Topic: Detecting with Horary

This opening lecture considers both the philosophical basis and practical realities of using horary as a way to discover the whereabouts of missing persons or lost things. The presentation will clarify the basic principles, eliminating common sources of confusion, and highlighting the most consistent and reliable techniques as demonstrated against a number of recent client situations. In addition to the practical approach used in making astrological predictions, the talk reflects upon the more complex dilemma of knowing how much information can be responsibly passed over to the client, and the best way to go about the release of potentially painful or demoralising information.

Topic: The Noddings

In our solar oriented astrology, the Moon's influence and power has been underrated and often ignored.  The technique of the Moon's Noddings is very old but we have only fleeting references over the last 1500 years.   This has ensured that the Noddings have been relegated to the astrological archives. However, the Noddings provide an inrteretsing insight into the influence the Moon can have on planets and their expression in the indiviodual's life.  The Noddings also reflects the Moon's movement in the sky and here we have astrological technique mirroring actual astronomical movement.  The Noddings can give us an insight into what the Moon gives (or denies) and not everyone receives this benediction, which can be both a blessing and a curse

Topic: The Hermetic Lots

Hellenistic Astrologers looked at seven Lots that were closely associated with each of the seven planets. The Lots were the precursor to the Arabic Parts. They can reveal so much about the chart, yet very few modern astrologers understand their relevance or significance. This talk will look at the seven hermetic lots, with a focus on the Lot of Fortune and Lot of Spirit. The Lot of Fortune deals with material wellbeing, the body, fortune and health. The Lot of Spirit indicates the initiative taken by that person, or what use is made of what is given. Interpreting these lots together can really open up the chart. We will have a look at a few charts and see what these Lots reveal.

Nicholas Culpeper: astrologer and herbalist

He's often cited as the 'father of western herbal medicine', but many seem unaware that Culpeper was also a fluent astrologer, who considered astrology an integral part of herbal medicine. 'Medicine without astrology, is like a lamp without oil', he is reputed to have said. In this lecture we'll look at Culpeper's extraordinary life and how astrology was used in diagnosing disease and charting the course of an individual's illness. Culpeper died young, at 38, but left a lasting legacy, and changed the face of the English medical system forever.

The Retreat Hotel, Abbotsford

More information at the Cocktail Party page of this website.

The Traditional Approach to Aspects and Orbs

This presentation reviews the historical use of planetary orbs and the associated concept of 'contact' in aspects. Contrary to common opinion, these notions were intrinsic to ancient Hellenistic astrology. By the medieval period the philosophical and theoretical basis of 'stellar rays' held such a central position in cosmology that planetary interactions were believed to generate spiritually imbued 'celestial light' which influenced all life on earth. As part of this exploration, the presentation surveys the approach taken by medieval and renaissance astrologers towards 'out-of-sign' aspects and 'void of course' planets. Using historical chart examples drawn from a range of traditional authors over time, this presentation will also demystify some confusing aspect terminology, such as what is meant by 'rendering of light' rather than 'translation of light', and what it means for a planet to 'commit' its light or disposition.

Topic: Medical Horary - Key to Unlocking Elemental Imbalance in the Life

Medical astrology highlights the schism between the modern and the traditional understanding of life. We have come a long way from the time when astrological judgement was an integral part of medical diagnostic. What modern medicine now calls disease, traditional medicine understood as symptoms of elemental imbalance in the body. Medical Horary is a simple and powerful tool which can reveal the root of the problem and suggest the right course of treatment as well as provide timing for the unfolding of the course the disease is likely to take.

Topic: The Emerald Tablet : Introducing the 4th and 5th Principles of Hermetic Philosophy

The text of the Emerald Tablet is brief - only thirteen lines - but it is the cornerstone of the Hermetic movement. Contained within the Tablet are the Seven Principles of Hermetic Philosophy, with two of these principles, the principle of  Polarity, and the principle of Rhythm, being of special interest to the beginnings of astrological lore. This lecture introduces Polarity and Rhythm, and explores their principles with particular relevance to some of the basic tenets of our modern astrological practices.  

Topic: A Sense of Direction: the when and how of Compass Points in Horary

Understanding the influence of location and global direction has a very broad application in astrology, and can be especially useful in the horary hunt for missing things. There are however, only certain situations that are best suited to the use of judging and following compass directions, and this presentation clarifies what those situations are and how they should be handled. It will demonstrate a very useful and easy-to-remember technique which allows the astrologer to effortlessly recall the traditional associations between directions, signs and houses - and to know exactly where to put the emphasis when their indications appear to contradict each other! Seeing the technique put into practise in the 17th century client charts of William Lilly allows us to appreciate just how reliable and informative this use of direction can be.

Profiling with Horary

In many horary charts, the key to breaking down the mystery of an event lies in discovering something significant that has already happened. This is especially the case with charts which could be leading anywhere, such as when we are dealing with missing persons, lost pets, or the unknown perpetrators of criminal activity. In these situations there is a heightened need to extract every vital clue from the chart that we possibly can, and to make double-sure that our planetary signification is 'on target'.

The most obvious way to do this is to check that the chart gives an accurate description of what the querent already knows. Here it is crucial to make full use of the planetary significators and their ability to provide detailed profiles of the characters involved. Such profiles can be used to establish motive, personality traits and hobbies, and to compile physical descriptions that include gender, age, and notable features, as well as the obvious general appearance.

This one-day workshop presents the most reliable traditional methods for creating these descriptions, most of which are completely overlooked by available modern texts. The reliability of the techniques are demonstrated using genuine case studies, where their effectiveness is shown by building up profiles, first for the victims, and then for the perpetrators of criminal activity.