November 2024 Meeting speaker recap
East Meets West: It’s All in the Stars
by L.A. Robbins
‘We’re made from star matter. There’s a resonance between us and what goes on up there.’ With these words Dennis Clark launched a unique presentation comparing Eastern and Western astrology for our November WIN gathering. After Dennis shared the more contemporary perspective of Western astrology, co-presenter Aelita Leto introduced an ancient Chinese astrology system, Zi Wei Dou Shu (Purple Star). Their slide presentation introduced the origins of these two systems and offered a glimpse at the complex nature of interpreting a natal chart which synthesizes location of planets, points, the twelve zodiac signs and respective houses (called ‘palaces’ in Eastern star study).
‘Tonight (the 13th of November), is the auspicious Day of the Snake, which reveals our connection to ancestral energy,’ Aelita said. After a brief look at the entwinement between astrology and astronomy (their association goes back over 100,000 years) Dennis noted that early signs of astrology are found in ancient cave paintings and stone monuments. The fascinating imagery now provided by the Webb Telescope attests to man’s continued interest in contemplating the heavens.
‘This is the year of the Wood Dragon,’ Aelita said. The dragon signifies power, nobility, honour and luck. It’s one of twelve animals that make up the zodiac.* In introducing Chinese astrology, Aelita recounted the procession of these animals in their bid to create a vital new start for earth-dwellers. The twelve animals and the five elements (earth, fire, air, wood and metal) represent a metaphoric language to describe our life experience which is constantly unfolding and changing, she explained.
Both speakers use the day and hour of birth to interpret the way positions of the stars influence a client’s life’s journey. Western natal charts are formed of two concentric circular graphs whereas Chinese charts, plotted using the lunar calendar, are represented by a divided rectangle. The snapshot of heavenly bodies at the precise time of birth provides tools to know ourselves more fully, to evolve.
Dennis outlined how a reading:
interprets the complex symbology of the position of planets, constellations and Houses
explains and validates how you think and why you make the choices you do
reveals your inherent personality traits and values, knowledge you can then apply to your activities
In sum, a reading is a rough guide to your dark corners that need illuminating and to where you shine.
And it does not show you fixed facts: you can act, based on what you learn, to influence your journey, she said.
Readings offer insight into a person’s life events, relationships, and key strengths and challenges, Aelita added.
WIN member Diane Guerrazzi was privileged to have her birth chart read by the speakers during their presentation. It revealed aspects of her personality and showed possible paths forward. There were many similar findings from the Eastern and Western astrological approaches, intimating that the science behind this study is well-established.
Dennis has studied Evolutionary Astrology since 2012. She offers personal readings and is writing a book on how astrology can enhance your life. From Georgia in the US originally, Dennis has taught Pilates for over two decades here in Florence. She’s a founding member of ‘Elevate Her’, providing holistic advice to women healing from trauma.
Aelita offers individual readings based on Zi Wei Dou Shu, Purple Star Astrology. This system offers insight into the client’s personality, life events, relationships and key strength or challenges. It provides tools for personal growth and happiness. Originally from Latvia, Aelita comes to Florence by way of California. She’s also a classically-trained Feng Shui master and doctor of Chinese Energetic Medicine.
Both astrologers have posted details of their consultations on our WIN chat. Looking for direction? What’s above is below…
Go West dc.astrochart@gmail.com
Go East aelita@aelitaleto.com
* What’s the zodiac? It’s the constellations (Aries, Pisces, Libra, etc) that visually frame our solar system’s planets on their orbital paths around the sun, Dennis explains. The zodiac belt puts earth (rather than the sun) at the centre. Our solar system is calibrated into twelve quadrants (Houses in Western astrology, Palaces in Eastern astrology) which represent fields of activity like family, career and money. A birth chart shows the placement of the planet in their zodiac signs; your attributes and opportunities stem from this placement.