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With this August issue, we wrap up thirty years of publishing The Monthly Aspectarian.  It’s almost impossible to believe, but Guy and I have been at this for more than half our lives, and longer than the entire lives of our three kids. It’s not unusual for us to meet people who say they grew up with the magazine, their parents were readers.

Much has happened over these years, one of the most obvious to us magazine-wise is the changes in technology. In 1979, desktop publishing was nonexistent. In fact, personal computers were just coming into general use. We bought our first one around then, it was a whopping 8K as Guy would say, and was used only in his astrology work. The thing was so primitive that programs had to be loaded with a cassette tape and you had to hold your breath, cross your fingers, and hope that it would load successfully. In those days the magazine was only a single sheet, typed on an IBM Selectric typewriter, with glyphs glued on at the kitchen table. Our headlines had to be typeset by an outside service, and completed artwork delivered to the printer.

We adopted new technologies as they came along and today we create the magazine entirely by computer, with most ads and articles emailed to us. We often surf the web looking for cover artists and correspond with them via email, as well. When the month’s issue is done, we upload the magazine to the printer and get it delivered a couple of days later. We distribute the magazine mostly locally, but also upload a PDF copy of current issues for a much wider audience. We have archived the editorial content online going back to 1996.

Although technology has changed, the core work here at the Aspectarian has not. It has always been our mission to support those who read us in fully becoming who they yearn to be. One of the things we’re very proud of is Guy’s Conversations with leaders in this field. When viewed together, they are an impressive list which includes but is not limited to: Marilyn Ferguson, Rob Hand, John Randolph Price, Helen Palmer, Joan Borysenko, John Bradshaw, Matthew Fox, Deepak Chopra, Jean Houston, Robert Masters, Ram Dass, Brian Weiss, Bernie Siegle, Dan Millman, Neal Donald Walsh, John Perkins, Shakti Gawain, Sonia Choquette, Thomas Moore, and Richard Bach. In addition to interviews, we have presented articles by many writers on a wide array of subjects; some thought provoking, some humorous, most informative. We are and have been the place to find out about products, services, books, centers, stores, and events. We have sought to inspire the eye with our cover art, and have presented the work of many fine artists.

Guy and I have certainly not done this work on our own. We have had amazing employees over the years, always arriving with just the skills we’ve needed. We’ve had a few printers and are especially grateful to our current print salesman and the production people who have gone above and beyond in helping us physically get the magazine printed each month. We’ve said this often, but can never say it enough: thank you to our advertisers who make this work possible. Even when you are not looking for their services, please bless them as you see their ads each month. Most of the magazines are distributed by a network of volunteers. We hear the complaints when you can’t find us, you might send a silent thank you to this mostly invisible team when you can.

Publishing a magazine for this long has put us in contact with all sorts of people doing all kinds of jobs. We’ve worked with book publishers, expo organizers, promotion people, graphic artists, restaurant owners, entertainers, religious leaders and have been exposed to many novel experiences. Like all realms, this is one where word travels fast and we’ve been privy to a fair amount of intrigue and drama. The Monthly Aspectarian has given us a good and interesting life, one that has surrounded us with positive support and spiritual nourishment. We are grateful to all of those who have crossed our path these past thirty years, and most especially, to you, our readers.