Where Did You Learn It?

[SylverStar]

I'm just curious...we have quite a few people on here that know a lot about astrology. Where did you guys learn this? from books? a teacher? college? It just seems anytime I go into a book store...the only books on astrology are on sun and moon signs...but that is only the tip of the iceberg. So how did you guys get all your information? how long have you been studying? are you still learning? Oh and this goes for eveyone that knows anything about astrology. ^_^

[Fluffmeister]

I did a four-year Diploma course at the Bristol School of Astrology; I live in Bristol so that involved attending classes, doing homework and submitting a research project. However, they also offer a one-year Foundation Course by e-mail which gives you the basics (warning - I'm biased as I teach there and am the course tutor for the Foundation Course) - www.bsa.bristolastrology.net (http://www.bsa.bristolastrology.net)

I'm also studying for a Diploma in medieval astrology with world-famous astrologer Bernadette Brady (www.astrologos.co.uk (http://www.astrologos.co.uk)) - I'm in my final semester - and just started a horary course with Serbian astrologer Branka Stamenkovic (www.branka.net.yu (http://www.branka.net.yu)). Both of these are by e-mail.

I'm hoping to start a Master's Degree course in "Cultural Astronomy and Astrology" at Bath Spa University in February (http://oldsite.bathspa.ac.uk/schools/historical-and-cultural-studies/sophia/). I know lots of astrologers who've done this MA, who've travelled over from Australia and the US to live in England for a year to do this - so given that the university is only eight miles from my front door, this is too good an opportunity to pass up!

Lots of people learn astrology by going to local astrology groups who will often run classes.

[KEishin]

Not being as well-connected as the Fluffmeister there, I've done most of my learning from books, and the occasional live teacher.

I got an interest in it from a Pagan friend of mine a couple of years ago, who was a semi-practicing astrologer. She gave me a few key books and sent me on my way. We continued that way for about a year - I'd return the books, borrow a new set and email her questions - when she moved away. Now I read whatever I can get my hands on, attend the occasional NCGR (National Council for Geocosmic Research) or ISAR (Int'l Society for Astronomical Research) lecture in Boston. I'm the pesky one asking all the questions!

The books I used were ACS's series "The Only Way to Learn Astrology." They're easy without being patronizing and they teach solid, foundational stuff so you can go on to learn more with ease.

I'm currently looking for a reputable correpondence course so I can get certified.

[RedRose]

Hi Sylverstar! You still in the forces? In the states?

I am such a slow learner. I started at 14 and goofed off with astrology lightly until my Saturn Return, at 28. Then I picked up a bit more and more over the years until my Uranus opposition, when suddenly I found I could actually look at a chart and see it as a whole. I could see the whole person there.

Mind you, I am still a beginner, an avid learner, forever studying, because astrology is so deep and wide. The Fluffmeister knows far more than I do, as do others here. Still I am good enough at basic astrology to be useful because what we need to know to forward ours lives is often basic and simple.

Personally, my main motivation these days is to teach myself how to use astrology proactively.

RedRose

[Fluffmeister]

Hi Sylverstar! You still in the forces? In the states?

I am such a slow learner. I started at 14 and goofed off with astrology lightly until my Saturn Return, at 28. Then I picked up a bit more and more over the years until my Uranus opposition, when suddenly I found I could actually look at a chart and see it as a whole. I could see the whole person there.

Mind you, I am still a beginner, an avid learner, forever studying, because astrology is so deep and wide. The Fluffmeister knows far more than I do, as do others here. Still I am good enough at basic astrology to be useful because what we need to know to forward ours lives is often basic and simple.

Personally, my main motivation these days is to teach myself how to use astrology proactively.

RedRose

We're all eternal students of astrology!

Thank you, RedRose, but I doubt I know more than you! I think astrology has two strands, the Uranian and the Neptunian. The Uranian strand is the geeky technique stuff, and yes - I'm pretty good at that. However, techniques aren't enough by themselves - astrology is also about the art of intuition and being able to "feel" a chart. I'm doing lots and lots of charts now, and feel I'm getting much better at that, but it takes time and experience.

Your posts show you have a brilliant grasp of intuiting a chart, and I for one have gained a lot from your insights here, and I'm sure others have too.

[RedRose]

Thank you Fluffmeister for the very kind compliment. I find I particularly enjoy this forum beacuse I get to work side by side with a variety of astrologers. I enjoy reading everyone's take on charts and Monk's and other's research - all way beyond me, but fascinating.

You are right about me being Neptunian too. Without computers to generate charts I wouldn't be an astrologer at all! Even entering the data is terribly tedious for me and I often make mistakes. I think I once wrote a thread here about all the phantom people's charts I have studied because I am forever switching AM/PM, Daylight Savings/Standard Time, or copying logitudes and latitudes wrong. Charts for ghosts and unknown strangers! Now that is Neptunian for sure!

I am quickly discovering that I enjoy working with Pluto in Libra astrologers. I admire my own generation, Pluto in Leo, because when I was a child there were zip books on astrology - nothing except the cheap magazines and they were not nearly as well written as now. Pluto in Leo people have changed all that forever I pray and launched the internet as well.

But frankly, Pluto in Leo astrologers can so easily become showboaters and celebrities because well, we ARE Pluto in Leo, afterall. I really like ensemble work.

RedRose

[Valkie]

Good point Fluff... there is a lot of feeling your way around a chart. yes, there is the this-plus-thing-equals-this, but there are so many ways that different aspects can manifest themselves that it does take a bit of intuition to get to that part.

Myself, there were a couple of books... and a lot of web articles. I'm not even exaggerating on this one, I use to spend hours on the computer googling a specific topic and just hopping around the web to see what people were saying about it. A lot of it is just practice, reading as many charts as you can get your hands on.

Oh, and astrology forums are a great way to learn too. One of the first places I stumbled upon on the web was Node-a-rama. The whole context of the site is discussion about your own chart and how it manifests in your own life, there is no actual 'readings'.

[Fluffmeister]

Oh, and astrology forums are a great way to learn too. One of the first places I stumbled upon on the web was Node-a-rama. The whole context of the site is discussion about your own chart and how it manifests in your own life, there is no actual 'readings'.

Thanks for the Node-o-Rama plug, Valkie :achug:

I think this site and Node-o-Rama work pretty well together - we don't allow readings on Node-o-Rama, so if people ask we point them in the direction of Mystic Wicks (which is a lot friendlier than saying "clear off, we don't do readings" which we used to say in effect)! It is a great resource for people wanting to practice astrology using their own examples, and it's great to see so much cross-over between the two sites.

[RedRose]

This is my favorite forum, because I get to practice reading charts and we all get to see and share how astrology is so darn right on. Being part of a Pagan forum is important to me; I prefer working with spiritual questers. Also I get angry when astrologers get paranoid and/or give fearbased readings, which happens a lot on secular astrology forums.

Books can be bad too. Today I read the following about Jupiter square Neptune. which applies to all us currently having our Chiron Returns (those born 1954-55). The book was "Planets in Aspect" by Pelletier written back in 1974. He says (I kid you not):

"You are excessively self indulgent, so the dreams you create never have the slightest chance of being realized."

I think many threads here are much better than most astrology books - sure satisfy me more. People get their charts done. We all need to have our charts done from time to time, even if we don't have any money. This is high service. I think we are the greatest thing going, but then, I, like my kind, not only have Jupiter square Neptune, but Jupiter/Uranus opposite Chiron, T squared Neptune! The whole deviant useless pack of us!

RedRose

[Fluffmeister]

The book was "Planets in Aspect" by Pelletier written back in 1974. He says (I kid you not):

"You are excessively self indulgent, so the dreams you create never have the slightest chance of being realized."


RedRose


I agree, RedRose, this is why I really don't like that particular "cookbook", as he can be so dogmatic!

[KEishin]

Those sort of descriptions can be great when you are learning and need pointers, but the real "language" of astrology isn't in words. I feel you have to experience the energy of an aspect of transit your or another's chart before you can truly know it.

[RedRose]

From a Fluffmeister, Grand Fixed Cross thread : <<Thanks for asking about Bath, RedRose - I'm starting in February (I was going to part of the October intake, but things were just too busy at the time), so I don't know what the "pros" say on it. The course concentrates on the history of astrology and putting it into its cultural context (this is to keep the university happy, who don't mind a history course looking at astrology as something that ancient minds believed in, but would freak at the idea of it being a serious academic subject today), so we won't touch on that very much. However, with people like Liz Greene, Rick Tarnas, Patrick Curry, Nick Campion, Bernadette Brady and Rob Hand all in the same room at the same time, let's just say that the subject of astrology does indeed raise its illicit head >>

Hi Fluffmeister,

Kepler College here in Washington State USA is fully "out" and taking the heat of ridicule for claiming equal standing in the straight world. They seem to be winning and offer financial aid and distance learning.

http://www.kepler.edu/index.html

Can't wait to hear more about your Springtime in Bath adventures!

RedRose

[Fluffmeister]

From a Fluffmeister, Grand Fixed Cross thread : <<Thanks for asking about Bath, RedRose - I'm starting in February (I was going to part of the October intake, but things were just too busy at the time), so I don't know what the "pros" say on it. The course concentrates on the history of astrology and putting it into its cultural context (this is to keep the university happy, who don't mind a history course looking at astrology as something that ancient minds believed in, but would freak at the idea of it being a serious academic subject today), so we won't touch on that very much. However, with people like Liz Greene, Rick Tarnas, Patrick Curry, Nick Campion, Bernadette Brady and Rob Hand all in the same room at the same time, let's just say that the subject of astrology does indeed raise its illicit head >>

Hi Fluffmeister,

Kepler College here in Washington State USA is fully "out" and taking the heat of ridicule for claiming equal standing in the straight world. They seem to be winning and offer financial aid and distance learning.

http://www.kepler.edu/index.html

Can't wait to hear more about your Springtime in Bath adventures!

RedRose

Yes, I've met a few of the Kepler bunch, and it's a great course with some brilliant tutors - Lee Lehman is one of that rare breed, someone who uses traditional astrology but isn't scared to use modern astrology too (she's not only written the best book I've ever read on classical astrology, "Classical astrology for modern living", but she's written a book on asteroids too!); Demetra George is *the* asteroids expert (and an authority on Hellenistic astrology too). I don't know much about Dennis Harness, though I've heard him speak - he specialises in Vedic. Nick Campion of course runs the MA course at Bath as well as being on the faculty of Kepler, and Rob Hand is of course a legend in his own lifetime!

[RedRose]

Yes, I think reading the intro. material in Robert Hand's "Planets In Transits" reference bible, is a fabulous beginner's guide. He can be a bit staid maybe but hey. Is he yet another Capricorn astrologer?

Are you a Jeff Green fan?

RedRose

[RedRose]

RE: Robert Hand

I experience oppositions as the time of full flowering, the Full Moon-like experience happening between any two planets. Yes, you must balance the energies of the axis, you must use both ends of the spectrum, but that is such a wonderful thing to do. You can be both Leo and Aquarius, or Virgo and Pisces etc. or pull off both the 2nd and the 8th Houses, the self and the other, your personal goals and universal goals, and so forth.

Robert Hand has the more traditional interpretation of oppositions; that they are hard times, and of course, for many people oppostions are tough. They are a challenge for sure. Yet think about it, if Neptune is ever going to actually work well with Saturn, if Saturn can ever find the capacity to channel the best Neptune energy onto our planet, it will be now, while Saturn and Neptune are doing their most dramatic dance together, coming in and out of opposition over this next months. Sure we may also see all the ways that Neptune in Aquarius in the sky, opposite Saturn in Leo in the sky don't work well, and yet more flooding, and breaking of dykes, but what is the positive potential of Saturn in Leo in, full blooming, opposition, with cosmic Neptune in Aquarius?

RedRose

[KEishin]

I think the positive would be a flowering of artistic expression - Neptune's imagery is being grounded by Saturn; in return Saturn is being allowed to step off the ground from time to time and live in the imagination.

[RedRose]

<<Neptune's imagery is being grounded by Saturn; in return Saturn is being allowed to step off the ground from time to time and live in the imagination.>> KEishin

Yes indeed, and how good that sounds for the planet right about now.

It is as if Saturn is the flashlight and Neptune is the light, perhaps.

How nice to think about finding real and concrete ways (Saturn) to bring more spirit/love/light (Neptune) into this world.

RedRose

[mercuric]

i learned what i know through a combination of reading (amazon.com, baby!) and asking the spirits guides and forces themselves for understanding.

i routinely and humbily ask chiron to teach me through my unconscious and neptune to allow me to intuit, while having confidence in uranus to let the energy flash before me.

i highly recommend reading the works of dane rudhyar, bill tierney, steve arroyo, and robert hand. there are certainly others worth mentioning, but these four are at the top of my list. all have made amazing contributions and written beautiful works you will learn heaps from!

[belgianmoonguy]

I learned it all to myself...
Busy since age 11 but stayed swimming in the su sogn astrology for 3/ 4 yrs
Around my 15th i ordered a natal chart...
I was amazed there was so much more...
Since then i stayed busy with astrology...
Now i'm 21
But there's still lot to learn

[Autumn]

I too am self taught, learning in drips and drabs as interest dictates.
The March-McEvers series was a great revelation to me.