In order to demonstrate the undeniably obvious attempts to derogate my text, I am refuting each and every reviewer to present the facts and allow readers a real view of this book, rather than the spin placed on it by the astrological community and their misrepresentation of it. I have even received letters from confused readers who have purchased my text and were baffled with regard to the negativity of the reviews compared to their satisfaction and praise of the text once purchased.
Here I refute Rich Humbert (who by the way in my 30 years of astrology study I have never heard of) and his biased review as it appeared in the Spring 1999 Issue of Aspects Magazine, Volume 24, NO. 1.
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The Integrated Astrological Guide to Self-Empowerment- volume 1 "The Chalice of Arcturus" By Edmond H. Wollmann Published by Altair Publishing, San Diego, 1998, 490 pages, $20. 95
Rich Humbert writes: Esoteric subjects are, in and of themselves, difficult subjects for any author, since the mystical experience is intrinsically ineffable.
Edmond Wollmann replies: This text is an academically referenced PSYCHOLOGICAL GUIDE, and fully explains the apparently inexplicable. Although I state my agreement with Albert Einstein that the mystical experience is "The most beautiful and most profound emotion we can experience....and that it "is the sower of all true science", this text is about uncovering hidden truths and application of mystical understandings, not confusing them. It is clearly referenced, and demonstrates rather than confuses the issues and their sources.
RH: Furthermore, avoiding pretension is as difficult as escaping self delusion. So it was a relief to read in the introduction to Wollmann's request that his guide not be taken as "any sort of ultimate truth or fact."
EW: Mr. Humbert conveniently left out this section in the intro. to the Astrological Guide Series (as this is only volume 1 of a series that will be produced):
"These guides were inspired by the recognition that all disciplines fundamentally seek truth, serve a purpose, and are valid tools in the search for understanding the human condition. Whatever tools (disciplines) I believe serve in that understanding or topic are connected and referenced.
Much of what is written in these texts is fact. Some of it is inspired information, what I believe to be true, some empirical - some simply my best guesstimate through imagination. Most, the end result of many years of my own trials, tribulations and search for truth. It is an offering of the integration of differing systems of belief that are one thing, applied with astrology, and framed with understanding that we create our reality.
"Perhaps he is deluding himself as to what this text really is.
RH: Yet in his "Appreciation," he thanks among a host of other twentieth century and historical icons, Joseph Campbell, Albert Einstein, Vincent Van Gogh, Paul McCartney, Christ, Gandhi, and a channeler named Darryl Anka (Bashar) whose views appear throughout the book.
EW: This is because those individuals are referenced and their great works INTEGRATED into THIS work. To demonstrate Mr. Humbert's profound prejudice, I reviewed the text for references and bibliography section in the back of the book. I found that in the first chapter alone, there are THIRTY TWO references to academic works, TWELVE "other" references and only SIX references to Bashar and Darryl Anka. In the second chapter, there are SEVENTEEN academic references and 3 Bashar.
In the Bibliography, there are 116 astrological references, only exceeding the ACADEMIC REFERENCES that are next in count at 37, 15 metaphysical references, and lastly 11 UFO or channeling references, and yet this "reviewer" and the one at Horoscope Magazine both refer to this text as an "esoteric or theosophical work" based on MY views rather than the blending of these great minds and their views in science and psychology WITH astrology! Unless I am mistaken, there seems to be an attempt to affect sales of this book through misrepresentation.
RH: The Theosophists of the late 18th century wrote deliberately obscure prose designed to hide the mysteries from the unitiated.
EW: I assume you mean the uninitiated. This text uncovers the mysteries, it does not make more of them. I also point out that we all have the same ability to access the ALL, therefore there would be no implication that anything was anymore "hidden" from one individual or another to understand the ALL.
RH: While Wollmann's writing is not as obscure as Blavatsky and Besant, one wishes he were a better writer or had a more rigorous editor, because he does have some serious and interesting ideas.
EW: The real reviews by readers of the text have reported the opposite, that it is deep and well referenced to allows them to pursue more understanding of the issues presented. This was the intent of this series.
RH: Now that the Aquarian Age is upon us, those secrets of human development need be secrets no more.
EW: I would be interested in knowing how you have determined this "Aquarian age" is upon us.
RH: Writers like Michael Meyers, Richard Idemon, and Alan Oken do a better job of illumination.
EW: I will gladly debate one of these persons at a time, or all three at one time to demonstrate my understanding of the topics presented in my text and their superiority, to illuminate the defects in their narrow thinking, and clarify any misunderstandings you or anyone else may have, should anyone be bold enough to allow me the opportunity to do so.
RH: Wollmann spends nearly 300 pages developing his own special meanings and definitions of terms like archetype, repression, projection and feeling to name just a few.
EW: First of all, many of these definitions are accepted academic definitions that the references you ignore point to, with a mild reforming of their notions, and the rest are required because this is a text on SELF-EMPOWERMENT, and requires redefinition of terms that are clothed in DIS-empowering terms.
RH: The remaining pages are filled with example chart interpretations in chapters with titles like: "The Parental Experience" and "The Channeling Experience." Unfortunately, this book also suffers from poor typesetting which adds to the reader's confusion.
EW: Other than the type being only slightly larger because it is Ariel rather than Times Roman, there is absolutely no difference or typographical difficulties with the typeset. In fact, it may be easier to read because of the type. Readers have also reported this.
RH: Despite its many shortcomings, a serious seeker will find useful insights and thought-provoking concepts in Wollmann's work. However, the seeker should bring his shovel.
EW: Yes, to mine the gold that has been laced through it purposely. The next volumes will be no less insightful, academically referenced, or innovative. I believe the shortcomings, are in the defensiveness of those reviewing, who seem to be unable to understand or accept the academic references as the foundation of many themes presented (or do not wish them to be known?), or the fact that it is a blending of all truths in a workable format. This is always difficult for those who wish a certain direction to be followed, and when their dogmatic insistence on the path they believe as the only truth, is disrupted. Such is the nature of DIS-covery and Uranus, because expectations are judgments of how one believes the future should be, as opposed to how it needs to be.
Here is a review from a reader almost duped by your spin:
"Mr. Wollmann:
1- Please let me know when your next book is published.
2- I'm glad I didn't listen to the review in "Aspects" magazine regarding your book. If I would have I would never have purchased your book!'
3- But I have studied astrology since 1965 (under Ivy Jacobson and Cardinal LeGros) and I love your book! I love your use of the Moody Blues who I also love!!"
4- Your book embodies my belief that a recognition of validity should create the real paradigm of the 2lst century - in that the blending of wisdom is the proper path!
Thank you so much for your wonderful work!"
And again:
"I would like to comment that I am still reading "The Integrated Astrological Guide to..." and haven't read a more profound book in a long time. I have studied Astrology for a little over 10 years now and have always felt that it could be more than the cookbook definitions. I have always been intrigued by the works of Dane Rudyhar and your book gives Astrology a practical and psychological aspect that can be of great benefit. Thank you for the work. It has helped me in doing consultations and working with myself."
And again:
"A Refreshing and Inspiring Book! The title of this book is truly an accurate description of what is included...integrated, because it brings together astrology, an abundance of philosophies and religion, psychology, and science; and shows their connections. Astrological descriptions in the book are keys to planet/sign/house placements and combinations, and are approached from a psychological/spiritual point of view.
They describe the foundation of a chart, helping to uncover the source of motivations. I think this idea is one of the most valuable. My understanding according to this book is that we have a choice in how we manifest these motivations in our lives. We are -not- expected to accept a previously-conceived, limited interpretation of an aspect or placement, which assumes what our choices have been and will be. It guides astrological delineation with a section on the steps of delineating a chart, and contains several charts demonstrating this process. It's also a guide encouraging self-empowerment: Understanding, acceptance, and responsibility--with keys to the realization of individual choice and personal transformation. The sections discussing philosophies, etc. can be read and re-read, each time triggering new insights and discoveries."
And again:
"The perfect book to close off the Millennium. If one were to look for one specific book to bridge the gap between 20th century understanding of astrology and the way in which the astrological discipline appears to be headed in the new millennium, Mr. Wollmann's masterpiece would indeed be that work. Authoritative, innovative and very well researched, this book will doubtlessly serve as a model for how astrology books are written in the decades to come. "
I am appalled at the obvious attempt by many in the astrological community to hold back astrology by denying those in academia and other paradigms to not find my text by creating this propaganda of denigration to dissuade them from buying it. You must be ashamed, and if not, please read the section on Integrity in the very text you seek to malign.
"Get your facts straight first, and then you can distort them as much as you please." Mark Twain