In this episode, I’m joined by author Courtney Ann LaFaive to discuss the life and work of Linda Goodman, the famous 20th century astrologer who wrote the best-selling astrology book of all time.
Linda’s book in 1968 Sun signs became a runaway phenomenon, selling millions of copies and becoming the first book on astrology. The New York Times bestseller list. Goodman’s accessible writing style appealed to a diverse readership and helped fuel a major boom in astrology in the late 1960s and ’70s, serving as a gateway for millions of people to discover their complete birth chart.
He then followed it up with another successful book in 1978 Signs of lovewhich was about relationship compatibility between zodiac signs. This book set the record for the highest advance paid to an author, which was $2.25 million, and “What’s Your Sign?” Helped with the question. a ubiquitous cultural expression.
But in his later years, Goodman struggled to cope with great personal loss, particularly the tragic death of his daughter in 1973, and his inability to distinguish between reality and illusion.
Courtney is the author of a new book Follow the Signs: Search for Linda Goodman, America’s Forgotten Astrology Queen. The book is a memoir of a period of her life researching Linda Goodman’s biography for her doctoral dissertation and the challenges she faced in piecing together Linda’s ambiguous story.
Together, we explore and strive to document Linda Goodman’s remarkable life, complex legacy, and enduring astrological influence.
This is Episode 536 of the Astrology Podcast.
Courtney’s book
Follow the Signs: Search for Linda Goodman, America’s Forgotten Astrology Queen
Time signs
00:00:00 Login
00:00:42 Introducing Courtney Ann LaFaive
00:03:08 Meet Linda Goodman
00:04:49 How Courtney and Chris first found Linda
00:10:42 Astrology in the first half of the 20th century
00:18:47 Linda’s early life and introduction to astrology
00:20:46 Linda’s birth chart
00:23:09 Early career in writing and radio
00:25:34 First marriage, children and early trauma
00:35:00 Introduction to astrology and writing sun signs
00:48:28 Rising sun signs in 1968
00:51:10 Virgo Solar Eclipse of 1968
00:52:35 NYT Bestseller Status
00:55:40 Comparing the 1960s horoscope to the 2020s boom
00:58:49 Introducing the complete birth chart to the public
01:05:25 The influence of astrology on the publishing industry
01:08:44 Main features of the Sun Signs book
01:15:00 Using popular culture and celebrities to teach astrology
01:18:25 Popularization of modern planetary dominions
01:24:32 The gap decade and the transition to metaphysics
01:29:45 The tragic death of his daughter
01:40:00 1973 Gemini Lunar Eclipse
01:50:54 The book Signs of Love was released in 1978
01:58:48 Later works: Star Signs (1987) and Gooberz (1989)
02:13:25 Becoming the epitome of a pop astrologer
02:25:05 Linda died in 1995
02:27:10 Eclipse when the scorpion dies
02:32:39 Final analysis of Linda’s chart
02:42:50 Final discussion of Courtney’s book
02:49:41 Credits
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