"It's Not About Gay" - Rhea Wolf and Ian Waisler

"Queer astrology" is a subjective term and holds many different meanings, just as queerness itself can take on many forms and mean different things to different people.

The way I see it - queer astrology isn't astrology just for queer identifying people. Yes, it makes space for, but has little to do with sexual orientation and/or gender expression and more to do with framework and approach. It is a process that attempts to make space for everyone.

My working definition of queer astrology is:

Astrology that is rooted in a practice of challenging any status quo system(s) that are oppressive and/or harmful. Astrology that looks outside of the confines of its own predefined definition boxes (which are almost always based on harmful oppressive systems - such as white supremacy, the patriarchy, and capitalism) and continually seeks to redefine the meaning behind astrological language so that it becomes more inclusive of the various identities folks hold and the things they are experiencing IRL.

I also think it's really important to consider what social structures are existing outside of astrology (race, class, etc) and how they may alchemize with one's astrology, and shape what is being manifested in that person's lived experience.

As my dear friend and teacher Rhea Wolf was quoted saying in the Queer Astrology Anthology

"An astrology that does not liberate is not interesting to me"

and this really drives home for me why queer astrology is so important. We cannot be free if we are confined. We cannot make space for all the yummy things we could experience (like freedom, inclusion, self-development, healing, heart centered living, and love) using astrology that is rooted in opressive systems that thrive on telling folks there is something wrong with them and leaving them feeling powerless.

Ultimately I define queer astrology as an astrology framework that centers the human sitting across from you, not the intellectualized astrology itself.

Community Over Competition

While I believe queer astrology has existed as long as astrology has existed (and as long as people who live outside of normative definitions have existed) 2013 kicked off a movement of astrologers who have intentionally and actively brought queering astrology to the forefront. These trailblazers have (and continue to) create classes, schools, conferences, events, books, podcasts and apps - in some cases completely penetrating mainstream astrology. And I am so excited to come across more and more astrologers adopting this queer approach to astology.

That said, I believe there is still so much more work to do and as with anything it takes a community (and usually multiple generations) to create lasting impact. So in the interest of challenging (and rejecting) my own toxic competition mindset and redirecting that energy towards amplifying queer astrology and community support - here are some astrologers who are fucking awesome, that I admire and/or have very much have inspired me on my own path, and are queering astrology in their own ways:

Courtney Sahl
Alice Sparkly Kat
Jessica Lanyadoo
3rd Eye Zy
Laurence Jones
Chani Nicolas
Diana Rose Harper
Kirah Tabourn
Colin Bedell
Dru Ish
Bear Ryver
Kelsey Branca
Gary Lorenzen
The Portland School of Astrology