By: Bernie Ashman
Bernie Ashman’s voyage through the kingdom of Astrology has been nothing short of astonishing. Born in Springfield, Massachusetts, Ashman’s family moved to Wilmington, Delaware, when he was just two years old—his primary years laid the foundation for a future that would see him become a respected astrologer, writer, teacher, and lecturer.
In 1966, Bernie graduated from high school, marking the commencement of his higher educational pursuits. He ventured to Florida, attending the University of Florida, where he earned a BA degree in Political Science in 1971. Little did he know that this educational passage would pass through the world of Astrology, influencing the course of his life.
Bernie Ashman became influenced by Astrology in 1973 when he encountered The Astrology of Personality by French astrologer Dane Rudhyar. Struck by the book’s emphasis on Astrology as a symbolic language, endorsing freedom of choice and stimulating evolutionary growth, Ashman was hooked. This encounter, combined with insights from Stephen Arroyo’s Astrology, Karma and Transformation, solidified his decision to dive into Astrology as his field of expertise.
By 1974, Ashman began contributing free Astrology chart readings to gain valuable experience. Over the next few years, he gradually built a large and faithful practice that has flourished to this day. His pledge to empowering individuals through Astrology eventually expanded into writing, lecturing, and teaching.
In 1984, Ashman took a significant turn when he secured his first book contract with ACS Publications in San Diego, California. His book Astrological Games People Play was released in 1987, marking the establishment of his authorial journey. The book received acclaim for its insights, with astrologer and author Steven Forrest noting that “Ashman has the insights of a humanistic psychologist.” The book, still relevant today, is used by healers and astrologers in their counseling work.
Ashman’s survey into past life work has been pioneering, earning him the title of an “astrology past lives whisperer” by astrologer Carmen Turner-Schott. His book, Sun Signs & Past Lives: Your Soul’s Evolutionary Path, delves into recognizing past life patterns corresponding to each astrological sign. This work illuminates how identifying and transforming these influences can lead to greater love, harmony, and happiness.
In 2000, Bernie Ashman familiarized a groundbreaking past life astrological chart, which later became a software program through Matrix Software. This innovative approach offered users a quicker and clearer lens to perceive past life influences, receiving acclaim both nationally and internationally.
Ashman’s fictitious journey continued with Llewellyn publishing SignMates in 2000, a book covering all possible sign comparisons and offering creative solutions for relationship fulfillment. In the aftermath of the 2001 terrorist attacks, Llewellyn approached him to contribute to Civilization Under Attack: September 11, 2001, & Beyond, in which he contributed a chapter that explored the psychology of terrorism.
Over the years, Ashman’s body of work has grown, with Llewellyn publishing Sun Signs & Past Lives: Your Soul’s Evolutionary Path in 2010, followed by How to Survive Mercury Retrograde in 2016 and Sun Sign Karma: Resolving Past Life Patterns with Astrology in 2020.
Ashman’s impact extends beyond the written word, as his interpretations and insights form the foundation for several astrological software programs. His contributions include a past life chart, the Birth Chart Report, the Prediction Report, and Simpáticos, a report discussing romantic or non-romantic partnerships.
Despite his all-encompassing accomplishments, Bernie Ashman remains committed to his astrological practice, offering consultations from his office in Durham, North Carolina. His humanistic and person-centered approach views astrology as a blueprint for assisting individuals in defining their life choices more clearly.
As a mentor and teacher, Ashman aims to share his knowledge, lecturing at astrology conferences and training aspiring astrologers. His devotion to empowering individuals through astrology shines through, and with his upcoming book, Astrology’s Magical Nodes of the Moon, co-authored with Carmen Turner-Schott, the journey continues. Shelley Kaehr, Ph.D., has already endorsed the book, praising its ability to help readers understand their soul’s purpose at a deeper level. Bernie Ashman’s odyssey through Astrology is a tribute to the transformative power of this ancient art and its capacity to guide individuals on their unique paths toward self-discovery and fulfillment.
