The Astronomy of Astrology

This entry level One-Day introduction to the Astronomical realities of Astrology is a special treat for anyone interested in examining the actual planets behind the symbols that one finds on an Astrology Chart. This course is for both beginners and advanced students and does not involve any complicated math or physics formulas. I refer to this kind of Astronomy as ‘right-brain science’ which outlines simple basic Astronomical facts especially regarding our solar system to activate basic awareness’s and, above all, imagination. Learning Astronomy from the standpoint of physics can be quite boring and tedious. By learning more about our own solar system, just as high school students do, it soon becomes apparent how the planets in their respective orbits around the Sun translate into psychological and eventful realities here on Earth.

The actual phenomenal realities of planetary orbits, size, position and proximity in relation to the Sun, rotational realities, even the Moons around each planet etcetera reveal clues about how the planets correspond to everyday realities and life as we know it. 

While the Signs of the Zodiac (themes), Houses (setting), 4 Elements (basic realities) and Aspects (plot) are important features of a more complete basis of Astrology, the Planets (actors) are the stars of the show. While this workshop largely focuses upon the realities of the planets in their orbit around the Sun, the experiential realities of the Planets along with the Luminaries, Sun and Moon in orbit around the Earth opens the doors and minds to a fuller appreciation of how Astrology, which is ‘Geo-Centric’, has scientific and psycho/spiritual validity. This oft overlooked reality is what confounds students of Astronomy when considering the realities and effectiveness of Astrology.

Special emphasis will also be placed upon the use of the Fixed Stars in Astrology. Each sign of the Zodiac contains a host of Fixed Stars of varying magnitudes. How they correspond with the Planets and Angles in a chart is significant. Learning more about the Fixed Stars offers both enriched insight into a normal chart that hosts only the Planets and angles and creates a bridge with other systems of Astrology like Jyotish, for example.

Some emphasis will also be placed upon the “Precession of the Equinoxes” which is the dividing line between the Sidereal and Tropical Zodiacs. This discrepancy is largely unknown to new students of Astrology and is probably confounding to even many students of Astrology. However, this ongoing debate need not be so prevalent when we recognize and acknowledge why both systems, Tropical and Sidereal are valid philosophically, psychologically and spiritually.

This portion of the workshop briefly introduces and examines the difference between right-brain and left-brain thinking and why the activation of both hemispheres of the brain are so important to a greater understanding of Astrology in particular and life in general. Some refer to this mode of thinking and perception as ‘whole brain’ functioning – a basic capacity natural to and available to all people. Yet, due to the left-brain emphasis of science and, more specifically, our educational systems, this whole-brain functioning, or balance of the hemispheres of our own brain, is generally imbalanced in people. Beyond the basic yet valuable, entertaining and awe-inspiring realities of our own solar system, this workshop serves to activate both hemispheres of the brain towards a more creative and wholesome experience of life.

This exciting mind opening class is an excellent introduction and virtual pre-requisite to Astrology in general and to the more technical aspects of ‘Celestial Geometry’ in particular, which is also an important feature of a thorough understanding and appreciation of  the  art and science of Astrology. Consequently, I refer to it as Phase I of the scientific background branch of Astrology.  Phase II, therefore, is called “Introduction to Celestial Geometry” and will be offered at a later date.

Attend “The Astronomy of Astrology” with Michael O’Connor with an open mind and full confidence that it is easy to learn, entertaining, inspiring and perhaps most importantly, a key foundation to an accelerated means of studying and understanding Astrology.