Dr. Zipporah Dobyns - 26 Aug 1921 - 7 Jun 2003

Joanne Wickenburg speaks about her friend and colleague

One of astrology's great benefactors passed away June 7, 2003. Dr. Zipporah Dobyns, known to the astrological community as "Zip," inspired literally thousands of students and practitioners of astrology through her many books and lectures at astrology conferences around the world.

Zip earned a B.A. in anthropology at the University of Chicago and an M.A and Ph.D. in clinical psychology at the University of Arizona. Her interest in astrology, however, preceded her graduate studies; she began her research in astrology in 1956, and used astrology as a principal tool to counsel and teach.

What made Zip so special was not only her extensive knowledge about astrology, but her enthusiasm when sharing information and the respect she showed to students and clients. Her unpretentious and compassionate nature made it easy for even the most timid to share their life experiences with her.

I remember the first time I met Zip in the early 1970's. I was enthralled at the opportunity to meet a practicing astrologer with a Ph.D. in psychology. What I saw, when I met her, was a woman in a simple housedress, wearing bobby socks with no shoes. I instantly fell in love with her. Before the end of they day, I came to respect the well of knowledge this complex woman possessed, and the joy she experienced while sharing it.

Later, she and her daughter, Maritha Pottenger, began working together. They co-taught seminars and wrote numerous books on astrology. Her son, Mark Pottenger, developed some of the early astrological software, including extensive calculations of asteroids.

Zip will probably be remembered most for creating the "astrological alphabet," a simple technique for learning basic astrological principles. She also did extensive research in major and minor asteroids, which came to be her "passion."

She was the recipient of many awards in astrology, including the Regulus Award in Education, and was a member of the Kepler College Advisory Council. She contributed to the development of the "Astrology and Psychology" track of study at the college. Kepler joins the rest of the astrological community in bidding Zip farewell and acknowledging a job well done. She will be missed.

Her published books include:
The Astrology Annual Reference Book; The Astrologer's Casebook; Distance Values; Evolution through the Zodiac; Expanding Astrology's Universe; Finding the Person in the Horoscope; the Node Book; Planets on the Move (with M. Pottenger); Progressions, Directions and Rectification; Unveiling Your Future (with M. Pottenger); the Zodiac as a Key to History; Healing Mother-Daughter Relationships with Astrology (with M. Pottenger); and God's World (inspirational poetry).