Annabel Hollis has recorded her dreams for over 15 years and tonight she will share with us how this has strengthened the connection with her deepest self, and developed her creativity. She will share her experience of ways of working with dreams, how to encourage access to them and glean meaning.

Through the production of dreams, the psyche calls us back to wholeness. She will also share some art and writing that have been inspired by dreams.

After the break, we will have an opportunity to share our own dreamtime experiences. So please feel free to bring a significant or puzzling dream experience to share with Annabel and the group.
 
Annabel currently leads a dream group in Stroud and her background is in psychology, nursing and bodywork, including dance and a growing connection with the cycle of the year.

www.annabelhollis.co.uk

Nations are formed politically or symbolically at certain moments of history and therefore have birth charts like individuals - except that countries often are re-born and hence have several astrological charts.  We will give an introduction of how the astrology of countries can be used to give meaning to, or even forecast, significant events.

We will go on to look at country charts in relation to the major planetary aspects currently in progress. Greece, North Korea, Iran and the news of the day are likely to feature. We will also review our predictions of the UK general election. See also our talk later in the year on the astrology of the UK and its political parties

The 2010 field trip saw us visit the lovely old village of Dorchester-on-Thames. In the morning we visited the Sinodun Hills, a crossing point of the renowned Michael & Mary energy lines that traverse England aligned to the May Day & Lammas Tide sunrise. We learnt about the area's archeology and history, the artist Paul Nash who painted the Hills many times, visited The Poet's Tree and some of us dowsed around the hill obtaining strong results.

A walk via the bridge over the Thames at Day's Lock and the ancient earthworks of the Dyke Hills took us to Dorchester Abbey (on the Mary line) where we were given a guided tour followed by dowsing of the site. Tea and a trip to the pub rounded off the day.

Every fourteen years Jupiter and Uranus make a conjunction in the heavens.  When they do, an extraordinary alchemical fusion occurs, a fusion of radical innovation and far-sightedness.  It can be a catalyst for change, bring sudden flashes of inspiration, and accelerate the breakdown of outmoded structures.  During the first two weeks of June, this conjunction occurs in fiery, action-oriented Aries, forming part of a potent t-square configuration with Saturn and Pluto later in July.  In this presentation, John Wadsworth will discuss the implications of this transformational planetary line-up on a personal and collective level, working also with the birth charts of those present.

John Wadsworth has been working as a professional astrologer since 1992.  As well as running a busy consulting and coaching practice, he is an experienced teacher and workshop facilitator, and a pioneer of astrodrama and astrological mystery theatre.  He is the founder of the The Alchemical Journey, a 12-month experiential astrology programme in the Glastonbury Zodiac. www.kairosastrology.co.uk · www.thealchemicaljourney.co.uk

Dr. Michael Ward, Chaplain of St Peter's College, Oxford, is a leading expert on the works of C.S. Lewis, author of Planet Narnia and subject of the TV documentary The Narnia Code. Come and hear this engaging speaker tell how he unravelled the thread in the Narnia books that had eluded scholars and devotees for years - C.S. Lewis deliberately constructed the Chronicles of Narnia out of the imagery of the seven planets which revolved around Earth and exerted influences over people and events.

They were part of a traditional symbolic system that he found poetically rich and imaginatively satisfying.  He also valued the idea of planetary influences, feeling that the modern, materialistic view of the planets needed to be counterbalanced. This afternoon is a must for Narnia fans, and for everyone a fascinating story of the archetypal forces behind a set of literary classics.

Lewis was not a follower of astrology in the modern sense, but it is nevertheless of interest to explore his life from this perspective. Astrologers Kris Lee and Graham Boston will conclude the afternoon by looking at Lewis’s life and career from a contemporary astrological viewpoint.

http://www.planetnarnia.com Scroll down to the bottom of this page to watch the trailer for BBCs The Narnia Code...

Chris Farrell will explore the intriguing practice of ‘map dowsing’ and will guide you through a practical exercise. So it’s an opportunity to try it for yourself!

He will also talk about what dowsing is…and what it isn’t. General perceptions range from magic or dark arts, to spirituality or pseudo-science, to just harmless fun! In reality, most people associate dowsing with searching for underground water. But it is also widely used in archaeology, in detecting earth energies and geopathic stress, and in many complementary health therapies.

Please bring a pendulum or divining rod (and ones to share if you have several)! There will be a few spare if you don't have one.

Chris is a member of the British Society of Dowsers and is Chair of Cheltenham Dowsers, a group he set up in May 2009. By profession, he is a communications consultant and copywriter, specialising in helping clients focus their identity, image and messaging. He is also a Lifepath Mentor, helping individuals connect with and harness the powerful intuitive abilities they have within them.

... and what this means for their use in astrology.

In 1930, a young girl called Venetia suggested a name for a newly-discovered planet. She thought that Pluto would suit it. Although a wealth of other names were suggested, hers was the one finally chosen. Astrologer Cherry Gilchrist interviewed Venetia in her late 80s, to hear her story, and researched how other planets and celestial bodies acquired their names in previous times, as well as investigating the naming process for the rapidly-increasing number of sky objects being discovered today.

It's a fascinating mix of mythology and science, personal feuds and doting astronomer fathers, all influencing the final choice of names. And somehow - astrologers claim - the name leads to the mythology leads to meanings used in interpretation.

Cherry is a Stroud-based astrologer and author of numerous books on astrology, alchemy, tree of life and Russian folklore.
www.cherrygilchrist.co.uk

We don’t need astrology to tell us that life is getting complex, but we do need an astrology to describe it.  The Collective is in accelerated growth, but where is it going?  Astrological tradition provides the framework for understanding the future, in that new planets signify emerging trends.  So a careful consideration of the synchronicity and mythological meaning of new planets gives astrologers wondrous insights into prospects for the human race.  This talk will cover aspects of Ceres, Pluto, Charon, Haumea, Makemake and Eris in an effort to shed some light on the issues in the future of the Collective.

Alison Chester-Lambert is an author, astrological researcher, consulting astrologer and proprietor of the Midlands School of Astrology.  John Green, editor of the A.A. journal, has likened the “profound insight” in her book 'Starry Messengers' to that of Melanie Reinhart’s 'Chiron'.  She is highly regarded for her ground breaking fusion of mainstream science and thoroughly extensive astrological wisdom.  www.midlandsschoolofastrology.co.uk

At the AGM, we present the year's accounts and annual report, elect officers for the following year and deal with any other matters relating to the running of the Society. This is an opportunity to contribute towards the way Aquarius Severn operates; offers of help in running the society are also welcome. Anyone can attend the meeting but only members can vote on any matters arising.

No, this talk hasn’t been delayed! As astrologers, we know that Aries is the first sign of the zodiac, and the Spring Equinox is when the Sun moves into that sign. In England that was also when we celebrated the New Year, right up until 1752. For medieval astrologers, the start of the new year - and the New Moon or Full Moon preceding it - were of supreme importance, and the charts of these dates were crucial in determining how the year would go.

Astrologer Chris Mitchell, who runs the Arcturus Rising group in Bristol, looks at the astrological year through an unfamiliar lens.

A recurring theme for most of us in astrology is looking at relationships, and tonight we welcome back astrologer Jane Shelley who will be explaining the main techniques we can use to assess the interaction between two charts - and maybe improve our relating skills. The main techniques are Synastry – where you assess the contacts between two charts - and various Composite techniques, which represent the relationship by blending two sets of birth data into one chart. These methods complement each other to build a fuller picture of the relationship.

There may be time to take some charts from the audience. If you have a couple of charts you’d like Jane to look at (and have permission from the individuals concerned) please forward the data to kris@aquariussevern.com.

What are the asteroids? What do they mean? And how much do they matter to us as astrologers?

Polly’s overview of asteroid discovery highlights these themes. Focusing on four goddesses - Ceres, Pallas Athene, Vesta and Juno - she then explores how they can add colour and depth to our astrology. There will be opportunity to engage with these ideas experientially.

Polly Wallace is a local astrologer and a tutor for the Faculty of Astrological Studies. Her articles have been published in several astrological journals and currently she writes a monthly column for Inside Time, the national newspaper for prisoners. Polly co-founded Golden Arrows, an experiential astrology group. 

This year our festive gathering will be at The Exmouth Arms in the Bath Road, Cheltenham, where we will have the upstairs room to ourselves. The menu includes vegetarian options, and a 3-course meal will cost £15-£19.

Come and escape the prevailing Saturn-Pluto square for an evening and discuss the year ahead with us! We will also be presenting some mystery charts for your delectation and delight...

The Booking deadline is January 31st. Please send a £10 (non-returnable) deposit to PO Box 156, Cheltenham GL52 3YQ (cheques made payable to Aquarius Severn) or via the Pay Now button below. Alternatively, bring your deposit to our first talk of the year next Thursday, January 21st (see above).

WE APOLOGISE, BUT WE HAVE HAD TO CANCEL OUR TALK TONIGHT DUE TO A LAST-MINUTE BEREAVEMENT FOR OUR SPEAKER. We hope to arrange another talk on the subject later this year.

Crystals have long been used for adornment in the form of cut stones, but their magical and healing properties are less well-known and more surprising. For example, they can be used to attract love and romance, absorb negative emanations from computers or to enhance wealth and prosperity. In this talk, Liz Manison will describe how to choose, use and care for crystals, and how they may be used for healing and support on your spiritual path.

Liz Manison is a holistic therapist and teacher in the field of energy work such as crystal healing, and healing systems such as reiki, colour therapy, and shamanic techniques.

As we head towards Imbolc, and the return of the light after the darkness of winter, we will look at how we might nurture the seeds of our creative dreams. Can an awareness of the ascendant, and the subsequent cycle of the sun through our birthchart help us in moving towards our dreams and tune in to our own creative cycle ? Using this process to support creativity requires only a basic knowledge of your birth chart.

Isla Pearson is a Stroud-based artist and astrologer who uses the tools of The Artist’s Way and astrology to focus her work.
www.islapearson.co.uk

We are sorry that this talk has been cancelled owing to difficult travel conditions, BUT :

Astrology of 2010 and the UK General Election podcast available now.

If astrology represents a valid model of reality, then we are looking at big changes this year. Uranus moves into Aries, joined a week later by Jupiter, which has sped through Pisces in only four-and-a-half months. Saturn will be hovering on the cusp of Virgo and Libra, hence in opposition to Uranus and Jupiter, with a square to Pluto thrown in the mix. Mars spends the whole first half of the year in Leo and throughout August and September will be moving closely along with Venus in the evening skies. The year ends with the dawn of the Winter Solstice seeing a total lunar eclipse.

We will step (literally!) into some of the important charts for the year, move on to make some affirmations for change in the world and consider the year in relation to our own birth charts.