About this episode
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 – 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: