Dmitri Shostakovich: Music for Interesting Times
Produced works of genius in the midst of unbelievable obstacles, or did the obstacles produce his work of genius? Part of “Exemplary Individuals” series.
The Past Darkly: Divine Comedy’s Historical Background
What follows is an overview and timeline I wish I had when I first started reading the Divine Comedy. Because the poem relates closely to its cultural, political, and spiritual background, it’s good to have some broad strokes.
Hannah Arendt: Political Life (and its Demise) in the Modern Era
Latest in the series on exemplary people relevant to our times, here’s Hannah Arendt – political philosopher, essayist, and teacher — and witness to dark times during her lifetime. She left us with tools to help us to do better now.
George Orwell: A Man for Our Season
2017 has been Orwell’s year, more than was 1984. Here we look at the creator of “Newspeak”, “doublethink”, and the “orwellian nightmare.”
Rachel Carson and the Birth of Environmentalism
Environmentalism is no longer just about conserving tracts of nature but has become a vision of the entire planet. Carson’s work started this and her influence will persist well into the future. Let’s look at her astrology.
Astrological Dream Journey
For a welcome change of pace, we will examine the lives of exemplary people using astrology. Four Wednesday nights this ummer in Arlington Ma.
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William Blake: The Road Taken
Continuing the series of most admired individuals and timed for “National Poetry Month” in the US, here’s an astrological profile of the great English poet and artist.
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“Recurring and Evolving Soul in Astrology” Begins April 27
From Kepler College, a discerning look at the trends of spiritual astrology since the theosophical movements, with specific focus on Alice Bailey.
Begins Thursday April 27.
Chaucer’s Wife of Bath Needs a New Astrological Chart
The Wife of Bath from Geoffrey Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales, was, and continues to be, one of Chaucer’s most vivid and enigmatic creations. Lately I have revisited her Prologue and Tale, her character, circumstances, and use of astrology that reflects more of her character and circumstances.
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Eleanor Roosevelt our Contemporary
These days we should remind ourselves of qualities we admire and those people who exemplify them. It seems timely to begin a new series of profiles on individuals who hold us to a higher standard of decency, who may inspire us.
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Calling and the Soul’s Transformations for 2017
It is a narrow view of soul that confines it to the individual and the world of the personal psyche and this course surveys the soul’s total environment, its interactions with its world –or worlds. Thursdays beginning Jan. 26
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Machiavelli, the Malignancy of Fortune, and the Modern Age
These difficult times are good times to ask fundamental questions about politics and our lives. As one of the great political voices and ideological builders of the modern age these are times to explore Niccolò Machiavelli — his life and his astrology– and The Prince.
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About Joseph Crane
Joseph Crane is a teacher and writer of astrology and an astrological consultant with decades of experience in the field. “I teach and write about astrology with reverence for its culture and traditions and as part of the wisdom traditions of the West. As an astrological consultant, I help people understand their current life situations in context and provide paths of activity that help resolve immediate issues and forward their life purpose.” 