Astrology of the Conditioned Self: August 2019

Asheville Friends of Astrology will meet on Friday, August 16 at 7pm in the community room at Earth Fare Westgate to hear Ted Figura discuss the Astrology of the Conditioned Self. Ted will look at how we are all conditioned mentally, socially and emotionally by exploring the role that each psychological function symbolized by the astrological planets and points plays in the conditioning process. Pathways to break through and rise above our conditioning will also be explored–again through the astrological symbol set. The goal is a deeper understanding of ourselves and how astrology can further that understanding.

Ted’s interest in astrology began more than 45 years ago with his discovery of the works of Dane Rudhyar and Alan Leo. In the 1980s, his knowledge of astrology was further informed by the writings of Donna Cunningham, Stephen Arroyo and Liz Greene. Ted has always appreciated astrology as a tool for self-knowledge and personal growth. He believes, while transits may be valuable for understanding the “astrol weather” one is experiencing, it is the natal chart that holds the key to interpreting the drives and motivations, qualities, internal conflicts and challenges, and potential of the personality resident in this lifetime.

While Ted is not a professional astrologer, his interest has led him to write about astrology, gathering an international audience. Ted writes under the pseudonym, Gargatholil. He has published the four-volume Depth Astrology: an Astrological Handbook: Introduction, Planets in Signs, Planets in Houses, Planets in Aspect and updates his website monthly with a series exploring sign-to-sign dynamics and other articles. He has also published a book of poetry, The Trembling Tear: Songs of the Inner Voice. Ted Figura serves as the Facilitator for Asheville Friends of Astrology.

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Mercury’s Elemental Year: JULY ’19

Asheville Friends of Astrology will meet Friday, July 19 at 7 pm in the community room at Earthfare Westgate to hear Gary P. Caton speak on Mercury’s Elemental Year. Learn the tremendous transformative potential and the underlying patterns behind Mercury’s three retrogrades each year. Mercury spends more time in one element each year than all the other three combined! These 3 signs and houses in our chart are deeply susceptible to the power of symbol making – places where our ideas, images, and words matter most. Then discover how to harness the transformative power of the Elements via the magical tool known as the “square of opposites.”

Gary P. Caton is a transdisciplinary astrologer who maintains an active sacred relationship with the living Sky as his temple. Initiated as an astrologer by a magnificent dream in 1993, Gary has since become an accomplished and sought after astro-photographer, writer and lecturer. Gary is the host of the popular Hermetic Astrology Podcast, and author of Hermetica Triptycha: The Mercury Elemental Year. Gary’s book can be found at the Rubedo Press, http://rubedo.press/hermetica-triptycha and at Amazon https://www.amazon.com/Hermetica-Triptycha-Elemental-Ephemerides-1925-2050/dp/0473416883. Gary hosts a website, Dream Astrologer at http://www.DreamAstrologer.com and can be reached at gary@dreamastrologer.com.

Midpoints and Harmonic Analysis: June ’19

Asheville Friends of Astrology will meet next on Friday, June 21 at 7pm in the community room at Earth Fare Westgate to hear Tom Hendrix speak on midpoint patterns (Cosmobiology) and harmonic analysis. Tom will show how midpoints help to organize or prioritize the complexity of aspects generated through harmonic analyses. A brief background on the two methods will be followed by numerous chart examples from participants and current celebrities.

The premise of Cosmobiology is that a point midway between two planets can channel their combined effects. Any transiting or natal planet at that point will trigger the pair and, taking it further, it is believed that points spaced around the chart at 45 degree intervals from the midpoint of the two planets also may channel the combined effect.

Harmonics is a term used with aspects for a detailed type of analysis based on doubling the fractional value of primary aspects and grouping these into families. For example, the first family of aspects would be the conjunction (1/1), opposition (1/2), square (1/4) and semi-square (1/8) and so on. Similarly, trines, sextiles, and semi-sextiles and their multiples would form a family, followed by quintiles, septiles, etc.

While the concept is not new, its application to the analysis of higher or “minor” aspects has been feasible only with the modern computer programs Using these programs to reveal these systems of families of aspects provides a unified, multi-layered interpretation of the chart.
Tom Hendrix is an astrologer certified since 1978 in basic mechanics and classical concepts, astronomical foundations, cosmobiology, harmonics, synastry, predictive techniques and contemporary scientific studies. In Gainesville Florida at the start of the 70’s, Tom was an early student of David Cochrane, developer of the Kepler software. Now based in Southern California, Tom’s current focus is on the analysis of complex patterns of aspects in birth charts in a manner that clarifies and integrates the separate factors in the chart.

Lifecycle Patterns & Centaur Planets: MAY ’19

For Asheville Friends of Astrology’s May meeting (May 17), David Leskowitz will speak on Lifecycle Patterns and Centaur Planets. We’ll see how the eccentric movements of Chiron and Chariklo interact with the regular cycles of planets like Saturn over a lifetime. Depending on the sign your Centaur planets tenanted at birth, you experience the patterns Steven Forrest calls the “bio-psychic script” differently. We can learn a whole lot about how our life unfolds based on these interlocking cycles alone. Bring your birth chart and be prepared to learn how to plug in these helpful new elements to your astrological picture!
David will share some of his magical methods to work with Chiron more closely, too.

Secondary Progressions and Solar Arc Directions: APRIL ’19

On April 19, Ron Tiggle will speak on Secondary Progressions and Solar Arc Directions. Secondary Progressions and Solar Arc Directions are two of the most important predictive techniques astrologers use. Yet, few astrologers know how to calculate Secondary progressions correctly, and since Solar Arc Directions are derived from the Secondary progressed Sun, these are also in error.

Edward Johndro identified this error 90 years ago, yet more recent textbooks on Astrology are still teaching the traditional incorrect method for computing Secondary Progressions and Solar Arc directions. Although some astrological software includes the correct method for computing Secondary Progressions, the default method in the software is the incorrect one. And some programs only include the incorrect method of calculating Secondary Progressions and Solar Arcs. In addition, this error also affects tertiary progression calculations.

During his presentation, Ron will show you how to calculate Secondary Progressions and Solar Arc Directions correctly and point out why the traditional method is incorrect and describe the magnitude of the error. The correct calculation options will be identified in popular astrological software such as Sirius, Solar Fire, and Kepler 7. A method will also be given to correct the error when your software only uses the traditional method.

Dr. Tiggle has a Ph.D. in Social Psychology from UCLA an MA in Psychology from California State University, Long Beach and a BS in Chemistry from Howard University. He has worked as a Research Psychologist for several Federal agencies conducting social science research in organizational and health psychology.

Ron is a former Research Director for the International Society for Astrological Research, and a contributing author to Astrological Research Methods Volume 1. Ron has also published research in a traditional refereed psychology journal providing validating evidence for astrology. He is Certified as a Professional Astrologer by Professional Astrologers Inc and is also a Lifetime member of the International Society for Astrological Research (ISAR) and the American Federation of Astrologers.
He also teaches classes on a meditation technique known as the Rainbow Bridge Meditation.

Relationship Astrology: MARCH ’19

Cynthia Zimmerman will facilitate a discussion on synastry or relationship astrology. Looking at charts of well-known couples we will be answering questions such as what causes attraction between two people? What creates long-lasting relationships? How do you know your soul mate? How do planets and aspects influence relationships between people?

Cynthia Zimmerman began studying astrology in the early 1970’s beginning with classes from Sylvia DeLong in Casadega, Florida. She practiced astrology only for herself and for friends. However, further studies with David Cochrane in Gainesville, Florida brought an interest in harmonic astrology. Meeting with groups, these principles were applied to individual charts. Robert Hand is also a significant influence through readings. Synastry or Relationship astrology has been a continuing interest as well as study of the influence of planets throughout our lives.

Astrology of Astrologers: FEB ’19

Asheville Friends of Astrology will meet at 7pm on February 15 in the community room at Earth Fare Westgate. David Leskowitz will be speaking to us about the astrology of astrologers. David will lead a discussion about the charts of prominent astrologers. What makes an astrologer an astrologer? Can we see it in their horoscope? Likewise, can we see the kind of astrologer they become based on their natal placements? Also, does the tradition itself have anything to say about these questions? Is there an “astrology signature” in the birthchart?

We will look at a diverse range of historical and modern figures in our favorite field. To start, let’s delve into the inception chart of the AFOA! The talk will leave lots of room for audience participation and questions.

For the past four years David has made an extensive study of the Centaur planets as they relate to the timing of visionary experiences. David works with the Centaur planets in his astrological counseling and healing practice based in Asheville NC. Website: http://www.centaurs.space / facebook: Hominy Creek Horoscopy.