(1922-1995)
New York based astrologer, Eleanor Bach has been called "Mother of the Asteroids." She was among the first to devote serious research to this subject. She received the Matrix Pioneer Award for, "high standards of professionalism in educating the astrological community in the application and value of the asteroids (Goddesses) through chart interpretations."
Lorraine Welsh wrote in the NCGR Journal for Fall, 1997:
"With her magnificent work on the Big Four asteroids--Ceres, Pallas, Vesta, and Juno--Ellie Bach showed us how these feminine goddesses had relevance in every chart, male and female, as well as in the mundane events she tracked.
"She had almost everyone pegged, including herself, and her insights were remarkable. She was noted, for example, for her interest in cooking, and her salons in the '70s attracted students as much for the table food she served as for the mental food she dispensed. It was no wonder, then, that for this and other facets of her character, she considered herself a Ceres Woman.
"It was in the 1970s that Eleanor commissioned the first ephemeris of the Big Four asteroids and immediately began recording her observations of them. Those observations were to become her life's passion and marked the bulk of her work from then on. For almost a quarter-century, she had been writing numerous articles on the significance of asteroids and on their relevance to Jung's concepts of psychological types.
"Many remember with affection the long-running monthly newsletter, Planet Watch, in which Eleanor continued to expound on the asteroids and on her other important discovery, which she called "hidden aspects" (the continuing importance of the degrees at which planets made their stations).
"These newsletters were never anonymous: You always felt as though Ellie were talking directly to you. Indeed, on numerous occasions, she would hand-write a note in the margins calling attention to something you and she had discussed at another time. Even her books included personal handwritten notes. No printed errata sheet for Eleanor; She personally went through every page and hand wrote any corrections she deemed necessary.
"Writing and lecturing took up most of her time, but her reasons were not self-aggrandizement but rather a need to disseminate her information. For that reason, she was always generous in allowing others to quote from her many works verbatim.
"Fortunately, her peers recognized her contributions and named her a winner of the Marc Edmund Jones Award for Research. It is said that Jones, himself, personally picked her for this well deserved honor. Ellie was also active on the local scene and served as vice president of the New York Chapter of the National Council for Geocosmic Research.
"In 1990, she authored the astrological dictionary, Astrology From A to Z. She was collecting material for another book eagerly awaited by her many students. Alas, this great work and her own failing health forced her to discontinue her popular newsletter. Many of us felt bereft long before she left us physically, Her strong spirit, however, remains behind in the great legacy of the "little stars" she left us."
BIRTH AND DEATH DATA: AstroDatabank quotes her birth certificate for the following information, ranked AA: she was born January 11, 1922, at 00:17 AM EST, Kulpmont, PA, 76W28; 40N47. She died of emphysema at the age of 73 on April 30, 1995, at about 5:00 AM in New York City.
Eleanor had Sun, Mercury, and Venus in Capricorn, with Jupiter rising in Libra trine her ninth house Gemini Moon. (If any of our present-day asteroid mavens would care to comment on the significance of Eleanor's asteroids, please be in touch!)
To See the Chart
BOOKS: Once virtually the sole resource for information on asteroids and sensitive degrees, her three books are now out of print and unavailable through our usual sources. They were:
Ephemerides of the Asteroids: Ceres, Pallas, Juno, Vesta, 1900-2000
A Graphic Emphemeris of Sensitive Degrees (Planet Stations and Eclipses) with an Explanation of their Significance and Use
Astrology from A to Z: An Illustrated Source BookTo see an excerpt from Eleanor's introduction to her asteroid ephemeris online click here
TRIBUTES:
Eleanor Bach was my personal astrologer and friend from 1972
on........I can't tell you how many times I visited her home and shared
her wealth of knowledge. I truly miss her spirit....
Karen Marie Bordonaro
9/10/43
Tuscumbia, Alabama
Memorials A-K, Continued
To Memorials L-Z
More New York Astrologers
DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING TO ADD? This memorial is interactive, and we welcome your memories and tributes, which we will add to the page. If there are any additional contributions we should mention or any inaccuracies in the memorial, please bring them to our attention. We would also love to have photos to bring back vivid memories. (Photos will be scanned and returned.) To suggest names, share memories, create tributes, or volunteer, send us an e-mail.
CREDITS: Biographical information for this memorial came from AstroDatabank and the NCGR Journal. These wonderful photos were supplied by Ellie's friend, J. Boxer. The Capricorn symbol is part of a set at RAD Graphics. This memorial was created by Donna Cunningham.
