Two Ologies

by Ros Barber (Brighton)

She moved to Brighton as a microbiologist. One day she left the lab early to have her chart read, determined to prove to her gullible artistic friends that astrology was for poor deluded folk seeking explanations for their own suffering and ineptitude.

This didn't happen. As if suddenly magnetised, she spent every spare minute reading charts and books. She was leading a double life: Microbiologist by day, Witch and Astrologer by night. Now fully integrated into a Brighton life, she remembers the strain.

She had to study without attracting unwanted attention. The technicians’ tea room had piles of magazines. New Scientist was about the right size to hide her Astrological Association magazine, whilst Horoscope magazine would fit inside Woman and Home.

She tried to avoid anything important during adverse planetary conditions. However she couldn’t say to her boss Don’t order the new still until Mercury is direct again and looked on helpless as the new still broke down and had to be reordered.

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What Ros Barber says about Two Ologies:

Brighton does something to people. Or at least, to some people. More than 25 years ago, arriving at Brighton train station for the first time and walking down towards the sea, I was overcome by the feeling, This is my spiritual home. And that was before I even knew what spiritual was! Julia Lawrence left Surrey many years ago for a new life in Brighton. As she said: “New city, New job. The bus pulled up outside the bus garage. On getting out, the driver put his arm on his hip, and called out to his mate “Don’t mince across the road love”. I now knew that Croydon was gone for good.”