THE FOUNDATION COURSE

The Foundation Course is designed for complete newcomers to astrology as well as those who wish to consolidate their previous knowledge and reading within a structured course.

The course aims to provide you with a basic understanding of the language of astrology and the ability to interpret a birth chart with some degree of competence. You will learn to calculate and draw up a horoscope, and you will be introduced to the solar system, the seasonal year and to the astronomical basis of time. You will also be introduced to the history of western astrology and encouraged to explore your own ideas about the nature of astrology.

Completion of the Foundation Course is a significant achievement in itself and will provide you with a solid basis for more advanced study.

Module 1: Introduction to Astrology:  Planets, Signs & Houses
An introduction to the language and basic building blocks of astrology. The planets - their mythology, astrological meaning and interpretation. The signs of the zodiac - their groupings by element and mode. The interpretation of planets in different signs. The twelve houses. Astronomy for astrologers: the solar system and celestial sphere; the seasons and the cardinal points.

Module 2: Chart Skills I
The angles and house rulerships. Planetary aspects, aspect patterns and their interpretation. The Sun-Moon relationship, lunar phases and the Moon's nodes.The astrology of time and space. How to read an ephemeris. Learning to calculate charts I: the calculation and interpretation of the angles in a horoscope. An introduction to the history of western astronomy and astrology.

Module 3: Chart Skills II
Chart emphasis, imbalances and unaspected planets. The retrograde motion of planets. Learning to calculate charts II: finding the exact positions of the planets and drawing up a complete horoscope. Finding the main themes and potentials revealed by a birth chart and integrating what has been learned into the interpretation of a complete horoscope. An introduction to the philosophy of astrology: defining astrology and its place in the modern world.

THE DIPLOMA COURSE

The Diploma course consists of six modules and is designed for students who have already completed the Foundation Course. In the Diploma course, the topics and skills taught at Foundation level are further developed and extended, and new subjects and techniques are introduced.

DIPLOMA LEVEL ONE

The aim of the Diploma Level One modules is to extend and deepen your interpretation skills. You will be encouraged to develop an imaginative and sensitive approach to chart interpretation and to address the ethics of good practice. You will be introduced to the most commonly used forecasting techniques, and learn to interpret a natal chart as it develops over time, incorporating transits, solar returns, secondary progressions and solar arc directions into an integrated natal chart interpretation. During your Level One studies you will be developing your reading and ideas about astrology’s place in the world as a system of thought, and its relationship to philosophy, psychology, literature, religion, science and the mystery traditions.

Module 4: Time I – Transits and Solar Returns
The theory of time and of life cycles, planetary cycles and Kepler’s laws of planetary motion. The interpretation of transits and solar returns. Astrology as a system of thought.

Module 5: Time II - Progressions and Directions
The theory and application of symbolic timing techniques including secondary progressions, the progressed lunation cycle and solar arc directions.

Module 6: Intermediate Interpretation
A practical module designed to build skills and confidence by applying the interpretation skills learned so far. You will be introduced to the graphic ephemeris and to ways of laying out and identifying all the major factors in preparation for a fully integrated chart interpretation.

DIPLOMA LEVEL TWO

At Diploma Level Two you will be introduced to the theory and practical application of the astrological techniques of midpoints, harmonics and synastry. You will learn about world astrology, the relationship between the individual and the collective, astro-geography and relocation, as well as electional astrology. You will continue to develop and consolidate your interpretation and consultation skills and learn to interpret charts at a more advanced level.

Module 7: Techniques I – Midpoints, Harmonics & Synastry
This module introduces the theory and practice of midpoints and harmonics. You will learn how to interpret midpoint trees, the cardinal/ fixed/mutable sort, and how to use midpoints in forecasting. You will also learn the origins, theory and practice of harmonics and how to calculate and interpret harmonic charts and minor aspects. You will be introduced to the technique of synastry: the astrology of all kinds of relationships, the use of the synastry grid and composite charts.

Module 8: Techniques II – World Astrology
This module is concerned with the relationship between the individual and the world in which we live, the astrology of large historical cycles and the astrological ages. You will learn how to interpret astro-geography maps and how to relocate charts to different parts of the world. You will also learn about electional astrology – the art of choosing a beneficial time for a range of different enterprises.

Module 9: Advanced Interpretation and Astro-Consultancy
The development of consultation skills and the ethical issues which arise in client work. The development of self-awareness through the study of the synastry between the charts of the astrologer and client. The integration of a wide range of skills and techniques into an advanced chart interpretation.