Goodman, Linda (1925-1995)

American astrologer, born Mary Alice Kemery on April 9, 1925, in Parkersburg, West Virginia. She emerged into public notice in 1958 as the writer-broadcaster for a Pittsburgh radio show, "Letter from Linda." She moved to New York City in 1964 and later became a speechwriter for the National Urban League. In 1968 Goodman published her first book, Sun Signs, a massive work on astrology and human relationships offering advice for changing one's responses to the actions of others in accordance with one's own astrological characteristics as well as those of whomever one is dealing with. It became one of the best-selling astrology texts of the period. It went into 17 hard-back printings prior to paperback publication in the fall of 1971. By the end of the decade it had sold more than four million copies. From having no prior connection to the astrological community, Goodman became one of the most influential astrologers in America, and her clients included a number of celebrity personalities.

Additional astrological texts by Goodman include Venus Trines at Midnight (1970) and her equally popular Linda Good-man's Love Signs: A New Approach to the Human Heart (1978).

Less known, Goodman founded a new religion she termed Mannitou, a synthesis of teachings from St. Francis of Asissi and some Native American tribes. She put a large percentage of the income from her books into establishing her new faith.

Sources:

Goodman, Linda. Linda Goodman's Love Signs: A New Approach to the Human Heart. New York: Harper, 1978.

——. Sun Signs. New York: Taplinger, 1968. Reprinted as Linda Goodman's Sun Signs. New York: Bantam Books, 1971.

——. Venus Trines at Midnight. New York: Taplinger, 1970.