How Geoffrey Cornelius Changed Astrology

How Geoffrey Cornelius Changed Astrology

Geoffrey Cornelius wrote the most important book in the history of horoscopes, when he gave us The Moment of Astrology in 1994.

It took me three attempts to read it and understand it (which I told him) but it was on a long coach trip from Hobart to Launceston that I finally said ‘Oh my God’ out loud, startling the woman in front of me, and started scribbling all over the pages.

The Scribbled Copy

Now that Geoffrey has passed to spirit, I have purchased another scribbled-on copy. This one is a signed review edition, stamped July 14th, 1994.

This is a ‘moment of astrology’ although with an unknown time. Using a 12 noon chart, I have decided to roll up my sleeves and do some proper Geoffrey Cornelius divination, which is also automatically Maggie Hyde divination (I cannot think of them apart) and ask the question, ‘What was Geoffrey’s lifetime of work in astrology, about?’

As you can see here, the anonymity of D and his or her correspondent has been preserved, though I like the message. That’s exactly the kind of issue we approach a horoscope with. “Things are still sticky but I’m hanging on.”

The Horoscope and the Question

Geoffrey Cornelius was a traditional astrologer who was a master of the horary question. He would not have used the system you see here, which is modern astrology with its complete family of asteroids (the husband and son of Venus; the wife and children of Jupiter).

This is the brilliant AstroGold software, which you often see on my website. I was lucky enough to have Stephanie Johnson create a special Roman asteroid program for me, as part of a modernised AstroGold offering. So here’s the chart. I’ll set it for London on July 14th, 1994, at 12.00 noon.

The First Message

I have to laugh at the first message. There is an exact conjunction from Cupido at 10 Gemini to Vesta at 10 Gemini in the Third House of media, communication and the worldwide web.

Cupido is of course passion (he is Cupid, son of Venus) and Vesta is a symbol of one man, two or more women. It’s in Gemini, so not remotely personal, but it does show the usual male-female ratio of astrology, which in my experience has been about 80-20 in any room; any Zoom; any conference.

The Company of Astrologers

I have really good memories of going to The Company of Astrologers in Hampstead to hear the great man speak, always surrounded by the astrological sisterhood, including Pat Blackett of course, and sometimes Kerstin Rodgers. There is a second conjunction in Gemini, though not exact.

This one is from Proserpina at 28 Gemini to Ops at 29 Gemini. Pluto’s wife and Saturn’s wife, together – again in the sign of the media, the internet, the writer and public speaker.

Proserpina connected the spirit world and our world. She was a bridge and tunnel. Ops was the eternal optimist in the face of Saturn’s difficulties. This characterises Geoffrey’s lectures and books for me. Astrology was divination for him. Communication with the divine or a divinity. 

Apollo and Venus in Virgo

Apollo is at 3 Virgo in a conjunction with Venus at 3 Virgo in the Sixth House of work, duty, service and daily routine. Apollo, son of Jupiter, is an ancient symbol of leadership. He was much imitated (as was Geoffrey Cornelius).

Venus is a symbol of complicated relationships. Again, this is not personal. It is channelled through the Sixth House of career, academia and unpaid work. Yet, this is a career where the job itself is about not only leadership, but also a personal relationship with the client, the reader, the listener.

Maggie Hyde as the Libra Ascendant?

I’m using my usual speed-reading method of pulling out exact conjunctions first, because they are easy to spot. There is a great deal more in the chart than that, of course.

There is the Ascendant (AC) at 4 Libra in opposition to the DC (Descendant) at 4 Aries, very close to a huge pattern with Apollo at 3 Virgo and Venus at 3 Virgo.

This is surely Maggie Hyde, showing up in Libra, the sign of balanced partnership, symmetry, harmony and the scales.

You can’t think about Geoffrey without thinking about Maggie!

Astrology is Alchemy

Astrology is alchemy. It’s about you, the moment, the chart, the transits, the other person…in a unique chemistry experiment. I once gave a talk at Hampstead armed with a red Roberts radio, kindly lent to me by a friend.

The idea was to tune into the transits of the moment, and the radio as well, to find out how one was mirroring the other. Maggie said, pointedly, ‘But you’ll be in the reading.’

Jung’s Secret Mutual Connivance

And so it is, with this chart, set for the date of a rubber stamp on a rare first edition of Geoffrey’s book.

I was born with Saturn at 3 Pisces in the Twelfth House of spiritual beliefs. It is precisely tied into the pattern in the chart at 3 and 4 degrees. I’m having a moment of astrology. Jung’s secret mutual connivance, as made famous by Hyde in her bestselling book. Twas ever thus with the Company of Astrologers.

The Beat Goes On

Geoffrey’s website Astrodivination is here. A stunning new edition of  his guide to the constellations and planets is here, on pre-order, from Amazon UK.

Maggie Hyde is a special guest tutor at The Sun Sign School, where you can learn natal astrology, media astrology and the Tarot from eminent experts around the world.

The work of Garry Phillipson and Kirk Little also means the beat goes on.

In memory of so many wonderful Lilly Days, I’m sending lilies to your service, Geoffrey. Thanks for everything.

Photograph of Geoffrey Cornelius: The Company of Astrologers.