The Astrology Project

The Ascendant is absolutely the most ‘personal’ feature in astrology. Nothing else relates so directly to an individual time, date and place of birth, nothing else changes degrees as rapidly. The ancients called it the ‘helm’ of your ‘ship’, from which life’s destiny can best be navigated. They had a range of considerations from who ‘owned’ it, to who ’captained’ it, right down to who may be ’at the oars’, and these identities weren’t always one and the same. This Intensive focuses on methods of understanding and applying these metaphors. With accurate birth data now more readily available there is a heightened relevance to this wonderful approach.

The zodiac is the heavenly sphere where planets dwell, spelling out signals and intentions for the world. As they wander the sky, their agency is conditioned and modified. This Intensive identifies the role and relevance of the tropical zodiac and clarifies the nature of sidereal and constellational models. Once the essential energy of a planet is assessed, its function is localised and specified by casting a chart for an exact time and place. From this moment, a wheel of ‘houses’ brings the signs and planets down to earth, giving them place and purpose, significant of various life events. This combined field of celestial signs and terrestrial houses is integral to weaving astrological meaning.

The division of night and day was the crux of an elegant doctrine - Astrological Sect. To the ancients the world ‘breathed’ as creative nuances of light and dark came and went, to come again, giving rise to a fundamental method of analysis. Horoscopic symbolism would be finetuned accordingly, allowing for a good doorway into astrological delineation. Hence the antiquitous philosophical saying “There are gates of way for night and day”. This Intensive comes to terms with a major dual distinction which profoundly affects chart factors. This is a fascinating touchstone method which sets a symbolic direction for further interpretation. Learn about concepts such as sect-teams and sect-mates and how to measure the ‘balance of power’ in the planetary pantheon.

The original seven planets were always known as the ‘stars’, that is, the ‘Stars of the Gods’. These are the most truly active agencies within the astrological system. They are the ‘light-bearers’ who speak to us through ever-changing motion and appearances. More than anything else, they offer the ‘signs’ through which we read a chart. Thus they have been called titles such as ’significators’, ‘promittors’ and ‘lords’. This Intensive highlights the very nature of their critical role. We will explore each one’s core qualities and, most importantly, ‘why’ any celestial body symbolises what it does. There is a whole range of potential relationships that they exhibit, depending on the essential nature of each and the arrangement of the heavens. The role of the ‘Modern Planets’ will also be reviewed.

What do these complementary terms really mean? It’s not as daunting as it seems. In life there is shadow and light, building up and tearing down, joining and parting, rising and falling, less and more, beginnings and endings. It is clear that both the positive and negative coexist and astrology’s heritage has openly acknowledged this fundamental truth. This Intensive aims to dispel any misconceptions about these principles, in presenting how to effectively deal with them as chart factors. Understanding the definition of ‘benefic’ and ‘malefic’, plus what actually symbolises these terms, strengthens astrological practice.

How much ‘fuel’ is ‘in the tank’? What is its quality? From the outset of reading any chart, it is crucial to give attention where it is most warranted. Since ancient times there has been a clear hierarchy where certain points were seen as primary. They were Sun and Moon, Ascendant, prenatal syzygy, and the Lot of Fortune which established a relationship between luminaries and angles. Consideration of these points can offer broad perspective and depth insight into important features of a figure. Rather than being overwhelmed by too much data, discern the big picture.

Every horoscope promises rich insight, yet taunts with complex symbolism. Down the centuries, two teaching aids maintained a key presence - Metaphor and Aphorism. Each culture used daily life examples to apprehend charts. The ancient Hellenistic world of the seafaring Mediterranean inclined to nautical ones, in the Roman era legal testimony and judgement appealed, feudal times understood notions of property and ownership, while the modern era uses psychological ideas. This Intensive draws on all these inflections to grasp astrological meaning. We aim to deepen awareness of concepts addressed in the sayings, presenting select aphorisms, demonstrating their utility and charm.

The original seven planets were always known as the ‘stars’, that is, the ‘Stars of the Gods’. These are the most truly active agencies within the astrological system. They are the ‘light-bearers’ who speak to us through ever-changing motion and appearances. More than anything else, they offer the ‘signs’ through which we read a chart. Thus they have been called titles such as ’significators’, ‘promittors’ and ‘lords’. This Intensive highlights the very nature of their critical role. We will explore each one’s core qualities and, most importantly, ‘why’ any celestial body symbolises what it does. There is a whole range of potential relationships that they exhibit, depending on the essential nature of each and the arrangement of the heavens. The role of the ‘Modern Planets’ will also be reviewed.

Just as it is vital to all life in the solar system, the Sun is a central feature of any chart. Each of the other planets has its special relationship to the ‘king’, and we observe this in their relative motions and visual appearances. Movement and light, orientality and occidentality, rising, culminating, and setting, were always keenly observed. There is a wealth of techniques to explore. Grasp these mechanics, learn their meaning, and appreciate their relevance in this Intensive.