own Nativity. London: Modern Astrology Office, 1910.
- The Art of Synthesis. Originally published 1912 as "How to Judge a Nativity" in the Astrology for All series. London: Fowler 1968.
- Casting the Horoscope. London: Modern Astrology Office, 1912.
- Esoteric Astrology, first published 1913. Destiny Books, Rochester, Vermont, 1989. ISBN 0-89281-181-1
- Alan Leo's Dictionary of Astrology, edited and completed by Vivian E. Robson. London 1929.
- Thousand and One Notable Nativities: Astrologer's Who's Who. Publisher: L.N. Fowler & Co; 2nd edition (1917),ISBN 978-0553234145
References
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- ^ Gavin Kent McClung (June 2000). "What Makes A True Astrologer?". Dell Horoscope, pp.66–77. Extract reproduced on Solstice Point (astrologers memorial site). Archived from the original on 17 July 2012. Retrieved 10 July 2012.
- ^ Alan Leo, Volume 3 of Modern Astrology 1897–1898, p.106. (Kessinger Publishing reprint, 2003).
- ISBN 9780866904636.
- ^ a b c d e Leo, Bessie; Besant, Annie (1919). The Life and Work of Alan Leo: Theosophist—Astrologer—Mason. London: Modern Astrology Office. Retrieved 16 July 2014.
- ^ Head, R. 2009. "Holst – Astrology and Modernism in 'The Planets'". Tempo 187. pp.15–24.
- ^ "Leo, Alan [formerly William Frederick Allen". oxforddnb.com. Retrieved 14 January 2023.
- ISBN 9780852433577.
- ^ a b Deborah Houlding, 'Prediction, Providence and Power of the Self', Traditional Astrologer Magazine, vol. 17, September 1998; online at Skyscript Archived 11 February 2021 at the Wayback Machine (retrieved 11 July 2012)
- ISBN 9781855851368