Sunday 16 January 2011

Uranian Astrology

Introduction to Uranian Astrology

For at least three millennia, astrology has been evolving. The body of knowledge grew out of pragmatic experience. The last three centuries brought accelerated growth because the telescope allowed man to discover Uranus, then Neptune and then Pluto. Each time a new planet was seen, astrologers had to learn what the new body represented in a person’s horoscope and what it represented in the mundane affairs of mankind. The last 30 years have brought an explosion of information concerning asteroids and comets. Astrologers have learned about these newly discovered celestial bodies by studying horoscopes: natal, progressed, directed, and mundane. Some astrologers, satisfied with what they already knew, refused to accept or to learn about new celestial influences or new techniques.

Through the centuries, styles have changed. Techniques such as Arabic Parts, Primary Directions, Eclipse Saros cycles, and Planetary Hours, along with many different house systems, have seen their days of popularity and their days of disfavor and disuse. Improper teaching and the consequent faulty use of techniques, and the burden of difficult calculations, have sometimes been the cause of disfavor and disuse. The advent of economical modern computing equipment may do away with this last burden.

Astrology must continue to evolve. The world is changing and traditional astrology does not provide all the answers. The Uranian System of astrology is practical and productive. For the past 75 years, it has provided answers and precision not available elsewhere.

The Uranian System of astrology, as practiced in the United States, has its roots in the work of Alfred Witte, the founder of The Hamburg School of Astrology. His genius is credited with the introduction of a movable dial with which to examine a horoscope, the reintroduction of several discarded but worthwhile ancient techniques, and with the postulation of "planets" beyond the orbit of Neptune.
Hans Niggemann, a student, friend, and colleague of Alfred Witte, brought the concepts of The Hamburg School to the United States and coined the name “Uranian System of Astrology.” He and Richard Svehla taught and published much of the initial techniques of this exciting Uranian astrology. I am proud to have been a student and friend of Hans Niggemann.