Piercing the Eggshell - now published as an ebook

I'm very pleased to announce that Piercing the Eggshell, the biography of Bruno and Louise Huber, is now available from Amazon UK and Amazon US as an ebook. 

It's there to be had right now, straight away. Click here for more details.

Readers who prefer the ebook format will not be losing out on anything as all the photos and charts are there in full colour.

Bruno and Louise Huber, founders of the Astrological Psychology Institute in Zurich, were the creators of the Huber Method, a psychological and spiritual approach to astrology which includes the use of Age Progression, their unique method of timing in the horoscope.

You can read about Bruno Huber here, and about Louise Huber here.

But you can read a lot more in Piercing the Eggshell about how they met, fell in love, married and worked tirelessly to bring the wonderful gift of astrological psychology to the world.

 

Bruno and Louise Huber

A Tribute to Richard Lewellyn

 

                                               

The astrological world has lost a very special person.

Richard Llewellyn, founder of the English Huber School (which became the Astrological PsychologyAssociation) passed away on 9^th February. He was 95.

Richard was instrumental in making the Huber Method of Astrological Psychology available to the English-speaking world.

Richard with Bruno & Louise

He had already studied astrology with the Mayo school, and served as Membership Secretary for the UK Astrological Association. But he was finding the traditional approach to the subject less satisfying. In 1981 he was introduced to the work of Bruno and Louise Huber by Pam Tyler, an American astrologer living in London.

 

Strongly drawn to the psychological approach of the Hubers, Richard travelled to Switzerland to attend several seminars run by Bruno and Louise. He found the Huber Method - details of which were only available in German - so significant and important that he decided to create a school offering home study courses which would teach it in English.

In 1983, he and Pam Tyler founded what was to become the English Huber School and Richard set about writing up what he’d learned from the Hubers. Based on the notes he’d made during his visits to Switzerland, together with insights he’d gained into his own chart when working with Bruno and Louise, he created a correspondence diploma course in astrological psychology for the English-speaking world. The course was launched and the first student enrolled in 1984.

Richard’s energy and determination made this all happen. I wouldn’t be writing this now had it not been for him; I was amongst the first five students to complete the course and gain my diploma from Bruno and Louise in Zürich in 1987. A brief look at Richard’s chart will go some way towards explaining where his indomitable energy might have come from. 

Richard Llewellyn 14.8.1925, 06.19. Sidcup, UK

With his 12^th house Leo Sun conjunct Neptune he was warm, friendly and fun to be with This was always coupled with sensitivity but my goodness, watch out for that unaspected Mars in1st! There was no holding him back when a new project was taking off.

His chart, with its high ratio of red aspects, reflects this general enthusiastic “let’s get things going” motivation. Many students who attended his workshops will remember this well; Richard was fun to work with and learn from. But if we look more specifically at the one complete aspect pattern in his chart, the Provocative Figure, Richard’s calling and mission become clearer.

Provocative Figure

His chart, with its high ratio of red aspects, reflects this general enthusiastic “let’s get things going” motivation. Many students who attended his workshops will remember this well; Richard was fun to work with and learn from. But if we look more specifically at the one complete aspect pattern in his chart, the Provocative Figure, Richard’s calling and mission become clearer.

One meaning of the word “provoke” is to irritate and annoy, yet it also means to call forth, awaken, encourage and speak in favour of. The Hubers, in their book Aspect Pattern Astrology, speak of how the Provocative Figure might be expressed, “…..the person authorises himself and has the courage to bring things into the open that would otherwise remain hidden”.

That is exactly what Richard did. Note that Uranus - one of the planets involved in this aspect pattern – is strongly placed in the 8^th house, suggesting that sharing this unique approach to astrology would make it accessible for the good of all, to benefit society and the wider world. This is perfectly aligned with Assagioli’s psychosynthesis, which underlies the work of the Hubers together with the philosophy of the Ancient Wisdom, as channelled by Alice Bailey in the Arcane School. Bruno and Louise had been involved in establishing the Arcane School in Geneva, and they’d worked with Assagioli in Florence for three years.

In my book, Aspect Patterns in Colour, I use the Provocative Figure in Richard’s chart as an example of how this aspect pattern works, mainly because I was able to observe it in action and understand it better as he was my friend as well as my colleague. Richard and I cooperated in writing TheCosmic Egg Timer, an introduction to astrological psychology, which includes many of the practical exercises we used in the experiential workshops we co-facilitated.

I learned so much from working alongside Richard, and enjoyed our frequent astrological discussions. Not only was he was a good astrologer, he was a psychosynthesis counsellor too, bringing his skills to the workshops we ran and helping to guide students to a deeper understanding of themselves. He facilitated astrological psychology and psychosynthesis workshops in Brazil, Spain, Switzerland, Sweden and Italy, as well as here in Britain.

More recently, as his health began to fail, Richard shared reminiscences of his time spent with the Hubers when he visited Switzerland ahead of creating the diploma course. He contributed new and valuable information about Bruno and Louise Huber for Piercing the Eggshell, the biography of their lives which was published in November 2020. It’s satisfying that Richard was able to see this book, and he was delighted to receive a copy. Without a doubt it would not have been written had it not been for him.

After retiring as Principal Emeritus of APA, Richard returned to service with the Astrological Association and, with partner Elly Gibbs, helped establish and maintain the AA's huge library of audio recordings of astrological talks, including those by the Hubers, for the benefit of all astrologers. In 2013 he received the Charles Harvey award for exceptional service to astrology.

This is a tribute to Richard the astrologer, but I’m writing this as a close friend as well as a colleague and I have countless good memories of being with him when we were taking time off from facilitating residential workshops or attending conferences to give talks. I remember with pleasure standing with him on a Welsh hilltop in 1999, in a circle formed by our families, as we experienced the solar eclipse, sharing walks on Dartmoor and in North Wales, enjoying visits to concerts and the opera, swimming in the Mediterranean during time off from teaching in Barcelona and going with him to receive darshan from Mother Meera in Germany.

Richard had been living with cancer for some time, yet retained his sense of humour despite the numerous operations he underwent. We often exchanged emails and spoke on the phone, and on the few occasions we were able to meet in the past year during the easing of lockdowns, it was always a pleasure for us both to reconnect and talk, sometimes about astrology, but usually about a diverse variety of other things too.

He passed away at home, cared for by Elly and close members of his family. 

Thanks for everything, Richard. I’ll miss you.

 

With Richard on his retirement as Principal Emeritus

Book Review - Piercing the Eggshell

This book review is a guest blog post, written by Caroline Adlestone, Editor of "Conjunction". I'm pleased to be sharing it since Caroline has spoken warmly about the book, clearly setting out why she liked it, along with outlining what readers might gain from it.

 A “New Science of Man”,

Review of Piercing the Eggshell, The Hubers and their Astrological Psychology, edited by Barry and Joyce Hopewell.

“We envisioned a nobler man in a nobler world, and realised that we both wanted to contribute actively to increasing the quality of human consciousness.” So said Bruno Huber as he looked back on the lives of himself and Louise in 1987, 19 years after the formation of API Switzerland.

 Much of this biography of the extraordinary life and work of the Hubers is recorded in their own words. This direct transmission enriches the book and gives us a personal voice of Bruno and Louise Huber. The many writings from which the material is sourced are deftly and seamlessly incorporated chronologically into a compelling narrative. We are taken on a journey of wonder, excitement and sometimes intense, story-telling. In 12 chapters the reader is taken through the lives of the Hubers, the development of astrological psychology, the creation and growth of API Switzerland and its influence throughout the world.

The title of the book Piercing the Eggshell is a reference to the possibility of a connection to the higher self or soul by breaking through the encapsulated ego. It refers to Roberto Assagioli’s Egg model and Bruno’s subsequent Amphora diagram which incorporates the astrological symbols of the planets.

Bruno and Louise Huber

The book is beautifully illustrated throughout and the many photographs add to the intimacy of the story being told. The use of charts adroitly gives depth and added resonance to the storyline for those who can understand and gives clear and tangible examples of how the method works to those unfamiliar with astrological psychology. And for non-Huber astrologers there is a very lucid description of the Huber method in chapter one. The clarity given to the technical side of astrological psychology means this book can be read by everyone.

The history of the many translated and truncated publications of the Hubers is expertly explained by the editors, Barry and Joyce, who have been publishers of the Huber's books in English since 2003.

The Hubers’ early life story is told from the world war period in which they grew up, emerging from the Third Reich into a world in which they both felt as though they wanted to understand and to help people. The story continues to their fated meeting – six months before she met him Louise had seen Bruno in a meditation – he fell in love and had to marry her, and only her. We follow them through their setting up of the Arcane School in Geneva and their formative and magical years in Florence in a stimulating spiritual environment with Roberto Assagioli. Their dedication and tenacity was always driven by their single-focussed goal.

In a literal sense, Bruno once remarkably journeyed 700km on his bicycle across the Alps over a 2500 metre high pass to be with Assagioli in Arezzo as there was no other way of getting there. Those early days were hugely interesting, fertile and creative but they were also fraught with insecurity of the unknown. Something that to Louise was not easy. Their own individual personal growth is shared by each of them with candour. The depth of their own understanding of themselves and the workings of their inner minds. seems natural when you consider how Bruno and Louise’s youthful lives were steeped in many kinds of exploratory depth psychologies and spiritual development. And also how in the Huber method we look deeply into ourselves through chart interpretation.

Something that the book especially exudes is the joyful experience of connections with the Hubers, whether learning, teaching, or socialising, life in all its dimensions and colour is present in these pages.

Bruno’s process of coming to the gestalt in the chart is unveiled as it develops. The book draws the reader to a recognition of the development of the unique and stunning mandalas and the clear visual impact of the charts that we now recognise as Huber charts. The charts came about as a result of Bruno’s many artistic interests and pursuits as well as his artistic nature. The study of colour and his visual sensitivity are aspects that led to the creation of the charts. 

Chart of Bruno Huber

Spanish astrologer Lola Ferrer sums it up beautifully when she speaks of the Beauty that came through Bruno, “that inborn ability to connect with what is harmonious and bring it to earth.”

She describes the chart as “a perfect piece of cosmos arrested in time.”

“Bruno’s clear and artistic design of the horoscope … the colour lines that could geometrically reveal the innermost soul of the moment captured in the chart.”

The artistic qualities blended beautifully with the scientific innovations. It was this combination of intuitive and technical aspects that brought about the uniqueness of astrological psychology.

There are many gems that come to light in the book, such as details of life in Switzerland. Joyce’s description of the physical API school, as she descriptively takes us through the garden and the house, is precious and provides wonderful memories and experiences related “before they are lost in the mists of time.” 

 

International group of students at the API Centre, Adliswil

We see the nature of Bruno and Louise’s polarised personalities and their relationship. Bruno the scientist, psychologist and thinker and Louise, the organiser with her deep esoteric roots, with evolution as the all-embracing goal to which she was committed in all she did, complemented each other. Any crises in the relationship were seen as opportunities for growth. And “the little game of partnership” (Louise) was subsumed in their higher objective of building AP.I.

The position of astrological psychology within the wider world of astrology is elucidated in the book. In some ways astrological psychology can be seen as a niche area within the astrological world and this subject is not shied away from in the book. The Hubers created a “new science”, which is a “closed system” and does not work with other astrological systems. That astrological psychology is not predictive and is for self-awareness is well-known. But it differs from other astrologies in that it does not rely on the traditional medieval view of astrology. Bruno had a mistrust of the “old patterned astrology” and it deeply mattered to him that the old methods didn’t fit psychologically.

Bruno teaching

Astrological psychology is a deeply researched form of psychology and Bruno encouraged questioning and constant research into the system.He was insistent that we take nothing at face value without experimenting with it in our own charts and those of others. This is the sort of research that was so important to him. Needless to say, this is exciting and inspiring and I am sure will lead many to want to discover for themselves what it’s all about.

It is notable that the success of the English-speaking Huber School is highlighted, not least that the English Course manuals were translated into German!, and then into Spanish, and were instrumental to API teaching, and shows the professionalism of the English Huber School from the very beginning.

The depth of sincerity of all of those whose lives were touched by the Hubers and their dedication to the Huber method is especially felt in the crescendo of outpouring of love and gratitude from those who knew them in the penultimate chapter of the book.

I didn’t want the book to end but fortunately we have several volumes of the Hubers’ work to enjoy for years to come. And we can keep on experimenting with the Huber method, the work is endless.

 

Piercing the Eggshell - new book about Bruno and Louise Huber

What did you do during the first big lockdown on 2019?

Unexpectedly, along with my other half Barry as co-author, I researched and helped compile a biography of Bruno and Louse Huber, pioneers of the Huber Method of Astrological Psychology. You can hear how we came to do it by clicking here to see this short video (on my astrological psychology blog). We launched the book on 10th November 2020.

This non-predictive use of astrology combined together with psychology is now used worldwide as an astrological psychological tool to help people realise their own potential and, ultimately, contribute to making the world a bit better than it is right now.

The Huber's story is a fascinating, real-life one, and tells of the obstacles they had to overcome, the sacrifices they had to make and the determination they had to hold on with in order to realise their vision of doing something for humanity.

It wasn't easy, but these two were people were very special, driven and motivated beyond personal gain and in pursuit of more spiritual goals and the evolution of humankind. They were influenced and helped by Italian psychiatrist Roberto Assagioli, who founded Psychosynthesis, and they founded the Astrological Psychology Institute in Zurich in the early 1960s.

Bruno and Louise Huber

Since then, their well-researched approach, teaching and books on what is now known as The Huber Method, is used in many countries around the world. It focusses on personal and spiritual growth and on moving us as participating humans, into living our lives as kinder, and more aware people.

You don't need to know any astrology to enjoy it as it's an intriguing stand-alone read, but if you do understand some astrology you'll probably get a lot more from it - and if you don't know any astrology it might inspire to find out more. The photos and the few charts it contains are all in full colour.

Piercing the Eggshell is available from all good booksellers, from Amazon and from the APA Book Shop. 

 

Fascinating Biography - "Piercing the Eggshell" reviewed by Will Parfitt

If you are an astrologer I would think this book is a must, even if you don't follow the Huber style of astrology; the story of how the Hubers created this new, very workable approach is interesting even to a non-astrologer like myself. 

Better still, for astrologers and non-astrologers, this is a tale of two people's indomitable will to create a new psychological science using astrological connections to include and raise consciousness to a deeper spiritual connection. A fascinating and most unusual biography, very interestingly illustrated with relevant photos.

I was particularly interested in the influence of Roberto Assagioli and Psychosynthesis on their work and the development of Huber astrology, and how whilst he fully supported them in their explorations, even giving Bruno Huber access to all his client notes, they worked hard to collate, edit and where necessary translate his writings into what became the key work in the Psychosynthesis world. 

 

 

 

 

Piercing the Eggshell - the story of Bruno and Louise Huber

It's a while since this book was published. Have you read it yet? It's essential reading if you're into the Huber Method of astrological psychology.

During the UK lockdown in 2019 and along with my other half Barry as co-author, I researched and helped compile a biography of Bruno and Louse Huber, pioneers of the Huber Method of Astrological Psychology. You can hear how we came to do it from this short video we made to launch the book, published on 10th November 2020.

This non-predictive use of astrology combined together with psychology is now used worldwide as an astrological psychological tool to help people realise their own potential and, ultimately, contribute to making the world a bit better than it is right now.

The Huber's story is a fascinating, real-life one, and tells of the obstacles they had to overcome, the sacrifices they had to make and the determination they had to hold on with in order to realise their vision of doing something for humanity.

It wasn't easy, but these two were people were very special, driven and motivated beyond personal gain and in pursuit of more spiritual goals and the evolution of humankind. They were influenced and helped by Italian psychiatrist Roberto Assagioli, who founded Psychosynthesis, and they founded the Astrological Psychology Institute in Zurich in the early 1960s.

Since then, their well-researched approach, teaching and books on what is now known as The Huber Method, is used in many countries around the world. It focusses on personal and spiritual growth and on moving us as participating humans, into living our lives as kinder, and more aware people.

You don't need to know any astrology to enjoy it as it's an intriguing stand-alone read, but if you do understand some astrology you'll probably get a lot more from it - and if you don't know any astrology it might inspire to find out more. The photos and the few charts it contains are all in full colour.

Piercing the Eggshell is available from all good booksellers and from Amazon. Read a synopsis of it here.

Go read it and be impressed - not that we wrote it -  but by what these two remarkable people did and what their gift to humanity is.

 

 

D-Day 70 years on

70 years ago, on 6th June 1944, the World War 2 Allied forces launched their invasion into Nazi occupied France, landing on the beaches along the coast of Normandy. The battles fought there were fierce and bloody. Many lives were lost on both sides, and as this year marks the 70th anniversary of this event, ceremonies of remembrance to honour those who took part in the D-Day Landings, also known as Operation Overlord, will be held to commemorate the bravery and sacrifices of those who were there.

Naval ships stood off the beaches, their task being to bombard and disable the guns of the occupying forces. Gliders brought paratroopers who dropped in behind the lines, many of them blown off course because of strong winds. Aircraft bombed from overhead and soldiers were packed into landing craft which headed for the shore. But the weather was so bad that the operation had to be delayed for 24 hours. It was originally planned for 5th June. One of the criteria for the operation was that there should be a full Moon; the exact full Moon was on 6th June, shown in Sun/Moon opposition in the chart.

Chart set for 6.6.1944 at Longues-sur-Mer, Normandy coast, 05.15

Richard Lewellyn, D-Day veteran

I've set the chart for 05.15 for a specific reason. My colleague, friend and fellow astrologer, Richard Llewellyn, who founded the Astrological Psychology Assocation in 1983, was there. A young Midshipman on board HMS Ajax, he took part in the bombardment and disablement of the occupying forces' guns at Longues-sur-Mer on the Normandy coast. This began at 05.15. Richard is a D-Day veteran and he will be returning to Normandy for the 70th anniversary commemorative ceremonies, which will be the last to be held. 

A few observations on the chart: the overall image or chart picture suggests a target, with a focal point at the position of the Moon. The red/blue Ambivalence triangle takes the eye, and the focus is on the direction of this funnel-like shaping. Being ambivalent in nature, the focal point could be the Moon as the target of the bombardment. Or it could equally well symbolise the aim and fire of a gun turret from the Moon's position, with the other pinning planets of this aspect pattern - Sun/Venus/Mercury and Mars/Pluto - coming under fire. Most of the activity is going on in the lower half of the chart, as if under the cover of darkness, with bellicose Mars/Pluto in Leo close to the IC.

The second chart is set for 2 hours later - 07.15 - which is when Richard recalls the landings could start as the guns along the coastline at Gold Beach, where he was, had been disabled. The Sun has risen and is in 12th house; the Moon is setting and falls into 6th. The focus has changed. Saturn is close to the AC, indicating the importance of organisation and plans. Mars/Pluto are in the mutable zone of 2nd house, at the "escape" point of the Ambivalence figure, suggesting that the only way out of the conflict (the symbolic red opposition aspect on the 6/12 houses of existence) is to fight.

Utah Beach by Joyce Hopewell

So many lives were lost, so much bravery was shown, and it's right to remember and honour, 70 years on, those who took part in D-Day  - those who returned and those who didn't. The Normandy beaches  - Utah, Omaha, Gold, Juno and Sword  -  are interesting but sobering to visit. What happened there in 1944 is part of our world history and for me personally it's worth honouring, remembering and thanking Richard and the countless others who were there on that day in June.

Richard in London. Image zimbio.com

In Richard's own words when interviewed at a recent commemorative gathering of veterans in London, attended by Prime Minister David Cameron: 

 " When people say thank you, it makes me feel very humble, because you know I was just doing my duty, quite literally as most of us were, and it's wonderful for somebody to say thank you because I hope it gives them pleasure in being able to do that, and for me, it makes me feel proud, I suppose.. I'm not very good at feeling proud.." 


Richard, I'm very proud of you. Thank you.

Louise Huber 1924 - 2016

Louise Huber by Joyce Hopewell

Update 12th March 2016.

Sad news has reached us of the passing of Louise Huber on 13th January 2016. For further details see the APA website
 
http://astrologicalpsychology.org/apa-blog/


I wrote this post to celebrate Louise's 90th birthday in 2014 and will let it stand as a tribute to a very special and rather amazing lady. Louise - thank you - you gave me so much and I am privileged to have known you. May you be at peace and find your bliss.

Many congratulations and a very happy 90th birthday to Louise Huber, born on 10th May 1924 at 03:15 in Bamberg, Germany.

Louise, together with her husband Bruno Huber, taught and developed Astrological Psychology - also known as the Huber Method -  from the Astrological Psychology Institute in Zurich, Switzerland. Today, as we celebrate Louise's birthday, we also take a look at her chart. I first met her in 1985, when she and Bruno spoke at an astrological conference in the UK, and I have known her since 1987. This lovely photograph of her was taken at a seminar she was giving in Achberg, southern Germany, and we were laughing at a joke we'd just shared. The warmth of her Moon in Cancer and her Jupiter in Sagittarius comes across in this image.

Louise Huber, 10.5.1924, at 03:15, Bamberg, Germany

Louise's chart shaping is predominantly Fixed; there is a large quadrilateral aspect figure which dominates the chart. Quadrilaterals indicate a Fixed inner motivation. This, in turn, is reflected in her Sun/Mercury conjunction in Taurus. She can be a very strong lady when her mind is made up!

The chart image suggests a large bucket, basket or receptacle which could be full of interesting facts and experiences (green searching/questing aspects cross inside it). The bucket or basket is lying on its side. The contents can move freely out towards the "You"/DC side of the chart for others to absorb (Louise began teaching astrological psychology in1962). Saturn sits like a guardian in 7th house, filtering what should be shared as well as who should receive information. Louise's early studies included esotericism, and she would be naturally discriminative and cautious about how she shared her esoteric knowledge, as well as who she shared it with.

The chart has 3 red:3 green:5 blue aspects, indicating that blue fixity might dominate - in lay terms it suggests that Louise's enjoyment and satisfaction of what she has learned and done will be significant. Louise has always been immensely proud of what she and Bruno achieved together when they developed and taught astrological psychology. She has every right to be proud as astrological psychology and the Huber Method are known and taught worldwide.

Louise's chart contains 3 Learning triangles which all support her quest and taste for knowledge and information as well as her ability to teach and share it with others. Learning triangles often indicate ongoing learning throughout life. Louise's study of Alice Bailey's esoteric material has been ongoing since the 1950's. In 1956, she and Bruno were invited to help set up the Arcane School in Geneva - this as her Age Point was in 6th house of service, was in Virgo, the sign associated with service to others, and shortly before this it had been conjunct the Moon's North Node. A 6th house North Node points to personal and spiritual growth which can be accessed by working for and with others.

I'm not attempting to interpret Louise's chart in an in-depth way, but have chosen a few significant features for the purpose of this 90th birthday tribute. The last feature concerns Louise's Jupiter in Sagittarius in 9th house. I recall hearing Louise speak of the time she started to write and set down her ideas, knowledge and experience of astrology and esotericism. She told of how, at the time, the words and ideas began pouring out of her, and she felt compelled to write. At the time, her Age Point was conjunct Jupiter in both her natal and Moon Node chart, and Jupiter is in 9th house in both charts. She was connecting with a place, an area of life  experience she already knew (the Node chart taps into the depths of the personality and into accumulated knowledge). The 9th house is concerned with higher learning, study, teaching, and Jupiter with wisdom and experience. Louise's first book Reflections and Meditations on the Signs of the Zodiac was the outcome, and after this she went on to write many more books with Bruno. The featured Book of the Month is The Astrological Houses by Bruno and Louise Huber. Click on the Books by the Hubers tab above to see all their books.

As Louise's current Age Point approaches conjunction with Venus all that remains now is to wish Louise Huber a very happy day, and to send her love, light and power on the occasion of the 90th birthday.