Astrology: Interpretation and Divination The Expanded Online Course Duration: 12 weeks Instructor: Nadiya Shah, M.A. Location: Symbolic Living Tuition: $69.95 USD or 3 payments of $23.95 USD Registration: Ongoing Testimonials " I recently completed my first Astrology class with Nadiya as the instructor.  The class covered all the basics of Natal Astrology, i.e. history, natal chart analysis, the zodiacal signs, planets and aspects, as well as the relationship between astrology and divination.  It was a delight and privilege to have Nadiya as my instructor, for she provided prompt and courteous-friendly responses to each of my individual homework assignments as well as any questions I dared to ask.  Not only is she well educated and knowledgeable in the field of Astrology, as well as a natural intuitive, but she also deploys a great sense of compassion and devotion toward teaching others about her craft.  It was a great privilege to be her student and I feel I now possess adequate knowledge and skill to practice Natal Astrology.  Thank you so much Nadiya.  You are a loving, compassionate soul who has been instrumental in my own spiritual journey."   -Signed,  D. Gail Clark, Tulsa, OK a.k.a. Mervakah "Hey Nadiya, I think this introductory class to astrology was wonderful.  It helped me understand some basic principles, theories and techniques to get me started in my life long journey to learning this amazing, historical science.  Your facilitation and passion was refreshing and your positive attitude and approach to your work was felt. Thank you so much Love and Light" -Tanya Course Outline What You Get: •    12 weeks of lessons with suggested assignments and references for further exploration, accessed at your convenience •    An amazing shared astrological adventure within an online community •    Access to a dedicated message board after the course has been completed, exclusive to Alumni of this course, so that you can continue to discuss and strengthen your practice. •    I will also participate, provide feedback, and be a part of the discussion once a week •    A solid foundation to a new or established astrological practice Astrology is a rich practice, and in many ways, the most experienced practitioner is always a student. That is part of the fun! No matter how long you do or do not practice it, it is always there, ready to pick up and provide insights, self-knowledge, and self-trust. I will meet you where you are, whether advanced student or total newbie, in helping your practice grow and thrive. Each week will begin with a posting by the instructor, which outlines basics of the lesson taught, as well as questions for consideration and suggested assignments and/or readings. There are no mandatory readings or assignments to complete. The more you participate the more you will gain. There is no specific class time. The lesson will be posted by Monday evening each week, and the students are free to access it and respond as they feel at any point during the 12-week course. You go at you own pace, trusting your own intuition, and do as much as feels right for you. As your instructor, I will also participate, provide feedback, and be a part of the discussion once a week. My intention is for all students to feel supported in the strengthening of their practice, and to help you cultivate a greater appreciation for this very special tradition. During the week students will be welcome to post their insights into how that weeks lessons applies to their own and each others charts, what considerations the questions posted have led to, and to converse with each other to find what answers are best for them. We are planning one live, interactive class conducted on webcam via skype. This class will be planned on a date and time that will allow most students to participate, according to vote, in the second half of our time together. Trust and a willingness to share and consider is all that is required to participate in this online adventure. Assignment questions are suggested but not mandatory. There are no mandatory textbooks to purchase. Online websites and resources will be provided so that students can post their own natal astrology chart. Students will be encouraged to post links to websites or suggest books that are complementary to the outline for that class. Throughout this 12-week course we will be looking at the charts of our peers in this class as we lay the groundwork for a flourishing new practice to begin. There is no specific school of astrology taught here, though an emphasis is placed on the psychological experience of the person, which the chart represents, over the prediction of likely external events. There is space here to explore it all, though the inner growth symbolized in the chart examined will be placed as a priority. My expertise lies in the area of Western Astrology, its history, development and techniques. Course Overview This course consists of two parts taking place over a 12-week period. After an introductory week, the first part of the course will introduce some of the foundational elements of interpreting an astrological chart and considering predictive techniques. These include an introduction to the archetypes of the planets and signs, astrological houses, house ruler-ships, basic aspects that planets make to each other, and how transiting planets indicate current trends. Once the practical skills are introduced, we will then move on to consider the practice of astrology and the philosophy with which students may approach their practice. This is an area that is often overlooked but imperative if we are to identify and strengthen skills that will allow one to flourish as a lifetime student of astrology. Is astrology a blueprint to the psyche or is it a form of divination, an attempt to foretell the future based on the judgement of the astrologer? Is it based on knowing specific techniques or having a heightened intuition? Is it possible that it is a bit of both interpretative skill and divination ability put together? Is it a science? Is it an art? Is it spiritual? The second part of the course, representing 3 lessons, will consider how past and present astrologers and critics have understood the “what” of their practice. Week 1- Introductions and Expectations My experience has taught me that it is important to clarify what your expectations are of me as your instructor and your expectations of each other as fellow students, and perhaps most significantly, of yourself. This is your chance to meet me and tell everyone what you hope to gain through this online experience and share where you already are. Although we are not jumping right into considering the sky just yet, it helps to know where you are starting. This is a participatory class and, although the instructor facilitates the posts, all knowledge that is pooled among all of us is equally valid and matters to this shared experience. How do you understand your relationship to the sky right now? What do you know about astrology? Why do you want to learn about astrology? How do you think an online course like this will help you personally? My experience has taught me that when I make an emotional connection to the material I am studying, the intellectual connection is made that much stronger. This is your chance to share your emotional motivations for participating in the course, thereby allowing your peers to know you better and to create a personal, safe environment where your personal and intellectual growth may be supported. Week 2- Introduction to the Planets This week introduces us to the ancient gods of the sky, their archetypes and symbolisms. Based on the lesson and explanations presented this week, which planets do you identify with most? Looking at your chart and the charts of your classmates, is the astrological symbolism there to support your affinity for certain energies within you? Week 3- The Elements, Modalities, and Signs The elements and modalities form the basis of astrological interpretive skills, and understanding how the zodiac signs are an expression of these helps us to understand the variety of human experience. Based on constellations and progressions around the earth, we will now look at some of the myths surrounding the 12 signs of the zodiac. The elements and modalities of each sign will be explored. Which constellation do you most identify with? Which has the most planets placed in your chart? What do you think this says about you? About your fellow classmates? Week 4- Houses and chart points The astrological chart is divided into 12 segments, each representing a different area of life and a different aspect to the human experience. These 12 houses will be introduced individually and how they correlate to each other, representing a continuum of the soul’s experience. What houses appear to have the most planets and most activity? What do you think that says about you and your fellow classmates? Week 5- House Rulerships Even when a chart appears on the surface to be speaking to only one area of life, there is actually a holistic relationship happening in the most concentrated of charts. Week 5 will explore chart rulerships, and what they say about the integrated nature by which you might consider the various areas of life. Our natal chart can point to a few major areas for some people, and be more balanced for others. Regardless of how your birth chart is configured, we all are presented with lessons in the 12 major areas represented in the chart. This week will explore how to make the most of an area of life that may appear to lack emphasis in your chart.  Week 6- Aspects You will notice in your charts that the planets appear to have lines connecting them to each other from across the sky. These are known as aspects, based on geometric relationships and patterns, and can be thought of as conversations that the planets are having with each other. Considering the sign and house placement of each planet is an important part of understanding how these planets are conversing with each other. The characteristics of the aspects will be introduced, as well as the relevance of the elements considered. What types of aspects seem to be most prominent in your chart and the charts of your classmates? What do you think this says about how you go about operating and learning in this world? Week 7- Transits and Prediction Part 1 This week will introduce one common predictive technique used in astrology, which is transiting planets. This is when we consider where the planets are right now in relation to the birth chart. The first part of transits will provide an introduction to the theories of how major planets influence your natal chart, so that students can grasp their influence. Week 8- Transits and Prediction Part 2 The second part of our discussion of transits takes our conversation a step further and considers the variety of aspects that a moving planet can make on their birth chart, and how it may be experienced. We will also explore how to tap into the cycles in your chart to your greatest advantage.  Week 9- Putting It All Together Through Divination. Part 1 Astrology as divination can be considered one of the most contentious areas of consideration among astrologers. What are we doing when we do an astrological reading? This is your chance to consider and discuss the philosophical implications and clarify for yourself the “what” in your new practice. Astrologers and philosophers from ancient Greece up to the Renaissance, from Christian to Islamic astrologers, will be considered. We will begin by exploring some key thoughts of Plato, Plotinus, and Ptolemy, people important to the development of philosophical understanding of a meaningful cosmos. What do you think of their ideas? How do their ideas apply to us today in our modern era? Week 10- Putting It All Together Through Divination. Part 2 A continuation of last week’s class, we will continue to consider the opinion of medieval and Renaissance astrologers right up to contemporary scientific and psychological astrologers. How you approach your practice, and the mindset you bring to it, can bring you greater clarity towards your intentions and interpretations. This week we will compare the Mid-evil mind with the modern worldview, defined by the Cartesian split. Where do you stand in this spectrum? From which paradigm will you approach your practice as an astrologer and the world at large? We will also consider the symbolic attitude by which an astrological chart is understood. Week 11- Key Criticisms and Going Forward By examining all that has been said, not just the positive aspects of our practice, can we better address the things that would get in the way of consistent success? By acknowledging some of the objections we are better able to critique ourselves, thereby establishing credible foundations with which to represent ourselves no only within the astrological community, but the larger world. This week we will consider the thoughts of Augustine and Cicero, both critical of astrology. Week 12- Closing Comments and Questions With all the practical and philosophical knowledge you know possess, where does your practice stand today? Where will it go from here? Did you get what you wanted out of this course? What further questions have arisen for your own study and consideration? What information do you think will help you most in your future practice as a budding astrologer? What would you like to share with everyone as you end this course? I hope to meet you online as we learn more about this wonderful practice. My hope is that all participants come away with a deeper respect and continued curiosity of a purposeful sky. Enrollment Instructions: 1. Visit Symbolic Living by clicking here or going to this direct link: http://www.symbolicliving.com/courses/astrology-course 2. Scroll down to the "Sign Up" section and click on the link. 3. You will then need to create a profile for members of the Esoteric Arcanum. Follow the instructions and register with the school, followed by enrolling in the class. I look forward to meeting you online! *Nadiya

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