Explore every episode of the podcast Exploring Esoterica

Disclaimer: you will hear faint chirping in the background. The birds were busy that day and I’ve tried to minimize it as much as possible. Apologizes if this is too distracting for you. 

This is the third part of the framework of astrology. I discuss the 12 houses in traditional astrology and how they fit together with the planets and zodiac signs. 

Previous episodes in this series: 

• Episode 14: Planets in Ancient Astrology
• Episode 12: Hellenistic Astrology
• Episode 15: The 12 Signs of the Zodiac

Timestamps: 

• [01:42] Part 1: The Principles
• [11:14] Part 2: The 12 Houses 
• [27:05] Part 3: Putting It Together

Key Takeaways: 

• The houses signify different areas of our life and themes associated with them. 
• Angular houses are the most important, succedent houses support them, and decline houses are loosely related. 
• Houses above the horizon are related to the mind and public matters, below related to the body and private matters. 

References: 

• A History of Western Astrology by Nicholas Campion
• Hellenistic Astrology by Chris Brennan
• On the Heavenly Spheres by Helena Avelar and Luis Ribeiro

Click here to sign up for my monthly newsletter and join me on this journey. 

Stay tuned for the 4th and final part of this series, where I discuss the configurations and planetary conditions.

This is the second episode in my astrology series. I go over the 12 signs of the zodiac and a few ways they are categorized in ancient astrology.  Previous episodes in this series:

• Episode 14: Planets in Ancient Astrology
• Episode 12: Hellenistic Astrology

Timestamps:

• [00:00] Intro
• [05:58] Part 1: A Brief History
• [10:57] Part 2: 12 Signs of the Zodiac
• [20:10] Part 3: Planetary Rulership

Key Takeaways:

• The planets signify themes and circumstances in our lives, while the zodiac signifies how they are expressed.
• In the tropical zodiac, the signs are defined by season, mode, and element. This further explains the expression of each sign.
• Planets in certain signs in the planetary rulership scheme have special considerations for their topics and expression.

References:

• A History of Western Astrology by Nicholas Campion
• Hellenistic Astrology by Chris Brennan
• On the Heavenly Spheres by Helena Avelar and Luis Ribeiro

Click here to sign up for my monthly newsletter and join me on this journey.

Stay tuned for the 3rd part of this series, where I discuss the 12 places, or houses, in astrology. This is the third component of the framework of astrology. 

This is the first episode in my astrology series. I go over a brief history of this practice and dive the most important component, which is the planets. This is in terms of ancient astrology, which is slightly different than the popular modern version. 

Timestamps:

• [00:00] Welcome 
• [02:34] Part 1: A Brief History
• [19:31] Part 2: The Planets
• [38:36] Part 3: A Modern Perspective

Key Takeaways:

• Most of the development can be attributed to the Mesopotamians and Egyptians. Hellenistic Greece refined these components. 
• Astrology became shunned and outlawed due to the spread of Christianity. 
• The planets signify external circumstances more than psychological influences like in modern astrology. 
• Philosophical debates of astrology are similar to those of any spirituality and religion.

References 

• A History of Western Astrology by Nicholas Campion
• Hellenistic Astrology by Chris Brennan
• On the Heavenly Spheres by Helena Avelar and Luis Ribeiro

Click here to sign up for my monthly newsletter and join me on this journey.

Stay tuned for part 2 of this series, where I talk about the 2nd most important component in this framework: the Zodiac or 12 signs in astrology 

In this podcast I explore the culture, history, and framework behind different esoteric practices and philosophies. Previously called Merwin's Philosophy.

Western Esotericism is the new focus of this podcast. Let’s explore the basics of this field of study. 

References

• Useful Charts “Western Esotericism Family Tree”
• Western Esotericism: A Guide for the Perplexed by Wouter J. Hanegraaff

An introduction into astrology and its importance. We start off during the Hellenistic period of Ancient Greece. 

Reference:

• Hellenistic Astrology: The Study of Fate and Fortune - Book by author Chris Brennan

I explain the difference between spirituality and psychology, and how they both affect our lives on a deeper level. This episode is the basis of this podcast. 

https://www.merwinmccrady.com/blog/spirituality-versus-psychology 

In this final episode of my series on traditional astrology, we examine a few of the basic planetary conditions that determine the strength of planets in a chart. This is the fourth and final part of the framework of astrology. 

Correction: at 7:13 it shows Sun and Moon are square if Sun in Leo and Moon in Virgo. It should read Scorpio, not Virgo. I’m blaming Mercury currently being Retrograde, haha. 

Previous episodes in this series: 

• Episode 12: Hellenistic Astrology
• Episode 14: Planets in Ancient Astrology
• Episode 15: The 12 Signs of the Zodiac
• Episode 16: The 12 Houses in Astrology 

Timestamps: 

• [02:30] Part 1: Planetary Placements
• [11:40] Part 2: Timing Techniques
• [18:42] Part 3: Conclusion

Key Takeaways: 

• Planetary conditions show which planets are strong or weak in an astrological chart. These can be derived by analyzing the placements of planets within that chart. 
• Timing Techniques show which planets are strong or weak in their expression at certain points in time.  
• Planetary conditions and techniques are used to predict how certain events and circumstances will come about in our life. 

References: 

• A History of Western Astrology by Nicholas Campion
• Hellenistic Astrology by Chris Brennan
• On the Heavenly Spheres by Helena Avelar and Luis Ribeiro
• You Were Born for This by Chani Nicholas

Click here to sign up for my monthly newsletter and join me on this journey.