Robby Starman
I first encountered Robby Starman, the Gourmet Astrologer in a darkened party room. Within five minutes he¹d taken some notes, consulted a mysterious book, and proceeded to tell me I needed to remain creative above all else, eschewing drugs, and said that I'd own a huge company one day. He went on to mention events that had happened, including dates and periods, giving kind and constructive advice that was surprisingly spot-on. He then proceeded to present my boyfriend with an equally adept reading.
Robby is an astrologist who¹s practiced for most of his lifetime, from California in the 70¹s to New York in the 80¹s to the Pacific Northwest in the 90¹s, guiding thousands of people to help themselves out of drug abuse or other self destructive scenarios. He gives point-blank advice with crystal clear insight.
I¹d never understood astrology- from the basic premise to the details of why it is supposed to work. But everyone at the party who¹d seen Robby that night was dazed with surprise at how accurate his readings were. After a few days, still mulling over Robby¹s insights, I called him and asked to know more. We met and discussed our lives, astrology¹s origins, music, art, planets, and the future.
Robby has lots of great stories. Astrology found its way into his life when he was very young, as he initially learned his craft from Dr. Thane Walker, an influential astrologer residing in the cosmic city of Santa Monica. Says Robby, "He was a student of Gurdjieff and became a Fourth Way Teacher like the 'Master G.'" Thane and Robby had a close connection: "Thane, my Teacher asked me questions, and when I was thinking of the answers, he was saying them out loud. Robby ran the metaphysical laboratory and organized theatre labs at the Inner Space Center, meeting many artists,gay activists, and fellow spiritual teachers, creating a bond to the area and the city that would continue far into his life.
After a move to New York City, Robby lived with artists in an environment now romanticized and lost, of artists, theatres, low rent and free spirits. He helped produce HIV and AIDS awareness programs at a time when the vicious diseases were first taking hold in New York on a major level, helping people to take note of the world around them and care for themselves, a major trend in his life. Robby thrived among other spiritually gifted and creative people- artists, fellow astrologers, and students of the innovative dancer Martha Graham. He recalls the giving nature of the people and creative flow of the environment. His fondest memories? "The behind the scenes activities, creative flow of people and sexual openness."
Moving to the northwest, he started a center with his wife to counsel drug addicts. Robby used his friendliness and caring, direct manner to help hundreds of people assess their lives and change themselves for the better. Called the StarVision Light Center, the private practice attracted artistic types-- dancers, singers, writers and poets. Astrology was still a part of Robby¹s life as he worked for other agencies, as a private contractor, and direct employment as a guiding Starman.
Currently, Robby lives in Oregon, frequently traveling to Portland to give private and group readings as the Gourmet Astrologer. He¹s still active in Santa Monica within 3 blocks of his learning ground, The Prospseros "Inner Space Center." He also teaches summer classes at Shakti's Elements, a Yoga and Thai Chi studio, teaching students and writing columns on Transformational Astrology.
Says Robby of his link to Santa Monica: "It is a psychic vortex for me, the whole area and the people. I was at an art showing there just 3 weeks ago, the people, actors, musicians all are electric."
There's much more to the story of Robby Starman, a charming, friendly, energetic and fun being, whether you're meeting him for coffee or discussing the intricacies of the universe. He knows many people and has experienced many lives, and I chose the generous and compassionate Robby to profile, so others can know his story as well.