Richard Alwin Fidler is a professional astrologer and teacher. His astrological career began in the early 1990s, while he was still in his teens.
During the mid-1990s Richard joined the Pretoria Lodge of the Theosophical Society, taught astrology there, and became the librarian. This provided a rich and constant exposure to a great variety of metaphysical paradigms, practices and teachers.
He started exploring Vedic astrology in 1997, gradually integrating Jyotish into his methodology. He now uses Western and Vedic astrological methods side by side in his practice. Through his writing, lectures and workshops, he has been instrumental in fostering knowledge and awareness of Jyotish, or Indian astrology, within the Western astrological community.
In 2011 Richard spent several months in India on a personal astrological pilgrimage, to connect with Jyotish at its source after several years of self-study. He has since visited India several times as a conference speaker and organiser.
In 2014 Richard was awarded the title of ‘Jyotish Martanda’ on an honorary basis at the University of Calcutta by the Krishnamurti Institute of Astrology. He has served on the Institute’s organising committee for its periodic international conferences, which attract leading astrologers from every part of the world.
In 2015 Richard organised the Astrology Restored conference in Cape Town in collaboration with Ana Carrapichano, which featured the eminent Robert Hand as guest of honour and keynote speaker.
Richard’s work and ideas have been published in The Mountain Astrologer, The Astrological Journal (of the Astrological Association of Great Britain) and several other publications – including mainstream publications such as Business Insider. He served as chairperson of the Cape Town-based Cape Astrology Association from 2014 to 2017, and as the ISAR (International Society for Astrological Research) Global Director for the United Kingdom from 2021 to 2023.
Today Richard is the Founder and Director of Sidereus Academy, a school and research institute for the study and advancement of astrology. There he teaches courses and workshops, mentors students, and leads research into how astrological factors correlate with health, world events and other areas of life.