Episode 262 features an interview with astrologers Basil Fearrington and Kathy Rose about the life and work of the astrologer Noel Tyl.
Noel Tyl was one of the most prolific astrologers of the late 20th and early 21st century, having authored around 30 books.
He passed away last year, on December 31, 2019, the day he turned 83 years old.
I almost did an interview with him last fall, but it didn't come together, and I regretted having missed the opportunity.
In order to make up for it I decided to interview two of Noel's most prominent students, Basil and Kathy, who continue to teach his methods.
In the first part of the episode we talk about Noel's biography, and in the second part we talk about his approach to astrology and what made it unique and distinctive.
Thanks to Matthew Ouimet for his help putting together the outline for this episode!
Below you will find the show notes, followed by links to listen to the episode.
This episode is available in both audio and video versions below.
Show Notes and Episode Outline
Introduction
Noel Jan Tyl (1936-2019)
Born December 31, 1936, at 3:57 PM EST in West Chester, Pennsylvania
Died December 31, 2019 at 11:11 AM in Arizona
Died on his birthday, at 83 years old.
One of the most prolific astrologers of the late 20th century.
Biographical Background on Noel’s Life
Born December 31st, 1936, at 3:57 pm EST in West Chester, Pennsylvania.
Big guy: 6ft 11in tall
Excelled academically and athletically
Accepted to Harvard
Became aware of astrology after college at age 28 (Saturn return)
Went to Zoltan Mason’s bookstore in New York Cit
Tyl self-taught through books
His first published book was “Astrology as Identity” in 1973.
Wrote while in Germany and submitted to Llewelyn
Subsequent series: Principles and Practice of Astrology (12 vols)
Published 30+ books in his life.
Strong connection with Llewellyn publishing company.
Developed and taught his Master’s Course
Founding member and early Presiding Officer of AFAN
Involved in organizing the first United Astrology Conference (UAC) in 1987.
Received Regulus Award at UAC in 1998 for Enhancing Professional Image
Noel Tyl's Approach to Astrology
Humanistic astrological focus
What was most important was having a meaningful conversation with the client.
Influenced by psychological need theory taught by professor Henry Murray at Harvard
Who were Noel’s primary influences as an astrologer?
Alan Leo
Marc Edmund Jones - personal connection?
Dane Rudhyar
Reinhold Ebertin
Crafted an approach that was both technical and psychological
His opposition to the use of the terms benefic and malefic
Aspects
Focus on hard aspects
Minor aspects
Didn’t use the inconjunct.
Quindecile: 165 degrees - intense focus or obsession
Quintile: 72 degrees - creativity
Aspect patterns
Grand trine
T-square
Grand square
Others involving quadrant or hemisphere emphasis
Hemisphere emphasis
Singleton planet
Houses
Placidus houses
He did not dismiss all traditional house meanings
Focused on what was psychologically and behaviorally important.
2nd house as how you view yourself as a resource; self-worth and self-esteem
Rulers of the houses, using modern sign rulers
Saturn retrograde interpretation
Peregrine as unaspected planet
Timing techniques
Transits
Solar arcs
Secondary progressed Moon
Midpoints
Via Cosmobiology of Reinhold Ebertin
He thought the WWII era delineations of Ebertin were too pessimistic
“Updated” them
Vocation
Weekly vocational exercises on his forum
Aries point
Learning More
Some books by Noel:
Synthesis and Counseling in Astrology (1994)
Solar Arcs (2001)
Prediction in Astrology (1995)
Vocations: The New Midheaven Extension Process (2006)