Name: Plato's Symposium (What is Love?) Book Discussion -week 1
Start: 2025-05-10T17:00:00.000Z
Location: Pier 57

A ***HOW TO*** workshop on deciphering your own astrology birth chart in order to investigate your strengths, weaknesses, soul-level yearnings, fears and obstacles. In his dialogues, Plato recommended following the ancient Greek advice to "*Know Thyself*" and he gave a vague sketch for using astrology for that purpose. Since then, Western Astrology has been developed in order to fulfill that need.

This is the first of 6+ events that will meet in the DAFFODIL classroom at Pier 57 on Friday nights between 5 & 8 pm. Through these sessions, successively, we will cover how to interpret the position of each planet, Sun and Moon in your own chart.

This workshop is entirely FREE but you must know your precise *Birth Information*, consisting of date, place **AND TIME**. The time should be listed on your birth certificate. Please print, or download onto a device, your personal birth chart from any of the many free websites available (astro.com is one of many) or download an astrology AP onto a device and enter your birth data there. You can also submit your birth chart for me to use anonymously as a demonstration in the workshop. IF SO, message me within this Meetup AP or just come a little early to the workshop so I can enter your data.

In both Plato's ***REPUBLIC*** and ***LAWS*** Socrates outlined a method that the philosopher-kings would use to come into full self-knowledge. The most advanced stage of the preliminary phase of that process rests on astrology as a means of boosting our capacity to see ourselves clearly; in other words, to use astrology as a mirror to examine ourselves. Each workshop session will include an instructional lecture on aspects of Socratic philosophy and astrological technique based upon the reading listed below.

If you are willing to volunteer in-person as A/V Zoom operator, comment your interest below. With a volunteer, this workshop will also be available online through Zoom but with limited participation opportunities. A separate listing will be added for the online event, if so.

Download this document [HERE](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ngy9E2FT5VPSpiSq_alb5SV7m9_2YPqs/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=114870295696062601836&rtpof=true&sd=true) to follow along with during the lecture. You don't need to read it in advance. Reading Linda Goodman's [SUN SIGNS](https://epdf.pub/linda-goodmans-sun-signs.html) in advance will add tremendously to your capacity to benefit from this workshop but is not required. The more familiar your are with the basic descriptions of the 12 zodiac signs the quicker you will be able to read your own chart. Particularly, research in advance, if you can, the zodiac signs of your Sun, Moon, Venus and Mars placement using a Google search or YouTube.

This classroom has 40 seats but the event will allow 50 RSVP's to take into account no-shows. Please edit your RSVP if you decide not to attend even at the last minute. You need to arrive late, simply message me or comment below, no problem. Thanks

Reading Philosophy and Psychology (NYC)

Kilaya Ciriello

Sara Elle J

Emma Rajkovic

Zach

Fanny Willman

Eleni

Peter T.

Angela

D.Seiple

Jerit George

Julia Legutko

Laura Moreno Cabanillas

Gwen

Frank

Khushboo Ladsaria

Mike

JT Way

"KNOW THYSELF" Astrology Workshop Based on Plato's REPUBLIC

Pier 57

"I and Thou" is the centerpiece of Buber's groundbreaking philosophy. It lays out a view of the world in which human beings can enter into relationships using their innermost and whole being to form true partnerships. These deep forms of rapport contrast with those that spring from the Industrial Revolution, namely the common, but basically unethical, treatment of others as objects for our use and the incorrect view of the universe as merely the object of our senses. Buber goes on to demonstrate how these interhuman meetings are a reflection of the human meeting with God. For Buber, the essence of biblical religion consists in the fact that -- regardless of the infinite abyss between them -- a dialogue between man and God is possible.
Heavily influenced by the writings of Frederich Nietzsche, Martin Buber united the proto-Existentialists currents of modern German thought with the Judeo-Christian tradition, powerfully updating faith for modern times.

**Join us to discuss this classic book over the course of 4-weeks!**

Week 4 Sat 4/3 12:30-2:30pm

**Reading for Week 4**
All of Part 3 (roughly 36 pages)

**\*A couple notes about the reading:**

1. **Translation**
Feel free to read any translation of the book you like. I will be reading both the Walter Kaufman Translation [free pdf here ](https://theanarchistlibrary.org/library/martin-buber-i-and-thou)
and The Ronald Gregor Smith Translation [free pdf here](http://uploads.worldlibrary.net/uploads/pdf/20110831000408iandthou.pdf)
2. **Aphorisms**
The Aphorisms are not numbered. They are just given bullet points or are separated by spaces depending on the version you're reading.
3. **Supplementary Sources**
Finally, though the reading is fairly short —it is quite dense. Therefore, I will be reading a few **supplementary sources** to help me understand the text. I'll link below to the ones I'm using, but feel free to use others and to share any good sources you come across in the comments! (:

* Martin Buber's I and Thou: Practicing Living Dialogue by Kenneth Paul Kramer (book) [here](https://www.amazon.com/dp/0809141582?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title)
* I and Thou Sparknotes [here](https://www.sparknotes.com/philosophy/iandthou/themes/)
* Eric Dodson lectures (youtube) [here](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6MIEh6Buv_E)

We follow a mindful conversation approach, details on this along with a general FAQ on how we run the meetup can be found [here](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1dfefKv8HVAvyeXOvk1k8ihRqml5jnrI3mbvU-D6i0iA/edit?usp=sharing).
Reading is required to participate in the discussion, but not required to attend.

Can't wait discuss these ideas with all of you!
-Zach

Geraldine Anello

I and Thou by Martin Buber: Book Discussion (week 4)

Hi to all,

I've been flirting with scheduling a reading of this for a while and now, having established a decent amount of interest in this spiritual series, I figured it was time to dive into the controversial self-proclaimed *superfascista* **Julius Evola** and his esoteric far-right philosophical survival manual for modernity, *Ride the Tiger: A Survival Manual for the Aristocrats of the Soul.* How better to lose my readership than this?

Heavily inspired by the Traditionalist philosophy of **René Guénon** \- our first reading in this adventure \- and **Friedrich Nietzsche**, Evola's final text is written against the backdrop of the Second World War, the failure of Fascism, the rise of materialism, secularism, and moral decline - all of which Evola swiftly describes as an *age of dissolution.* Somewhat similar to **Simone Weil's** *self-emptying attention* recently discussed in our reading of *[On the Abolition of All Political Parties](https://www.meetup.com/reading-philosophy/events/306784085/?eventOrigin=your_events),* Evola advances in his twilight years a notion of *apoliteia*, an inner distance unassailable by society and its (as he perceives it) increasingly amoralistic and barbaric attitudes and values, a stance unaccepting of anything binding one to the present, etc. As with all of our thinkers, Evola is pursuing *transcendence*, via a defense of the world of *being* and *dignity* of those *aristocrats* who feel they belong to a different modality of humanity, wherein one might exist in full recognition of *the desert* that surrounds us, enabling us to "*ride the tiger*" so that we might supra-navigate the chaos and degeneration of the modern, technologically-saturated world that we're so unfortunate to inhabit. Or something like that, I don't know.

We will be reading through **Part 4** (*Dissolution of the Individual*) for this meet-up so **18) *The "Animal Ideal" - The Sentiment of Nature*** should be the last section read.

I will be reading Godwin and Fontana's translation published by Inner Traditions. It is available [through this guy's website who recently lost like 12% of his net-worth as a result of tariffs](https://www.amazon.com/Ride-Tiger-Survival-Manual-Aristocrats/dp/0892811250) (lol).
Also [available for free here](https://www.cakravartin.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2006/08/Julius-Evola-Ride-the-Tiger-Survival-Manual-for-the-Aristocrats-of-the-Soul.pdf) but please help Jeff get his money back up if you can.

As always, if you're unable to complete the book prior to our meeting, no worries - it's lengthy so we're just happy to have you and welcome whatever insights, critiques, questions, etc. you may have based on what you were able to read.

We will be meeting in the **Ace Hotel lobby** on W 29th. It's cozy, there are couches, there is lunch, there is wine (thank god) and there is a Stumptown Coffee in the front. It's great. Message me the day of if you can't find us. I usually sit toward the back next to the bar.

It bears repeating, this group is open to newcomers to Evola (preferred in this case), novices of philosophy, ragamuffins, ne'er-do-wells, urchins of all sorts, etc. Purely biographically, Evola is fascinating and[ his recent resurgence and resonance with fringe fellas online is worth considering](https://jacobin.com/2022/12/fascism-far-right-evola-bannon-bronze-age-pervert). Just be respectful and kind - it'll be great.

Alright, looking forward to it and reach out to me with any questions in the meantime.

See y'all then!

Hamp

Oriane Hakkila

Brent

Pamela

Lilith

Natalie 

Ride the Tiger - Julius Evola | Part 1, Reading & Discussion

Ace Hotel New York

The **Gracchi brothers** were two brothers who lived during the beginning of the late Roman Republic. They have been received as well-born and eloquent advocates for social reform who were both killed by a [reactionary](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reactionary "Reactionary") political system; their terms in the tribunate precipitated a series of domestic crises which are viewed as unsettling the [Roman Republic](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_Republic "Roman Republic") and contributing to its collapse. (From Wiki)

We will be following along this text but other versions are available as well
Life of Tiberius Gracchus
[https://penelope.uchicago.edu/Thayer/E/Roman/Texts/Plutarch/Lives/Tiberius_Gracchus*.html](https://penelope.uchicago.edu/Thayer/E/Roman/Texts/Plutarch/Lives/Tiberius_Gracchus*.html)
Life of Caius Gracchus
[https://penelope.uchicago.edu/Thayer/E/Roman/Texts/Plutarch/Lives/Caius_Gracchus*.html](https://penelope.uchicago.edu/Thayer/E/Roman/Texts/Plutarch/Lives/Caius_Gracchus*.html)
You can find these two lives also in Penguin edition called Rome in Crisis and Rome in Making[ ](https://www.amazon.com/Sparta-Penguin-Classics-Plutarch/dp/0140449434/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1YXR14FXFWXLG&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.95g8XYueOboJ-NPTyfZTruZOrtsQHgP8r0MCcsRm_zgNJ_j0twnqHq4UHQyl_jMQPjBjSszLGQZBftcjgyyDahQpAgdGCJmjOoT8aX286yilvRwXbOXj840AgAPPOgal882Hawt1Kym-RqhFpR2gUlNCdi23WWEpasQQdves_eN1qkZjadoejZDCpAaxpur-K64Le_qqzahNBAiMpAXA6nqvpCp8uWqYlRtg1qKfE3U.pAUU88K2F-TeJNoATtiJEKxb2pnJkNHZIw4AmEERP-Y&dib_tag=se&keywords=on+sparta+plutarch&qid=1742052738&sprefix=on+sparta%2Caps%2C123&sr=8-1)

This is a reading group in which we read from **Plutarch's Parallel Lives** about the virtues and faults of great leaders from ancient Greece and Rome. At the end of each life, we rate them for their leadership quality, virtues, entertaining reading, and legacy.
For our leader scoreboard, check out this Google doc:
[https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1K66HPHPO_elctuHjCLAWnv5w_3HCY8YbxEK4SgCa_Gg/edit#gid=0](https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1K66HPHPO_elctuHjCLAWnv5w_3HCY8YbxEK4SgCa_Gg/edit#gid=0)

For questions please send me a message or post to meetup.
Zita

Zita Vasilisinova

Arthur O'Dwyer

Fernando

Plutarch Parallel Lives: Tiberius and Caius Gracchus

Online event

In the course of a lively drinking party, a group of Athenian intellectuals exchange views on eros, or desire. From their conversation emerges a series of subtle reflections on gender roles, sex in society and the sublimation of basic human instincts. The discussion culminates in a radical challenge to conventional views by Plato's mentor, Socrates, who advocates transcendence through spiritual love. The Symposium is a deft interweaving of different viewpoints and ideas about the nature of love—as a response to beauty, a cosmic force, a motive for social action and as a means of ethical education.

**Join us to discuss this classic book over the course of 2-weeks!**

Week 1 Sat 5/10 1-3pm
Week 2 Sat 5/17 1-3pm

**Reading for Week 1**
Beginning - 201D or "Introductory Dialogue" up until the section "Diotima Questions Socrates" (roughly 44 pages)
**Translation**
Feel free to read any translation of the book you like. I will be reading the Nehamas & Woodruffe Translation
Physical copy available [here](https://www.amazon.com/Plato-Symposium-Hackett-Classics/dp/0872200760/ref=sr_1_4?crid=T982LT2DPDH3&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.X8tD1HawGpHugxqQXYYc-oRPJ-ncSUKMASMFk2R3i4qjJ1U8je8yGIMQnc8FOSvqWoZF65I1Hi4X7UhJ_YrhbWq0WhHeT7tS_Uu7j-xKCgm6UoBnc_UkaiMR-1Cb_zLiqKr13H5t8tOMzYPzIqWhkly8m3ILkwXnd6zyCvO9DcbFzJI1-rOof3r9qEb63dz1JPaomlcQJFsZ0go6RerUte__-xkENtG7MgnC5NOF7o0.r50cZz2QprWPA7s158lltozZ4m7a6kWIf4F5pSw7gU8&dib_tag=se&keywords=plato%27s+symposium&qid=1745432298&sprefix=plato%27s+sym%2Caps%2C141&sr=8-4)
Free PDF availabe [here](https://www.mission17.org/documents/Plato_TheSymposium_complete.pdf) \*click the arrow at the top of the page to rotate the page counterclockwise\*

We follow a mindful conversation approach, details on this along with a general FAQ on how we run the meetup can be found [here](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1dfefKv8HVAvyeXOvk1k8ihRqml5jnrI3mbvU-D6i0iA/edit?usp=sharing).
Reading is required to participate in the discussion, but not required to attend.

Can't wait discuss these ideas with all of you!
-Zach

Danny Roman

Kris

Boris Li

Bocheng

Juan

AHMAD MADLOUH

Patrick Liu

Daniel Ochoa

Plato's Symposium (What is Love?) Book Discussion -week 1

Reading Circle

Search {networkName}

Groups

{PRO_NETWORK_NAME} is on Meetup Pro with more than {PRO_MEMBER_COUNT} members across {PRO_GROUP_COUNT} Meetups worldwide. Meetup Pro is the professional tool for organizing and communicating a network of users, partners, contributors and members.

Ryan Bohman

Reading Circle

Reading Circle

Who we are

Search Reading Circle

Upcoming events

Groups