As I write, September and the warm colours of autumn are almost upon us. It's been quite a momentous August for many - hopefully, those of you in the UK didn't get flooded out, and those of you in the Eastern states of the US didn't get blown out!

The autumn equinox this year will be on September 22nd, at 16.30 GMT; on that day, there will be a Mercury-Pluto square, and a retrograde Uranus will trine the North Node and quincunx the Sun, so perhaps there are still more weather surprises in store?

Two days later, Jupiter will enter Libra; followed four days later by the Harvest Moon on Sept 28th, when the Moon will be full at 13.10 GMT. The lunation will take place in the early degrees of Libra/Aries, with Jupiter, Mars and Sun opposing the Moon - a moment of temporary imbalance in the world?

In this issue, Paul Newman again brings us the fruits of his astrological research into popular culture - this time, he examines science fiction and television; Dharmaruci makes some more political predictions, this time on the immedidate future of Iraq; Mick O'Neil invites you to attempt to win the Lottery; Isabelle Ghaneh writes about one of her favourite authors; David Fisher gives us some more Data News, on Marlon Brando, Marc Dutroux and Graham Greene; and there's a roundup pf local group events and meetings, and upcoming conferences.

News from the Sophia Centre:

The Sophia Centre at Bath Spa University College is delighted to announce that Dr Nicholas Campion has been appointed Head of the Sophia Centre from 14 September 2004, when Professor Michael York retires. Until then Nick will be acting as Head Designate of the Centre. We would like to thank Professor York for all his work in directing the Centre in its first two years.

FIRST SIX MA GRADUATES IN CULTURAL ASTRONOMY AND ASTROLOGY

The first six graduates of the Sophia Centre's MA in Cultural Astronomy and Astrology will graduate on 24th July 2004. These are Jane Amanda, James Brockbank, Faye Cossar, Bernard Eccles, David Rowan and Wendy Stacey. Nicholas Campion will be graduating with his PhD on the same day, awarded for his study of the extent and nature of contemporary belief in astrology.

For enquiries please contact:

Alice Ekrek, Administrator

The Sophia Centre

Bath Spa University College

Newton Park

Bath

BA2 9BN

Tel: +44 (0)1225 876147

Fax: +44 (0)1225 876230

a.ekrek@bathspa.ac.uk     www.bathspa.ac.uk/sophia

And may I add my warmest congratulations to them all!

- Val Dobson, Editor