Joan Quigley

Joan Quigley (born April 10, 1927), of San Francisco, is an astrologer best known for her astrological advice to the Reagan White House in the 1980s. Quigley was born in Kansas City, Missouri.

She was called on by First Lady Nancy Reagan in 1981 after John Hinckley's attempted assassination of the president, and stayed on as the White House astrologer in secret until being outed in 1988 by ousted former chief of staff Donald Regan.

Relationship with Nancy Reagan

Quigley first met Nancy Reagan in the 1970s on the "The Merv Griffin Show". Nancy Reagan grew concerned after the attempt on her husband's life on March 30, 1981 and asked Quigley if she could have foreseen, and possibly prevented, the assassination attempt. Quigley answered affirmatively, that had she been looking, she would have known. Mrs. Reagan enlisted Quigley's astrological advice on a regular basis, and would hold regular telephone conversations with her. Explaining why she turned to Quigley, Nancy later wrote, "Very few people can understand what it's like to have your husband shot at and almost die, and then have him exposed all the time to enormous crowds, tens of thousands of people, any one of whom might be a lunatic with a gun... I was doing everything I could think of to protect my husband and keep him alive."

Quigley later wrote a book about her experiences, titled "What Does Joan Say?". Quigley writes, "Not since the days of the Roman emperors—and never in the history of the United States Presidency—has an astrologer played such a significant role in the nation's affairs of State." Although that phrase is certainly debatable, Quigley's insight was used frequently.

When Donald Regan took over as Chief of President Reagan's staff in 1985, he was told by Reagan aide Michael Deaver about Quigley. Regan, who frequently quarreled with Nancy Reagan, resigned in 1987 after the Iran-Contra affair and mixed reviews of his job performance. Claimed to be revenge by some, Regan revealed to the nation that Mrs. Reagan consulted Quigley in his autobiography "For The Record". After the leak, Quigley was swarmed with media attention, although rarely gave advice to the Reagans again. Of the entire incident, Mrs. Reagan stated, "Nobody was hurt by it—except, possibly, me."

Astrological beliefs

Quigley has been quick to note that she considers astrology a science, related to astronomy, and that it is more precise now because of the discovery of modern planets. Quigley believes that astrology is not related to psychic abilities, nor has she ever claimed to be psychic. She says astrology has a long history, that the New Testament magi were astrologers, and astrology was even used by Biblical prophets in the Old Testament.Fact|date=December 2007

ee also

* Joyce Jillson
* Carroll Righter
* Jeanne Dixon

References

* Quigley, Joan. "What Does Joan Say?: My Seven Years as White House Astrologer to Nancy and Ronald Reagan". Carol Publishing Group. New York, NY; 1990.
* Regan, Donald. "For the Record: From Wall Street to Washington". Harcourt. New York; 1988.