The following story of how eminent astrological author and editor Ed Wagner became involved with astrology appeared in Astrological Pioneers of America:
"While working as a reporter for the Cleveland Press, he collaborated with Harry Houdini on the latter's expose of spiritualist frauds and charlatan seers. Soon after, he began a series of personal investigations aimed at an expose of astrology. However, having learned to cast horoscopes and interpet them, he reversed his initial opinion and thereafter studied astrology in earnest." (p.159.)A tribute from his obituary in the AFA Bulletin, May, 1982:
"His early days were spent with the Rosicrucian Fellowship, serving both in Cleveland, Ohio and at national headquarters in Oceanside, CA. His duties included teaching, lecturing and publications work.
"Ed was long associated with astrological publications. He had a syndicated column, Your Daily Forecast which first appeared in 1936. He later transferred his activities to Consolidated News Features, and his astrological features appeared in newspapers from New York to Bombay until the war years, when he served as a meteorologist and chief instructor with the Army Air Forces.
"After Ed's discharge from the Army Air Forces in late 1945, he set up his own weather business, furnishing pictorial weather maps and forecast data to newspapers, television, and radio stations. This business, known as Weather Fotocast, was sold in November, 1960 to United Press International.
"His columnist work was so outstanding that Walter Winchell listed him among the ten top columnists of the United States. Ed's lectures and travels took him to all parts of the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
"From 1946 until his semi-retirement on February 1, 1973, Edward was associated with Dell Publishing Co., Inc., New York, NY, as Editor-in-Chief of astrological publications. The last few years of his life saw him serving as Consulting Executive Editor of Horoscope Publications, while his wife, Julia A. Wagner, served as Editor-in-Chief.
Ed was past president of the Ohio Astrological Association, a FAFA member of the American Federation of Astrologers and a Corporate Member of the American Meterological Society. He left a mark of service and outstanding ability that will long be remembered by astrologers the world over".
BIRTH AND DEATH INFORMATION: According to his AstroDataBank Record, Edward Wagner was born in Philadelphia, PA, on November 15, 1906, at 11:55 PM EST, as given in AA magazine. He died on May 5, 1982.
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DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING TO ADD? This memorial is interactive, and we welcome your memories and tributes, which we will add to the page in the order received. They may be edited for length, grammar, or suitability. 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: The photo was provided by Julia Wagner. Biographical information for this memorial came from AstroDatabank and the AFA Journal. The background is derived from a photo at Deep-Sky Organization. This memorial was created by Donna Cunningham.
