Astrology and the Space Race: Cosmic Rivalry Between the USA and USSR
History books often frame the Space Race as the ultimate triumph of rational materialism. It was a contest of engineering, thrust-to-weight ratios, and orbital mechanics, a time when humanity finally shook off its ancient superstitions to touch the stars with metal and math. However, at the Wilfred Hazelwood Clinic, we know that the human psyche rarely travels in such straight lines. As our lead therapist Martyn J. Shrewsbury observes through his anthropological lens, the drive to leave Earth was fuelled as much by mysticism as it was by methane.
While the USA and USSR pointed nuclear missiles at each other, they also engaged in a quieter, stranger battle for the human soul. From the "Russian Cosmism" that birthed the Soviet space program to the secret astrological consultations inside the Reagan White House, the Space Race was deeply entangled with the esoteric.
The Soviet Mystique: Tsiolkovsky and Russian Cosmism
To the West, the Soviet space program was a monolithic machine of atheistic communism. Yet, its spiritual father, Konstantin Tsiolkovsky, was far from a materialist. A deafness-stricken schoolteacher from Kaluga, Tsiolkovsky is celebrated today for deriving the "Rocket Equation" that makes spaceflight possible. But his motivation wasn't military dominance; it was a philosophy known as Russian Cosmism.
Russian Cosmism was a unique blend of Orthodox Christianity, futurism, and occult philosophy. Its adherents believed that humanity’s destiny was not just to explore space, but to physically conquer death and resurrect our ancestors using advanced science. Space travel was a moral imperative, a "Common Task" to reunite all generations of humanity in the heavens.
Martyn notes the Jungian resonance here: "The Soviet drive to space wasn't just about territory. It was a projection of the collective desire for immortality. They weren't just building rockets; they were building technological ladders to heaven." While not 'astrology' in the horoscopic sense, this worldview re-enchanted the cosmos, viewing the universe as a living entity we were destined to join.
The American Response: The Age of Aquarius
Across the ocean, the American public was processing the Space Race through a different spiritual filter. As the Apollo missions captured the world's attention, the counter-culture movement was simultaneously proclaiming the dawning of the "Age of Aquarius."
NASA's pristine, white-walled control rooms stood in stark contrast to the psychedelic explosion of the late 1960s, yet the two fed each other. The famous "Earthrise" photo taken by Apollo 8 didn't lead to a dry acceptance of our insignificance. Instead, it triggered a planetary consciousness that fuelled the ecological movement and a resurgence in holistic spirituality. The further out we went, the more we looked inward.
This era saw astrology transition from the parlour game of the early 20th century to a serious tool for self-discovery. The uncertainty of the Cold War, living under the constant threat of nuclear annihilation, drove millions to seek order in the planetary cycles. If the atom could destroy us, perhaps the stars could save us.
The White House Astrologer
The most direct intersection of astrology and the Cold War occurred not during the height of the Space Race, but at its conclusion. It is a verified historical fact that for seven years, the schedule of the President of the United States was dictated by the movements of the planets.
Following the assassination attempt on Ronald Reagan in 1981, First Lady Nancy Reagan began secretly consulting with San Francisco astrologer Joan Quigley. Quigley didn't just offer personal advice; she influenced the timing of summits, press conferences, and even Air Force One take-offs. In her memoir, Quigley claimed that her astrological timing was crucial in smoothing the relations between Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev.
The signing of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty, a pivotal moment that heralded the end of the Cold War, was reportedly timed to a specific astrological election chosen by Quigley. In a strange twist of irony, the geopolitical thawing between the two superpowers, both ostensibly guided by rational self-interest, was choreographed by the position of Mercury and Jupiter.
The Psychic Wars
Beyond astrology, the Cold War saw both superpowers pour millions into "psychic research." The CIA's Project Stargate and the Soviet Union's research into "psychotronics" were attempts to weaponise the human mind. They investigated remote viewing (the ability to "see" distant locations) and telekinesis.
While skeptics rightly question the efficacy of these programs, their existence proves a point Martyn often makes in therapy: "Even the most rigid, defensive structures (like the military-industrial complex) inevitably seek connection with the unknown. The psyche cannot be completely walled off by rationality."
A Modern Synthesis
Today, the Space Race has evolved into a collaborative (and commercial) venture, but the link between the stars and the psyche remains. At the Wilfred Hazelwood Clinic, we honour this dual heritage. We respect the "Tsiolkovsky" side of you, the part that wants to build, achieve, and conquer using logic and science. But we also honour the "Quigley" side, the part that senses timing, rhythm, and meaning in the chaos.
Martyn J. Shrewsbury’s approach integrates these worlds. Whether we are looking at your natal chart or discussing your career trajectory, we are navigating the same sky. The Space Race proved that we could leave the atmosphere, but astrology reminds us that we can never truly leave the cosmos. We are, as the astrophysicists say, made of starstuff, and as the astrologers say, we are moving to its rhythm.
