Remembering Barbara Brackley
25th June, 1927 – 27th November, 2022
My dear friend Barbara
Brian Clark
Barbara and I first met in late January, 1984 at Melbourne Monash University. We were both attending the FAA International Conference. But it was not until the conference finished that Barbara and I really connected and began our lifelong attachment.
I was visiting the Theosophical Bookstore – there in the astrology section was Barb, sitting on the floor, absorbed in a book. We greeted each other like old friends and that was it! We shared a love of the art of astrology and Barbara always encouraged and supported me in my astrological profession. Barb was part of a mystical tradition, passionate about the things of the otherworld. She had strong beliefs underneath her sensitive and caring nature.
The next year, in January of 1985, she invited me to Perth for some lectures – it was a time of expansion in astrological interest and Barbara had much to do with that – she was committed to the growth and organization of professional astrology in Australia.
Barbara and I, January 1985
In the years before I met Barb, she had been an enthusiastic and dedicated potter and her back studio at 10 Simpson Street had been her workshop. But now she had transformed this into a class and seminar room; here Barbara taught and sponsored many programmes and workshops. Barbara and her friend Gillian Helfgott founded the Academy for Astrology and were beginning to teach their astrology syllabus to the delight of many students. I was fortunate to have Barb sponsor me many times.
It was always a delight to stay with Barb – amidst our many conversations, we’d enjoy watching some of her favourite British comedies – Keeping up Appearances was one I always remember. And the take away meals – she confessed to not being domestic, even though she was a Cancer and loved her home and being at home.
10 Simpson Street was a hub, perhaps even a Mecca in those days, as Barb’s mom Rix Weaver was a well-respected and well-known Jungian analyst, having trained in Zurich with CG Jung himself. I used to tease Barb that she followed in the footsteps of respected Jungian analysts who had an astrological child – well-known astrologer Gret Baumann-Jung was the daughter of Carl Jung; Laurence Hillman a well-respected astrologer was the son of James Hillman. Barbara Brackley was the daughter of Jungian analyst Rix Weaver. Therefore, the link between astrology and Jungian psychology was rich in Perth in those days, thanks to Barb.
Barbara loved Melbourne – she came to Glennys and my wedding in 1986 – and again to many conferences over the years – here we are at our house in Kew just before our Pluto in Sagittarius conference in January, 1995.
Melanie Reinhart and Barb, January 1995
While there seems to be a lot of champagne on the table, it must be said Barbara sipped and savoured one glass – but if we were lucky enough to get her to have more than one, well!! We were in fits of laughter – she had a naughty and very entertaining streak!
Next year we met in Sydney for the conference and in 1988 Barbara and Gillian co-sponsored the conference in Perth. Barbara gave so much to the development of astrology in Australia.
Glennys, Brian & Barb – Here we are in 1997 – looks as if the champagne is out again! And as always enjoying each other’s company.
The last time I saw Barb in person was in 2012 at the conference in Melbourne. Over these many years she was a kind and caring friend and colleague, and like so many others, I will miss her dearly. Barb had a deep faith and spiritual insight, so I imagine she is already signed up in a choir of angels.
Many, many thanks dear Barbara –
In memoriam Barbara Brackley
by Robyn Lee
Saddened to hear the passing of both Gillian Helfgott and Barbara Brackley within a few months of each other.
Both these glamorous and dynamic ladies have played a significant part in Australia’s astrological history and particularly in Perth where they established the Perth Academy of Astrology in 1984. The previous year, Gillian came to Perth as a National representative to oversee the official formation of the FAA’s WA Branch on the 1 Dec 1983. Dr Geoffrey Dean was the first President. Gillian had met David Helfgott a few days earlier and then returned to Perth in 1984 to marry David at Barbara’s residence, in leafy Applecross.
In 1978 when Dr Geoffrey Dean returned to Perth from the UK, he began an astrology class which Barbara attended. Geoffrey was using The Compleat Astrologer by Derek and Julia Parker. Many years later, in 1985, the Parkers’ were guests of Barbara’s and they dedicated their new book Parker’s Astrology to her in appreciation of her fine hosting and friendship.
In 1986 I attended Barbara’s 2nd year class, a very eclectic class of all things astrological and then some, including Gillian’s ‘numerological tortoise’. Afterwards, I included this tortoise on my self-designed charts for years. Barbara also taught Cosmobiology, having studied with Doris Greaves, so the 90-degree dial was also part of our ‘learning’. This ‘2nd year class’ ran continuously for many years. Later I would be giving talks and workshops there.
One of Barbara’s entrepreneurial gifts was in bringing Australian and overseas astrologers to Perth for workshops/classes etc which added to the richness of our learning in W.A. – Brian Clark, Glennys Lawton, Bernadette Brady, Melanie Reinhart, Demetra George to name just a few. Barbara was our WA President from 1985 to 1990 and continued as Vice President till 2000. She was also a National Executive representative and an examiner on the FAA Exam Board for many years.
In January 1988, Perth hosted the FAA National conference. Barbara and Gillian were the co-convenors with a team of volunteers managing all things in spite of the Perth heat. Rob Hand and Jim Lewis were the international speakers and anyone who attended will remember the extremely hot, post conference workshops in temporary classrooms behind St George’s College! The conference was a great success; we were loaned a computer for Kevin Barrett to run Rob Hand’s Nova program and we also had the Jung Society 1975 Commemorative Display panels in the hall as well. And David Helfgott played at the conference dinner. So many memories and connections.
For me, astrology and the Jung Society were interwoven in Perth, as Barbara’s mother, Rix Weaver (1902-1990), was the first Jungian Analyst in Australia. Rix also held Jungian classes in what was the old potters shed at the back of 10 Simpson St where they both lived. The dreams that place weaved! We were all enriched by the amazing women of 10 Simpson St.
Thank you. Blessings Barbara.
For an interview with Barbara on her engagement with astrology, see:
http://www.faawa.org/history.html#interview