Review of Astrological Research Methods, Volume 1

Zip Dobyns

Astrological Research Methods, Volume 1

An ISAR Anthology

Edited by Mark Pottenger

460 pages, 1995, $29.95

This book has been underway for several years, as ISAR sought to fill a major hole in the astrological literature, to provide some theories and examples of how to do astrological research to serious astrology practitioners and students. Mark wrote an outline of topics which he thought would be valuable, identified potential authors with the necessary expertise to provide the information, and then spent years trying to get the chapters written. A few weeks before the big April 1995 UAC conference, even though some unfilled holes remained, ISAR went to press with the 460 page volume. Only 100 copies were printed in the first edition, and they are already sold out. A second edition will be printed now that a copyright question on one article is settled.

The authors come from several countries and a variety of backgrounds, but all are dedicated to the goal of improving astrology through research. Françoise Gauquelin of Paris, a major figure in astrological research for some 40 years, contributed the largest number of articles, and T. Patrick Davis of Florida also wrote several articles. Other authors include the well-known German researchers Theodor Landscheidt (now in Canada) and Suitbert Ertel, Charles Harvey who was president of the Astrological Association of England for many years, statistics experts Mark Urban-Lurain and Ronald Tiggle, psychologist Glenn Perry, and the famous data collector, Lois Rodden.

As indicated by the title, additional volumes are planned to cover material not included in the first volume, but the book is a landmark effort by serious researchers in several countries. We will report when the new edition is available, and hope that any of our readers who have wanted to contribute to astrological research but have not been sure how to proceed will add the book to their library. Uranus is returning to its own sign. It is time for astrology to flower but that can only happen after it cleans its own house. I am not interested in “proving” astrology to anyone, but I do want to see a cooperative effort to “improve” astrology. For that, we need research and this book on methods is a fine start.

Copyright © 1995 Los Angeles Community Church of Religious Science, Inc.

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