Church of Light views itself as an outgrowth of the Brotherhood of Light, which it
says separated from Egyptian theocracy in 2400 B.C.E. and subsequently became a
secret order.
The Church of Light teaches that there is only one religion—the laws of
nature. Astrology is emphasized as a vehicle for interpreting the laws of nature,
although all occult sciences are recognized. The core teaching of the church is con-
tained in 21 courses. After completion, members are given a Hermetic certificate. The
church stresses service to others.
The Church of Light is important to the history of astrology in the United
States. The church was one of the few organizations offering high-quality correspon-
dence courses in astrology in the early twentieth century, and many older contempo-
rary astrologers studied with the church.
Sources:
Astrological Research & Reference Encyclopedia.2 vols. Los Angeles: Church of Light, 1972.
Burgoyne, Thomas H. The Light of Egypt.2 vols. Albuquerque: Sun Publishing Company, 1980.
Wagner, H. O., comp. A Treasure Chest of Wisdom.Denver: H. O. Wagner, 1967.
CIRCE
Circe, asteroid 34 (the 34th asteroid to be discovered, on April 6, 1855), is approxi-
mately 112 kilometers in diameter and has an orbital period of 4.4 years. Circe was
named after the Greek enchantress who detained Odysseus on her island. She was a
sorceress known for her knowledge of magic and poisonous herbs. According to
Martha Lang-Wescott, Circe represents where one facilitates and assists others, as well
as where one seeks help. This asteroid’s key word is rescue.According to J. Lee
Lehman, Circe has a magical and temptress side and indicates where one has the
power to influence others, for good or for bad. Jacob Schwartz gives the astrological
significance of this asteroid as “a heterosexual woman hating men but dependent on
them sexually, but rescuing those in need of assistance.”
Sources:
Lang-Wescott, Martha. Asteroids-Mechanics: Ephemerides II.Conway, MA: Treehouse Moun-
tain, 1990.
———. Mechanics of the Future: Asteroids.Rev. ed. Conway, MA: Treehouse Mountain, 1991.
Lehman, J. Lee. The Ultimate Asteroid Book.West Chester, PA: Whitford, 1988.
Schwartz, Jacob. Asteroid Name Encyclopedia.St. Paul, MN: Llewellyn Publications, 1995.
CLARK, VERNONE.
Vernon E. Clark was born August 29, 1911, in Baltimore, Maryland. He studied art at
the Maryland Institute of Art and at Columbia University Teachers College, and grad-
uated from Columbia University. He practiced as a clinical psychologist in the U.S.
Army, at Downey Veterans Hospital, and, after 1950, from his home.
In 1927, Clark became interested in astrology and joined the American Feder-
ation of Astrology in 1959. He served as a trustee of the American Federation of
THEASTROLOGYBOOK [159]
Clark, Vernon E.