9 Class Meetings
Prerequisites: This course is required for graduation in the Diploma Module. It can be taken in any order after the completion of NAT 04
Price: $420

Traditional astrology is also sometimes called "Classical" astrology. This refers to the post-Renaissance system that comes down to us through such seventeenth century astrologers as William Lily and John Gadbury. Yet, traditional astrology has its roots in Hellenistic astrology of 2nd century CE.

The focus of this introductory course is on the factors of horoscope analysis that identifies the strengths of planets through such concepts as sect, gender, dignity and topical influences. These concepts are usefully applied in natal, mundane, electional, and horary approaches to horoscope interpretation. The course is structured to apply each concept to a celebrity practice chart as well as the student's own chart, layering as we move through the 14 weeks. The result will be a practical approach to assessing any type of chart to derive concise interpretive ideas. This course is open to EVERYONE. It will require only basic astrological knowledge of beginners, while it provides concepts that will strengthen interpretive skills of intermediate and practiced astrologers.

Class Meeting 1: The Planets and Their Relationships to Signs

The foundations of traditional astrology come from observation and reflection on nature. This first class explores the basic intrinsic quality of the planets. We learn how sect, gender, and rulerships influence the quality of the planets behavior. The relationships that planets have with signs gives varying levels of power and modifies the influence of each planet, in turn influencing the places of its rulership. This is the foundation to planetary condition and introduction to astrological grammar. Ptolemy is our guide.

Class Meeting 2: Solar Phase Cycle

This class explores the factors of planetary speed, visibility and the conditions that contribute to accidental dignity. These factors are important in understanding how well a planet can participate in the overall nativity. We begin to compile factors that assess the power of a planet to do its job.

Class Meeting 3: Power of the Moon

The Moon has its special concerns and powers. This class works with the ancient knowledge of Vettius Valens as our reference on lunar phases, prenatal syzygy, lunar nodes, and the Part of Fortune. We will also consider the influence of the Moon’s separating and applying aspects on the course of life.

Class Meeting 4: The Wheel of the Horoscope

This lesson begins to interweave the signs as the territory with the planets as owners or rulers of the land. We will work through the meanings of each house, giving depth to the interpretation by way of the connections of rulerships. This will add to our grammar and ability to see the connecting influence of planet and sign relationships.

Class Meeting 5: How Dignities Work

This lesson takes up the various ways that planets have dignity. Dignity is the main factor that gives strength to a planet, giving it the power to do its job and stabilizing or disrupting life. Each level of dignity has its own purpose. We explore how these dignity and debility rulers operate.

Class Meeting 6: Aspects and Action

The interrelationship of the planets gives the action of life. We have had bits along the way in how the planets can operate through support or denial of action. This class will give attention to aspect direction, themes and aspect patterns.

Class Meeting 7: Analysis of Life Purpose

The Ascendant and its ruler give direction to life activities. The Sun identifies the intentions of the Soul, and the Moon anchors the Soul to the body. Investigation of the conditions and relationships of these important points provides a clear theme of life purpose and the ability of the native to live productively. We will also learn about the quality of mind and the quality of action.

Class Meeting 8: Steps to Delination

This week we will summarize the material of this course into a working model of analysis. Here we will take the parts of our evaluation and assemble statements. We should conclude with some very clear and accurate interpretation of the factors.

Class Meeting 9: Summarizing Conditions and Special Concerns

For our final class, our focus is on summarizing conditions and identifying major themes. We will look at some charts that identify some clues to mental and emotional stability.

Final Exam (Take Home)This final exam is over all the material of this course. This is a take home test. Students have two weeks to complete.

Required materials:

None

Suggested/supplemental materials:

The following suggested and supplementary materials are available through the IAA online shopping areas:

• Christian Astrology, Books 1 and 2, by William Lilly
• Book of Instructions in the Elements of the Art of Astrology , by Al-Biruni (Author), David R. Roell (Editor), R. Ramsay Wright (Translator)
• Classical Astrology for Modern Living: From Ptolemy to Psychology and Back Again, by J. Lee Lehman
• Basic Astrology: Understanding the Birth chart, by Kevin Burk
• Carmen Astrologicum, by Dorotheus of Sidon (Author), David Pingree (Translator)
• Ptolemy's Tetrabiblos (Loeb Classical Library #435), by F.E. Robbins (Translator)
• A Practical Guide to Traditional Astrology, by Joseph Crane
• Essential Dignities, by J.Lee Lehman,PhD

The following suggested and supplementary materials are NOT available through the IAA online shopping areas, but may be available elsewhere:

• Night & Day, Planetary Sect in Astrology, by Robert Hand
  ARHAT Publications. http://www.robhand.com.