Michael Erlewine Re-Acquires Matrix Software

Posted by Chris Brennan on Saturday, November 22 20085 Comments

I just got an email from the founder of Matrix Software, Michael Erlewine, saying that has has re-acquired the company. He lost it in the mid-90’s through some sort of deal that isn’t altogether clear, but apparently he has finally decided to take it back over again.

Matrix is important from a historical perspective because it was one of the first astrological software companies, having been founded by Michael in 1978, and it is still one of the main companies in the field.

Michael also contributed a lot to the astrological community by taking quite a bit of the money that was made through software sales and investing it into the astrological community. For example, he built an astrological library in Michigan called the Heart Center, and he hosted a number of astrological conferences over the years.

Here is what I assume is the official press release:

Michael Erlewine, founder of Matrix Software in 1977, sold Matrix in 1996 to
work on his entertainment sites All-Music Guide, All-Movie Guide, and so on.
In November 2008, Erlewine re-purchased his company and is once again the
owner and director. He writes:

“Matrix Software has been a pioneer in many areas of astrology since the
1970s. In this 21st Century there is much astrology has to offer to the
public and I am now building a team to take the company forward into new
directions. We are looking for a few good writers to create new and exciting
astrological reports. “

Here is Michael’s natal chart with transits for today. Note that this is the 12 year Jupiter and annual profection return relative when he first sold the company in 1996, with Jupiter transiting his 2nd house.

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5 Comments »

Elmer said:

This is a man from that last century and his software shows it. Things have passed he and his brother by and he just hasn’t figured it out yet. He left the astrology business because he doesn’t like or respect astrologers, they are just a way for him to make money. When he failed at his other endeavors, and the company that bought Matrix as a part of the deal to acquire the All Music and All Movie Guides decided to abandon it, he was allowed to take it back. What I have seen from them since then is some of the worst software out there.

- March 3 2009 at 7:54 am

John Townley said:

Elmer, who prefers to remain anonymous beyond a first name, speaks of what he knows very little about. If you think the last century’s astrologers’ efforts should be ignored, try ignoring the work of the last couple of millenniums. I don’t think think Chris Brennan or his brilliant mentor Bob Schmidt, a dear friend whom I personally helped introduce to astrology, would agree. Matrix, after considerable uber-corporation neglect, is thankfully rejuvenating under the leadership of the very people that made computer charts available to you in the first place. We hope that’s a good sign, and you should be rooting for it. Without both Erlewines’ efforts, you’d be consulting large books with endless tables, just to construct a single horoscope. Sometimes things get out of date, but other times, youth displays ignorance…think before you speak…

- April 6 2009 at 7:56 pm

Chris Brennan (author) said:

Michael seems to be doing some really excellent things with the company from what I’ve seen over the past few months, so I for one am glad that he is back at the helm of Matrix.

- April 6 2009 at 9:10 pm

Johnny said:

Erlewine….its about time that you took this company. I purchased most of the software from winStar to progressions, solar return and win writer etc..etc..etv…

The best software I hav seen. As a matter of fact, it is too advanced for the average astrologer. Keep up the good work and bring us more software.

As for the ELMER post, he knows nothing and it shows in his post. Give credit where it is due. Hail Matrix )

- June 20 2009 at 8:29 pm

Leon LaRimbaud said:

Just ran across this site when looking for an alternative to my Matrix programs. If you have ever owned, or do own any Matrix software you’ll agree with Elmer. Bloated, poorly designed, and full of bugs. There’s too much good software out there to put up with it.

- January 1 2010 at 10:36 am

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