Module contents and fees

Learn astrology with us at Foundation Course level and you will find  that you will gain the following knowledge.

  1. How to analyze and interpret a birth chart.
  2. A good understanding of the most important ethics.
  3. A sound knowledge of the Solar System and planetary motion.

Module 1.  Buillding Blocks.

Before finding out about the birth chart, you are introduced to the major branches of astrology which are many and varied.  However, in most of Module 1 you learn about the birth chart and how to analyze and interpret it.  You start with parts of the chart and, when you have finished this module, you are ready to start analyzing a whole chart.

The birth chart is a map of the Sun, Moon and planets for the time, date and place of birth.  You learn about the symbolism and meanings of the Sun, Moon and planets and the Zodiac Signs.  Astrologers just refer to the Sun and Moon as planets for short, and because long ago they were all seen as wanderers in the sky.   The Zodiac is the pathway which the planets find themselves in.  The Earth and planets orbit the Sun, and the Moon orbits the Earth, but they all appear to follow the same belt of sky – the Zodiac at different speeds.

You have probably heard of the elements (triplicities) of Fire, Air, Earth and Water).  This course covers what they represent. It all sounds simple, but it is fundamental in understanding a person’s character.  Are we enthusiastic, spirited, feeling and emotional, or rational, logical and practical?  Are these traits equally balanced or does one element dominate the others?  Then, there are the modes or qualities (quadruplicities).  These refer to our ability to be outgoing, to take the initiative, to be steady and persistent, or to be flexible and adaptable.  Is one mode or way of being stronger than the other two, or are they well balanced?

Depending on the time of day or night of birth, you will find out how the birth chart is grounded in the material, physical reality of our existence.  This grounding relates to the different areas of life most of us our concerned with: e.g. our self-image, our relationships, friendships, family life and career.   The Sun, Moon and planets represent different sides of our nature, and this module helps you understand how some sides of our character get on well together, while other sides clash with each other.  These are called Aspects and they are shown by the angular distances between the planets as seen from the Earth.

While the course does not specifically include looking at your own birth chart, there are a few exercises which encourage you to do so.

Number of lessons and exercises in Module 1.  There are 9 lessons and  9 exercises, of which 6 are assessed by your tutor and 3 are self-assessed.  You do receive feedback on self-assessed exercises in standard Guidance Notes, and you can always ask your tutor for help and advice on all the lessons and exercises.

Fee for Module 1 is £260.

Module 2 – Chart Interpretation, Ethics and Philosophy

This is a core module, as it sets the foundation in how we teach chart analysis and interpretation.   When learning how to analyze and interpret a birth chart, you are given clear guidance on steps to take.  We encourage you to follow these stages because the birth chart is circular, and it is easy to literally go round in circles trying to intepret it!  This can lead to repitition when there is no need to do so.  You may decide sooner or later that you prefer to use other methods in chart interpretation, and that is fine, but our methods will get you started.  In this Module, you learn how to analyze and interpret a whole birth chart with the aim of helping the client in answering their questions and concerns.

The module covers the most important ethics.  While doctors and medical consultants sign the Hippocratic Oath, astrologers passing our Diploma are asked to sign a Code of Ehtics which in some ways mirror it.  We encourage good practice from the start.  What does confidentiality imply?  How would you respond to a client who wants you to look at the chart of her partner?  How do you deal with requests about health and illness?

How do you explain astrology to others?  Have you found that some people are stunned when you tell them you are learning astrology?  It may upset their religious beliefs, or it challenges their scientific outlook on life, so we introduce you to astrology in relation to psychology, religion and science.  You also start to look at the issue of fate vs. freewill.

Number of Lessons and Exercises. There are 9 lessons and exercises of which 8 are assessed by your tutor and 1 is self-assessed.

Fee for Module 2 is £330.

Reduced tution fee for Module 2.  If you have done other courses in the building blocks of astrology elsewhere and you think you have covered the syllabus in Module 1 and some of Module 2, you may be able to enrol on Module 2 with less tuition.  Please fill in the uestionnaire.  We can then assess what  your level of  knowledge and  experience are, and decide whether you can enrol on Module 2 with less tuition.  Your tutor will respond to some of your exercises and you are told which exercises to choose from when you enrol.  Where relevant, you will receive the Guidance Notes on the exercises when you have finished them. You can still ask your tutor for help and advice on any of the lessons and exercises whether s/he is due to respond to them or not.

If it has been agreed with the college, the reduced tuition fee is £220.

Module 3 – Astronomy, History and Chart Calculation

This module is divided into two parts – 3a and 3b.

3a.  Astronomy and an Introduction to the History of Astrology

History of Astrology.  Read the introduction to the history of astrology from ancient times to the present as this will give you an idea about its fascinating roots.

Astronomy.  Part a) of Module 3 is learning about the Solar System.  Astronomy wise, what is what on a birth chart?   Find out about the orbital periods of the planets around the Sun, and the Moon around the Earth.  What do astrologers mean when they talk about planets going retrograde?  You learn about the Moon’s phases (the lunation cycle), what the Moon’s Nodes are, and about solar and lunar eclipses.  Discover how we measure planets and other stellar objects on the celestial sphere.   We also cover the terrestrial measurement systems of longitude and latitude, as these are  essential to grasp when calculating birth charts.

What about time?  Since the days of Einstein in the first half of the 20th century, it has become evident that our undertanding of time is limited, with some saying that there is no time!  However, for us on Earth it would be very hard to survive and organise our lives without being in time.  In this module you will learn about the time it takes for the Earth to rotate on its axis which is slightly shorter than the 24 hour civil day in common use.  You cover the two different kinds of year in relation to the Earth’s orbit around the Sun.  We talk about Sidereal time, months and years (the time it takes for a planet to orbit the Sun measured against a star or other point, and the time it takes for the Moon to orbit the Earth against a star or fixed point in space).  We talk about the Tropical Year which relates to the Earth’s orbit around the Sun in relation to the seasons which is slightly shorter than the Sidereal Year.

You may have heard about the Solstices, Equinoxes and Cross Quarter Days.  Learn how they are crucial turning points in the seasons as they relate to the annual cycle of the Sun as perceived from Earth.  Explore the seasons in both the northern and southern hemispheres.

3b.  Chart Calculation

Why learn how to calculate and draw up a birth chart when computer calculation software can do it for you?  We believe it is better to know how it is done.  You may not spot mistakes when getting a computer to do the work as you will probably not be able to recognise them.  You may have put in the wrong data, or there may be something wrong with the calculation software.  Either way, you are more likely to be able to find the mistakes if you know how to calculate a birth chart manually.

Calculating a birth chart only involves basic arithmatic, usually just adding up and subtracting, although in units of 60.  You are shown which tools to use to help you, such as a scientific calculator.  We give you worksheets which take you step by step through the whole procedure.

Start calculating and drawing up birth charts for anywhere in the world at any time of day or night, and find out how to draw up a birth chart.  Learn to read an ephemeris which gives you the daily positions of the Sun, Moon and planets along with other essential information such as Sidereal Time.

Find out which services you can access for free birth charts.  Start leaning how to use astrological calculation software.  This concentrates on using Solar Fire, Astrolabe Inc., but is helpful if you are looking for other software.  Learn how to get accurate birth data from your clients, and find out how birth charts are ranked for accuracy.

Number of lessons and exercises in the whole of Module 3.  There are 14 lessons and 11 exercises.  9 exercises are assessed by your tutor and 3 are self-assessed.  Have some fun with the astronomy exercises in which you are given puzzles to solve.  Remember, if you have problems with any of the exercises, tutor-assessed or self-assessed, your tutor is there to help you.

Fee for Module 3 is £325

Reduced tuition option for Module 3a onlyAstronomy and History.  It covers full tuition for Module 3b.   Total is £255 for a) and b) together.  You are given information on which exercises to send to your tutor when you enrol.  Ask him or her for advice if you are uncertain whether to have full or less tuition.  If you have not enrolled on a Module with the college before, ask the Director for advice.  As with Module 2, you can ask your tutor for advice and help on any area of the module you are struggling with, and you receive all the Guidance Notes on the exercises you have completed where relevant.

“I enjoyed the astronomy because, once it’s understood, it all fits together and makes sense. In particular, I really enjoyed learning about the mechanics of retrograde planets.”  Alison, Ireland