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.