In episode 482 features an interview with astrologer Berna Lee about the history, philosophy, and practice of Chinese astrology.
Berna is a graduate of the MA in Cultural Astronomy and Astrology program from the Sophia Centre, with a thesis examining the theory and practice of astrology in modern Hong Kong, and she is a 45th generation Chinese astrologer.
During the course of the episode we discuss the historical development of Chinese astrology, and the different eras in which specific technical practices arose.
We also touch on a number of other topics, including fate and free will, the Chinese zodiac, and the role of comets as omens in mundane astrology.
You can follow Berna through Instagram at:
https://www.instagram.com/astromergency/
This episode is available in both audio and video versions below.
Timestamps
00:00:00 - Introduction
00:01:22 - Berna's Background & 45-Generation Lineage
00:07:28 - The Legendary & Archeological Origins of Chinese Astrology
00:11:09 - The Textual Tradition: Oracle Bones & the First Characters
00:15:22 - Mundane vs. Natal Astrology
00:27:08 - How Astrology Became Institutionalized in the Royal Court
00:28:58 - The Mandate of Heaven: The Emperor's Right to Rule
00:32:56 - Reading Omens: Eclipses, Comets & Novas
00:40:27 - Chinese Astrologers' Detailed Records of Comets
00:47:41 - Fate & Free Will in Chinese Astrology
00:55:51 - A Personal Story About a Prediction of Death
01:11:07 - The 12 Animal Signs of the Zodiac
01:13:09 - When Natal Astrology (BaZi) Developed in the Tang Dynasty
01:16:20 - How the Zodiac Animals Are Used in a Chart
01:22:38 - How Chinese Astrology Was Sidelined and Moved to the Periphery
01:33:09 - The Impact of the Cultural Revolution
01:39:23 - Is Astrology Making a Comeback in China?
01:43:35 - How Contemporary Practitioners Approach the Tradition
01:51:33 - Berna's Future Work
01:54:41 - Conclusion
Watch the Video Version of This Episode
Watch the video version of this episode on Chinese astrology on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xamRgTzVP4M
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Transcript
A full transcript of this episode is available: Episode 482 transcript
Listen to the Audio Version of This Episode
Listen to the audio version of this episode or download it as an MP3: