American Academy of Astrologians
American Academy of Astrologians
An early attempt to bring together the more intellectually and research-oriented astrologers for regular sessions at which serious scientific and philosophical discussions would be held. It was fashioned after some of the early eighteenth-century academies in Europe. The prime mover in the academy's formation was John Hazelrigg, a New York astrologer, who with three colleagues called the first meeting, held in New York in 1916. It was limited to 30 members. The membership was self-perpetuating and elected new members to replace any who died or withdrew. Members had to be citizens of the United States. Although most of the members came from the New York City metropolitan area, some came from around the country, such as Inez Perry (Los Angeles), Llewellyn George (Los Angeles), and J. U. Giesy (Salt Lake City).
The academy flourished through the 1920s. Hazelrigg, one of the more capable scholars to take up consideration of astrology, was inclined toward the occult and for several years issued a yearbook that included some of the more esoteric papers presented by the academy's members.
Sources:
Hartman, William C. Who's Who in Occultism, New Thought, Psychism, and Spiritualism. Jamaica, N.Y.: Occult Press, 1927.
Hazelrigg, John. Astrosophical Principles. New York: Hermetic Publishing, 1917.
Yearbook of the American Academy of Astrologians. 2 vols. New York: Hermetic Publishing, 1917, 1918.