The people on this page were influential in their countries and local organizations, people who carried the torch of astrological knowlege to new generations and who furthered the growth of our field. For the most part, the biographical information and chart data comes from the person who suggested their names.

Jeannine Akimowa: Hellen Vos writes, "It is with great sadness that, on behalf of the members of her emailsite: the Isis-Sabaka-list, I nominate Jeannine Akimowa for a place on your list. Jeannine was born on October 7, 1959 at 8:38 am local time in Utrecht, The Netherlands (52N06 5E07) and died on March 28, 2002 at 8:12 am local time in Ede. She worked as a full time project manager in automation, but was fascinated by psychological astrology since school time.

"She studied all by herself and, as a consequence of her Venus conjunct Pluto in Virgo, became absorbed in depth psychology. It was Zane Stein's Chironlist that gave her the opportunity to contact international professional astrologers, which inspired her to specialize in studying Pluto and Chiron. This resulted in the development of spiritual astrology by means of the Black Moon. Her Isis-Sabaka-list enabled astrologers from all over the world to share their knowledge concerning the Black Moon. It proved to be a success. In the meantime, Jeannine developed an absolute, even stubborn, vision on behalf of the Black Moon. Her conclusions were admired and resisted. She aimed at publishing a book regarding this matter, but unfortunately she was not allowed to. While working on it, she fell ill and died at the very early age of 42. At the time of her death, Pluto who had always fascinated her, made a transit conjunction to her Sagittarian Moon."

Hetty P. de Boer-Jongkind: Nominated by Tees Reitsma, who supplied the following information: Hetty was born on 9 November 1951 at 10:12 CET in Amsterdam, The Netherlands (52N22 04E54), and died on 4 December 1993. She started the first 4-year vocational school "Asclepios" for medical astrology in Amsterdam, and in 1990 the "Vakvereniging voor Medische Astrologie" (VMA) with its magazine. Hetty also wrote a book "Inleiding tot de Medische Astrologie" that was published in 1992 about medical astrology and lectured at several congresses.

See an article by Hetty on flower essences and astrology from Vibration Magazine, an on-line flower remedy quarterly.

Dick Brouwer: Nominated by Tees Reitsma, who supplied the following information: Dick was born on 1 October 1938 at 07:35 hrs (Loenen Time) in The Hague, The Netherlands (52N05 04E18), and died in 1996. He was a computer programmer and as astrologer he followed the humanistic astrology of Dane Rudhyar, did consultations, gave lectures and wrote a book about Chiron, next to being co-author of others. He lived and practiced also in the USA for some time.

Jack F. Chandu (van Swieten): Nominated by Tees Reitsma, who supplied the following information: Jack was born on 8 June 1925 at 13:45 hrs local time in Batavia, Indonesia (6S10 106E49) and died on 11 May 1994. Director of the Astrologisch Consultatie-en Opleidingscentrum Nederland (ACON) (= vocational astrology education) and Stichting Totaliteits-diagnostiek in The Hague, The Netherlands, he was internationally known and wrote many books about astrology and related subjects, some of which were translated in other languages, did research, gave lectures, consultations and wholistic therapy.

G. (Bob) Dijkstra: Nominated by Tees Reitsma, who supplied the following information: Bob was born on 6 January 1927 at 2:30 hrs local time in Amsterdam, The Netherlands (52N22 04E54).Founder of the "Werkgroep voor Toegepaste Astrologie Twente" (= Workgroup for applied astrology Twente), which later became the "Stichting Arcturus" with its wellknown magazine "Spica" that acted as a national forum for opinions and theory, while an academic approach of the subject was favored.Bob admired the 'revidierte astrologie' of the German astrologer Thomas Ring, and together with astrologers from other parts of The Netherlands (since 1991 as "Vrienden van het Landhuis"), he organized annual congresses in Oldenzaal from 1977 till he died in 1995.

Cornelis Gorter: Nominated by Tees Reitsma, who supplied the following information: He was born on 15 August 1903 at 23:25:57 local time in Wageningen (51N58 5E40), The Netherlands. He wrote the books "Techniek der astrologie" (= technique of astrology) and "Planetenloop en mensenlot" (= planetary movements and human destiny) that were used by many students of astrology in The Netherlands.

John Imandt: Nominated by Tees Reitsma, who supplied the following information: John was born 14 September 1921 at 0:30 hrs local time in Solo, Indonesia (7S35 110E48) and died on 13 June 1986 in The Hague, The Netherlands. He initially joined the WVA (see under: Thierens) for several years and later worked closely together with Antoon van Zon in the "Werkgroep voor Kosmobiologisch Onderzoek" (WKO) (= workgroup for cosmobiological research) in The Hague, The Netherlands, specialized in the Ebertin-method and Hamburger School, and organizing meetings as well as congresses. John also wrote some astrological articles and gave lectures.

Jan de Jong: Nominated by Tees Reitsma, who supplied the following information: Jan was born on 26 June 1929 at 05:14:16 Amsterdam Summertime in Sprundel, The Netherlands (51N32 04E37), and died in June 1992 in Roosendaal. His book on the subject of "Spiegelpunten" (= mirror points) became wellknown in this country and showed the inner meaning of a horoscope according to his philosophy.

Leo Knegt: Nominated by Tees Reitsma, who supplied the following information: He was born on 26 December 1882 at 08:00 hrs local time in Delftshaven-Rotterdam, The Netherlands (51N54 04E27) and died in The Hague on the 25th of July 1957.  Anton Peeters cites a dutch article:

“Last 25th July rather suddenly died the Nestor of the dutch astrologers, Leo Knegt, in a hospital in The Hague after insignifant surgery. The physicians couldn’t tell a cause of death. The family supposes an embolism, because he suffered from it before.  Born in Delfshaven the 26th of December 1882, he was almost 75 years old.” Source is "In Memoriam Leo Knegt" by Th.J.J. Ram in the magazin Urania, Volume 2, Issue 1, October 1957.

Picture source: former Dutch astrology course

‘Beginselen van de astrologie’, Subject 919,

Series A, lesson 24, p. 11, Pelman Instituut

Leo Knegt formed with A.E. Thierens and Th.J.J. Ram in October 1947 the "Workcommunity of Astrologers" (WVA), also called the "School of Ram", in The Netherlands. (See under: Thierens) He wrote the books "Het mysterie van lot en leven" (= the mystery of destiny and life), "De kunst van het voorspellen" (= the art of prediction), "Uurhoek en vragenastrologie" (= horary astrology), "Astrologie, wetenschap en techniek" (= astrology, science and technique).

Walter Koch: (Source: Taeger Reseach Institute web site.) He was born September 9, 1895 at 6:25 AM MET, Esslingen, Germany, 9° E 19' 48° N 44' and he died February 25, 1970 at 3:20 PM MET, Goeppingen, Germany. He was a classical philologist, historian, teacher, esoteric, astrologer (-since 1924). Advocate of traditional astrology. Like many German astrologers of those days he was imprisoned in a concentration camp (1941-45, Dachau).

In cooperation with H. Specht and others he developed in the early sixties a new birthplace related house-system (‘Koch Felder’/Koch-Houses/GOH). This sytem is still very popular with the Ebertin, Wangemann and Huber-School. He also did research on the psychological and esoteric effects of colours and gems. Booklets: 'Psychologische Farbenlehre' (1931), 'Seele der Edelsteine' (1934), 'GOH Haeusertafeln' (1965).

Herman Adrianus Kooij: He was suggested by Tees Reitsma, who writes, "He was born on 5 June 1868 in Hengelo, The Netherlands (52N15 06E45) at 16:53 GMT and passed away on 17 May 1950.

"During his life he was a Freemason as well as an inspiring Astrologer and he started the "Astrologische Kring 's-Gravenhage en Omstreken" (= astrology circle for The Hague area) on 30 October 1928 at 20:37 GMT in The Hague.

"This group met regularly in the building of Bookstore Synthese (which is still located there today), Lange Voorhout 96, The Hague and after 9 years decided to publish their own magazine called "Hermes" for cosmology, astrology and freemasonry in 1937.

"H.A. Kooij was an inspiring author and also wrote the book: "De tempel van de ziel - kracht en wijsheid in astrologie en vrijmetselarij" (= the temple of the soul - strength and wisdom in astrology and freemasonry), bringing the meaning of the symbology of astrology and freemasonry together."

Willem Koppejan: Nominated by Tees Reitsma, who supplied the following information: Willem Ary Koppejan was born on 19 August 1913 at 04:00 hrs (corrected by him to 03:55) local time in Amsterdam, The Netherlands (52N22 04E54), and died on 20 May 1979 in England. (Several of the birthdata given for Dutch astrologers are from: "Willem Koppejan's Astrological Archives - International and Nederland & Vlaanderen, published in 1996) Willem studied medicine at the University of Leiden and made horoscopes since 1924. He was interested in religion and astrology, wrote books, did astrological research, teaching, gave lectures incl. at the Astrological Association in England and had a large medical and astrological practice in The Hague from 1945 till 1960.

In 1960 he started a private publishing company and since 1959 had a joint astro-psychological practice in The Hague with his wife Drs Helene W. van Woelderen (married in 1970), until they moved to Glastonbury, England, in 1977. He became mainly known for his research into the symbols and degrees of the zodiac, combining the Sabian symbols of Marc Jones and Dane Rudhyar with the degree symbols of the French Janduz (Madame J. Duzea). Willem met Dane Rudhyar in 1960 during his first visit here with Helene, which later resulted in the publication by Carolus Verhulst of Servire of 9 of Rudhyar's books in English as well as some lectures in this country.

Willem wrote "The 360 degrees of the zodiac" in Dutch in 1956, which was later rewritten by his wife Helene in English with Niek Scheps as "The Zodiac Image Handbook" in 3 volumes, including his vision on Grail Astrology and published in 1990. The Dutch translation by Willem van Panhuys "Beeldgids van de dierenriem" in 3 volumes was published in 1991. Most of Willem's library on astrology and esoteric subjects is on loan to the Library of Avalon in the Glastonbury Experience, a complex of buildings with spiritual activities, started and financed by Willem and Helene in 1978.

C.Aq. Libra (Roelf Takens): Nominated by Tees Reitsma, who supplied the following information: He was born 2 October 1862 at 23:00 hrs local time in Winsum (53N09 or 53N20 5E38 or 6E31), The Netherlands. (there are 2 towns called Winsum in The Netherlands) He was an astrologer, author, doctor for horses as well as painter. His book "Astrology and Ethics" was well-known and translated in other languages.

Margaret Page: Donna Cunningham says, "English Astrologer Margaret Page was an organizer and mainstay for the Manchester Astrology Group for many years. She was a lovely and conscientious woman who kindly hosted me several times on my European speaking tours. I have no birth information for her, but received a letter from the group in the early 1990s to say that she had died of cancer."

M.H. van der Putte: Nominated by Tees Reitsma, who supplied the following information: He was born on 6 July 1913 at 23:19:18 hrs local time in Amsterdam, The Netherlands (52N22 04E54) and died on 24 April 1986. During his life he was a very popular psychological astrologer in Amsterdam and wrote "Astrologische Bibliotheek" (= astrological library) in 6 volumes about different aspects of astrology.

Theo J.J. Ram: Nominated by Tees Reitsma, who supplied the following information: He was born on 19 December 1884 at 3.12 hrs local time in Haarlem, The Netherlands (52N22 04E38), and died on 7 October 1961. He was a teacher, astrologer, author and journalist. His book "Psychologische Astrologie" (= psychological astrology) had a great influence on the development of astrology in The Netherlands. With A.E. Thierens and L. Knegt he formed in October 1947 the "Workcommunity of Astrologers" (WVA), also called the "School of Ram".

Picture Source: Original photo submitted by Anton Peeters

Thomas Ring: Suggested by Horst Wietstruk, Thomas Ring was an important German astrologer, but none of his work is available in English. According to Taeger Research's web site, his birth certificate says he was born November 28, 1892, at 5:00 PM MET, Nuremberg, Germany, 11° E 05' 49° N 27' He died August 24, 1983, in Schaerding, Austria of appendicitis.

Ring was a painter (expressionist), graphic designer, philosopher, parapsychologist (collaborator of H. Bender), cosmologist, professional astrologer, and author. He was an advocate of a spiritual, humanistic, philosophical, holistic and cyclic orientated astrology --Germany's Dane Rudhyar. He understood astrology as an art of interpretation. Books: 'Das Sonnensystem als Organismus', (1939), 'Das Lebewesen im Rhythmus des Weltraums' (1939), 'Astrologische Menschenkunde' (4 volumes, 1956).

Wim Smits: He was suggested by Tees Reitsma, who writes, "Wim was born on 16 February 1917 at 06:52 GMT in The Hague, The Netherlands, as a true Aquarius with Mercury, Venus, Uranus, Ascendant, Sun and Mars in Aquarius respectively. As a matter of fact, I am writing this exactly during his Uranus-return.

"At the early age of 15 he was already studying astronomy with a selfmade telescope, and during his life he not only added microscopic studies and astrology (since 1943), but also metaphysics, several foreign languages, and above all life itself and people. Wim loved people and astrology and he never needed an astrowatch to be able to tell you exactly which sign was rising or culminating at a certain time: he 'lived' astrology.

"Wim also loved books and collected and studied them during his whole life, to the extent that they filled up the entire attic of his home as well as his own room from the floor to the ceiling, leaving only a small space for his bed. He wrote many interesting astrological articles that were published, but had trouble finding a publisher for his book: "Astrologie en Wereldvoorstelling" (= Astrology and Worldview), so it was eventually published by the magazine "Astro-Kring" - as promised him shortly before he died.

"Wim could always be found at all astrological meetings, no matter which group had organized it, where, or what astrological system was being used, and he usually brought a special book as gift for someone at the same time.

"The result of this was that his death on 4 June 1985 was felt by all astrological organizations in this country as the great loss of 'our Wim'. We then realized that this quiet Aquarius had shown us all the true meaning of brotherhood, and that you can belong to many different astrological organizations at the same time."

A.E. Thierens: Nominated by Tees Reitsma, who supplied the following information: He was born on 20 December 1875 at 8:35 hrs local time in Den Briel, The Netherlands (51N54 4E10) and died on 30 December 1941. He was an officer in the Royal Marines, astrologer and author. He wrote: "Elementen der practische astrologie" and "Elementen der esoterische astrologie".

While visiting The Netherlands early this century, Alan Leo met A.E. Thierens and this led to a Dutch version of the magazine "Modern Astrology" in 1906 under the joint editorship of Alan Leo and H.J. van Ginkel, which was changed to: "Urania" the following year under Dutch editors and still exists today.

Picture source: "Urania",

Volume 91, Issue 4, October 1997

The publication of "Urania" marked the start of modern Dutch astrology and in the same year 1907, the "Association for Modern Astronomy and Astrology" was formed, which later became the "Nederlandsch Astrologisch Genootschap" (= Dutch Astrological Association) and in October 1947 the Stichting "Werkgemeenschap van Astrologen" (WVA) (= Workcommunity of Astrologers), also called the "School of Ram", formed by Th.J.J. Ram, L. Knegt and A.E. Thierens.

The WVA was the first to take up astrological education. Features of the School of Ram with its esoteric foundation are a unique house-system: the Ascendant-Parallel-Circle system, the use of 'true places' of planets and of a few hypothetical planets.

Jan Gerhard Toonder (Mark Lichtenzeel): Nominated by Tees Reitsma, who supplied the following information: He was born on 18 July 1914 at 01:00 hrs Amsterdam Time in Rotterdam, The Netherlands (51N55 04E29). He was an author and astrologer. His book "A case for Astrology" with A. West was translated and published in Dutch as "Het astrologisch argument" in 1971. He also appeared several times on TV and in January 1976 with Helene Koppejan. (See under: Koppejan)

J.C. van Wageningen: Nominated by Tees Reitsma, who supplied the following information: van Wageningen was born on 2 December 1895 at 0:33 hrs local time in Utrecht, The Netherlands (52N06 5E07) and died on 15 January 1964 in Amsterdam. He wrote the books "Astrologie en geneeskunde" (= astrology and medicine) and in 1928 "De astrologie, haar betekenis en draagwijdte" (= astrology, its meaning and importance).

Together with W.B. Vreugdenhil he wrote an important book about primary directions "Astrologie, eenvoudige handleiding voor het berekenen der Primaire Directies" published in 1932 and they took care of the astrology course of the Pelman Institute.

Memorials A-K
Memorials L-Z

DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING TO ADD? This memorial is interactive, and we welcome your memories and tributes, which we will add to the page in the order received. (They may be edited for grammar, length, and suitability.) If there are any additional contributions we should mention or any inaccuracies in the memorial, please bring them to our attention. We would also love to have photos to bring back vivid memories. (Photos will be scanned and returned.) To suggest names, share memories, create tributes, or volunteer, send us an e-mail.

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CREDITS: This background plus exciting mythological ones for all the planets can be seen at Fantasy Graphics.