This is the introductory lesson to Nancy's Online Astrology Class. If you are further interested in taking the class, please eMail me and I'll provide you with access to the rest of the lessons. The cost is $150. You can use a credit card.
Comment by former student: Nancy's course has opened up whole new vistas for me. My life has changed subtly but definitively over the timespan of the course -- it's like I see things differently and am more aware of what's going on. I'm more my own person. She has encouraged me to form my own opinions and to express them.
The course is beautiful organized and illustrated and sort of effortless to absorb. This is important as I'm a busy person. It is didactic but gentle, instructive yet entertaining. I think whatever your learning style is, you'll learn learn from this course. I think that the multisensory, intuitive approach is very, very effective. I can't wait for Monday mornings. I've never seen anything so beautifully illustrated and the pictures carry quite an impact, enforcing the lessons. At the same time, it's warm and touching, and I'm encouraged to participate, respond and react, and be truly involved, so I feel connected and that greatly increases my ability to absorb the materials. I think she's a genius with words and pictures, and a very gifted teacher. There isn't anyone who couldn't benefit from this course...."
Class 1.Introduction to Houses, Planets and Signs
Let's begin.
Learning astrology is an initiation into an ancient world of wisdom and power. You'll be learning about how people really work and changing your paradigm of reality at the same time. I hope this is an exciting thought for you. Astrologers don't think like other people do. They are here to channel higher thinking onto the planet, for the good of all concerned. We take our calling very seriously. We are proud of our role in society. It is the role of the Awakener. When someone is ready, they find us.
The Astrologers Memorial
Astrologers are strong individuals. The Astrologers Memorial is a website about famous astrologers from the past. You might enjoy visiting it and browsing amongst your heritage as an astrologer. Isabel Hickey and Dane Rudhyar are the most famous. Perhaps you have heard of them. My favorite astrologer in Liz Greene. She did more to shape my thinking than any individual, living or dead.
Professional astrologers have permission to be exactly who they are. No particular uniforms are required and we find this very refreshing. We trust people to recognize the worth of what we are doing without many "trappings". Also we are not fond of credentials and other attempts at regulation and overseeing. Astrologers are free spirited and draw their inspiration in staying away from the regulated areas of life.
The History of Astrology
If you would like to read an excellent summary of the history of astrology (from its inception in ancient times) by its leading scholar and philosopher, Robert Hand, please click here.
The Wheel of Life
An astrology chart is a wheel and a wheel is a circle. The astrology chart has 360 degrees and like any circle, it can be divided into equal parts.
In all cultures, the circle is the symbol for wholeness. Many cultures create "mandalas" of the self. Karl Jung, the great intuitive psychiatrist, introduced this term into everyday use in America.
Here are abstract mandala paintings by David Buxton n Gallery 2, Mystical and Magical Art
To find more mandala artists, click here.
"Man and His Symbols" by Karl Jung
This is a recommended book. Karl Jung is very popular with astrologers
because he "believed in" astrology and other symbolic arts.
He was very intuitive. These things are the natural language of the intuitive
and may always be doubted and feared by those who are not intuitive.
The astrology chart is in the shape of a mandala, which is a cross-cultural symbol of wholeness.
The Houses
The 360° wheel used for astrology charts is divided into 12 equal parts, each 30°. These divisions are called "houses". There are 12 different houses in astrology. Each one of these deals with a different area of life.
Take a look at the house wheel below. It is called the "archetypal" astrology chart. The circle is divided into 12 different sections; each is numbered and has an area of life that it deals with.
Question: What matters does the 4th house deal with?
Answer: home and family
Question: What matters does the 11th house deal with?
Answer: friends and social structures
Eventually knowing the houses and their rulership will be second nature to you. Someone who has a planet in the 4th house has a lifetime interest in home and family. Someone who has a planet in the 11th house has a lifetime interest in friends and social structures.
Drawing the Wheel or Casting the Horoscope
In the very old days, this was an art in and of itself, often taking hours for the professional astrologer to draw up a chart. Today, we rely on computers As with so many things, the drawing of the chart can be assured accuracy when drawn by the computer. The interpretation of the chart is an art and will vary significantly from individual to individual.
Individuality
Astrology gives each person the right to be exactly the way they are. No two charts are exactly alike and no two people are exactly alike. Society creates conformity through parenting, school and church. This is necessary to form character and socialize individuals for the good of the community.
It is our job as mature individuals, however, to gradually divest ourselves of inauthentic parts defined by well meaning parents, teachers and other authority figures and to discover who we really are as individuals. This is called "individuating", a psychological term for "enlightenment" or "awakening" or, in fundamental religions terms, "second birth". All cultures recognize this elemental human task. We must give ourselves "second birth" to be awakened. Astrology is the best tool I know of to put a person deeply in touch with who they really are. Sometimes this is quite a shock. Astrologers are ruled by the planet, Uranus, the shocking planet!
Good and Bad Energy
There are no good and bad charts. There are no good and bad people. We speak in terms of potential uses of energy. Electricity can light a village or fry a person. The electricity is indifferent. The responsibilities lies in the person directing the energy.
Planetary Symbols
These are the planetary symbols which must be memorized. Just as the pianist learns to read notes and the vocalist practices scales, we learn the "glyphs" of our profession. Write the glyphs over a few times with the name of the planet next to it.
There are 10 planets in astrology. Substitute the Moon and a picture of a crescent Moon for the "earth" above and you will have all ten. The Moon is of course not technically a planet, but astrology evolved long before such things were clearly classified.
Usually the
glyph for Uranus is this 
and sometimes Pluto is also shown this way 
.
You will see it both ways, so get to know them both.
Rulerships
Each planet rules a different area of life as well. We will look more at this in Class 7. [link disabled]
Aries
the Ram 
[shaped like
a ram's head]
Gemini the Twins 
[there are two of them]
Cancer the Crab 
[looks like a mommie and a baby]
Leo the Lion 
[lions tale]
Virgo the Virgin 
["m" with her legs crossed]
Libra the Scales 
[the only sign that isn't a mammal; looks a little like scales]
Scorpio the Scorpion 
["m" with a forked tale; the scorpion's tale stings]
Sagittarius the Archer 
[the arrow]
Capricorn the Goat (the mythical goat with a fish's tale!) 
[an abstract goat with a fish's tale]
Aquarius the WaterBearer (who is really bearing astral fluid or "vibes")
[vibes]
Pisces the Fishes 
[two fish facing in different directions but connected with a line]
Astrology graphics from http://www.1clipart.com
Here is a puzzle I created that you can download to help you learn the Sun Signs. Click here.
The glyph that follows each sign will need to be memorized. You can take your time with this. Just refer back to these symbols when you don't recognize one of them.
I call your assignments, JOURNAL ENTRIES. They are always optional but you'll get more out of the course if you do them. Just eMail me your answers.
JOURNAL ENTRY: Think for a moment about the signs and tell me if there are any particular signs that tend to show up frequently among your family, friends or relatives.
JOURNAL ENTRY: Are there any signs that you know from experience you strongly like or dislike?
JOURNAL ENTRY: Go to www.astro.com and get a version of your own chart "drawn". This is free on many websites but this is the one I most frequently use.
JOURNAL ENTRY: If you feel real adventuresome, look at your chart and find the 11th house. Then discover what two planets you have in the 11th house and tell me what they are. Refer back to the Planetary Glyphs chart to find this out.
Click here if you'd like to take the Chapter Test for Class 1. It's self correcting. Here is another option: Practice with Sun Signs
Click here to learn more about the Intermediate Classes
Click here to return to your place on BeMyGuide
nancy
r. fenn
619.660.0605