as Local Space and heliocentrics. Erlewine published his own heliocentric ephemeris
in 1975 and some of his early programs were published by Hewlett-Packard.
After a centuries-old tradition of creating charts from a series of tables, not all
astrologers welcomed the computer. When Erlewine published an astrological calen-
dar in the late 1970s with a cover showing a computer with an astrological program on
its screen, he received a letter from a nationally known astrologer berating him for
associating computers with astrology. Astrologers were at that time quite computer-
phobic, even though the computer was to liberate them in such a significant way.
Matrix received the same sort of reaction when it pioneered Astro*Talk, its
series of interpretive-report-writing software. These programs printed out complete
astrological interpretation reports that astrologers could then make available to their
clients. Erlewine recalls a hot debate on these new interpretive reports at an Ameri-
can Federation of Astrologers (AFA) convention forum discussion, where one
astrologer burst into tears at the shame of allowing these computer-generated reports
to enter the field.
In the beginning, well-known astrologers would buy report-writing software
quietly, not wanting other astrologers to know they had and used them. But soon these
reports generated enormous revenue for professional astrologers, enabling them to offer
a $10–$25 report to clients who could not afford a full sit-down session. One client
reported selling more than $300,000 worth of reports from a single $300 program.
Matrix Software relocated to Big Rapids, Michigan, in 1980, where Erlewine
was joined by his astrologer/programming brother Stephen Erlewine.
Over the years, Matrix has held dozens of in-depth conferences and meetings,
featuring some of the most distinguished astrologers of the time, including Dane Rudh-
yar, Michel Gauquelin, Charles Harvey, Charles Jayne, Robert Hand, Theodor Land-
schiedt, Noel Tyl, Roger Elliot, Geoffrey Dean, John Townley, and Robert Schmidt.
In addition to its initial calculations, hi-resolution chart wheels, and report-
writing programs, Matrix Software has pioneered a number of astrological tech-
niques, including the first programs that performed simple astrological database
research and audio programs that actually spoke astrology, with interpretations avail-
able in both masculine and feminine voices. In addition, Erlewine created special
programming that offered full-motion video astro-reports, with unique spoken text,
recorded over the video for exact birth data. Matrix helped to produce the award-
winning Time-Life Astrology CD-ROM. Michael Erlewine, an early pioneer in
online and Internet content, created (at the request of Microsoft) the New-Age
Forum on MSN, as well as its own TheNewAge.com site, and helped to launch
Astro*Net on America Online.
In the late 1970s, Michael Erlewine and Charles Jayne teamed up to create
ACT (Astrological Conferences on Techniques). Originally designated by Jayne as a
meeting of the minds, by invitation only, Erlewine soon broadened this into a forum
format, where invited experts discuss cutting-edge astrological topics in front of an
audience. In these sessions, a moderator was also present and the audience was free to
participate. ACT conferences were held a number of times, including stints at confer-
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Matrix Astrological Software