Alan Leo
William Frederick Allan
- Origin
- Westminster, England
- Key works
- Astrology for All (1899), Esoteric Astrology (1913)
Contribution
Alan Leo is considered the "father" of modern psychological astrology. At the end of the 19th century he moved astrology from prediction toward character analysis — his slogan "character is destiny" became widespread. Started an astrological magazine, a membership organization (the Theosophical Society astrology branch), and affordable astrology reports: for the first time, astrology could be "mass." Before Alan Leo astrology was technical and predictive; after him it became a tool for the question "who am I?". Arrested in 1914 (astrology wasn't legal in England then); the lawsuits exhausted him bodily; died early in 1917. His wife Bessie continued the work.
Why they matter today
The beginning of modern psychological astrology. The roots of "personality analysis" style astrology readings are Alan Leo. Every sun-sign reading, personality book, online report today carries his legacy.