ARHAT Publications and Its History

by Robert Hand

"...the future of astrology lies in the understanding of its past."

The Archive for the Retrieval of Historical Astrological Texts functions to procure, protect and publish translations of historical astrological works and secondary source material for all serious astrologers and scholars. Beginning as an informal association in 1992, the "Archive," as it is known today, and the Robert Hand Library now house the original texts and translations of over two dozen ancient and medieval astrologers.

About the mission of ARHAT.There is a story I like to tell that describes our mission very well. In ancient times astrology was a great and flourishing art. Two temples were built to astrology, one in the East and one in the West. The eastern temple was lovingly cared for and maintained to the best of the people's ability. But as with all things in time there was a gradual deterioration that happened so slowly that hardly anyone noticed. A building block might have fallen from somewhere and landed in the garden and people began to think that it had always been there. And so the temple changed, however lovingly cared for.

In the West the barbarians came, attacked the temple, and leveled it to the ground. As ages passed those who were still devoted to the art began clearing away the debris so that they could see the clear foundations of the temple. They hoped that somehow from the existing foundation they could build anew -- but without knowing the plan there was a great danger that a new temple would not embody the knowledge as effectively as the old one.

But then something wonderful happened. In digging through the ruins, they found the blueprints! Now the temple can be rebuilt as close as possible to its original form, and new additions can be made that are in keeping with that original form.

This is our mission, modern astrologers rebuilding the temple.

As many of you already know in 1997 I recognized the vulnerability of original astrological manuscripts that I had been working on, and organized a formal archive and publishing company in which to house the work and continue publishing rare finds for the astrological community. We are dedicated to our goal to find, protect and publish translations of historical astrological works and secondary source material for all serious astrologers and scholars. Building upon the foundations we have, ARHAT will contribute to the education of astrologers and historians and hopefully, if we do the job well, ARHAT will add value to the lives of others.

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