“When I was born my mother cried;
but then there was a star danced, and under that was I born.”

- Much Ado About Nothing
Act II scene 1 by William Shakespeare

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It all started on a day in the mid-70s when I realized that I would never be successful in this world doing what I was supposed to do so I might as well do what I wanted to do. The first thing to come to mind was astrology. That very same day (truth to tell) I got on the subway and there was this man reading a book called Love and Addiction. I thought it looked interesting enough to risk contact. When I commented on his book, he commented on mine: The Astrological Houses by Dane Rudhyar. Next thing i knew he mentioned that he had actually read it. I told him I would love to learn astrology and he reached into his pocket and handed me the card of Eleanor Bach, my first astrology teacher. One of the most fortuitous days of my life! (Uranus conjunct my ascendant at the time.)

For the next few years I studied and practiced and turned myself into an astrologer.

Although I didn’t realize it at the time it is clear to me from the perspective of being an astrologer for the last 4 +  decades that my formal education (a BA in English from William Smith College) was the perfect training for an astrologer. Not that my professors would have agreed!

In 1978 I left New York and moved to Portland, Oregon where I studied with Diana Stone who polished off a lot of my rough edges and encouraged me to choose between being a professional astrologer or someone with a ‘real’ job doing astrology on the side. Very helpful. At that time I also became a registered massage therapist in Oregon. I felt astrology was too heady and touching people would balance out the energy. For the next 7 years I practiced both astrology and massage but eventually my love for astrology won out over my life as a masseuse.

In 1981, I came to visit my sister in Toronto and have lived here ever since.

In the 80s I was Jade Athena With Today’s Astrological Insights! on Q107’s noon-hour show. I wrote a book called Passion Signs for Pulse books, a subsidiary of McClelland and Stuart. I have many copies of this entertaining little Sun-sign guide to relationships. Let me know if you would like one. I also became a mother — an experience that has truly been one of my best teachings — astrology in action!

Starting in the early 90s for about 15 years or so I was the astrologer for Flare Magazine. I currently write a monthly column for Vitality Magazine (a Toronto based alternative publication).  In the later 90s I self-published a newsletter called the Divine Design which links mythology and fairy tales to astrological signs. Look for it online as ‘Astrology’s Twelve Great Myths‘.

Currently I continue to read horoscopes for individuals and couples. I also teach classes and workshops on many astrological topics. You can also find me on YouTube at Julie Simmons Quantum Astrology and with with Karen Gordon and Mieka Hildebrandt on our monthly podcast The Astrological Town Crier.

Astrology is an awesome navigational tool in a world that seems rich in information but poor in meaning. I can’t say I know the meaning of life but it does seem that we are here to awaken consciousness rather than be comfortable. (Although I like comfort as much as anyone.) Astrology is not a religion. It doesn’t tell me what to think. Its rich imagery and ancient tradition keep me mindful of the need to pay attention and to wake up from the dream of life into the actual experience. It continues to give me suggestions as to how I might do that.

I am truly blessed to be able to share this with my clients and students.

Julie Simmons

Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Astrologer