Cosmic Clash: Steven Forrest Controversy and a Solar Eclipse
The Awake Space with Laurie Rivers PodcastShow Notes
Join the Awake Space to explore how to use astrology in practical and liberating ways! This week on The Awake Space Astrology Podcast, Laurie tackles the Steven Forrest controversy and addresses the idea that Western Tropical Astrology is exclusionary or a rip off of Vedic. (Find source material links below) Laurie traces the fascinating development of astrology from ancient Mesopotamia through Greece, India, the Islamic world, medieval Europe, and into modern practice. She explains why Western Tropical and Vedic/Jyotish astrology are distinct traditions, how scholars exchanged knowledge across cultures, and why astrology has always evolved alongside our understanding of humanity. She also shares why she developed Progressive Evolutionary Astrology, an approach centered on the complexity of human experience rather than rigid binaries, limiting labels, or outdated interpretations. Plus, Awake Space Magazine Subscriber questions, this week’s Ralph Report, and a look at the August 12 Leo New Moon and solar eclipse. Chapters 00:00 — Welcome & What’s Ahead 03:49 — The Steven Forrest Controversy 13:15 — Moving Astrology Forward 29:21 — The Real History of Western & Vedic Astrology 47:02 — Mundane Astrology & the U.S. Chart 51:10 — Your Astrology Questions Answered 01:05:00 — The Ralph Report 01:11:01 — August 12 Solar Eclipse & Leo New Moon Astrology has never existed in a vacuum. It has grown through observation, mathematics, cultural exchange, scholarship, and generations of astrologers asking better questions. This episode explores that history while looking toward what astrology can become next. Show Links: July Archivist Report on Laurie's Predictions Citations: Please note that some information is debated by scholars. Encyclopaedia Iranica — Horoscope, David Pingree Encyclopaedia Iranica — Astrology and Astronomy in Iran, David Pingree & Christopher J. Brunner Encyclopaedia Iranica — Zodiac Encyclopaedia Iranica — Planets Bill M. Mak — The Date and Nature of Sphujidhvaja’s Yavanajātaka Reconsidered Cambridge History of Science — Translation and Transmission of Greek and Islamic Science to Latin Christendom Please note he was an astrologer (astronomers and astrologers were not separate occupations until the 18th century) https://mathshistory.st-andrews.ac.uk/Biographies/Al-Biruni/ https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/abs/cambridge-history-of-science/islamic-astronomy/DBE63FFD4918F948F362A66DE721C022 Plato Tiburtinus who translated Ptolemy into Latin https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plato_Tiburtinus Also not mentioned directly in the podcast, but given the Islamic Empire was very vast throughout it's history I decided to look up what might be in Timbuktu which still houses literature that goes back over 1000 years. Here's an article that might be very interesting - remember, there was not division between astronomy and astrology until the 18th century. https://www.news.uct.ac.za/article/-2014-12-02-africas-ancient-astronomers-made-their-mark-in-culture-folklore
More from The Awake Space with Laurie Rivers Podcast
Join the Awake Space Community! Patreon.com/theawakespace The astrology is heating up, and the October 25 Taurus Full Moon is bringing some serious shake, rattle, and roll! This week on The Awake Space, Laurie Rivers breaks down an exceptionally volatile week of astrology, including the explosive Taurus Full Moon squaring Pluto. From geopolitical tensions and economic uncertainty to extreme weather and seismic activity, the cosmic currents are anything but calm. But here's the thing: You don't have to let the chaos around you become the chaos within you. Laurie shares her forecasts for October 18–27, reviews last week's predictions with the Ralph Report, and explains why giving up your personal agency is the last thing you want to do right now. Plus, there's exciting news about the evolving Awake Space community, Living by Luna, and Laurie's new Substack, Laurie Thinks Out Loud. https://lauriealicerivers.substack.com/ In a particularly personal moment, Laurie shares how a stranger's simple smile changed her life and reminds us that even the smallest acts of kindness can make an enormous difference. And before you go, Laurie walks you through a simple five-minute practice to calm your nervous system, focus your attention, and find your footing when the world feels overwhelming. Because you can't control everything happening in the world, but you can choose how you respond.
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The Awake Space is 100% Listener Supported! Thank you to the members of the Awake Space Community!! Find the Community, Journal, Events and Courses here! https://linktr.ee/LaurieRivers
Learn, Grow and Explore in the Awake Space - CLICK TO JOIN This week on The Awake Space, Laurie Rivers looks at nostalgia, resilience, technology, AI, water resources, and the importance of knowing your next move during a period of massive systemic change. Laurie starts with a weekend trip to see Practical Magic 2, reflections on aging parents, family, memory, and why Mars in Cancer has us craving coziness, familiarity, and connection. She also shares updates on Living by Luna, the new LaurieRivers.com website, and how she intentionally worked with a Mercury transit to solve a long-standing technical problem. Then it’s Q&A: Venus retrograde and cosmetic procedures, how to calculate a solar return, aspect patterns in natal charts, and where astrologers might begin looking when researching AI and emerging technology. In the Ralph Report, Laurie reviews last week’s predictions against actual headlines before looking ahead at the astrology and potential headlines for September 13–21. The episode closes with a deeper discussion of AI, data centers, stressed aquifers, climate concerns, and why local action matters. The message throughout: knowledge by itself isn’t power. Power comes from knowing what you can actually do next. LINKS: Sign Up for Charts & Channeling with Laurie and Medium Matilda - September 26, 2026 GET YOUR TICKETS Grab 2027 Prepared by Laurie Rivers CHECK IT OUT TIMESTAMPS 00:00 – Practical Magic 2, nostalgia & community 03:13 – AI, technology, water & environmental concerns 06:22 – 2027 Prepared + upcoming events 08:22 – Living by Luna guided experience 10:06 – Using Mercury transits to solve problems 11:15 – Aging, family, mortality & making memories 16:05 – Preparing for winter and creating coziness 17:07 – Daily Insight coming to LaurieRivers.com 22:01 – Astrology Q&A 22:23 – Venus retrograde & cosmetic procedures 23:16 – Solar return charts 24:36 – Aspect patterns in natal charts 26:27 – Where does AI show up in astrology? 33:00 – Laurie’s thoughts on September 36:04 – Simple practices for cultivating presence 37:22 – The Ralph Report: what Laurie got right 40:51 – Astrology and headlines for September 13–21 49:57 – Water resources, aquifers & data centers 53:24 – Will AI kill us all? 54:12 – AI misuse, regulation & human agency 55:01 – Why local action matters 57:04 – Managing heavy energy and finding your next move