About the Author(s):
 

 
R. Stephen Erlewine is the author of The Saturn Transit (30 Years) Report, Creator of DayWatch: The Matrix Calendar Program as well as lead Programmer of Matrix Software.

He began the study of astrology in 1965, opened Circle Books, an astrological bookstore in 1968, and began publishing the Circle Books astrological calendar in 1969. In 1972 he published the Circle Book of Charts, a collection of charts for famous individuals over centuries.

For centuries where no ephemeris was available, he had the help of one of the earliest astrological computer programs then being developed by Thomas Shanks. In 1979 he bought a Commodore Pet and taught himself to program. He soon was working on code for Matrix which was started by his brother, Michael. In 1980 he started working full time for Matrix. Stephen Erlewine was the lead programmer at Matrix Software.




John Townley, a veteran astrologer, who has more than 40 years of experience, created The Solar Return Report a.k.a. The Birthday Report. He has helped to write interpretations for many of the reports for Matrix Software including this one.
Early in his astrological career, John Townley introduced the composite chart technique for analyzing relationships in his book “The Composite Chart”, and twenty years later wrote the definitive work on the subject, “Composite Charts: The Astrology Of Relationships.” He has pioneered techniques for astrological cycle analysis and proposed a new, physical basis for astrology. He is also the author of “Planets in Love,” “Dynamic Astrology,” and “Lunar Returns,” has been the president of the Astrologers' Guild of America, was the editor of The Astrological Review, and is a contributor to professional and popular astrological magazines. His books have been translated into seven languages.

Townley is also a well-known journalist, elected member of the American Society of Journalists and Authors, historian, preservationist, performer, and record producer. He can be regularly found, camera and microphone in hand, covering cultural and technology events ranging from the Consumer Electronics Show to the Toy Fair, from international music festivals to ocean sailing races. When he's not behind the camera and microphone, he's in front of them, performing at maritime concerts in the U.S. and across Europe.

It has been a pleasure to meet him through various associations and an honor to be supporting his work through these reports.




Michael Erlewine is the author/astrologer behind Astro*Talk, TimeLine, and Friends and Lovers report programs, Michael is the man who founded Matrix back in the late '70s. Michael and his brother Stephen Erlewine (Stephen is still head of all astrological programming for Matrix) built Matrix into the leading producer of astrology software.
 
For many years Michael lived in Ann Arbor, Michigan, where he was much in demand as a counseling astrologer specializing in relationship and vocational advice. He also taught astrology at local schools and colleges, working with groups of as many as 1,200 people.

 
Michael is also known for his entrepreneurial drive which, in addition to Matrix, led him to create the All Music Guide - the largest music database in the world - and the All Movie Guide, as well as several award-winning websites, including ClassicPosters.com.

 
Michael also founded the Heart Center Library, the largest astrological library in North America that is open to the public. He remains curator of the works contained in this library, tapping this resource for one of his pet projects - a complete astrological encyclopedia.

 
Today Michael lives in the northern Michigan community of Big Rapids with his wife of 33 years and his family. He still does occasional private astrological counseling as people from around the world continue to seek his advice.