Born and raised in western Pennsylvania, Douglas Barker grew up in a rigidly orthodox religious atmosphere. The resulting disillusionment in adolescence led to a fervent spiritual/metaphysical quest. A two-month journey through Europe at age nineteen made him a lover forever of all things European and led to fourteen years residence in England, Germany and Switzerland. In addition he has traveled in thirty-eight different countries and has led nearly thirty art and study tours in Europe, Israel and the Sinai and India (Kashmir and Ladakh.)
       Originally a foreign language enthusiast Douglas acquired his B.A. in German from the University of Pittsburgh and his M.A. from the University of Chicago in art history. Since 1989 he has taught over one hundred university and college courses in the history of Western art and in the arts of the Native North Americans. He also studied Dr. Rudolf Steiner's system of alternative education (the Waldorf schools) at Emerson College in Sussex, England.
       Douglas' spiritual path has been a very long and eclectic one. In addition to Huber astrology and Steiner's Anthroposophy major involvements have included meditation, tarot, Osho Rajneesh, the writings of Alan Watts, Hermann Hesse, Aleister Crowley and Stuart Wilde, Dr. Joseph Costa's Institute of Thought, the Forum, Native American spiritual practices, Stregheria (Italian witchcraft), Light Body activation, the Oneness Blessing (Deeksha), Theta Healing, Integrated Energy Therapy, Peruvian shamanism and Sacred Sexuality.
       An encounter with Bruno and Louise Huber in Germany in 1982 led to a Huber diploma in astrological counseling in 1986. Douglas worked as a professional astrologer and tarot card reader for more than fifteen years in San Diego where he was the Vice President of the San Diego Astrological Society (SDAS). He currently makes his home in Sedona, Arizona.
       Following a powerfully tranformative shamanic ceremony in March of 2008 Douglas Barker became Douglas Lightning Horse.