Lois Rodden
Lois Rodden was an American astrologer and astrological data collector, known primarily as the founder of Astrodatabank. She was a pioneer in raising awareness of the sourcing of data being foundational in the credibility of astrology.
Early life
Lois was born Lois Mae Fast on May 22, 1928, at 12:22 am MST in Lang, Saskatchewan, Canada.Rodden's study of astrology with the Church of Light, began in 1962 when she moved to Los Angeles.
Career
She sold her first astrology article in February 1968, and in September 1968, was invited to become a charter member of Professional Astrologers Inc. At the same time, she was invited to give a series of astrology lectures in San Jose and to teach at the Hollywood Astrological Society. She believed that her career as an astrologer began at that time.Beginning around 1973, she built up a clientele mainly of people in the entertainment industry, keeping to practical rather than psychological concerns in the client's charts. In 1976, she wrote a list of transit definitions for one of the first computer companies to sell monthly forecasts. She also wrote Sun signs for the astrology scrolls that sell from vending machines, annual sun sign books for checkout stands and astrologically based advertising copy.
In 1985, Rodden moved to a less urban part of California to concentrate more on research than clients. She first went to Europe in 1990. Lois was an active member of Inland Empire Mensa.
Publications
In addition to being editor/publisher of the long-running journal, Data News Rodden wrote five books of astrological data, and three textbooks, The Mercury Method of Chart Comparison; Modern Transits, and Money, How to Find it With Astrology.Of her publication, she said: .
Astro-Databank and the Rodden Rating System
Rodden was best known for avidly collecting exact data of births and times of public figures and celebrities. Lois Rodden applied her rating system to all the older US data she had collected. This came from astrological organizations – like The Church of Light – data collections – like Sabian Symbols– and the astrological magazines that were very popular during the 1930s and 1940s. It was a huge task. She collected thousands of data over many years that revealed just how undisciplined the astrological community was in the first half of the 20th century.She emphasised the importance of calculating charts using time zones, time signatures, longitudes and latitude, deploring the tendency of many astrologers to use inaccurate or non-sourced information as an easy alternative to proper research.
Rodden had high standards - she believed in a kind of public responsibility for the astrologer to choose "clean " data over the flawed type. She constantly lobbied publishers, editors and fellow astrologers to make them aware of her concerns. Over 40 years, she amassed tens of thousands of data, both private and public, and called her business Astro-Databank. She would sell a birth record to anyone who wanted it for $5 over the phone.
After meeting computer programmer Mark McDonough, they developed her data collection of astrological details on thousands of notable people into an online resource, now offered for free. The repository is a tool for astrologers to formulate accurate birth charts for distribution, reference, study and research.
Rodden rating system
The Rodden Rating system is used for astrology articles.Lois Rodden requested other astrologers and astrological data collectors to explain their various data collection with a plea: - from her book.
Books
- Mercury Method of Chart Comparison. American Federation of Astrologers Inc., 1973
- Modern Transits. American Federation of Astrologers Inc., 1978
- Astro-Data I: Profiles of Women. Data Newz Revised edition, 1996
- Astro-Data II: American Book of Charts. 445 pages. American Federation of Astrologers Inc; Revised edition 1984
- Astro-Data III: Occult/ General Collection. American Federation of Astrologers Inc., 1986, 1992. 265 Pages.
- Astro-Data IV: Culture Collection. American Federation of Astrologers Inc., 1992
- Astro-Data V: Profiles of Crime. Data Newz, 1992
- Money: How to Find It With Astrology. 280 Pages. Data Newz 1998. American Federation of Astrologers 2006
Awards
1992, UAC Regulus Award for Enhancing Astrology's Image.2002 UAC Award for Lifetime Achievement