sion. They found a correlation different from the traditional astrological one. The
resulting controversy polarized modern astrology into humanistic astrology (which
opposes the mechanical determinism of the scientific school) and scientific astrology
(which claims to be empirical).
The French astrologer André Barbault wrote De la psychanalyse a l’astrologie
(1961), in which he demonstrated the similarity between the psychological determin-
ism of certain contemporary trends of psychoanalysis and the cosmic determinism of
ancient astrology. Barbault was also the first to design a computer program that
enabled astrologers to cast horoscopes. While Barbault’s work continued the tradition
of scientific astrology, a British astrologer, Sybil Leek (1923–1983), strengthened the
occultist aspect of this ancient art. Leek moved to the United States later in her life,
and through her several books, many of them on astrology, she contributed to the
spread of witchcraft (she was a “white” witch) and astrology.
More recently, a revival of astrology has occurred within the subculture
referred to as the New Age movement. The New Age began in the late 1960s in the
United States and arrived in Europe soon afterward. The New Age, which was origi-
nally called the Age of Aquarius, is conceived of in terms of astrological symbolism.
The New Age movement also draws upon a holistic vision of reality that is reminis-
cent of the unified vision of the cosmos of the ancients. The unity and correspon-
dence of micro- and macro-cosmo legitimizes the use of an ancient art that, for the
scientific milieu and for mainstream religion, is mere superstition. Today, astrological
horoscopes are included in a great majority of popular magazines and other “checkout
counter” literature. Periodical publications specializing in astrology are published all
over Europe and in the United States for all kinds of audiences, from the most popular
to the most sophisticated Although astrological charts are no longer cast for princes
and kings, and astrology is no longer used to interpret major historical and natural
phenomena, it still plays a large role in modern society. Today, astrology is the tool of
individuals for the interpretation of their everyday life, from business to love affairs. In
this form, astrology seems certain to survive into the future.
—Isotta PoggiSources:
Brau, Jean-Louis, Helen Weaver, and Allan Edmands. Larousse Encyclopedia of Astrology.New
York: New American Library, 1980.
Filbey, John, and Peter Filbey. The Astrologer’s Companion.Wellingborough, Northamptonshire,
UK: Aquarian Press, 1986.
Gettings, Fred. Dictionary of Astrology.London: Routledge & Kegan Paul, 1985.
Kitson, Annabella, ed. History and Astrology: Clio and Urania Confer.London: Mandala, 1989.
Tester, Jim. A History of Western Astrology.New York: Ballantine, 1987.
HOEN, JOYCE
Joyce Hoen was born on January 24, 1953, in the Netherlands. She taught medical
astrology at a school for natural health in the Netherlands from 1988 to 1995. During
that time, in 1991, she created and taught at the Centre of Humanistic and Transper-
THEASTROLOGYBOOK [321]
Hoen, Joyce