Episode 171 features an interview with Priscilla Costello about her book Shakespeare and the Stars, which explores the use of astrology in the plays of William Shakespeare.
Priscilla was a teacher of English literature for over 30 years, as well as a practicing astrologer. In the book she uses her background in both areas to bring a fresh perspective on the role that astrology played in Shakespeare’s writings.
She argues that astrological symbolism was deliberately used in some of the plays in order to provide thematic inspiration for certain characters and overall plot arcs, and that some plays were keyed in to specific planets or signs of the zodiac.
You can find out more about the book or order it through Amazon:
For more information about Priscilla see her website PriscillaCostello.com.
Priscilla was in town last month to give a talk and a book signing at the Tattered Cover Bookstore in Denver, and we sat down to record this interview in person the next day.
Picture Gallery
Here are some pictures from the book signing at Tattered Cover:
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Transcript
A full transcript of this episode is available:Â Episode 171 transcript
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I have really enjoyed listening to this podcast and I will definitely read your book! I surely hope that this is a breakthrough for astrology from a literary perspective. Humanity has been seeking understanding from the beginning of time. Isn’t it so interesting that throughout the ages we find various means of understanding through our relationship with the cosmos?
Thank you
When you have a playwright like Shakespeare who was celebrated in his own day (and ever since) and who consistently and conspicuously used astrological references is his plays, it is inconceivable to think that his audiences were not equally familiar with these references. His popularity then reflects that he was astrologically literate to such an extent that his audiences understood the inner motivations of characters or their destinies.