JAMES HERSCHEL HOLDEN
Historian, Linguist, and Astrologer
James Herschel Holden, M.A. FAFA,
has been Research Director of the American Federation of Astrologers since
1982.
Holden has had a life-long
interest in the history of astrology and astronomy and has translated a
number of astrological works from the Classical Era, Medieval and Modern
times.
In recent years, he has
translated several Books of J.B.Morin's Astrologia Gallica, namely Books
13, 14, 15, 22, 23, 24, and 25. Books 22 and 23 are now available. Book 24
is expected to be available in October 2005, and the others in
2006.
Trained as a linguist - he has a
degree in
English Literature with a minor in Foreign Languages (Latin, German, French, and
Russian) and as a scientist (he holds a second B.A. in Pure Mathematics with a
minor in Physics), Holden has translated numerous astrological books and
articles from Latin, Greek, French, German, Spanish, and Italian.
Some of the translations are: Albumasar's 'Book of
Flowers', Abu 'Ali's 'The Judgments of Nativities', Masha'allah's short
'Book of Nativities', Sahl ibn Bishr's 'Five Books on Horary and
Electional Astrology, Porphyry's 'Introduction to the Tetrabiblos', Paul
of Alexandria's 'Introduction', Rhetorius the Egyptian's 'Compendium of
Astrology', and Brahy's Autobiography. Currently, he is working on a new translation of
Julius Firmicus Maternus's 'Mathesis'.
He is also the published author of two books, 'A
History of Horoscopic Astrology' (1996) and 'Astrological Pioneers of America' (Tempe,
AZ.: A.F.A., 1988) and numerous articles published in A.F.A’s
'Journal of Research' including three papers on Houses in 1982,
1989, and 1991, "The Classical Zodiac" (1995), and "An Astrological Theory
of Personality" (2000).
In his spare time, he also functions
unofficially as the translator for AFA correspondence received and sent in
foreign languages and as a Foreign Correspondent of the Italian
astrological Organization CIDA (Centro Italiano di Astrologia).
James Holden, formerly of
I would like to extend my most heart felt and sincere appreciation to James Holden for his contributions to the advancement of classical astrology with his translations of several Books from Morin de Villefranche's 26 volume magnum opus, Astrologia Gallica. Holden's efforts have made available to this and future generations of serious and dedicated students of classical astrology a priceless methodology from which they may forge their own foundation to this magnificent tradition.
Robert Corre
August 2005