Module in Cosmology and Astrology
a diploma module

Astrology as Personal Cosmology

October 2012 to Feburary 2013 - view timetable

Comology can be defined as the way we explain the origin, history and evolution of the universe. Contemporary cosmology is dominated by astronomy and described by the Big Bang theory, connecting observational astronomy with particle physics. However, there are many and varied creation cosmologies far older than this. Astrology requires a sympathetic cosmology which can vary considerably from one astrologer to another. These variations change the way an astrologer reads a chart and this module looks at these variations and will include: Fate, Determinism and Astrology; The different models of sympathetic cosmology, the use of rituals in astrology.

Additionally these ideas will be carried into an exploration on how astrologers read chart an the active tools they employ: AstroGraphology and how personal handwriting can be used as a tool for understanding a person’s natal horoscope; Rituals; An introduction to Visual Astrology; and the history of astrology –its origins and astrology in the university.

Outline of Module Lectures

Lecture 1 Cosmologies and the idea of a Sympathetic Cosmology

Cosmology can be defined as the way we explain the origin, history and evolution of the universe. Contemporary cosmology is dominated by astronomy and described by the Big Bang theory, connecting observational astronomy with particle physics. However, there are many and varied creation cosmologies far older than this. This seminar looks at these variations and considers why they are important to astrology and the way you read a natal chart.

Lecture 2 What is a Horoscope and how Do Astrologers Read Charts

The horoscope first appeared as a list map in the 4 BCE and since the Hellenistic period has become a Platonised perfect ideal form. So is the horoscope a map of who we are in the real world, or is it a map of who we want to be as an ideal Platonised form? Furthermore if it is a map what sort of map is it? – cosmological or factual, spiritual or practical, soul-based or earth-based? How astrologers read charts is the work which comes out the ongoing research that Darrelyn has been conducting over the last 5 years through written questionnaires and in-depth interviews with professional astrologers. It considers how the astrologer prepares for a consultation and the phenomenological experience of the astrologer in the consultation itself as they sea.

Lecture 3 Fate, Astrology and the Horoscope

Our beliefs in fate and how they are contained and reflected — or not reflected —in the horoscope are directly related to how we read the horoscope, how we do predictive work and what we understand from that predictive work. So what are those beliefs? There is no one single answer but any professional astrologer needs to ask these questions.rch the natal chart for meaningful information for the client.

Lecture 4 - Active Tools - Astrographology

AstroGraphology as a way of helping your clients shape their future
Handwriting is more than just a means of communication. Each time you pick up a pen you create your own art which draws from all the light and dark areas of your natal chart. By learning how to recognise your own natal aspects in your handwriting, you start to open a door to the hidden potential within your horoscope. As you begin to understand how your handwriting reflects your natal chart, so you can harness the energy of your predictive work by changing the way you write - and help a difficult aspect to gain a more helpful expression. Used in conjunction with the natal chart and predictive work, this is a powerful and helpful tool for clients.

Lecture 5 - Ritual, its nature and use.

Rituals – daily patterns and complexity as a way of helping your clients shape their future
Astrology can be mapped to chaos theory to produce ‘chaotic astrology’. The result is an insight into fate, freewill and the nature of astrology, implying that it is neither a science nor a religion, but rather an instrument of chaos. This is a fertile and pragmatic tool for understanding the patterns of life.

Lecture 6 -An Introduction to Visual Astrology

Visual Astrology is the astrology of working with the whole sky. It does not replace the horoscope but rather complements it. We will investigate the mythology of Venus and Mars, through their presiding deities Ishtar – and her sister Erishkegal – and Nergal, and the implications of the phasing of Venus and Mars. We will consider Mercury – Nabu – and the variations that Jupiter, The Crown Prince, can offer. We will investigate Saturn The King and consider the implications for planetary phasing in general. This is an introduction to visual astrology to show you how it can be used in conjunction with the flat horoscope to add vital information about the whole sky to the natal astrology work you do for clients.

Lecture 7 History of Astrology, Origins

This seminar looks at astrology’s origins, from the Babylonian sky gods and the Zodiac, the planets, their names and symbolism as revealed within the corpus of translated works and the implications for contemporary astrology to the star phases and the Egyptian star theology and concept of soul, the Egyptian ascension myth and the practice of opening of the mouth as a stellar ritual. The Babylonian and Egyptian saw the heavens as alive or ensouled. Can this perception have consequences for the practices and assumptions of modern astrology?

Lecture 8 History of Astrology, the Quadrivium

Until the late 17th century astrology was part of the taught curriculum at Harvard and Oxford. It has a lengthy history in academia and underpinned the study of medicine. This seminar investigates the history of astrology within the medieval academy.

ASSIGNMENTS - One 1500 word paper and one 4000 word paper.

Assignment 1500 word paper
Select one of the following questions:

Compare and contrast two well-known contemporary or past astrologers and write up what you consider to be their ideas of the sympathetic cosmology and their ideas on fate.
Talk to three contemporary astrologers and discover how each astrologer phenomenologically engages with the horoscope and the client.
(Word length: 1500 words)

Choose any of the above subjects of the module to research as your final 4,000 word essay.

Online as well as On-your-desk

Lecturer and Tutor:
Dr Bernadette Brady and Darrelyn Gunzburg.

You will not be handed out to other less able tutors, Astro Logos teaches in a "hands on style" where you are working directly with Bernadette Brady and Darrelyn Gunzburg.

Bernadette is Author of:
Predictive Astrology: The Eagle and the Lark.
Brady's Book of Fixed Stars
Astrology, a place in chaos and
Star and Planet Combinations

co-author of the software:
Jigsaw (research program)
and Starlight (Visual Astrology program).

Darrelyn is Author of:
Life after Grief, an astrological guide to dealing with loss
AstroGraphology, the hidden link between your horoscope and your handwritting.

Who can enrol?

The module is open to all astrologers who have a basic, standard astrological background, achieved after the first two years of study, for this course is designed to be an overlay to your already-solid basis of either psychological or traditional astrology.

If you are enroling in this module as a One-Off module and are new to Astro Logos then you will need to complete the Requests for Admission on-line form. We will wish to know your astrological background. There is no pre-enrolment assessment for this Diploma. Please be aware that if you have no formal qualifications in astrology you may be requested to submit a assessment paper before you are admitted to the diploma - here is an example of the type of assessment that you may be sent.

Module Fees

The fees for the module are available on the enrolment page.

Module in Cosmology and Astrology a diploma module