What brought you to astrology?
My father is an astrologer, so I grew up around astrology. I first took an interest in it when I saw my father working with an ephemeris one day when I was around 11 or 12 years old. I asked what that was, and he told me it was his “code book.” I was intrigued, because I loved codes and ciphers in those days, so I asked a lot of follow-up questions. Eventually, my father got me a copy of Joan McEvers book, The Only Way to Learn Astrology and we started studying together off and on. In March 1981, my father predicted John Hinkley’s assassination attempt on Ronald Reagan a week before it occurred. That solidified for me—as it would for anyone—that astrology is unquestionably real. I’ve been studying it seriously ever since. I wrote about the story of my father’s 1981 prediction in the Fall Equinox issue of Midheaven Magazine.
Why do you practice astrology? What makes it juicy for you?
Astrology is proof of the existence of God and of a meaning-filled universe. I can honestly say that I have not experienced a moment of agnosticism—never mind atheism—in my life, thanks to my study and practice of astrology. There is a tremendous comfort in that perspective that I love sharing with others. I also enjoy the sense of connectivity that we have with our clients, the mutual trust that comes from a discussion of how someone’s nativity is playing out in the details of life. It is rare to experience that kind of intimate trust with someone you haven’t known for years, and so much good can come of it.
What is your specialty, or focus?
I am primarily a consulting natal astrologer in the Modern Psychological tradition, with a particular focus on hemispheric emphasis and singletons, midpoints, and Solar Arcs.. My consultations and research increasingly involve insights and techniques from the Hellenistic and Medieval traditions as well. Annual Profections has become a specialty focus for me, and I am working a lot with Zodical Releasing now as well. I also practice horary astrology, and do chart rectification.
Is there a planet, sign, or aspect you’ve been exploring lately that represents an archetype or energy that feels important to you right now?
Yes, I am presently writing a column for Midheaven Magazine on the waning Saturn-Uranus square of 2020-2021.
What is your picture of astrology in the future?
I think we are witnessing a steady convergence of the Traditional Revival with the status quo approaches of Modern Psychological and Evolutionary Astrology in which the best insights of both will be integrated through research and experience with clients. I hope to be a catalyst for that process. I also think that we are seeing impressive new strides towards greater diversity in the astrological community, and a welcome influx of young, enthusiastic energy that suggests we could well be in a new Golden Age of astrological growth, research, and insight.
Are there any additional comments you would like to make about your lecture and workshop?
I have found midpoints to be one of the most extraordinary and reliable elements of any astrological analysis, both from the perspective of natal consultations and with respect to predictive technique. At the same time, there is tremendous opportunity for additional research into their use, interpretation, and development. They embody the contemporary notion of an ancient principle developing in new directions, and at times, even with new planetary bodies. In this case, midpoints have their origins in Hellenistic lots, also known as Arabic parts, and can involve modern developments like “planetary pictures” or the use of trans-Neptunian planets, as we see in Uranian Astrology. The insights available from this conflux of ancient and modern are unparalleled in the field of astrology, and offer exciting opportunities for the future.
If you discovered a new planet, or asteroid, what would you name it and why?
Place-Holder. The reason would be to avoid anything with a pre-existing myth attached to it that might have nothing whatsoever to do with the significations that the planet/asteroid might prove to have after years of observation. Once the nature of the planet or asteroid became clear, we would go back and change its name from Place-Holder to whatever appropriate mythical name seemed most consistent with its behavior in the chart.
Or Sylvester. I just like that name.
Matthew J. Ouimet is a second generation consulting astrologer with forty years experience specializing in a blend of Modern Psychological and Traditional Astrology. He is a Highest Honors graduate of Noel Tyl’s Masters Level Course in Astrological Consulting, and has certifications in Hellenistic, Medieval, and Horary Astrology from Chris Brennan, Ben Dykes, and Alphee Lavoie respectively. He holds a doctorate in History from the University of Washington. Matthew’s client work and teaching explore the convergence of Traditional astrological techniques and modern developmental psychology, looking closely at how character and events, nature and nurture, manifest in the horoscope. He lives in Northern Virginia, not far from Washington, DC and the trails of the Appalachian Mountains.