Five Questions with Dr Ali A Olomi
Another TalkTalkTalk with Dr Olomi—on practicing astrology in the current world
For the uninitiated, Dr. Ali A. Olomi is a historian, astrologer, and translator. His Patreon, where he shares history and translations, among breakdowns of astrological and magic techniques, has attracted a near cult-like following.
And for good reason: he possesses a rare talent for making the obscure approachable. His unparalleled ability to bring World Astrology into the world as a lens to understand the current moment makes his work accessible to a variety of audiences.
This is why I asked him to give the LA Astro Fest Pre-Talk at the Philosophical Research Society on Tuesday, June 23rd. It’s also why we’re offering streaming tickets for this event. From experienced Astrologers to those simply trying to make sense of the world, Dr. Olomi’s upcoming talk, “Once and Future Stars: The Astrology of Today and Tomorrow,” promises something for everyone.
In the following interview with Dr. Olomi, we delve into not only World Astrology—but also some of the bigger issues facing astrologers practicing today.
Vivi Henriette: In our last interview at PRS, you stated that ‘World astrology is the most effective lens for explaining the present,’ going on to say it ‘allows you to center the ordinary person in a way that doesn’t erase them,’ and citing ‘Mars in Taurus’ as an example of “harm to laborers.”
First, I loved that interview and have spent a lot of time thinking about it.
Do you think we’ll ever reach a point in the US when astrologers are taken as seriously as economists or political scientists? And do you think that’s even necessary?
Dr Ali A Olomi: I also loved that interview. It was such an enjoyable chat thanks to yourself and the wonderful panelists.
I think more and more people are finding insight, wisdom, and guidance outside of the traditional institutions which have failed to live up to this moment, or even contributed to it. I don’t think astrologers will replace economists any day soon, but I do think people are opening up to the idea that expertise can be found in other traditions, in other ways of knowing, and astrology is among them. There will always be those who discard it, but I can attest to a genuine tonal shift among the professionals I interact with.
Vh: I’ve reached a point in my astrological studies where I feel I need to step back from technique and immerse myself in the history of the world – (a move that I believe would greatly serve both me and a lot of my colleagues). Knowing I’m asking a history professor, and perhaps sacrificing some objectivity, how important is studying history to being a good astrologer?
AAO: I’m definitely biased, but I do think history is one of, if not, the most important academic discipline currently. Not just for studying the past, but how the past is constructed in the present, how evidence is gathered, and interpreted is an essential skill especially for astrologers. Both historians and astrologers are interpreters of time. The historian interprets the past to understand the present. The astrologer interprets the past (either in a nativity or at the world level) to understand the present *and* to predict the future. The two studies are deeply related. The more you study history, the better your astrology.
Vh: There seems to be this pervasive idea in Astro Land that if we go back far enough, we’ll find the source texts that get us closer to some astrological Truth.
As someone who is neither a translator nor a scholar, my first thought is that something sounds off here. History, it seems to me, is a record of people being in conversation with each other — processing and building on ideas. Not one group of people simply being the custodians of another group’s ideas.
Am I onto something? How do you see your role as a translator?
AAO: Right on the money! Astrology is a collaboration between people and cultures across regions and across time. One of the things that stood out to me when reading the primary sources is how much astrologers were in conversation not only with their contemporaries, but with their colleagues of centuries past. When you read Abu Ma’shar’s Greater Introduction he’s speaking to the astrologers of his day, addressing their debates and providing his opinion, but he’s also in conversation with the Greeks, Egyptians, Indians, and Babylonians before him. Astrology is a collaboration. It is less a singular truth and more a collective wisdom.
Vh: In an era of ubiquitous prediction markets like Kalshi—”the prediction market for trading the future”—where anyone can bet on anything from a basketball game to a potential war, astrologers publicly gloating about their predictions feels particularly icky.
As someone who spends a lot of time making astrological predictions – and I truly appreciate that you mostly do it behind the closed doors of your Patreon, where it always feels in service to astrology – I have to ask: Do you think, in this age of prediction, we as astrologers must approach our craft with a new set of decorum?
AAO: 100%! Prediction is an important part of astrology, but its commodification for profit and spectacle cheapens the legacy, tradition, and wisdom. I find it rather gross when astrologers rush to “astrologize” a tragedy like a murder. It offers no insight--they didn’t even predict anything! It also offers no comfort. It becomes a type of capitalistic vampirism. As a person who applies world astrology to things like war, genocide, climate collapse etc, I try to center insight, compassion, and humanity in what I do. I see prediction as a way to bring us closer together, to identify how our struggles are shared, and what we can do as a community to face the future. Accuracy matters, but so does accountability. I always strive to go back and emphasize what I missed, how I could do better, and always recenter the conversation about the impact on real people and how we can build solidarity. My approach may not be for everyone, but I hope collectively we can build real ethical standards around prediction at the world level.
Vh: So much online astrological discourse mimics sensationalist journalism—symbols disconnected from the sky and earth in service of feelings and opinions. Following astrology feels like The New York Times sending me ‘breaking news’ emails five times a day. At some point nothing feels real.
Is this relatable?
AAO: So much so. I’ve been doing historical astrology for a long time, but am still a relative newbie to the online astrology community precisely for this reason. I think the structures are built around the attention economy--a struggle for headlines, to be the first, to be sensationalist, to even scandalize. This leaves us disconnected from the natural world and its signs. We are living in strange times when bringing things back to the local--just like Astro Salon does--is exactly what the doctor ordered. We don’t need hot takes, we need thoughtful takes! We don’t need influencers, we need community leaders. I think astrology has a bright future ahead if it can avoid the pitfall of modern techno-capitalism.
Vh: How do you see the role of the astrologer in society? Historically? Currently? Ideally?
AAO: I see the role of astrologers as unchanged from centuries past: as counselors who interpret the stars to provide guidance, wisdom, and a sense of bearing in an unsteady world.
ABOUT DR OLOMI
Dr. Ali A Olomi is a professor of history of the Middle East and Islam at Loyola Marymount University and an Affiliated Scholar at the Rutgers Center of Security, Race, and Rights. He is host of the Head on History podcast. He works on medieval and modern Muslim thought at the intersection of religion, science, and empire with a focus on the histories of astrology and the occult sciences.
ABOUT VIVI
Vivi Henriette is an LA-based astrologer and tarot reader known for her collaborative approach to divination, weaving storytelling and mythology to help clients explore their personal narratives. She hosts the monthly Los Angeles Astro Salon at the Philosophical Research Society, the podcast TALKTALKTALK, and is organizer of LA Astro Fest.
Four days. A constellation of astrologers and storytellers.
Come see some of the most exciting voices in astrology this day in age. The 2nd Annual LA Astro Fest is a full festival experience spanning conversation, movement, performance, and the kind of connection you only find when astro people gather IRL.
Featuring Ali A. Olomi, Blair Bogin, Cameron Allen, Evan Nathaniel Grim, Gemini Brett, Marval Rex, Michelle Tea, Naha Armády, Rachel Lang, Sri Sita Dass, Vivi Henriette, Planets, Planets, Planets & more!
Congrats for reading this far! Use code VIVIAOTZ for 10% off all weekend events. Still can’t swing it? Reach out to me at vivi@vivihenriette.com to explore sliding scale and payment plans
If you’re looking for a group of likeminded astro seekers, Club Astro is your place!
We meet weekly to explore the sky in real time and make sense of what is unfolding in our lives and in the collective. This is your chance to ask me questions about your chart, share stories, and connect with a cohort of fellow astrologers.
Club Astro members also get exclusive perks:
Discounted astrological readings & mentorship
Secret invites
Discounted tickets to the Los Angeles Astro Salon and the LA Astro Fest.
Our next gathering is Thursday, July 1st, at 7pm EDT / 4pm PDT.
Further Reading
On World Astrology: In Conversation With Dr Ali A Olomi at the Los Angeles Astro Salon
A Mercury talisman and a trip to Marrakech, Morocco, introduced me to Dr. Ali A. Olomi’s work. I was visiting a jewelry vendor and mentioned I was an astrologer. His eyes lit up, and he proceeded to show me his collection of astrological talismans and astrolabes.
Sooo excited for another Dr. Olomi panel :)