Response from Joanne Wickenburg,
Chairperson of Kepler College Board of Trustees

Dear Boston Herald Editor:

After reading the article published on May 16th in the Boston Herald, I am compelled to respond to John Silber's ill-informed story about Kepler College of Astrological Arts and Sciences, located in Washington State.

Apparently, Mr. Silber is not aware that in the great universities of renaissance Europe astrology was held in high esteem. Its concepts and symbols are intertwined throughout philosophy, art, literature and theology. Astrology is the mother of astronomy. Likewise, the development of mathematics shares its history with astrology. In every known human culture, astrology was one of the driving forces behind the growth of ever more sophisticated mathematics. Yet these facts have been erased from most academic textbooks. Kepler College is changing that.

The censoring of astrology from the study of the Greek classics, Arabic and Latin Middle Ages, and European Renaissance has greatly impoverished those studies. The role astrology played in the development of science, the arts, politics, mythology and religion has largely been deleted, excluded or ignored. Because of its isolation from the rest of society and its schools, the link that connects astrology to other subjects has almost been broken. Kepler College exists to rebuild that link.

Astrology did not die when it ceased being part of the academic experience after the "Age of Enlightenment", however the quality of understanding suffered greatly. The popular "sun-sign" columns that publications such as yours promote for profit, are a clear example of how the very word, astrology, is being trivialized in today's world.

Kepler College offers a home where astrology can reclaim and proclaim its historical importance in the development of civilization. As a responsible institution of academic integrity, fully authorized to issue BA and MA degrees in astrology, Kepler College can bring this rich history back to the greater community through its students and their papers and by supporting faculty research and publications.

It has been almost 400 years since students last had an opportunity to study astrology in an academic setting. Yet it has a rich history that should not be forgotten; it has a future that is yet to unfold. Kepler College students have a unique opportunity to use modern technology to develop sophisticated research in the field of astrology. The establishment of Kepler College, which is dedicated to the scholarly study of astrology, is a necessary first step in restoring academia to its full flower of health.

Sincerely,
Joanne Wickenburg,
Kepler College Board of Trustees Chairperson

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