Choisnard, Paul (1867-1930)

views updated

Choisnard, Paul (1867-1930)

Paul Choisnard, a pioneer of the modern astrological revival in France, was born February 13, 1867, at Tours. Following his graduation from L'École Polytechnique in Paris, he joined the army and rose to the rank of major in the artillery. While pursuing his military career, he also became interested in astrology and launched statistical research as a means of establishing the reality of planetary influence upon human affairs. In order to have his controversial sideline separate from his career, he wrote and published under the pseudonym Paul Flambert and only after his retirement went public with his astrological identity.

Choisnard's books were never translated and had little influence in the English-speaking astrological community. However, they were read by German astrologer Karl Ernst Krafft and underlie his research, which in turn led to the contemporary well-known work of Michel Gauquelin and Francoise Gauquelin. Choisnard died February 9, 1930.

Sources:

Flambert, Paul [Paul Choisnard]. Etude nouvelle sur l'hérédité. Paris, 1903.

. Influence astrale. Paris, 1901.

. Langage astral. Paris, 1903.

Holden, James H., and Robert A. Hughes. Astrological Pioneers of America. Tempe, Ariz.: American Federation of Astrologers, 1988.