Introduction
For as long as mankind has existed, I doubt if any subject has been given more attention than Astrology. Persecution and suppression interspersed with periods of public recognition marks its passage through the history of mankind, going from one extreme to the next like a manic roller coaster ride. No subject seems to attract more controversy. Ridiculed by those who consider it to be a silly superstition, exalted by true believers almost to the status of Divine wisdom, the gulf between the opposing camps is wider than anything I can bring to mind. Some of the greatest thinkers were astrologers, Sir Isaac Newton to name but one. Entire civilisations were built around it. Even the Church had its devotees and practitioners. Yet, in some people’s minds, it fares little better than Karl Marx’s ‘Opiate of the masses’. Obviously, we have a dichotomy, an entrenchment of opinion with neither side wishing to see any good in the other’s point of view. Someone has to be right. So what is the truth of the matter and where do we find it?
I have no doubt that the apologists for ‘rational’ thought will continue to bury their heads in the sand when judging the subject - a subject they have never bothered to study, incidentally. Comfortable in the wrappings of scientific or religious knowledge and the assumption that their creed is wholly correct, they will continue to miss the opportunity for real discovery while at the same time continuing the uttering of pronouncements of condemnation. I can well understand these people being cynical. After all, when your knowledge of astrology is gleaned from newspapers - that well-known repository of accuracy and truth - or hearsay, it is plainly obvious that astrology is unscientific and its devotees ill-informed crackpots. Anyone who believes that the stars exude some strange mystical force which affects we humans and has an influence on our lives has got to be a candidate for the funny-farm. It isn’t scientific - is it? Well, of course not - but neither is judging a subject before the facts are established!
I think we can take it for granted that media coverage of Astrology is seriously flawed. ‘Never let the truth get in the way of a good story’ may be an old joke about the antics of reporters, but it does underline the fact that newspapers print their own version of events and, in the case of astrology, are getting their stories from fringe interests rather than the dedicated Astrologer. The media in general suffers from the same narrow minded approach. So, if we are to acquire the facts, were do we begin to look?
There are hundreds of books on Astrology in print today. Some are specialised works for already trained Astrologers, others are more concerned with the fringe aspects, such as Sun Signs or strange ideas such as Zodiac recipes. Very few books are designed to teach; those that are seem to suffer from complexity and a clear lack of teaching strategy. They do have their good points, but you may find they are difficult to understand and not necessarily a good aid to learning. Quite often there is the mistaken idea that you can learn astrology by looking at what we call ‘cookbook’ interpretations. You may have seen them already. Sun in Cancer means..., or Venus square Jupiter means... You simply cannot learn astrology this way. The only way to learn interpretation is by using the Keyword system. This gives a quick, intuitive insight into any chart factor and can be learned easily. With keywords you can soon learn to read a chart almost like a book, without them you are forced to refer to ready-made interpretations which interrupts the natural flow of thoughts so necessary for an accurate assessment of a chart.
The alternative to book learning is to get a course of instruction. When I first began my astrological studies, after working my way through numerous books, I took a course in Astrology. I found it expensive, hard going, and lacking in the personal touch when I needed answers. Being based on books, it suffered from the same inherent problems in that it lacked the structure needed to convey ideas in a systematic manner conducive to learning.
One of the greatest problems with courses - and, incidentally with books - is that of varying standards. Some teach Equal House, others use Placidean or some other quadrant system. The size of orbs used and even the interpretation placed on them differs. So who is right? Like many serious students I had to sift through this mass of conflicting information and arrive at my own conclusions. But, at least I was fortunate in that my curiosity caused me to look at the alternatives and make my own assessment rather than simply accepting what someone else thought.
As a result of my experiences I began the task of writing Astrology courses specifically designed to teach the subject from first principles in a logical sequence, using what I believe to be the very best and most appropriate standards. I cut out all the dubious and speculative ideas, concentrating on the facts instead. Everything was thought about and, where necessary, restructured to give a better understanding. Each section, and each lesson within a section, is complete in itself and flows quite naturally to the next one. There are numerous worked examples together with exercises to help you assimilate the information you have been given. The result is a unique course of instruction which I believe is far in advance of anything on offer and better able to teach Astrology because it has been designed for that purpose.
By far the most important thing is to know you are not alone, abandoned to reason things out all by yourself. I suspect more people give up because of this than for any other reason. Everyone gets stuck sooner or later, wouldn’t it be better to be able to talk to someone who can help? This is the reason I offer a backup service which, incidentally, is entirely free. It’s all part of what I believe to be the best Astrological tuition available.
I agree with some astrologers who maintain that you cannot learn astrology from books or from large institutions, The only way to learn is through an experienced astrologer who is prepared to teach you or one who specialises in tuition. It is my belief in the potential Astrology has to offer together with my enthusiasm for the subject which motivates me to teach the subject. I actually enjoy teaching Astrology and helping people understand it. My courses are based on this and I genuinely believe that they will not be surpassed in clarity and quality of information.
Astrology - Professional Course.
This course is the first in a series of courses specially written for anyone who wishes to study astrology from first principles to advanced levels and predictive techniques. It is also unique in that it fulfils two roles. Firstly, it is a complete course for beginners who want a basic grounding in astrology of sufficient scope to enable them to interpret charts easily and accurately with the minimum of fuss. Secondly, for those who wish to progress further, it provides a sound basis from which to proceed.
Many courses are based on books which you have to buy at additional cost, which hardly seems fair. This course is complete in itself, so books, or any of the other items you normally have to purchase as part of your studies, are not needed. The saving in overall cost is therefore considerable.
My aim was to produce a course from beginning to end which was complete in every detail as well as being helpful and easy to understand. I can say without fear of contradiction that this course is the best on offer anywhere. It is designed to teach astrology in a logical manner from simple beginnings to advanced methods, covering all the recognised techniques. The normal approach tends to overload the student with huge amounts of information from the onset making it very difficult to learn and apply what is being taught. My methods are quite different, using a gradual approach of building up knowledge and confidence through the use of a modular system of training. This splits up a vast subject into manageable units each of which is self contained yet integrates completely with the others. To achieve this, everything had to be rewritten. Each lesson is quite unique and is specifically designed to teach the subject efficiently. Many of the ideas and methods used are completely new and will not be found anywhere else. This course shows you how to quickly grasp the main points in any birth chart using a unique system of emphasis. These emphasised factors stand out above the rest and so enable you to quickly home in on a person's main character traits. The technique is easier to learn than conventional methods yet it produces a quick and accurate appraisal of a chart.
Learning the basics of astrology is not as difficult as you think. You are guided through the process step by step using diagrams, tables, and worked examples to illustrate the techniques. Look at what is possible after just one lesson. What does this diagram tell you? At first glance not very much. A circle, a few lines and some dots. In actual fact it is one of many simplified diagrams of an astrological chart used to teach interpretation. Once you know what to do with it, it tells you quite a lot, and it is very easy to move from this to a 'real' chart. At the end of the first lesson you have all the information required to produce an interpretation like this:
This person likes to enjoy life and to seek pleasure through recreational pursuits or romantic encounters. Mixing with people of similar persuasion is part of this pattern. Yet there is a more serious side to him in that he has strong worldly interests and ambitions to achieve something worthwhile. His status and standing in the world means a lot to him.
It is not all plain sailing. He seems to live in a state of tension and uncertainty and feels pulled in two directions as contrary elements in his nature and the demands made by opposing interests vie for attention. His need to go his own way is countered by his need for close associations, his worldly ambitions seem to run against his home life. These contradictions are not easy to resolve.
From here you will progress through specially written lessons to a full chart analysis and interpretation, an example of which is given at the end of this brochure. You now have sufficient information to analyse and interpret any chart you care to examine. To complete the picture, two further lessons are devoted to the art of predicting future trends, followed by the Advanced Course.
The Course.
The aim of this course is to teach the basic elements of chart interpretation using a completely new and innovative technique designed to extract the main points of a chart quickly and accurately with the minimum of expertise. In short, it is a fairly quick method of analysis and interpretation which can be learned far more easily than the normal method of having to struggle with masses of information and calculations before interpretation can be attempted. It is ideal for the complete novice as it requires no previous experience or knowledge of astrology. Each lesson takes you through the analysis and interpretation procedures step by step in a logical sequence designed to aid learning. On completion, you will have learned how to analyse, interpret, and write meaningful reports for any birth chart.
I don't want to convey the idea that all you have to do is read through each part and - hey presto - you are a skilled astrologer. Like any other skill you need to work through the material methodically and patiently, learning as you go. The rule is: the more you put in, the more you get out. What I can say is that if you follow the advice given and work through the exercises you will soon find that you have a real grasp of the subject and, furthermore, you will have learned how to quickly assess and interpret the main features of any chart.
Support. A special feature of this course is that of providing a backup service. If you do have a problem you can't solve or there is something you don't understand you can contact me by e-mail and I will be happy to advise. This is entirely free of charge.
Calculations. One of the biggest problems students have to face is that of having to calculate and draw charts before they can even begin the process of interpretation. I feel this is a serious mistake which warranted special consideration and a new approach. No calculations are needed for this course, although a free calculations lesson in included for those who wish to check this out. Computer calculated charts are supplied for you to work on leaving you free to concentrate on what really matters - interpretation. But what about your future needs? This is taken care of in two ways. Firstly, for those of you who wish to have accurate printed charts for further work, I have a chart calculation service which is fre for a period of 10 years from date of enrolment. Secondly, there is one other option you may like to consider if you have access to a computer and that is the use of astrological software which does all the calculations and prints out a chart in full colour within seconds. There are many astrological calculation programs, some for as little as £29, now available. I would be happy to advise on which is best for your personal needs.
Let me now try to answer some of the questions you may have.
Do I need any basic knowledge of astrology before I begin? No. This course begins from first principles.
What skills do I need to study astrology? If you can read and understand this document, you probably have all the skills you need. There is a mistaken impression that you have to be gifted, intuitive, or even psychic to be an astrologer. This is not true. Astrology is a science based on logical deduction and the use of your imagination.
Do I need any to buy any books? Absolutely not. Unlike other courses which depend on various astrology books that have to be purchased before you can begin, this course is complete in every detail. It has been designed that way. All you need is the course, there are no hidden extras.
How long will it take me to learn? I have to be honest and say there is no precise answer to this. Some people learn more quickly than others. However, these courses are designed to aid the learning process by providing clear information, together with useful diagrams, tables and worked examples. There are also lots of exercises at regular intervals to help you further understand the principles being discussed. In short, I try to give you everything you need to learn as quickly as possible. Don't forget, if you have a problem I am at the end of a telephone to explain matters and help in any way I can. The bottom line is - every effort is made to help you learn quickly.
How long will it take before I start to interpret charts - there seems to be a lot of things to learn? Immediately. The focus is firmly on interpretation. Of course there is a lot to learn, in fact the truth is you never stop learning. After years of astrological work I am still learning myself. However, the basics can be learned quite quickly. Right from the onset you are guided through them point by point in a systematic way. At the end of Part 1 you have sufficient information at your disposal to write short yet accurate interpretations. After four lessons you have all the information needed to be able to write quite lengthy reports on any chart you wish. All it takes is practice.
Do I have to complete the course in a set time? No. Take as long as you like, you are not put under pressure to complete within a specified time.
I have read some astrology books and I can't make sense of the calculations. You are not alone! Before I wrote this course I was acutely aware of the problems caused by the emphasis placed on calculations and drawing charts by hand. It seemed to me that the accent ought to be on interpretation rather than mathematics, so I designed the course with this in mind.
This course is based on the idea that the best way to learn any subject is to concentrate on doing, leaving any theoretical considerations until later. After all, you don't learn how to ride a bicycle by reading books on theoretical mechanics or the history of bicycle manufacture - you get on the bike and ride it! The insistence of certain people that theory should precede practice is wrong and, more often than not, tends to put people off rather than helping them. Astrology is just the same. In my experience what most people want to do is interpret charts, so the quicker we begin the better. Any theory in this course is kept in context and to a minimum.
For those who like the idea of calculating and drawing charts by hand, I have covered this in a separate lesson. However, I must stress that it is not vital or even necessary to make manual calculations in order to be an accomplished astrologer. In any case, computers have now taken over this task, modern programs can calculate and print a very accurate chart quite quickly and the basic ones are not terribly expensive. You are entitled to all the calculated charts you are likely to need in future together with dynamic charts for a period of 10 years.
There seems to be a lot of contradiction in astrology books. Indeed there is! Different House systems, orbs, aspects which vary from writer to writer, etc. This course removes such contradictions by defining the correct standards to be used. In addition, I have written a booklet explaining what astrology is and what it is not. All the common misconceptions are discussed so that you get a clear understanding of astrology before you begin.
Do I need a computer? No. The interpretations you produce can be hand written if you so wish. If you do have a typewriter or word processor then by all means use it to write your reports as it makes life much easier and produces a better looking report. A computer is especially useful because you can purchase astrology calculation programs that make light work of this task, and the printed charts are really quite delightful. You may want to consider this one day, but it isn't really essential for this course. If you want any advice regarding computers or programs for Astrology please ask, I will be happy to advise.
For some of you this course could be all you need, but for others who wish to go deeper into the subject it also acts as a platform for more advanced studies in chart interpretation as well as the exciting prospects offered by predictive astrology. The choice is entirely yours.
Thank you for taking the time to read this prospectus. If you do have any questions or need further information please feel free to contact me and I will be happy to discuss these with you.