What is Epistrophic Astrology?

Your birth chart is not a verdict on your life.It is a map of what you are capable of, and a guide to the journey through which those capacities unfold.Epistrophe offers ancient astrological readings that go beyond fate and personality, bringing the Neoplatonic and Hermetic philosophical traditions of the classical world into living practice alongside the rigor of Hellenistic astrological technique.

The name Epistrophe comes from the ancient Greek ἐπιστροφή (epistrophē), a precise Neoplatonic term for the soul's movement back toward its own nature and source.In the Neoplatonic and Hermetic traditions, the chart was understood as a map of this epistrophic movement, unique to each soul, revealing how it could philosophically get back to its home, and ascend back up through the planets.A reading in this tradition is therefore an act of remembrance or recognition, the chart showing the soul its own specific nature back to itself, so that the life it describes can be consciously inhabited rather than simply undergone.

Hellenistic astrology was always philosophically plural

Hellenistic astrology has undergone a major modern revival, with historically lost techniques, such as time lords, planetary dignities, sect, and Zodiacal Releasing, recovered directly from Greek and Arabic sources with exceptional scholarly care.This has created a serious and expanding audience that engages with astrology at a far deeper level than mainstream practice.Much of this revival has been shaped by texts transmitted through a Stoic philosophical lens, because those sources preserved technical instruction most clearly.Stoicism itself offers a rich framework of fate, virtue, and disciplined rational agency within a structured cosmos. However, across centuries of transmission, what has been most fully recovered is the technical architecture of astrology, not the full diversity of its original philosophical interpretations.Hellenistic astrology was never philosophically singular. Alongside Stoicism, Neoplatonic and Hermetic traditions offered alternative ways of understanding the chart, namely, as a tool for meaning, inner transformation, and the soul’s capacity for return and agency.Epistrophe Astrology continues this broader tradition: not as a rejection of the revival, but as an expansion of it, reintroducing a historically authentic plurality of interpretive frameworks within the Hellenistic system.

Neoplatonic and Hermetic Approaches to the Hellenistic Chart

The Neoplatonic and Hermetic traditions understood the chart through a specific and coherent philosophical lens.Stoic philosophy (over-represented in the surviving Hellenistic astrological treatises) reads the chart primarily as a map of fate in our world, what the cosmos has ordered for this soul, to be understood and accepted wisely.Neoplatonism and Hermeticism, by contrast, read birth charts as something different: a map of the soul's specific capacities, and the curriculum through which those capacities could be consciously developed.Above all they ask how does the soul return to its own true nature?The Neoplatonic or Hermetic astrological chart was also, therefore, a map for return to the cosmos and a much longer journey of the immortal soul.

Together, these traditions offer what might be called a philosophy of participation: the chart is not something happening to you, but something you are equipped and invited to inhabit consciously.Stoic, Neoplatonic, and Hermetic readings all draw on the same technical material. All are genuinely ancient and contemporary. All are philosophically serious. They are simply asking different questions of the same chart, and arriving at answers that are complementary rather than competing.Epistrophe seeks to build back in more explicitly the philosophical and agential reading of the Hellenistic chart to complement the technical data.

The Three Sessions

The three sessions form one continuous ongoing journey, each naturally leading to the next, each deepening the soul's relationship with their chart as a map of meaning and agency rather than a portrait of fixed fate.

Book a Session

Each consultation begins with a careful study of the natal chart.I first examine the chart's patterns and themes on their own terms before our discussion together of it interpretation.For this reason, I ask for your birth date, birth time (HH:MM (24h clock) if known), and place of birth (all these are critical to the effectiveness of the Hellenistic chart). If you don't know the time we can discuss other options, don't worry!All data is confidentially treated and held to rigorous standards (see our privacy policy here. Astrology is one of the few practices that requires this data to work!).If you are considering a session please add these details to your message.

About me

My name is David Wallace-Hare. I'm a Hellenistic astrologer and a classicist whose work has centered on understanding how the ancient world thought about the relationship between human life, the cosmos, and the sacred.I hold a PhD in Classics from the University of Toronto and have held research appointments in the United Kingdom, Canada, Spain, and the United States. I've taught university courses in Greek and Roman history, mythology, Roman and world religion, and classical literature (alongside teaching ancient Greek and Latin and the use of those languages in scientific and technical fields). My academic research has been published internationally. My scholarship specializes in the interpretation of ancient technical and religious literature (especially religious inscriptions from the Roman west), drawing together textual, historical, and archaeological evidence to recover how ancient people understood their world.This same scholarly approach informs my astrological practice. Rather than treating Hellenistic astrology as a collection of isolated techniques, I study it within the wider philosophical traditions from which it emerged. My work brings the surviving astrological texts into conversation with Platonism, Hermeticism, and other intellectual currents of late antiquity and the medieval period, seeking to recover not only how the ancient astrologers practised, but why they understood astrology as they did.The name Epistrophe comes from the ancient Greek word for "return," the soul's reorientation toward its deepest nature. This idea lies at the heart of my practice and my philsophy. A birth chart is not simply a catalogue of future events, but a map of character, vocation, challenges, and latent capacities.Traditional techniques provide remarkable precision; philosophy helps us understand what that precision is for.Drawing on the rich technical heritage of Hellenistic astrology, I offer consultations that combine historical rigor with practical guidance, helping clients engage their charts as sources of meaning, purpose, and agency rather than as instruments of fatalism.

Contact

Each consultation begins with a careful study of the natal chart.I first examine the chart's patterns and themes on their own terms before our discussion together of it interpretation.For this reason, I ask for your birth date, birth time (HH:MM (24h clock) if known), and place of birth (all these are critical to the effectiveness of the Hellenistic chart). If you don't know the time we can discuss other options, don't worry!All data is confidentially treated and held to rigorous standards (see our privacy policy here. Astrology is one of the few practices that requires this data to work!).If you are considering a session please add these details to your message.

PRIVACY NOTICE

Last updated: June 2026Epistrophe Astrology is committed to protecting your privacy and handling your personal information in accordance with UK data protection legislation, including the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018.Who I amEpistrophe Astrology is operated by Dr David Wallace-Hare. Epistrophe Astrology is the trading name of David Wallace-Hare.Address:
66 Littlemead Lane
Exmouth
Devon
EX8 3BUEmail: [email protected]Telephone: 07943 228583Information Commissioner's Office registration number: ZB880994What information I collectI may collect and process the following information:* Name
* Email address
* Telephone number
* Date, time, and place of birth
* Booking and payment information
* Session notes
* Any personal information you voluntarily disclose during consultations or correspondenceWhy I collect this informationI collect this information in order to:* Arrange and deliver astrological consultations
* Prepare natal charts and other astrological material
* Maintain client records
* Respond to enquiries
* Meet legal and accounting obligationsThe lawful basis for processing this information is Article 6(1)(b) UK GDPR: processing necessary for the performance of a contract.Where sensitive personal information is voluntarily disclosed during consultations, processing is undertaken with your explicit consent for the purpose of providing astrological services.How your information is storedPersonal information is stored securely using password-protected systems and is accessible only to Epistrophe Astrology.Reasonable technical and organisational measures are taken to safeguard personal information.Sharing your informationYour information will never be sold.Information may be shared only:* where required by law;
* with professional advisers where legally necessary; or
* with trusted service providers necessary to operate the practice (for example payment processors, email providers, or secure video conferencing platforms).How long information is retainedClient records and session notes are normally retained for seven years after the final consultation.General enquiries that do not result in a booking are retained for up to twelve months.Your rightsUnder UK GDPR you have the right to:* request access to your personal information;
* request correction of inaccurate information;
* request deletion of your information in certain circumstances;
* object to processing;
* request restriction of processing; and
* lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner's Office.Information about the ICO can be found at ico.org.uk.ContactIf you have questions about this Privacy Notice, please contact:Dr David Wallace-Hare
[email protected]

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Last updated: June 20261. IntroductionThese Terms and Conditions govern the provision of astrological consultations and related services by Epistrophe Astrology, operated by Dr David Wallace-Hare ("Epistrophe Astrology", "I", "me", "my").By booking a consultation, you agree to these Terms and Conditions.2. Contact DetailsEpistrophe Astrology
66 Littlemead Lane
Exmouth
Devon
EX8 3BUEmail: [email protected]Telephone: 07943 228583Website: epistropheastrology.com3. ServicesEpistrophe Astrology provides astrological consultations for educational, reflective, philosophical, and spiritual purposes.Consultations may include natal chart interpretation, timing techniques, astrological guidance, and discussion of philosophical and spiritual themes.Services are available online and, where agreed, in person.4. Booking and PaymentFull payment is required at the time of booking unless otherwise agreed.A booking is considered confirmed only once payment has been received.All prices are displayed in pounds sterling (£).Epistrophe Astrology reserves the right to amend fees at any time. Fee changes will not affect existing confirmed bookings.5. Preparation, Cancellations, and ReschedulingAstrological consultations involve substantial preparation undertaken in advance of the consultation itself. Payment therefore secures both the consultation and the preparatory chart analysis, research, and interpretive work carried out prior to the appointment.Preparation ordinarily begins shortly after booking.For this reason, all fees are non-refundable once a booking has been confirmed.If you are unable to attend a scheduled appointment, every reasonable effort will be made to reschedule the consultation at a mutually convenient time.Where a live or online consultation cannot take place, Epistrophe Astrology always provides the prepared material as a bespoke package for clients.Epistrophe Astrology reserves the right to refuse repeated rescheduling requests or to charge additional fees where substantial additional preparation is required.6. Client ResponsibilitiesClients are responsible for providing accurate birth information, including:* date of birth;
* time of birth (where known); and
* place of birth.The quality and specificity of astrological interpretation may depend upon the accuracy of this information.Clients remain solely responsible for their own decisions, actions, and interpretations arising from consultations.7. Online SessionsClients are responsible for ensuring that they have:* a reliable internet connection;
* suitable equipment for online sessions; and
* a private and appropriate environment for the consultation.Epistrophe Astrology cannot be held responsible for interruptions caused by factors outside its reasonable control.8. ConfidentialityInformation disclosed during consultations will be treated confidentially and processed in accordance with the Epistrophe Astrology Privacy Notice.Confidential information will not be disclosed to third parties except:* where required by law;
* where there is a serious risk of harm to the client or another person; or
* where disclosure is otherwise legally required.9. DisclaimerEpistrophe Astrology provides astrological consultations for educational, philosophical, reflective, and spiritual purposes.Astrology is a symbolic and interpretive practice. Consultations are intended to support reflection, meaning-making, self-understanding, and conscious engagement with life's circumstances.Astrological consultations are not intended to predict fixed outcomes, determine inevitable events, or remove personal responsibility.Clients remain fully responsible for their own decisions, choices, and actions.Epistrophe Astrology does not provide:medical advice;
psychological or psychiatric treatment;
counselling or psychotherapy;
legal advice;
financial advice; or
any other regulated professional service.Nothing discussed during a consultation should be regarded as a substitute for advice or treatment provided by appropriately qualified professionals.If you have concerns relating to your physical or mental health, you should consult an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.If you require legal, financial, or other specialist advice, you should seek assistance from a suitably qualified professional.While every effort is made to provide careful, thoughtful, and well-researched interpretations, astrology is inherently interpretive in nature and no guarantees can be made regarding future events, outcomes, or experiences.By booking or participating in a consultation with Epistrophe Astrology, you acknowledge that:*you understand the nature of astrological consultation;
*you participate voluntarily;
*you remain responsible for your own decisions and actions; and
*you accept these limitations on the scope of the service provided.Epistrophe Astrology encourages clients to exercise their own judgement, discernment, and agency in all matters discussed during consultations.10. Intellectual PropertyAll written reports, recordings, handouts, and materials supplied by Epistrophe Astrology remain the intellectual property of Epistrophe Astrology unless otherwise agreed in writing.Such materials are provided for personal use only and may not be reproduced, distributed, published, or commercially exploited without prior written permission.11. Limitation of LiabilityTo the fullest extent permitted by law, Epistrophe Astrology shall not be liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, consequential, or special loss or damage arising from the use of services provided.Nothing in these Terms excludes liability where exclusion would be unlawful.12. Governing LawThese Terms and Conditions shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of England and Wales.Any disputes arising shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales.