Astrology Certification online

[Buttercup]

Does anyone know of any reputable sites for receiving astrology certification online?

[astro.teacher]

Theres no such thing. Anyone who claims that they can give you "certification" in the field of Astrology is simply looking to separate you from your money.

[Buttercup]

Lol! Thank you

[Arthur Fomalhaut]

It is not exactly what you mean, but the Faculty of Astrological Studies in London apparently offers the possibility of doing most of the studies at home just with your materials and your tutors on-line, then you do some summer courses and the like, and the qualification is as good as that of someone doing it on class all along.
Don't know it first hand though, just read it somewhere, could be one more item in the stupid parchments selling industry.

[Buttercup]

Thank you. I will check it out.

[milkywaygirl]

im just over halfway through the Faculty of Astrological Studies diploma program. I did part of it in live classes in London and part by distance learning. If you are looking for a really sound and structured curriculum you should really consider FAS. The tutors are really knowledgeable and the program is excellent in my opinion. The have an annual summer school every August in Oxford where you can study a complete module that will count towards your diploma, or just attend various lectures, they have excellent guest speakers and offer a non-biased approach to learning practical hands-on astrology. Last year some of the guest speakers included Demetra George, Liz Greene and Melanie Reinhart just as an example.

I would recommend trying to get to London to try to attend some live classes as being able to learn in a group and hear the opinions and ideas of others is invaluable and really helps you learn much quicker than working through the material on your own at home. That being said, I'm really happy with the distance learning as well, although you have to be really focussed and stay on top of your studies, as you do much more assignments and analysis when you do the distance learning than when you are in-class.

If you have any questions about FAS and their certificate or diploma program feel free to drop me a line, I am really happy about my decision to study with them.

MWG

[Buttercup]

MWG,
Thank you for sharing your firsthand experience with me. I don't think it will be feasible for me to go to London, but I will check them out. I'm really mostly interested in learning about astrology in a more structured way than I have been. Mostly I study my own chart and a few others of those close to me. I think it's time I branch out.
Buttercup

[cjc]

I just stumbled onto this site; can't vouch for it. But you might want to take a look.

http://www.astrocollege.com/

c

[Buttercup]

Thank you. When I did a search through google that one came up. I think it might work for me. Thank you for bringing it to my attention again. I was hoping that someone would have a referral. This seems like a forum where everyone is interested in expanding their astrological knowledge.

[waybread]

I have no personal familiarity with them, but you might also look at the curricula and certificate programs of the National Council for Geocosmic Research at www.geocosmic.org Kepler College in Lynnwood, Washington at www.Kepler.edu/main/ , and the longstanding program offered by the American Federation of Astrologers in Tempe, Arizona at www.astrologers.com . The AFA precisely started its diploma programs to counter the quackery afoot in astrology. Note that the majority of the legit programs do want students to be able to calculate charts by hand--not in the advanced courses, but in their introductory course.

A number of leading astrologers also offer their own courses: if you particularly admire one astrologer, you may find via his/her website that s/he offers a course.

I don't think they're a bad idea. I've studied astrology for about 18 years, and my background is too spotty in some areas.

[EJ53]

Originally Posted by Buttercup

....I'm really mostly interested in learning about astrology in a more structured way than I have been. Mostly I study my own chart and a few others of those close to me. I think it's time I branch out.

Can you explain/expand this a bit more, Buttercup? What kind of astrology interests you (eg. modern, traditional, psychological) - or what is it about astrology that you enjoy/want to learn more about? And, will it always be a hobby or might you want an income from it at some stage?

EJ

[Buttercup]

It will always be a hobby. I don't know if I will make income from it. I do know that the more I know, the more I want to know! My Mars in Virgo wants to understand it all. I may find an area that particularly interests me, but for now I feel like I just want to know the basics. I go through these threads and I have tons of questions. Like, what's a yod? I read other people's posts and they seem to know so much. My posts seem pithy and small to me. Like, will I ever get married and have children?; Will I ever be financially secure?; What will I be when I grow up? me,me, me

Does this help?

[waybread]

Originally Posted by Buttercup

It will always be a hobby. I don't know if I will make income from it. I do know that the more I know, the more I want to know! My Mars in Virgo wants to understand it all. I may find an area that particularly interests me, but for now I feel like I just want to know the basics. I go through these threads and I have tons of questions. Like, what's a yod? I read other people's posts and they seem to know so much. My posts seem pithy and small to me. Like, will I ever get married and have children?; Will I ever be financially secure?; What will I be when I grow up? me,me, me

Does this help?

Buttercup, this is sure why I got into astrology. I was going through a rough patch in life where gaining a lot of self-awareness seemed critical, and astrology was the one individually-focused subject that seemed to offer some answers. Also, many older people have been studying astrology for a long time. Everyone starts as a newbie, however.

You could also begin your astro-studies by developing your own collection of astrology books, if you are not doing so already. When I got started ca. 1990, there wasn't so much astrology information on-line, so I had to buy books in order to learn anything, and also I began reading the magazine, The Mountain Astrologer. You can order books on-line through amazon.com or the AFA. If books seem like too much of a price-tag, there are a lot of good astrology websites out there today with articles and cookbooks, like Bob Marks and Astrodienst and (as well as the bad and the ugly ones) and you can bookmark or print out their information.

You may know this by now, but if not: a yod is two planets in a sextile relationship, both making a quincunx (150 degree) aspect to a 3rd planet. It looks like a narrow triangle on a chart. Expressing the energy of the planet at the tip of the "pointer" will be critical for the individual. A good book to move you beyond the major aspects is Bil Tierney, Dynamics of Aspect Analysis.

Best wishes for your journey through the stars!

[aquarius7000]

Hi again Buttercup,

I am another one who got into astrology out of sheer interest and hobby, and have grown passionate about it by the minute (metaphorically speaking).
If I may suggest, just keep reading all you can, particularly about the stream that interests you most. These days you also get a lot of online charts, for the practical part, where you can then see how a particular theory manifests itself, and later start with having a go at chart reading gradually. Are you aware of the site: http://www.astrotheme.fr/en/ ? There you will find charts of many celebrities, famous personalities from all walks of life etc, and along with the charts there is usually a brief biography oof the native, and some basic astro information linked to the chart itself, so you can follow things well.

There is also a thread on this forum itself on e-books (a lovely thread), which you can find using the search function. So, there you can readily get yourself some e-books on astrology...

And, there is also a thread somewhere listing most used, or recommended astrological online sites that you might like to also check out.

When I got started in the late 90's, I also used to read the magazine 'The Mountain Astrologer' a lot, like Waybread. Of course, there are some lovely books you can get yourself, for eg. on Horary there's plenty of absolutely wonderful material by William Lilly; or again plenty of great books esp on everything about Pluto in astrology by Donna Cunnigham, and so on...

So, if you want to basically educate yourself, there are many ways...and 'sky' truly is the limit in this field. And, of course, we are also there, so just drop a line, or whatever, if you get stuck somewhere. Knowledge is meant to be shared.

Good luck
aquarius7000

[EJ53]

Originally Posted by Buttercup

It will always be a hobby......Does this help?

This does help Buttercup, and I am wholly with Waybread and aquarius on this one (as usual).

Seems to me that a formal certification is not what you should be seeking at this stage. A good textbook is the right way forward at this stage - but recommending the right one depends upon how much you already know.

Julie and Derek Parker produced a very good starter book in the "Keep It Simple" series called Guide to Astrology which is both inexpensive and informative. (ISBN 0 7513 4866 - published by Dorling Kindersley Ltd). I believe www.Amazon.co.uk sell both new and second hand copies, in A4 or A5 sized versions. And, even if you've already outgrown the content therein, I find it a useful book to explain astrology to others from time to time.

Edit - Just searched and found this book here :-
http://www.play.com/Books/Books/4-/2...e+to+Astrology

and at Amazon.co.uk :-
http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_ss_...logy&x=11&y=22


EJ

[Buttercup]

Thank you so much for everyone's replies. I think your suggestions will keep me so busy learning about astrology that I won't need a certification program!