Stellar – A new astrology magazine is born
By Vittorio Bozzer
The UK-based Astrological Association [AA] launched its new online astrology title Stellar at its 2024 Conference in August. “Stellar is free, multi-media and designed for the millennial Generation Y and late Z-types, though its accessibility will be attractive to all ages,” said editor Victor Olliver.
He pointed out that Stellar surfaced under a favorable Full Moon on 19th August at 27° Aquarius, known as the astrologer’s degree.
Stellar is being “soft launched” in the AA’s membership magazine The Astrological Journal’s September-October issue which Olliver has edited since January 2015. “Twelve pages of Stellar are included in Journal to give readers a taste of what is to come,” Olliver said. “The AA recognized that there was a need to present serious astrology in a very different way that will appeal to a broader and younger range of people globally, from practitioners and scholars to students and hobbyists.
“Stellar content will include video editorials and video adverts. It will host podcasts and promos as well as publish more impactful and condensed essays, articles and interviews.”
The use of infographics will be among many visual presentations that bring sometimes complex ideas to life. Olliver added: “We need to understand that we live in an age where much information is now absorbed through screens. Most of us live on our smart phones, iPads and other electronic devices. News and features are geared towards instant understanding. The media really is the message, as Marshall McLuhan once said. How information is perceived is dominated by the medium itself.”
Asked why Journal – going strong since 1959 – was not customized to find new audiences, Olliver explained: “It’s a legacy title that showcases long essays and other work – many of our members cherish its approach. By launching Stellar we get the best of both worlds: two titles doing different things. Once readers get to online Stellar there are signposts directing people to the AA membership area and Journal and other publications and services. Some people will join the AA and get Journal too. Stellar is a portal into the AA world.”
The first issue contains a profile of the popstar Dua Lipa, an irreverent study of the US Supreme Court nine Justices and their horoscopes (titled ‘The Supremes’ after the 60s’ girl group), a guide to upcoming eclipses with Saros Series categorization, “fast synastry” and other items.
Stellar is Olliver’s brainchild. He said: “I applied what I call the Andy Warhol Solution. When he had problems getting his magazine Interview stocked, he gave copies away in the streets and at celebrity parties. Result? It became a success and is still with us.”
Olliver wanted a one-word title that had immediate impact and Stellar came to him in the shower. “The AA Chair Wendy Stacey immediately loved the idea and wanted Stellar created in a few short days,” said Olliver. “Designer Cat Keane came up with a fabulous look.”
The “hard launch” of Stellar takes place in the November-December issue of Journal and online.
Stellar’s website page: https://www.astrologicalassociation.com/stellar/
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