Summer Course:

“The Astrologer’s World”
Wednesdays, July 13-August 17 2011 in Arlington MA

 (Note: due to diverse miracles of modern technology, this course is also available to people who do not live in Eastern Mass.  Please contact me if you are interested.)

Our modern conventional view of the world is informed by science, so that people try to account for astrology by appealing to statistical evidence or scientific theories of the physical world, including “new science” or “new physics”.  

In this course we turn this process upside down: if astrology is valid what does that say about nature of the world? 

We will explore implicit assumptions astrologers have about the world.  They clearly are not the mechanical-materialist modern visions of nature that we all learned about in school once upon a time.  We will begin with science and “new science” and then delve into some areas usually relegated to the murky discipline of “metaphysics”.  We apply the proposition that “All is Number” to astrology, noting its impact on traditional aspects and on modern use of minor aspects, harmonics and midpoints.  We will then discuss the Neoplatonic world view and its derivatives in magic, Kaballah, and astrology’s interest in psychological archetypes.  Understanding different kinds of causation can help us understand the assumptions in modern natal and predictive astrology which will help us understand some of metaphysics implicit in modern spiritual astrology. That is our destination in the near future.

As always, each session begins with the chart and prediction of a notable nativity or an important mundane chart, based on events that occur in the world over the summer. 

Location: The Arlington Center, 369 Massachusetts Ave, Arlington Ma.  Cost: $180 in two payments. 

Foundational Courses

Astrology’s Sky: 
The structure of the zodiac and the signs of the zodiac; houses and house systems; Sun, Moon and Moon’s latitude cycle; the celestial sphere and its dimensions; planetary motion and cycle; locating fixed stars 
(8 segments)

Psychology and Mythology of Astrology’s Planets: 
Foundational meanings and applications of planets; relationship to signs 
(6 segments)

Natal Interpretation: 
Using elements and modes; houses as strength and area of life; aspects; using dignities and debilities.  Begin to use example charts.
(8 segments)

Intermediate and Advanced Practical Astrology

Modern Predictive Astrology:
Using transits, secondary progressions, solar arc directions, solar returns
(8 segments)

Symmetries and Harmonics: 
Astrology of the Modern Era: 5th, 7th, 9th harmonic charts; midpoints and introduction to planetary pictures 
(6 segments)

Introduction to Traditional Astrology: 
Characteristics of natal astrology in ancient and medieval styles, including fixed star interpretation 
(6 segments)  Prerequisite to #7, #8

Traditional Horary and Electional Astrology: 
Questions about profession, love and marriage, purchases, lost or missing items; selecting appropriate times for chosen events. 
(8 segments)

Hellenistic Astrology: 
Using houses, lots, and aspect configurations; planetary assessment; delineating life issues; predictive technique 
(8 segments)

Astrology and Ancient Culture (electives)

Mythology of the Ancient Era:
Religious and psychological dimensions; applications to astrology’s symbol systems
(6 segments)

Astrology and Ancient Philosophy: 
Relevant sections of Plato’s Republic and Timaeus, Aristotle’s Physics and Nicomachean Ethics, from Stoics.
(6 segments)

Each segment consists of assignments to be responded to in writing, and we will respond in writing to each assignment.  At the end of every second segment if you wish, we can have a free telephone conversation to discuss any questions or problems that come up. We recommend that you complete each segment within two weeks.

Cost:  $40 per segment for each course; payment due 50% at the beginning, the other half in the middle.

If you’re interested, please contact me at josephcrane@verizon.net
or (40) 527-2035 and I will send you the preliminary material.

Workshop by Joseph Crane: The Autumn Sky and Its Meanings

What does the night sky look like at this time of year?  We will orient ourselves to the stars that are most visible at the time – where they are, when they appear, how to find them.  We will also explore the astrological meanings of these visible stars.

In addition, we will look at planetary activity during the time; again, when you can see interesting movements, some important upcoming configurations and how they manifest in your chart. You will find out where the planets will be, and what they will be doing during the season.  We will then discuss how you might interpret some of these occurrences in the light of your astrological chart and life.

During this workshop we will train our eyes to look at the skies and train our minds to look at the rhythms of the sky’s movements.  Premium astrology and astronomy software will come to our aid!

Bring your natal charts and you can also discover how the winter skies will affect you.

Workshop Time and Place: To be Determined (sometime in mid-January)

Fee is $50

Contact me at (401) 527-2035 or at josephcrane@verizon.net  for more information about this program.