advertised a free chart-reading for new subscribers. (Leo met his wife through such an
advertisement.) Although the offer and consequently the magazine proved popular,
Lacey withdrew in 1894 to pursue other interests, which left Leo as sole proprietor. He
renamed the magazine Modern Astrologyin 1895.
By 1898, the prosperity of his magazine was such that Leo was able to abandon
his sales job and give his full energies to astrology. His Modern Astrology Publishing
Company grew steadily and built up a big business in astrological materials. In the
early 1900s, he wrote seven substantial books as well as a number of short works on
astrology. His books were so popular that they were repeatedly reprinted, and after
almost a century they are still in print.
Leo founded the Astrological Lodge of the Theosophical Society in 1915. The
lodge thrived and became a permanent part of the society. His success in creating pop-
ular interest in astrology was such that he was prosecuted for “fortune-telling” twice.
In the first case, in May 1914, he was acquitted on a technicality. In the second case,
in July 1917, he was fined 25 pounds (equivalent to thousands of dollars in today’s
money). These cases were not much different from religious persecution. Some of
Leo’s friends thought these prosecutions contributed to his death (from cerebral hem-
orrhage) in 1917.Sources:
Holden, James H., and Robert A. Hughes. Astrological Pioneers of America.Tempe, AZ: Ameri-
can Federation of Astrologers, 1988.
Leo, Alan. The Art of Synthesis.9th ed. London: L.N. Fowler, 1968.
———. Astrology for All.London: L. N. Fowler, 1969.
———. Casting the Horoscope.11th ed. London: L.N. Fowler, 1969.
———. Esoteric Astrology.London: L. N. Fowler, 1967.
———. How to Judge a Nativity.London, 1903. Reprint, London: L.N. Fowler, 1969.
———. The Key to Your Own Nativity.10th ed. London: L. N. Fowler, 1969.
———. The Progressed Horoscope.1905. Reprint, London: L. N. Fowler, 1969.LEVINE, JOYCE
Joyce Levine’s career as an astrological consultant spans more than 25 years. She
received professional certification from the American Federation of Astrologers in
1979 and is certified by the National Council for Geocosmic Research (NCGR). She
serves on the boards of NCGR and the United Astrology Conference. Frequently
interviewed by the media, her picture has appeared in both the Boston Globe.
Levine also works with businesses. Businesses also have “birth charts” based
upon the date of their incorporation or the beginning of the business. These charts,
combined with the charts of key personnel, show the direction the business will take
during a particular period of time, what opportunities are available, and what prob-
lems are likely to occur.
Levine’s second business is Vizualizations publishing. Vizualizations produces
self-help and astrology meditation tapes. Through these tapes, people learn how to
improve the areas of their lives where they feel trapped or out of control, get in touchLevine, Joyce
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