The Secret Astrology of Architecture in Washington DC: 2 Books Spark Controversy

I am half-way through Dan Brown's latest Astrology-related thriller, The Lost Symbol.  It is a "fun" read.  It is hard to put down and also hard to take seriously; especially the supposed historic explanations about the "secret" astrology of many of the famed buildings and monuments in Washington DC. Two books--Dan Brown's, and an older one, by David Ovason--spark controversy when it comes to linking astrology with architecture.

Dan Brown is not the first author to explore the mysticism behind the symbols, paintings, and layout of the historic monuments in Washington, D.C. Before him, David Ovason wrote " The Secret Architecture of the Nation's Capital."  Ovason wrote about "20 (or more) complete Zodiacs" in D.C., "each one pointing to an extraordinary mystery."  Although Ovason is not an architect, he is a student of astrology, who, some time back,  also wrote a book about Nostradamus. Reportedly he spent 10 years studying Washington, D.C., architecture and its cosmic connections, beginning with the Capital's founding in 1791. He describes, in detail, the D.C. Zodiacs that are inscribed in glass, bronze, marble, and more materials. Ovason's book was published in 1999 in hardback. At 516 pages, rare book dealers are listing it for sale for as much as $80, although it is also available in paperback (should you like a nice, long read). Now that Dan Brown's book is out, it seems likely that Ovason's is becoming something of a cult classic.

If you read Dan Brown's latest book, you will find the plot relates back to some of Ovason's ideas - especially where the story concerns pyramids (the dollar bill, for example) and some of the paintings, murals and sculptures in D.C.  But Ovason, who writes and lives in England, has been soundly criticized by some Freemasons, who have been tied to the secret astrology-architecture by Ovason (and included in the title of his book). The Freemasons also are present in The Lost Symbol, but in that book, unlike Ovason's, they are treated more kindly.

On several websites, members of the Freemasons accuse Ovason of lack of credentials, exaggeration and falsehoods. For example, one Freemason, writing about Ovason's book states,  '"He peppers his claims with such expressions as: "one suspects," -"I feel," -"my impression," -"it is clear," -"cannot be without significance," -"dare we ask," -"without doubt," -"it is my guess," -"it is quite evident," -"I am left with the conviction" and a litany of would have, could have, must have beens. But no documented proof."' Quite clearly, there is no love lost between some of the more vocal Freemasons and Ovason.

As far as the astrology-of-architecture link goes - in certain locations, outside the U.S., astrology is still consulted when building or furnishing a home or office, and also for unveilings and grand openings. Some of our nation's more contemporary Presidents (or at least their wives) followed Astrology and spiritual advice to a certain extent - among them Mary Todd Lincoln, Nancy Reagan and Hilary Clinton. It is not surprising that there might have been some astrological influence in the late 1700s, but to what extent is uncertain.

It is also unclear whether The Lost Symbol  will add legitimacy to the understanding and uses of astrology in the Western World. Claims that astrology figured heavily in the planning of Washington, D.C., and its monuments may not be verified or even documented (at least as far as I've researched), except by the art left behind by the 18th and 19th Century designers, sculptors and contractors. It is amusing to ponder the Zodiac symbolism in our nation's capital and its currency, but, in my opinion, not especially productive - except as a means of reading-for-escape and/or list-making of more places to visit when you next travel to D.C.