For thousands of years, astrology was infused into every science and every discipline, and all the great astronomers of the past were astrologers. This is interesting to me, that such a well developed intellectual tradition that dealt with abstract archetypes, astronomical analysis, philosophy and psychology — a kind of stellar philosophy rich in distilled and ancient wisdom — has now been buried. You can’t get an accredited degree in astrology anymore.
Why Is Astrology a Hidden “Science?”
If you can get a degree in psychology, economics, religion, philosophy, gender studies, the mysticism of African pygmies, and basket weaving, why can’t you get a degree in one of the greatest and most solidly-founded intellectual traditions of all time? I imagine the answer has to do with faith and Christianity and that astrology has been seen negatively through that lens for some time. It could also have something to do with our modern tendency not to look deep, and to discourage the use of the abstract and creative mind.
Studying astrology takes my creativity and imagination to places I never thought possible. It gives me a deeper understanding of myself and others — to take away judgment, have hope, and foster greater understanding of the world and those I share it with. Astrology also expands my mind, makes me smarter, and more creative. This makes astrology immeasurably valuable to me as a field of intellectual exploration.
Isn’t it time we brought astrology back into the world of formal education?
What Astrology Programs are Available?
For a short time, Kepler offered an accredited degree program in Astrology, but their accreditation was eventually revoked. You can still receive your Astrology diploma from Kepler, but it won’t be recognized by the esteemed scholarly institutions of the world. In addition, there are other programs that offer a diploma, like the Centre for Psychological Astrology.
As for me, I established my foundation of astrology knowledge, with the Debra Silverman’s three-month intensive Applied Astrology course, which gave me both the confidence and the ability to offer solid astrology readings. But I’ve also read extensively, studied the vast resources available on the Internet, and established connections and friendships with fellow astrologers who have enriched my knowledge even more. Right now, I’m also deepening my education through the diploma program at the Centre for Psychological Astrology referenced above.
What Kind of Astrology Should I Study?
There are many different styles of Astrology, so if you want to study the topic, it’s best you research the many different disciplines to decide which one resonates with you. For me, I’m interested in the way Astrology is used to know the inner psyche and/or soul of the individual and how, from this perspective, we relate to others and the outside world. For this reason, I’m drawn to both Esoteric Astrology and Psychological Astrology.
The foundational basis of “Astrology,” has cross-discipline application. So no matter where you start, the study will be valuable to your final destination. As you learn more, new doors and interests will open, and your education will gradually become an individual expression of who you are.
Where Should I Start?
You might start off with a basic course, like I did through Astrologer Debra Silverman, that gives you a firm understanding of the major planets, signs, angles, houses and their aspects to one another; and, later, you could find yourself drawn to explore the many asteroids and how they affect the birth chart and the psychology of the individual. Or, perhaps you find yourself more interested in the fascinating discipline of Horary Astrology, which uses the planetary cycles to predict the future.
Some prefer to study on their own, and there certainly is enough information available for free on the internet for you to gain a powerful mastery of the symbols of astrology — and how to interpret a chart — completely on your own, and for free. However, if you’re like me, you may need a structure to your education provided by a course, which in my case, has helped me stay on track and focused on the trajectory of my learning.
Are you an astrologer? Do you want to be an astrologer? Let me know how you learned or are learning the science, how you plan to learn it, or what courses you’re taking and enjoying right now in the comments below.
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