An Interview with
Keith Woolacott

Astrologer

Would you say that astrology is your passion?

My passion? Well I find that it gives me parameters to think within and while thinking within these parameters, I seem to arrive at a point of understanding. I would say that it is more so the quest for knowledge and understanding that is my passion. Astrology is just a tool that my intelect resonates with.

How did you discover astrology?

It was in the winter of 2000 at the Grahamstown Arts festival. A friend suggested I should have a chat with a visiting astrologer. I will never forget it. It was a very short and poweful conversation. I asked him, "how does it work"? His response completely opened the world of astrology to me. After that it basically became a magnet for my soul. It is really the quest for understanding the big picture that I am passionate about, astrology is the tool that my passion uses to live out its destiny.

Do you feel that astrology enhances your spirituality?

Well I find that astrology provides me with wisdom. It is this wisdom that helps me navigate along my spiritual path. So I would say yes, astrology most definately enhances my spirituality. Astrology gives me a means of translating the spiritual into diagramatic form, where it can be understood at a completely different level.

How does astrology work?

That's a quesion I get asked quite a lot and as yet I am still trying to come up with a standard answer that I can use all the time, but of course it depends on who is asking the question. Astrology is a measuring system. A rather complex one at that, where one could say that the 7 major planets may be seen as gods. Each of these gods have dominion or influence over a very specific energy corresponding to their individual natures. By understanding the natures of these gods (the planets) one can begin to try and understand how they will act or react in any given situation. The angular distances between the planets, as well as the zodiacal sign they are curently in, is largely how one determines what a planet's current behaviour is.

I look to the planets as archetypal significators of particular energies. I observe the diagramattic representation of the planets, in terms of their current position and identify what energies are active and in what manner, and then translate this into how these energies are going to manifest in this material world in the form of events. The zodiac and the planets in my opinion are just a symbolic outer reflection, a diagramatic representation of the cosmic forces that are currently operating within. It's that whole microcosm - macrocosm mystery.

Have you used predictive astrology to determine the outcome of events in your own life?

Yes, I have observed the zodiac in action, both down here and up there, and I am beginning to understand before-hand how certain energies unfold in terms of events. It takes years and years of observation to effectively apply the art of prediction though.

How does one use astrology to determine the most appropriate times for magic?

In terms of electing the most appropriate time for any operation, there are so many rules and things to take into consideration, but to put it simply, I would say look first to the situation of the Moon, for She is the most important indicator, and then consider the condition of the significator (which is the planet that corresponds to the operation in question). These planet's by virtue of their position will work either for or against the successfull outcome of your operation, so to choose the most appropriate time depends largely on how much time you have to choose from.

What Pagan Path do you feel most attracted to and why?

Shamanism has always attracted me. To me it always seemed the closest to Nature, which I feel to be very important. Shamanism in my opinion is stongly reflected in our various African magical traditions, so within a cultural context, Shamanism makes a lot of sense to me, although I must admit I have my own ideas on things. I would say that all Pagan Paths have something to teach.

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