Shelley von Strunckel

Shelley is best known to the public for her intelligent - and accurate * astrology columns. Within the publishing world, however, it is her articulate and ground-breaking approach to her field that's earned her kudos. Ever since she created the first ever astrological column in the London Sunday Times newspaper, fifteen years ago, she's been the voice of a new, witty and upmarket brand of astrology. She writes daily, weekly and monthly columns. She was discovered in 1991 by the late, highly regarded, Patric Walker, with whom she shared a byline. The London Sunday Times was her first solo effort. Now her columns appear in newspapers and magazines widely published in Europe, the Middle East, Australia and Asia, notably Hong Kong's South China Morning Post, the Gulf News, Germany's Myself Magazine and English, French and Chinese Vogue. Her columns are read in six languages. These can also be accessed on the Internet at her own website. She has lectured literally around the world, speaking at conferences and appearing as a dinner speaker. One of her specialties is an astrological analysis of news figures, from show business luminaries to political pundits. She has a knack for explaining what makes them tick and why they've behaved as they have. Currently, these profiles run weekly in London's Evening Standard Newspaper. She is currently developing several book projects for international publication, and has developed and taken part in the pilot for her own television show. Her charitable activities are as extensive. She produced a documentary for the International Red Cross on their work with AIDS in Africa (directed by the acclaimed Stephan Elliot). Passionate about opera, she is involved with fund-raising at London's English National Opera. Regarded as the voice of reason in the often-confusing field of astrology, she's considered an accessible - and witty - expert. Her interview on the BBC World Service's incisive "Hardtalk" is a prime example of this. A frequent and popular guest on radio and television, her particular strength is an astrological analysis of current trends and news and political personalities; appearances have ranged from ABC and NBC in America, BBC, domestic and World Service, ITV and Channel 9 (Australia) news, to debates and discussion shows. Born in Hollywood, she had a British nanny. While her interest in various philosophies, Eastern and Western, as well as astrology lead to intensive studies, her formal training - and first career - was in fashion and merchandising with Federated Department Stores. During this period she studied the history of fashion and psychology of trends and cycles at University of California Evening School. However, some thirty years ago her interest in astrology took center stage. She became a consulting astrologer; within two years she was lecturing on the subject in India, and her base quickly extended to working with clients in New York and London as well as her native Los Angeles.