Astrologer for people who think, writer of things great and small and mystic-of-all-trades Barry Perlman, provides fabulous weekly horoscopes and astroweather articles.
What is Astrology?
Astrology is an interpretive tool for gaining qualitative insight on the nature of a specific moment in time, and on the character of people and events born at that time. Astrology draws upon a rich symbolic tradition developed over thousands of years by cultures around the world, beginning when early humans first gazed up at the sky for clues about life, and still in widespread practice today.
The planets move around the Sun like a giant clock with many hands. The science of astronomy tracks these motions, observing and analyzing the features of each planet's cycles. Astronomy, in short, tells us objectively what time it is. Astrology, on the other hand, assigns meaning to each unique time, so we can understand its special significance for our lives and act accordingly.
For instance, astronomy may report it is 8:00 in the morning. Astrology, meanwhile, lets us know it is 'breakfast time' or 'time to go to work'. Astrology uses socially understood concepts (such as 'work' or 'breakfast') to describe the spirit of a given instant.
Essentially, astrology posits that timing matters. It presumes a meaningful link exists between when someone is born and the qualities inherent to his personality, between when something happens and how it will turn out.
By using astrology, we can learn more about ourselves, and what we may expect during particular periods of time, so we're able to behave more consciously and thus increase our likelihood of achieving personal satisfaction.
Astrology drew me for the same reason it draws many. I like learning about myself.
When I first dipped into my study of astrology about 10 years ago, I marveled at how accurately what I read in the introductory books described me. Then I moved on to looking at the charts of friends, only to discover my knack for sharing accurate interpretations with them. I kept following my curiosity, until my hobby eventually turned into a profession… and the rest is history still in the making.
I gave my first professional consultation in 1998 at a shop in New York City, to make some extra money while in graduate school. In 2002, I left my job as general manager of a natural products company to start Astrobarry LLC, and began writing articles and horoscopes on this website.
Since then, I've continued to write and consult with clients worldwide, in addition to teaching workshops and classes about astrology. I've been featured in the New York Times and on the CBS Evening News and TechTV's "Fresh Gear". I am a member of the International Society of Astrological Research (ISAR).
I currently live in San Francisco, California, one of the most splendid places on earth. I was raised in nearby San Jose, where the weather's warmer but the smog is worse. I received my B.A. in English from Duke University in 1995, and my M.A. in Humanities from New York University in 1999.
Astrology is a great tool for self-discovery, but it's not all there is. I don't pretend to have the answers that solve all your problems or bring eternal happiness. I just like to share thoughts about my continuing adventures in astrology with all of you. Together, we learn as we go.
