On World Astrology: In Conversation With Dr Ali A Olomi at the Los Angeles Astro Salon
The Historian and Astrologer explores astrology's multifaceted role in both the wider world and our individual lives
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.
Until then, I naively believed India held the only unbroken astrological tradition. Yet, in Morocco, I received an impromptu lecture on astrological magic. After sharing this story with friends, they recommended Dr. Olomi’s podcast, Head on History.
I was humbled from the first episode.
Dr. Olomi’s work on medieval Islamic occult and esoteric thought has profoundly altered many people's understanding of astrology, including my own. This was clear when I asked him to co-host my monthly astro salon at The Philosophical Research Society; tickets sold out in ten days, and for the first time, we moved the event to the auditorium to accommodate a larger audience.
This brings me to this video: this conversation is part of my monthly series, the Los Angeles Astro Salon. Previously, I chose not to record these interviews. However, due to overwhelming demand from Dr. Olomi’s fans outside of LA who wanted to hear this talk, I’m making it available to everyone.
Special thanks to the panelists who joined us for the second half of the conversation: Liz Vazquez, Stefanie Marlow, and Sydney Baloue.
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 whose collaborative approach to divination weaves in storytelling and mythology to create a container for her clients to explore their personal narrative. She’s the host of the Los Angeles Astro Salon at the Philosophical Research Society and the podcast TALKTALKTALK as well as co-organizer of LA Astro Fest.
ABOUT THE LOS ANGELES ASTRO SALON
The Los Angeles Astro Salon is a monthly meetup for professional astrologers and serious astrology students of all levels. Hosted by Vivi Henriette of ART of the ZODIAC, each Salon features a new co-host and a robust audience driven conversation.
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