Today there are 3 distinct currents, historical, and contemporary, in Uranian Astrology in the United States, delineated as follows: 1) The oldest Uranian Astrology trend is in the Northeastern USA, perpetuated primarily in New York and New England. The approach there has long been defined largely by the teachings of Hans Niggemann and Richard Svehla. Niggemann and Svehla both presented Hamburg School astrology in its earlier experimental stages, as it existed during the first half of the 20th century, manifest as translations (acknowledged or not) of the work of Hermann Lefeldt and other German authors or writings from early period of Hamburg astrology. At that time, many experimental techniques, some centuries-old and resurfaced, were still being sorted through, had not been tested out thoroughly, and there was no clearly defined methodology for approaching the reading of a chart in a coherent or efficient fashion. There was still much playing with a variety of scattered techniques. Students of this trend often get lost in the maze of abundant and frequently contradictory techniques, pigeonholed in sporadic tangents and lost from the main thread in a given astrological chart, initially charmed by its mesmerizing complexity, or the romance of its historical foundations. The result often resembles a collection of scattered pieces in a jigsaw puzzle, with no coherent overview. The bulk of interpretive materials used are of the general nature of astrological interpretive materials of the 1960s and earlier, overemphasizing the negative and sensational, and based on the early observations that had been accumulated from the 1920s to the 1960s, with strong a historical orientation. The texts for this historically-oriented sect is the Rulebook for Planetary Pictures by Witte-Lefeldt, along with other materials published by Hans Niggemann. Meanwhile, with the passing of Hermann Lefeldt (in 1971), who had dominated Hamburg School astrology from the 1940s through the 1960s, a radical shift occurred in Germany, and the early experimental Lefeldt/Niggemann approach was largely supplanted in the 1970s and 1980s with approaches more focused on current research, filtering, and prioritization of techniques. This approach nonetheless has remained in wide use in the USA due to an apparent lack of interest in seeing newer materials replace the old ones. This segment has long had considerable clout in the NCGR and subsequent strong impact on American astrology. It also still has some adherents in Germany, primarily among those who own the older reference materials printed before the era of radical change. 2) Another trend developed in Southern Florida in the 1980s, with significant support at that time from the Hamburg School. It actively promoted the historical Rulebook for Planetary Pictures and computer programs preserving historical traditions. Among this circle, translations of newer materials were periodically made available, and materials remaining within the domain of the historical Hamburg School, prior to the breakoff of the School of Uranische Astrologie, were marketed with enthusiasm. This segment still maintains ties with practitioners of the traditional Hamburg School techniques in Germany, and was responsible for the distribution of a large amount of Hamburg School derivative materials during the 1980s and 1990s. 3) Toward the turn of the new century, in the Western United States, the Uranian Beacon and Uranian Institute were formed by astrologers who had continually sought new and more positive interpretations, were continually disappointed with the strong historical and commercial biases of the first two groups, and sought a new approach and a search for techniques based on current proven efficacy and observation rather than historical recordings. The internet finally provided this Third Force with affordable means to publicize its views and articles in 1999. It was born of a drive to see Uranian Astrology progress and expand in perspective, yet while also narrowing techniques to those proven to be most efficient and worthwhile in practice... to seek quality over quantity. The Beacon/Institute aligned increasingly with Hamburg astrologer Ruth Brummund and the School of Uranische Astrologie in Germany, gradually shifting away from prevailing scattered historical techniques and trends long dominant in past American versions of Uranian Astrology. The newer and more systematic approach of the School of Uranische Astrologie is based on extensive testing and exclusion of early Hamburg School methods that did not prove out well in terms of efficiency or accuracy -- and therefore radically different from the Niggemann/Lefeldt traditions. Our unifying link is pragmatism combined with consciousness, and a desire to see Uranian Astrology move forward in time and in quality. This new Third Force lays emphasis on current validation and aspiration toward the future, rather than historical sentiment. Its proponents vary in chronological age, but are all young in spirit, seeking to build a scientific astrology that also does not neglect the pragmatic psychological and metaphysical realities of life required for balance, and attempts to set functional and pragmatic standards. Our circle of associates is gradually spreading both eastward across the USA to Europe, north and south throughout the Americas, and westward toward Pacific rim nations and into Asia. We welcome you to align with our future-oriented objectives as we continue to strive to move astrology forward toward progress and the addressing of today's critical issues with answers from the here and now with today's techniques. The most effective way of doing so is to invest in and grow with the new Special Uranian Astrology software program, developed by the research-oriented Aureas Software company in Paris, in cooperation with Ruth Brummund at the School of Uranische Astrologie, and Blake Finley at the Uranian Institute. In this program, the main focus is Uranian Astrology, not historical methods with Uranian options. We have intentionally kept the program free of traditional techniques of relatively marginal value, and focused on the techniques used in Uranische Astrologie. The program now integrates the new midpoint interpretations of the 2nd edition of the Brummund Rulebook, written in German in 1990 and updated with subsequent observations -- interpretations which we are convinced will effect a revolution in Uranian Astrology not only in the USA, but worldwide. At the Uranian Institute, we have long been committed to the progressive advancement of Uranian Astrology, even prior to the establishment of the Uranian Beacon, and look forward to continuing that ever-evolving advancement, unimpaired and unhindered by stagnant or regressive energies, or attitudes that counter the advancement of sound and scientifically-oriented astrology for today and tomorrow. Please join us in this adventure in 21st Century Uranian Astrology. Information on the new Aureas Special Uranian Astrology program, designed specifically for today's Uranian techniques and interpretations, can be found by clicking here. Information on the new 21st Century Uranian Astrology classes are available at blake@www.uranian-institute.org. To avoid past problems related to covert competition from commercial interests, membership is restricted. Ruth Brummund's commentary on the current state of Uranian Astrology can be found by clicking here. [Note that the Uranian Institute is no way associated with Michael Jordan's 'Uranian Jedi Astrology'.] The statement of purpose on the Uranian Institute can be found by clicking here.
San Francisco, 2003.Oct.25 ] ] ] |
