My grandfather, Ralph F. Jones, was my first teacher and mentor. From my youth, Gramp was there to answer my questions, encourage my natural curiosity for things spiritual, and spark my interest in Astrology and related subjects. I have fond memories of he and I talking for hours, never running out of things to discuss. One particularly important turning point in my life was a near-death experience I had at the age of 14 when I came close to drowning off the Mendocino, California coast. I had many questions about the experience and he was there to answer them. I sensed that he felt this was an important event in my life-one that did, in fact, change and expand my perspective of life and death considerably.

Gramp was born June 3, 1895, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He spent his childhood in Redwing, Minnesota, later attending the University of Minnesota. He transferred to Cornell University, graduating with an Engineering degree in 1919. He married his college sweetheart, Louise Roux (whom I am named after, Louise being my middle name) in 1920. They had two children: my aunt and my father.

During the 1930's, Gramp followed his parents to Southern California, where he stayed for many years. Some of you may know that there was quite a significant Spiritual and Theosophical movement in Southern California at that time, in which my grandparents participated. They attended Manly Hall lectures, which Gramp often spoke to me about. He was also involved with another group of people whose particular focus was the channelings of an advanced being, Phylos. I was fortunate to inherit transcripts of some of those channelings, which I may even put on this site one day!

I used to visit Gramp in North Hollywood in the 60's and 70's. During these visits, we would have many of those wonderful, long talks. My interest in Astrology really took hold in the early 1970's and he and I would often talk deep into the night on a myriad of Astrological and Metaphysical topics.

Gramp's interest in these subjects came from his mother, Minnie, who was also a student of the Occult and Theosophy. In fact, she had her grandchildren's horoscopes (my father and aunt) done by the wife of Alan Leo*, a noted astrologer in her own right. I still have those interpretations and found them to be quite accurate over the years! Minnie kept very detailed journals on her studies of various Theosophical and Metaphysical subjects. I also inherited those, which are truly fascinating.

Gramp passed over in April of 1982. I feel incredibly blessed to have had his guidance, love and wisdom to nurture my spiritual and other interests in so many ways.

I lovingly dedicate this website to him.
~Elizabeth

*Alan Leo was a famous English astrologer and metaphysician born in 1860. He wrote many books, which are still being published and used today. For more information on him, go here: http://lovestarz.com/leo.html

Me dancing with Gramp - August, 1974

Gramp and me with ephemeris - early 70's