Join your astrological friends for drinks, food and chat about your astrological year. At The Norwood Arms, Leckhampton, Cheltenham, 6.30pm. Including a toast to St. Nicholas !
Click here for details of the venue, menus and location. There is a pay car park at the pub, and you will receive a refund if you buy drinks or food to the value of £3.00 at the bar.
It's OK to turn up on the night, but if you know you are coming, please let us know by Monday 3rd. December so we can book a suitable space.
Thu. 29th. November 8-10pm From Saint to Santa
The history, folklore and representation of Saint Nicholas.
As a prelude to the festive season, this evening tells the 1700 year story of this remarkable individual, whose claimed miracles attracted veneration, pilgrims and representations in art for centuries. He is still celebrated in modern Western culture, having metamorphosed into Santa Claus, a ubiquitous figure at Christmas.
We welcome back itinerant lecturer Tim Porter, who has spoken at Aquarius Severn several times and led field trips for us. Tim is very familiar in Cheltenham for his lectures on Medieval Britain, church history and architecture as well as music - in a "former life" he was composer for the Green Branch Opera Company. As usual, Tim will bring along a fine selection of images to support his lecture.
Saint Nicholas is the patron saint of sailors, merchants, archers and students - appropriate for his Sagittarian feast day. He is the seventh most popular saint in terms of church dedications, including many in Gloucestershire.
Thu. 8th. November 8-10pm Scorpio Saturn - Master of the Dark
Saturn has spent the last two years in Libra, the sign of its exaltation, where it may have be been working at its best. On 5 October it moved into the very different filter of Scorpio, where it will remain until the end of 2014.
This evening’s mix of lecture, discussion and exercises investigates this powerful combination. As Pluto is in Capricorn it will be in “mutual reception” with Saturn in Scorpio, which is likely to add strength to this configuration - can we use it for positive change, or will be vainly hanging on to outmoded structures ? George's Orwell's novel 1984 (when Saturn was last in Scorpio) may typify the worst of this combination, but it can signify an absolute commitment to personal transformation.
After an introduction to the principles of Saturn we will explore Saturn in our own charts and how its transit of Scorpio may manifest in the outer world and personally.
Saturn in Scorpio 1984 edition
Sunday 28th. October 11am - 5pm On Astrology and Dreams
**** We are sorry but we have not had enough advance bookings to be able to run this workshop. Thanks to those of you who did book early. We hope to have Cate return for an evening talk before too long.
Expanding on her enlightening talk on the mysteries of the twelfth house in astrological charts, we are pleased to welcome Cate Reidy for a day workshop on one of her specialities, how dreams speak through the astrological chart, both bringing meaning to your dreams and illuminating the astrology of your birth chart.
During sleep our ego leaves our conscious mind to cross the threshold and enter into the unconscious landscape of our dreaming mind. Dreams contain a mass of symbolism, including subtexts and subplots, pertinent to our life circumstances, and are useful tools because they help us reach deeper levels of self-awareness. And, although the imagery encountered may represent muddled recapitulations of a busy day, some of these images contain deep messages and signals from the unconscious. The arrival of such dreams, tend to be aptly timed and co-ordinated with astrological transits and progressions.
During this workshop we shall explore the interface between astrology and the dreaming mind, giving particular attention to Neptune and also the transits and phases of the Moon. The day will be introductory in tone, explaining the technicalities in the morning, and applying this to dream symbolism in the afternoon. Some knowledge of astrology, particularly around extracting transit information will be useful.
Bring a recent dream, preferably one you noted down a time and date for, that you would like to explore in the context of this workshop.
Cate Reidy is a psychological astrologer, psychotherapist and dream researcher with a special interest in the Twelfth House. For many years, Cate worked in addiction treatment rehabilitation centres, but now works in private practice and the NHS. In addition to providing a therapeutic approach exploring dreams, she also facilitates groups using dreams to inspire creative and therapeutic writing, and works in both Bristol and Dublin.
Feng shui is the art of consciously creating an environment that supports and nourishes you rather than holding you back.
In this talk, Karen Kingston will explain the ten most important feng shui aspects to check in your home.
Her teachings are based on over thirty years of intensive personal exploration of the unseen worlds of energy that feng shui is based on, which have become as tangible to her as the seen worlds. Her teaching style is a unique blend of no-nonsense spiritual insights and practical information, delivered with her own lively brand of humour.
Karen Kingston has authored two international bestsellers, Clear Your Clutter with Feng Shui and Creating Sacred Space with Feng Shui, published in 27 languages with combined sales of over 2 million copies. She is a professional feng shui, space clearing, clutter clearing and healthy home consultant based in the Cotswolds and Malverns.
Thu. 4th. October 8-10pm Head & Heart : Balancing Mercury and the Moon
Are Mercury, planet of intellect, and the Moon, initiator of emotions in harmony in your chart ? Do they clash, or do they just not connect ?
We welcome back - by live video link - top US astrologer Courtney Roberts.
The evening will be a mix of lecture and some “hands-on” exercises and discussion to help us understand the balance of thinking and feeling - how feelings can be expressed and how the intellect affects emotional responses - as expressed in our own astrology.
Please bring your birth chart or contact us if you require a print out.
Thu. 20th. September 8-10pm The Spirit of Impressionism
In 1871, a group of avant garde painters held an exhibition that was derided by public and critics alike. By the end of the decade, the Impressionists were on their way to becoming the most important artists in Europe. What astrological factors were at play - both in the spirit of the times, and in the natal charts of the key players? And how do the paintings reflect the charts of the artists? Looking at group astrology give enormous insight into how planetary dynamics play out in real life and might lead us consider our own group activities.
Christina Rodenbeck, who writes the excellent The Oxford Astrologer, digs deep into the charts and art of the Impressionists and comes up with some fascinating insights.
Thu. September 6th, 8-10pm The Astrology of Happiness and Fulfilment
What does the chart tell us about how easily and in which situations we find both momentary happiness and deep fulfilment?
This talk explores the history of attitudes and beliefs about happiness, discusses what different branches and eras of astrology have to say about happiness and fulfilment, and investigates the role difficult aspects can play in generating deep fulfilment and how these can be integrated and successfully actualised.
Illustrated with the charts of several fascinating individuals including Virginia Woolf and Marie Colvin.
Lara Owen did her first professional astrology reading in 1978 aged 22, and since then has read charts for thousands of clients all over the world. She is the author of several books and a collection of her astrology articles is being published later this year. She has lectured on astrology in the US, France and England.
Join your astrological friends for an evening gathering at the Anchor Inn at Epney, on the bank of the Severn south of Gloucester. Join us at 6:00 for a walk along by the river, or from 7:00 onwards at the pub. Weather-permitting we will see the sunset at about 8:20 and after dark, the conjunction of Mars and Saturn at 25° Libra, though given the nature of this conjunction we might have cool grey weather ! (If weather is poor, we may not do a walk, but will still meet at the pub at 7:00). Non-members very welcome. The food here is more towards the 'pub grub' variety; if you have a dietary requirement, please call the pub on 01452 740433 and they will be pleased to help.
If you know you will be coming along, please let us know at a talk (or via [email protected], or 01451 822438) so we have an idea of numbers.
Thu. 2nd. August, 8-10pm The Birth Charts of Indigo Children
You might have heard of Indigo children, Star seeds, Crystals, or Way-bearers. They are a collection of young people who are looking for spiritual direction but grind to a halt when they come across churches and dogma…so they have invented their own version of spirituality. There are no ‘leaders’ no ‘wise-men or women’, no rules to obey or fees to pay. They want to discuss the ‘meaning’ of their lives on-line, on forums, on YouTube and Facebook. There is no agreement but lots of intensity in their discussions.
You will learn about the Indigo’s unique birth chart shape and the astrology behind the phenomenon…. and why they have such a drive to find ‘answers’.
Background:
In 2004 the book ‘The Indigo Children’ was published and, prompted by a client she was treating who had a strange birth chart shape, Mary English began researching the birth charts of Indigo Children. In 2006 she published her results on her website… and carried on collecting data for 5 years.
Thu. 19th. July, 8pm Business Astrology, Part II – Forecasting, Transits and Progressions.
Andrea Soole
_At the heart of every business there needs to be clarity and confidence to move with the times.
As Business Astrologers, Andrea Soole and Karen Chiarello operate on the premise that life works in cycles. Like a person, a company has a moment of birth – when legal papers are filed, the first business transaction takes place or the opening of business. The planetary aspects in effect at that time and the subsequent ones, enable us to gain insight into the underlying trends affecting a company's growth, development and financial success. Using example charts Andrea and Karen will illustrate how using astrology in business can give businesses the leading edge over competitors and the ability to be prepared for the future.
Andrea Soole has been a professional astrologer since 1984, she studied at the Faculty of Astrological Studies and was trained in Astro*Carto*Graphy by Jim Lewis. In 1984 Andrea joined Equinox Astrology, in 1989 became the senior astrologer at the Astrology Shop and later set up the Australian branch of Equinox. Andrea has travelled widely promoting astrology through exhibitions, talks and frequent radio and TV appearances. Most recently Andrea founded ChiarelloSoolewith Karen, an innovative and ground-breaking astrological business consultancy.
Karen Chiarello is a professional astrologer. Her speciality is business astrology and Astro*Carto*Graphy. She works as a business astrologer with her partner Andrea Soole (www.chiarellosoole.com) and as manager of Equinox Astrology (www.equinoxastrology.com). She also works with individual charts and has lectured and exhibited in Britain, the USA and Australia.
Kris Lee and Graham Boston lead an evening exploring the significance of the sign rising over the eastern horizon in an astrological chart, and the ascendant - the point of the zodiac (usually) dividing the twelfth and first houses of an astrological chart that is located within the rising sign.
We will start by looking at the astronomical reality - what and where the ascendant is, and the uneven distribution of rising signs - is your’s an uncommon one ? We will then set out the astrological meanings claimed for rising signs.
After the break we will discuss rising signs, including looking at some of our own charts, in the context of astrological meaning, with a glance at the significance of rising planets.
If you don’t have a birth chart, please let us know your date, time and place of birth beforehand so we can provide you with a chart.
Sunday 24th. June, 12 noon on Midsummer field trip to the Rollright Stones
Archeographer Liz Poraj-Wilczynska will guide us around the main circle, and the outlying "King Stone" and "Whispering Knights", relating folklore, archeography of the site, strange tales of sensory experiences and the Dragon Project which used scientific gadgetry, photographers, dowsers, psychics and sensitives to try tracking down at the Stones the elusive "earth energy" experienced by dowsers.
Please bring a picnic lunch. (You may also wish to bring a blanket or chair and suitable clothing.)
There will be an opportunity for us to dowse at the site with rods, or pendulum - which is particularly useful for sensing individual stones. If you've never tried dowsing before, it's a good place to have a go - dowsing rods will be available.
Afterwards (probably about 3-ish) we will sojourn at a local tea shop and finish with an optional short walk.
Note you don't have to have come to the 14th. June talk to enjoy the field trip.
British weather If the event is postponed because of bad weather, details will be posted here by 10 o'clock on the morning of the 24th.
Getting there The Rollrights are on the Warwickshire-Oxfordshire border about 45 mins. drive from Cheltenham. Please check in with other members for car sharing. For map click here. There is parking in the layby nearby and a £1 donation is requested on entry to the stone circle. Please note facilites on site are minimal; there are no seats, visitor centre or loos (the nearby Wyatts Garden Centre at Butlers Hill about a mile further on has an excellent cafe, farm shop and loos.)
Booking Cost is £5 for members and concessions, £7 non-members. You can pay cash on the day (if you are definitely planning to come, please let us know [email protected] or 01451 822438) or use the online booking below.
Thu. 14th. June, 8-10pm Belas Knap and the Rollright Stones
Archeographer Liz Poraj-Wilczynska has spent three years investigating Belas Knap long barrow near Winchcombe and the ancient landscape around it. Collating archeological research and adding intuition, dowsing and sensory archaeology, Liz has uncovered many different reasons why the barrow builders chose to build a home for their ancestors in this location. Animal tracks, underground water, folklore and ancient burial rites are just some of the topics explored in this ground-breaking research project.
In the second part of the talk, Liz will introduce us to recent thinking about another important local megalithic site, the Rollright Stones. This is a prelude to our Midsummer field trip field trip to this impressive stone circle and outliers near Chipping Norton.
Liz brings an engaging combination of researched archaeology, dowsing and sensory perception for an all-round perspective on megalithic sites. She is co-author with Tom Graves of The Disciplines of Dowsing.
Thu. 31st. May, 8-10pm Behind the Scenes : an Evening in the Twelfth House
Traditionally the twelfth house has links with misfortune, bondage, persecution, imprisonment, confinement, banishment and exile. Judging by these descriptions, the twelfth house has clearly retained a disquieting reputation, and is without doubt a house full of complexities. However, now in the 21st Century, a question we might ask is: are there better ways in which to understand this much maligned and frequently misunderstood astrological house?
Astrologer Cate Reidy studied at Centre for Transpersonal Astrology and has taught astrology in various settings with an established astrological practice with a particular focus on a therapeutic approach to astrological consultations. Her professional interests in addiction, homelessness, dreams and surgical dreams, all tend to resonate with the concerns of the twelfth house. Rather than shy away from this part of the birth chart, after all the one where planets have just risen, we can find ways to enter in to it and bring out the positive.
Thu. 17th. May, 8-10pm A Sat-Ur-ated Solution: Creative resolutions of conflict between Saturn and Uranus through the mediation of Chiron.
Chiron’s orbit lies for the most part between the orbits of Saturn and Uranus. We shall explore aspects of Chiron’s influence from its unique position, with special reference to the myth of Prometheus and the Chiron return. After the break, a special study of Russian composer Dmitri Shostakovitch will illustrate the magic of Chiron.
Mandy Morrell was first introduced to Astrology by the works of C. G. Jung, discovered while reading Classics at Oxford. Twenty years later, after raising a family and teaching the Violin and Ancient Greek, she obtained a Diploma from the Mayo School of Astrology and the Certificate in Horary Astrology awarded by the Company of Astrologers. From 2005-2010 Mandy worked as a Registrar of Births, Deaths, Marriages and Civil Partnerships, but in January 2011 she became an independent Civil Funeral Celebrant and a member of the Institute of Civil Funerals.
Sunday. 6th. May 11:30 & 2:30 Malvern well dressing
There are over 100 springs and spouts on the hills, some of which provide the world-famous pure Malvern Water. In the 12th and 13th centuries the Holy Well was dressed annually with offerings in thanks to St Oswald for water cures there. In 1615 there was a national drought, but as Malvern`s springs kept flowing they "were (well) dressed as a token of gratitude for a plentiful supply of water". Malvern owes much of its size as a spa town to the "Water Cure' that was promoted in the mid 19th. century. The Holy Well has some of the purest water of any spring anywhere, but others have a high mineral content and formed the basis of 'the cure'. Florence Nightingale and Charles Dickens were impressed, but Alfred Tennyson said he was "half-cured, half-destroyed".
In 1997 the Spa Association revived the ancient tradition of Well Dressing and this year there are expected to be over forty wells, spouts springs and fountains decorated for the May bank holiday.
11:30 Procession from outside Abbey Hotel around central Malvern (just turn up - donations collected for Donkey Rescue charities). The final section of the procession leaves from outside the Unicorn Inn at 12:15 and is a 20-min. climb, steep in places, via Happy Valley and the Donkey Spout to St. Ann's Well Café. There are plenty more cafés and pubs in Malvern town centre for lunch.
2:30 - 4:15Minibus tour from Malvern town centre to see many of the wells, with local historian Ray Roberts - places cost £6 and must be booked. The pick-up point is the Rose Bank Gardens bus stop near the Mount Pleasant Hotel, by the junction of Belle Vue Terrace and Wells Road.
Thu. 19th. April, 8-10pm Where is the Love? An astrological approach to happy ever after
An exploration of astrological archetypes relating to love, looking at myth, fairy tales and real love stories and investigating where in the horoscope we can identify these.
Jude Levy and her partner Howard Parker run Eros and Psyche which provides Relationship Coaching and uses astrology as a tool to help clients gain self-awareness and improve relationships.
Jude has balanced her roles as CEO/Chairman of an international company and astrological counselor for over 20 years and has a wealth of experience of working with astrology, both as a business strategy and forecasting tool aiding timing and decision making and in personal counselling. She is an experienced relationship coach, has taught astrology in the UK and overseas and regularly gives astrological and tarot consultations.
Sun 15th. April, 2.30-4.45pm at Copa, Regent Street, Cheltenham
An Introduction to Financial Astrology
A 1-hour webinar followed by discussion. £12.50 (members £10.00)
Finance and astrology have made uncomfortable bedfellows and yet there is something seductive about the idea that universal money energy can be accessed through study of the cycles of the planets.
In this 1-hour webinar (live online talk), internationally-recognised financial astrologer Christeen Skinnerwill show you some of the techniques in widespread use and show how these may be integrated into your own use of astrology.
Often times the cycles of the planets are the only things you need to consider: no start dates for currencies or commodities may be available. Christeen will guide you through the maze of working without raw natal data. It is often thought that you need very sophisticated software to work in this area. This isn’t necessary to get started and she will show you where to find charts that can be worked alongside your favourite astro-software.
Following Christeen's webinar, Kris Lee and Graham Boston will facilitate a discussion on the subjects raised.
Christeen Skinneris author of The Financial Universe (published 2004) in which she forecast the banking crisis.
She works in London, UK and has a broad clientele - from City traders, to entrepreneurs and private investors. She taught for the Faculty of Astrological Studies for a half-nodal cycle, was Chair of the Astrological Association of Great Britain and is a Trustee of the Urania Trust.
Venue Copa is a bar and restaurant situated in Cheltenham's Regent Street next to Jamie Oliver's new Italian Restaurant. We have exclusive us of the upstairs room which is spacious, comfortable and quiet, and you will be able to purchase tea, coffee and cake at the bar. Copa is open all day for food and drink.
Parking There is little free on-street parking in the centre of Cheltenham, but there are several car parks within walking distance, the cheapest of which is the Grosvenor Terrace car park (above Lidl), which charges £2.60 for up to three hours. Most of the other car parks charge around £3.80. Metered parking is for maximum 2 hours (free and unlimited after 4pm in streets outside the 8am-8pm zone), except in Oriel Road, near our usual venue (3 hours on a Sunday). Most local bus services terminate in The Promenade, just round the corner from the venue. The Park and Ride bus does not operate on Sundays, though you can park for free at the Racecourse and use service D nearby, which runs half-hourly. Parking map is on our location page.
Booking Thank you to those of you who booked early enough for us to run this event. There are some places left which can be booked using the facility below. Concessions: we are able to offer a reduced price of £7 (supported by the Eric Grove Memorial Fund) to participants in receipt of a state benefit e.g. working tax credit, state pension, unemployment benefit etc., and also to students.
Please ask Kris if you need a receipt to record your booking as a business expense. (Paypal receipt automatically e-mailed if you pay online.)
Thursay 29th. March, 8pm Business Astrology
Andrea Soole
_At the heart of every business there needs to be clarity and confidence to move with the times.
As Business Astrologers, Andrea Soole and Karen Chiarello operate on the premise that life works in cycles. Like a person, a company has a moment of birth – when legal papers are filed, the first business transaction takes place or the opening of business. The planetary aspects in effect at that time and the subsequent ones, enable us to gain insight into the underlying trends affecting a company's growth, development and financial success. Using example charts Andrea and Karen will illustrate how using astrology in business can give businesses the leading edge over competitors and the ability to be prepared for the future.
Andrea Soole has been a professional astrologer since 1984, she studied at the Faculty of Astrological Studies and was trained in Astro*Carto*Graphy by Jim Lewis. In 1984 Andrea joined Equinox Astrology, in 1989 became the senior astrologer at the Astrology Shop and later set up the Australian branch of Equinox. Andrea has travelled widely promoting astrology through exhibitions, talks and frequent radio and TV appearances. Most recently Andrea founded ChiarelloSoolewith Karen, an innovative and ground-breaking astrological business consultancy.
Karen Chiarello is a professional astrologer. Her speciality is business astrology and Astro*Carto*Graphy. She works as a business astrologer with her partner Andrea Soole (www.chiarellosoole.com) and as manager of Equinox Astrology (www.equinoxastrology.com). She also works with individual charts and has lectured and exhibited in Britain, the USA and Australia.
Thu. 29th March, 6.30pm Annual General Meeting
This talk will be preceded by our Annual General Meeting at 6:30pm in the rear room at our usual venue. This is the opportunity for members to be involved in the future direction of the society and when members of the committee are elected. The annual financial statement is also presented. Please let us know beforehand if you are planning to attend.
Thu. 15th. March 7:o0 pm on Social at country pub with view of the Venus Jupiter conjunction
Join us at The Craven Arms, tucked away in the village of Brockhampton, on the hills to the east of Cheltenham. Mars will also be visible as it trines the conjunction. If you wish, bring your chart to see how the conjunction impacts on your own astrology. We may also do a short visualisation to help tune into this very positive alignment. Click for map of area.
Note : this event coincides with the Cheltenham race meeting (maybe lucky punters have the conjunction in the fifth house!) so the pub may be busier than on a usual Thursday evening. If you know you are coming, please let us know by 9th. March ([email protected] or 01451 822438) so we can book a table together. If you are traveling via Cheltenham, there may also be extra traffic, especially in the Racecourse area.
Thu. 8th. March 8-10pm Nasty Benefics … Lovely Malefics
When one is learning the nuts and bolts of astrology, it's helpful to see things in a black-and-white way, but astrology is much much more subtle and deep. This evening looks at the traditional idea of "malefic" and "benefic" parts of the chart and modern responses to it - we may have a deep-rooted sense that some things in the chart are inescapably bad and difficult while others ought inevitably to be positive, but is Jupiter always easy, Saturn hard or Pluto threatening?
This will lead into a bring-your-chart discussion looking at ways to bring the positive to the potentially challenging parts of the birth chart as well as letting us speak up about those things we are told ought to be easy and yet find problematical.(Note : you are very welcome to share personal information about your chart, but no-one is forced to bare their souls -or other parts- in our discussion evenings.)
This week sees a brilliant conjunction of Jupiter and Venus so it should be a benefic time to be furthering our understanding !!
_Thu. 23rd. February 8-10pm Holistic Sound As A Healing Force
_With James D'Angelo. The universe is rooted in vibration. All things have their particular frequencies. Thus stress, illness and disease are mis-tunings of the human instrument. Through resonance and sympathetic vibration these frequencies can be restored. James will demonstrate how holistic sound can induce such a transformation. This will be an experiental presentation in which our voices will be the resonators to re-tune our energy systems.
James D’Angelo, PhD has been conducting his courses on sound healing since 1994. A music educator, published composer and all-round musician, James is the author of The Healing Power of the Human Voice and the forthcoming The Sacred Alphabet.
Booking for this event closed on 19th. January. For our annual midwinter feast we will be returning to The Organic Farm Shop Cafe just outside Cirencester. For Sunday lunch there will be meat (note: not a roast this year), vegetarian and vegan options. The cafe is licensed to serve alcohol so you can enjoy a glass of organic wine, cider or beer with your lunch and there is a large choice of hot drinks. There is the option of ambling off some calories afterwards on a woodland or farm trail walk.
Click here for location (Note: access is from the B4425) Main courses cost from £10 - £13 and desserts are about £4-5. You will need to send us a £10 deposit per person by 19th. January. Please bring cash to pay the balance on the day.
The Organic Farm Shop and Cafe, Cirencester
_Thu. 19th. January 8-10pm Venus : Goddess of Harmony, Beauty & Proportion
John Wadsworth presents an evening about Venus, drawing from
myth, sacred geometry and emphasising the pentagonal, five-fold nature of Venus's symbolism, especially the Dance of Venus, formed through its eight year cycle of five superior and five inferior conjunctions. We will also preview this year's Venus transit of the Sun and its significance. After the break we should have time to discuss some Venus's positions by sign / house / aspect in the birth charts of willing volunteers.
John has visited us several times - you may remember his dramatic presentation of the signs of the zodiac a few years back - and is the founder of The Alchemical Journey, a 12-month programme which runs every month in Glastonbury.
Last chance tonight to book for Saturnalia get-together - see below.
_Thu. 5th. January, 2012 8-10pm The Year Ahead
_The Aquarius Severn committee look back at what we said about 2011 and forward to what the patterns in the heavens suggest for 2012.
Mars will spend the whole of the first half of the year in Virgo, the square aspect between Uranus and Pluto will continue to dominate the astrological picture, and later in the year Saturn will move into Scorpio and a trine with Neptune, by then established in Pisces for the next thirteen years. The two brightest planets Venus and Jupiter will be close together briefly in the evening sky in March and will rise together for several weeks in Midsummer.
We will be looking at the global and personal impact of this astrology, so bring your birth chart if you wish - contributions from the floor are welcome.
Update: Below you can see slides from the first half of the talk, showing news items from 2011 (and a couple of charts to remind us of last year's planetary line-up) as well as an overview and charts of 2012.
Meet from 7pm on at The Golden Heart at Nettleton Bottom, near Cheltenham. The pub is on the A417 heading towards Cirencester from Birdlip (directions and map here) (it's on the single carriageway section of the road, on the right).
Come along for a pre-solstice evening out with your astrological pals. Non-members also welcome. If you wish to eat, you can order on the night from the full menu, or from the selection of bar snacks.
We have an area of the pub set aside for us, so if you are definitely planning to come, it would be helpful to let us know ([email protected] or 01451 822438), but it's OK to just turn up.
Thu. 8th. December 8-10pm Magi, Wise Men, Kings, Astrologers
Most of us in Western culture can tell a story of the wise men from the east who followed the Star of Bethlehem. Indeed some of us may have been one of them in a school nativity play ! Their story is rooted in Western culture, despite resting on limited foundations, implying a deep symbolic meaning. Their identity has morphed to suit changing cultural perceptions and in some Biblical translations they are referred to as astrologers. Astrologer Kris Lee looks at recent thinking to ask who they might have been and where the story stands between symbolism and reality.
The talk also examines the Star of Bethlehem, an image that resonates down the centuries, considering the candidates for an actual astronomical event round about the birth of Jesus. Can we draw any astrological conclusions from the heavens at the beginning of the Christian era ?
_Thu. 24th. November 8-10pm Money Talk(s) - part two
Our previous discussion evening on the subject of money was so productive that participants were enthusiastic to spend more time with the theme of money in the horoscope. We will follow up on some of the points from our earlier discussion where we looked primarily at the second house and its ruling planet.
Tonight we plan to focus on opportunities for abundance in the birth chart, on utilising astrological transits and conclude with some ways ‘astrological magic’ and visualisation can help you develop your personal astrology to be more “resource-full”.
As before this is a bring-your-chart evening where you will have the opportunity, if you wish, to explore your own chart in relation to money.
This will be a separate event from part one - you don’t need to have attended the first part to benefit from part two.
Thu. 10th. November 8-10pm So why do composers compose what they do ?
An astrological perspective from musician Geoff Poole.
This introduction to the field of astro-musicology suggests that the traditional way of talking about music in terms of its historic styles and genres is only half the story. New styles come from composers expressing their own natures – i.e. by painting their own psyches onto the blank canvas of musical possibilities. Through astrology and the charts of composers, we can see a broader pattern of how the imagination works through the signs and planets. The changing Heavens may also relate to changing musical expression. The talk will use astrological and musical examples - no musical training is necessary - And will particularly focus on the chart of Edward Elgar.
Geoff is best known as a composer (with numerous broadcasts commissions, publications and recordings to his name), pianist/conductor, and educator, retiring from his post as professor of composition at Bristol University in 2009. His work includes an ongoing project of piano pieces for each hexagram of the I Ching.
Thu. 20th. October 8-10pm Hercules' Labours: the Evolutionary Path round the Zodiac
The myths of Hercules’ labours are rooted in our collective psyche and can be used as keys to unlock the deeper significance of the twelve houses of the horoscope.
We are very pleased to welcome astrologerPhoebe Wyss from Brighton, to present this talk based on her book, which in essence takes us through a journey around the houses of the birth chart with Saturn, relating each house to our own evolutionary path through life.
In order to hear the ancient myths speak to you personally, and uncover your personal agenda of labours, you need to know only three factors from your birth chart, so is accessible for those with limited astrogical knowledge.
The monsters Hercules encountered, and we must wrestle with, are in the mind and are projections of fears and negativity - when understood we can be like Hercules and achieve our potential.
After university, with a BA in English and Philosophy and an MA in English Pheobe went to Germany to work as a lecturer in English at Hanover University, where she taught English language and literature for twenty years. But astrology had always been her passion, and in 1985 she left English teaching to become a full-time professional astrologer.
" Phoebe has used the myth of the labours of Hercules in a delightfully playful way to track the challenges the planet Saturn presents us with at the different stages of our spiritual journey. If you are fascinated by symbols and the interconnectedness of things, this is the book for you." Pankaja Brooke, novelist.
Thu. 6th. October 7:15pm Horary astrology taster
Free half-hour taster prior to tonight's main talk.
On 23rd. October, we will be running a six-week course on this highly practical use of astrology that answers questions by using the chart of the moment. An answer may be a simple yes or no, but often gives insights into, for example, the motives of the questioner, others involved in the matter, locations and a predicted outcome. Tonight you can meet course tutor Jodey Collorick who will introduce the subject and give a taster of how horary astrology operates, what it can do and how you can build it into your astrological practice.
For more details of the course see the listing for 23rd. October.
Followed by …
Thu. 6th. October 8-10pm Astrology, Alchemy and Music
This is an alternative history of life, the universe and everything using astrology as the key and music as the inspiration.
The ancient Greeks studied sound and the making of music not only as entertainment but as a means for understanding how the universe works. Their discoveries echo through the Middle Ages with its planetary "music of the spheres" and influence contemporary times and modern science.
Bill Anderton, who runs the Pilgrims Mind Body Spirit Centre in Gloucester*, explains what sound and vibration have to do with the practice of astrology, the transforming art of alchemy and the healing power of music.
* Paid-up Aquarius Severn members receive a discount on books and cds at Pilgrims.
Sun. 25th. September 12:30 on Trip to Chedworth Roman Villa
Join us for an afternoon out at one of Gloucestershire's ancient sites. We plan to picnic from 12:30 followed by a short introduction to the Villa at 2:00 and then the opportunity to explore the site which includes a 4th. century water shrine fed by a natural spring that has never been known to dry up.
Dowsers might like to try finding a ley line that is said to pass through the site, which some people say also has an energy vortex indicating a place of ancient and contemporary healing.
End the afternoon at the tea tent with maybe an adjournment to the village pub. Bring your friends! Please let us know if you are coming along.
Entrance to Villa is £4.50 (free to National Trust members)
Thu. 22nd. September 8-10pm Ancestral Healing
Have you ever wondered whether negative happenings in your life could be the result of unseen influences by your own ancestors ? Think of all the horror situations from the past and the anger and frustration so many have suffered and died from, without resolution. Many emotional and psychological problems can stem from ancestral patterns that track down through the generations and an important part of the healing process involves accessing and clearing negative family influences
Tony and Ann Neate are well-known and highly-respected healers with a CV that would take many paragraphs to do justice to.
They will explain how the influences we carry from from the forebears in our family can create blockages in our life, causing frustration, the inability to be aware of where we need to be, and sometimes even physical pain in our body. The evening will include an exercise with the group to help you get in touch with some of these unwanted residues and help clear any difficulties.
Thu. 1st September 8-10pm Homeopathy: A Revolution In Medicine
When homeopathy works, it can bring the most profound and wonderful healing. Yet how it works appears to be a mystery.
This talk will shed some light on this subject and on the relationship between mystery and science. Peter will describe homeopathy and homeopathic treatment, covering amongst other things, the following subjects:
How he was converted from a sceptic to a homeopath
How homeopathy works - approximately
Why it is being attacked as unscientific
Why it is more scientific than orthodox medicine
What this controversy reveals about the nature of 'science'
Whether orthodoxy in science is becoming a religion
Sat. 20th. August, 12 noon on Eat, Climb, Meditate …
Informal get-together at Gloucester Cathedral. Light lunch in the Refectory at 12:00, followed by opportunity to climb the tower at 1:30, and then at about 2:15 partake in a group walk of the replica of the Chartres Labyrinth that will be in the Nave.
The tower climb at 1:30 is 269 steps, so you need to be fit but you will be rewarded with a close up view of the bells and a great all round view at the top. You will need to book at the Cathedral Shop on arrival, and there is a charge of £3.
There is no formal charge for admission to the cathedral (other than the tower and whispering gallery), but adult visitors are politely asked to make a donation of £5.00 each towards the maintenance of the building.
Come along for all or part of the afternoon, but please let us know you are coming.
Thu. 4th August 8-10pm Uranus Square Pluto: Revolutionary Imperative
In mythic terms, Luke Skywalker is taking on Darth Vader as you read this. Yes, the long-awaited Uranus-Pluto square has arrived. Already we have had financial meltdown, purging of politicians, Wikileaks, and the quickening shift of power from the West to the East. What are the worst/best or fairly ordinary outcomes we could imagine coming from this powerful planetary combo? Just how much acceleration, excitement, enlightenment, turbulence, change and commitment can we handle – on an individual as well as collective level?
And what happened at other Uranus/Pluto times, like the last square in the mid-Thirties, or the conjunction in the mid-Sixties? Are there any parallels with now? Come to the talk and quietly prepare for your own revolution...
Hans Baker holds the diploma of the Centre for Psychological Astrology. Since the launch of his astrological career in 1985 he has taught, written articles, given talks, helped organize astrology camps, and done personal readings. He is currently focusing on planetary cycles and their relation to historical trends. Contact Hans on 0117-940 5537 or email [email protected].
Thu. 21st. July 8-10 pm Born to be Queen?
The recent Royal Wedding prompts us to spend an evening examining the astrology of the British royal family. Angular planets feature prominently in the charts of British monarchs and this simple piece of astrology alone often speaks volumes about the way some people appear fated in archetypal roles. Is success as a head of state in a constitutional monarchy shown by the planets at birth ?
The abdication of Edward VIII, with George VI thrust unwillingly centre-stage (as featured in the Oscar-winning The King’s Speech), the long reigns of Victoria and the present Queen and the public soap opera of the Charles & Diana marriage all have an astrological angle. And eclipses have haunted the current Prince of Wales (now the longest heir in waiting) in a way that seems uncanny.
We will focus especially on the birth chart of Kate Windsor née Middleton. Astrology could reveal what she is really like behind the public facade. What sort of Queen will she make - if indeed she becomes queen ? And what is the astrological take on this royal marriage ?
If you would like to contribute to the evening by putting forward your comments on Kate’s astrology, please let us know beforehand - and ask if you’d like a copy of her birthchart.
Thu. 7th. July 8-10pm Money - A Discussion
Whether it comes from work, business success, speculation, inheritances or luck, there is no getting away from the importance of money in our lives. Tonight we will discuss the astrology of money - its significators (traditionally, the second, fifth and eighth houses and their rulers, together with Venus and Jupiter), whether we can predict good fortune or its opposite, what it signifies from a metaphysical point of view, the Part of Fortune and the role of transits and progressions. Can we use astrology to attract propserity?
This is a 'bring-your-birthchart evening' facilitated by the committee, so come along, be prepared to ask questions and share your insights!
Saturday 25th. June 11am on Midsummer field trip to Kelmscott Manor
Kelmscott Manor, near Lechlade, was the final home of William Morris, pioneer of the Arts & Crafts Movement. It dates from around 1600 and has an outstanding collection of the possessions and works of Morris, his family and associates (Benson, Burne-Jones, Rossetti and Webb among them) - furniture, textiles, pictures, carpets, ceramics and metalwork.
Morris worked as an architect, poet, painter and designer, became a prominent socialist and in 1861 he and others founded Morris & Co, whose designs and ethics came to embody the Arts and Crafts Movement. His designs for fabrics, wallpapers, furniture and glass were to prove a massive influence in Britain (the Laura Ashley aesthetic is a lineal descendant of Morris's rustic nostalgia). This period coincided with Neptune’s last sojourn in Pisces, so maybe the time is ripe for a revival of the movement’s ideals.
Jupiter and Saturn are both making returns in Morris’s birth chart this year ! We will have the charts of Morris and Dante Gabriel Rossetti to see how some simple astrology illuminates their lives and work, plus the telling synastry of their tangled relationships with Morris’s beautiful wife Jane. The tour of the house may inspire you creatively, so we may also consider Venus in the charts of Morris et. al and in our own charts. If you wish, bring a copy of a piece of art that has inspired you.
For lunch there is a café on site and a village pub, or you can bring a picnic to eat in the garden, and there is the option of a short walk along the Thames Path. Please feel free to bring your non-astrologer friends for a nice day out.
Entry to the house and garden is £9 (or £10 with Gift Aid) or just to the garden and exhibition £2.50. Pay for your ticket on the day, but please let us know you are coming ([email protected] or 01451 822438). Aquarius Severn is not making a separate charge for this event, but donations on the day will be welcome.
There are local signs to the Manor. Meet in the car park at 11am. The house is a 10 minute walk through the village. www.kelmscottmanor.org.uk Map here
Thu. 16th June, 8-10pm Eclipses
Astrologers Jodey Collorick and Jill Shearer, look at the symbolism of solar and lunar eclipses in astrology
in conjunction with a selection of country and natal charts. Ancient
skywatchers were drawn to them - some megalithic sites may be eclipse
calculators - and even today they are awe-inspiring. Can it be just a
coincidence that the Sun and Moon are the same size viewed from Earth
and several times a year align to make an eclipse ? Astrologically, when
an eclipse occurs at a significant point in your chart, it can be a catalyst of or an opportunity for change.
There is a total lunar eclipse the previous evening at 24° Gemini and you maywish to bring your chart to see where this event features for you. If you have a clear view of the south-eastern horizon, you'll be able to see the eclipsed Moon rise at about 9:30 and it will be total till just after 10.
Thu. 26th. May 8-10pm Cosmic Harmony
Christina with crystal sound bowl
Music uplifts, heals and connects us to the eternal. How? Like Nature, Music is made up of patterns which interconnect between themselves. It is these ordered harmonic patterns that hold the fabric of the universe together.
We are all integrated musical beings co-existing in a musical cosmos. Join Christina Ashbyto explore and experience cosmic music. Learn how sacred instruments and sacred harmonies touch upon our lives. See how sound is used to heal the body and re-energise and revitalise the mind and soul.
The evening will begin with a small presentation on the philosophy of sound healing, looking in depth at the affects of sound on nature, the sounds of the Earth’s mysterious audio-frequency music, and sound on the body. This will be followed by a ‘bija’ seed sound meditation and a sound bath. Bring a yoga mat and blanket for the sound bath if desired.
Christina is a trained Sound Healer and musician. She studied at the College of Sound Healing with one of the world's leading Sound Healers and Shamanic teachers Simon Heather. She also trained as a classical singer, with performance work in England and Europe and also works for the Peace and Prosperity Trust, a charity using music as a healing art form for peace in the Middle East. Christina works with groups using music as a tool for meditation and is also collaborating with other artists to create healing art music on a performance level.
Thu. 12th. May 6:30pm on Expedition to May Hill
You've seen it many times - now join us for a walk to the top of one of Gloucestershire's distinctive landmarks, where there are fabulous views in all directions. 'May' in this name could derive from the
Anglo-Saxon word-stem ‘mag’ means ‘having power’, so 'powerful hill'. You may like to bring dowsing rods.
May Hill has been associated with Maytime festivities for many years and we will be on the hill to watch the sunset at about 8:40 and maybe see some stars come out, along with the Moon and Saturn. Meet from 6:30 on (opening time) at The Glasshouse Inn or 8:00 at the May Hill car park car park near Yartleton Farm. You will be able to order food at the pub if you wish. There is a 15-minute walk from the car park to the hill top, the first section being steep. The path is straightforward, but we suggest you bring suitable footwear - and a torch if you want to stay on the hill after sunset. (There is also a panoramic view from the car park). Free event (donations welcome).
This is also an opportunity for non-members to meet with others interested in astrology in an informal setting. We'll have the chart of the evening available, so we can see what's going on from an astrological perspective. How have we been coping with the recent rush of planets in Aries ?
In the event of wet weather, we will still meet up the pub, but the walk may not happen.
Directions: May Hill is north of the A40 between Gloucester and Ross-on-Wye. Take one of the right turns after Huntley church (the second one at Dursley Cross is signposted to May Hill), but once off the main road, keep going straight on to get to the pub, which is shown as PH at Glasshouse on this Local map. May Hill is visible for many miles, but tends to 'vanish' when you get close, and like many mysterious ancient sites can appear to interfere with one's sense of direction !
Thu. 28th. April 8-10pm Psychological Patterns and Signatures of Disease(see update, below)
In a live videolink from the USA, astrologer Lynn Koiner will explore how the relationship between a person's birthchart and their health.
By examining the quadruplicities (cardinal, fixed and mutable signs), the houses, and bodies such as Chiron, Hygeia,
Transpluto and Ceres, a personality profile that portends health
susceptibilities can be mapped, and a health regime can be established to keep
the body in relatively good health.
Diseases including fibro-myalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (M.E.) IBS, addictions, lung diseases, diabetes arthritis, cancer and others will be explored, along with their psychological patterns.
Lynn Koiner is an international speaker and has been a full-time professional astrologer since 1969. She runs courses in medical astrology and is twice recipient of the Simms Pounds Award for Best Conference Speaker by the American Federation of Astrologers.
Update, 29/04/11: Lynn gave a lively and highly informative talk last night, drawing on her experience of working with clients over 40+ years.
She has kindly made available for download some of the material she discussed last night, including her findings on depression, wight loss and the illnesses outlined above. They are all in Word .doc format, and will be available for the next week.
Even if you know your astrology, the first look at an astrological chart can be overwhelming. This is added to by the ease which computer programs produce so much information - often twenty aspects or more, which is far too many to take in ! Ease of information doesn’t necessarily make for clarity of interpretation.
In tonight’s talk, Bernard Eccles, an old friend of Aquarius Severn, reveals the magic formula for whittling that mass of aspectry down to the few that actually matter. Very often an individual aspect can be the key to quickly accessing the essential, and seizing on that when interpreting a chart can be inspiring for both astrologer and client.
Bernard has been teaching and lecturing in astrology for over twenty years. He has twice been president of the Astrological Lodge of London and teaches short courses for the Lodge and at the Faculty of Astrological Studies Summer Schools. In recent years he has been closely involved in the Sophia Project and the MA in Cultural Astronomy and Astrology at Bath Spa University College. In his commercial guise, he writes Sun-sign columns for magazines worldwide, and his books have sold over half a million copies.
This an opportunity to hear how one of our top astrologers quickly gets to the key planetary dynamics in a chart.
Monday 4th. April, 10:15am Taking the waters …
This is a short ceremony to mark Neptune’s move into Pisces, with Kris Lee. Meet at Pittville Pump Room 10:15am. Kris will say a bit about the history of Cheltenham, then at 10:33am we will toast Neptune with thespa waters that were the basis for the growth of Cheltenham. And we will have the astrological charts of the pump room and for Cheltenham Corporation! Taking the efficacious mineral waters will be appropriate with Chiron still in close attendance of Neptune. Update : We understand we will have access to see the impressive interior of the Pump Room. Afterwards, a stroll through Pittville Park for tea and muffins at the refreshment kiosk. Free parking at the Pump Room - Directions here.
This event is free, but please let us know if you are coming - [email protected] or 01451 822438
Sunday 3rd. April, 11am - 5pm Neptune comes home
Words by Rumi - artwork by Liz O'Sullivan
On the 4th. April, 2011 Neptune dips into the watery sign of Pisces for the first time in nearly 150 years. This workshop with astrologer Kris Lee will be a mix of lecture and experiential exercises helping us to understand Neptune and its illusory, dissolving, spiritual and limitlessly creative qualities. The day will include :
• the meaningful story of the planet's discovery
• Neptune through the zodiac - a historical perspective
• global changes we can expect as it returns to the sign it's associated with
• making positive use of Neptune transits of planets and houses
• Neptune aspects to other planets in your birth chart
Join astrologer Kris Lee to mark this occasion with a day dedicated to the understanding of the Neptune archetype on a global and personal level. Kris has his Sun at the first degree of Pisces, so he should be ideally placed to lead the day!
BOOKING : Members £25; Non-members £30; Concessions (in receipt of means-tested benefit) £15. Book at a meeting, or by sending cheque made payable to "Aquarius Severn" to The Studio, The Manor, Upper Slaughter, Cheltenham, GL54 2JG, or use the online payment facility below.
Thu. 17th. March, 8-10pm Scary Monsters !
A modern take on ancient archetypes in our culture. Astrologers like to use ancient Greek and Roman myths as a way of understanding planetary archetypes. But what about modern creatures of the imagination? Christina Rodenbeckshows how studying the journeys of Dracula and Frankenstein through literature and film can give us new insights into some of the scarier planetary energies – in our own charts as well as in the collective.
This evening will be a visual feast as well as a detailed look at some astrology, as we exercise our own imaginations in the pursuit of deeper psychological insight.
Despite an academic background in humanities, Christina's refreshing approach to astrology is practical - "suck it and see" rather than "the textbook says". Take a look at her invigorating blogfor more information. Christina is a prolific author and edited the Time-Life series, Myth and Mankind and Ideas that Shaped Our World.
This talk will be preceded by our Annual General Meeting at 6:30pm in the rear room at our usual venue. This is the opportunity for members to be involved in the futuredirectionof the society and when members of the committee are elected. If you would like consider joining the committee, please speak to Graham, Kris or Vicky in advance of the meeting.
Thu. 3rd. March, 8-10pm The Handwriting of God
The Sefer Yetzirah is an ancient text referring to how God’s handwriting shaped the world. In this lecture astrologer Darrelyn Gunzburg, author of Astro Graphology, explains her latest thinking on how this can be mapped onto your handwriting and your astrological chart. She will consider how we shape our future via handwriting and how this can be correlated with the birth chart. During the evening, we will have the opportunity to explore these ideas in the context of our own writing.
We take handwriting for granted, yet each time you pick up a pen you are shaping your world. AstroGraphology gives you a tool for writing the changes you wish to make on the pages of your life.
Darrelyn Gunzburg is a professional consulting and teaching astrologer who lives in Bristol, UK. She is co-principal of Astro Logos and a Faculty Member of the Astrological Guild of Educators International.
Thu. 17th. Feb. 8-10pm The Cotswold-Severn Long Barrows
Belas Knap
We are fortunate in Gloucestershire to have many megalithic sites. Hetty Pegler’s Tump and Belas Knap are well-known examples of a particular style of construction known today as the Cotswold-Severn Long Barrows, but there are the remains, or known sites, of many others in the region. Their use may have changed during their history - some still attract people today for ritual use - but their alignments suggest they were connected to Sun and Moon worship. In this talk astrologer Pamela Armstrong will explore how they can be used as historical documents, their archaeoastronomic features and the heritage they hold for the modern astrologer.
Thu. 3rd. Feb. 8-10pm Communicating with Your Chakras - part 3
Mary Horsley concludes her in-depth series on the seven major chakras by looking at the throat (Vishuddha), third-eye (Ajna) and crown (Sahasrara) centres. Mary has a wealth of knowledge from her years as an acupuncturist and yoga teacher, so there is something here for everyone from beginner to experienced practitioner. Working with these chakras we expresscreativity on a deeper level, develop and learn to trust our intuition and move towards a sense of unity and bliss. Along with a visual presentation, there will be easy and enjoyable practical exercises to help us connect to these chakras. You may wish to bring a blanket for deep relaxation.
Mary is author of Enneagram for the Spirit and The Chakra Workout, and a member of Aquarius Severn. www.maryhorsley.co.uk.
Abbey Home Farm converted to organic use in the early 1990’s, there is a large organic shop and a café for which almost all ingredients come with zero food miles, being grown and prepared on site.
For our Sunday lunch there is a choice of one meat, one vegetarian and one vegan dish. (All the meat comes from the farm, so the café is unable to say whether the roast will be beef, pork or chicken until about two weeks before.)
Sunday roast is £14.50, vegetarian/vegan option £12 and desserts are available in the region of £4. The cafe is licensed to serve alcohol so you can enjoy a glass of organic wine, cider or local beer with your lunch and there is a large choice of hot drinks. There is the option of ambling off some calories afterwards on the woodland and farm trail walk.
Thu. 20th. Jan. 8-10pm Living Their Birthcharts - The Astrology of Lives in the Limelight
Whilst watching tv or listening to the radio one can sometimes come across a notable person talking about their lives and work. With the aid of the web and online databases, examining their birthchart has become quick and easy, leading to some lively insights into how they are living out the astrological cards they were dealt with at birth.
Tonight, we will watch video clips of performers such as Joan Rivers, Eddie Izzard and The Pythons, as well as people in the news such as WikiLeaks director Julian Assange, and will then discuss the ways in which their personality, lives and work reflect their birthcharts. Facilitated by Graham Boston.
Thu. 6th Jan 2011, 8:00pm The Year Ahead...
Another year of change as Neptune - having recently made its first return to where it was when discovered - arrives in its home sign of Pisces - meaning another interesting year for people with planets at 29° and 0° of signs. The Great Chronocrators - Jupiter and Saturn - make an opposition as part of their twenty-year cycle and right at the end of April, there's a lineup of planets in Aries - an interesting time for a royal wedding !
In the first half of the evening we will step into some of the year's important chart moments and after the break come up with some personal and general forecasts for the year ahead.
For more on Neptune in Pisces - see our workshop on 3rd. April.
Thu. 2nd. Dec. 2010 7:30pm on Winter social
Come along to share your experiences of the astrological year - has it been the excitement of Jupiter and Uranus or the challenge of Saturn and Pluto ? - or just enjoy a drink and a chat with your astrological friends.
The venue is The George Inn at Frocester, an Eighteenth-Century coaching inn that retains its traditional atmosphere with rambling rooms, warm log fires and no fruit machines. If you wish to eat, you can order on the night from the full menu, or from the selection of bar snacks. Frocester is west of Stroud, a few minutes from junction 13 of the M5 motorway. The George Inn is easy to find as it is at the crossroads in the centre of the village.
Thu. 18th. Nov. 8-10pm Communicating with Your Chakras - Part 2
Mary Horsley returns after her excellent evening in September to continue her journey through the chakras. Tonight, Mary talks about the solar plexus (manipura) and heart (anahata) chakras, sharing experiences and insights from her years as an acupuncturist and yoga teacher. Along with a visual presentation, Mary will engage your senses of sight and touch, and provide the opportunity to participate in some easy and enjoyable chakra exercises.
Mary has a wealth of knowledge about this subject so there is something here for everyone from beginner to experienced practitioner.
Mary is author of Enneagram for the Spirit and The Chakra Workout, and a member of Aquarius Severn. www.maryhorsley.co.uk. The final part in the series is on 3rd. February, 2011.
Thu. 4th. Nov. 8-10pm Heads or tails ?
Rahu & Ketu Hindu Gods of the Nodes (image byseriykotik1970's)
Astrological analysis of the birth chart can be linked to models of temperament and psychological types from other disciplines. Astrologer Catriona Mundle has been asking if bipolar temperament, where an individual is subject to severe mood swings, can be related to astrological analysis.
Her research has drawn her to the pivotal role played by the Moon’s nodes and planetary conjunctions to them. Bipolar disorder can be a debilitating condition, but most of us are subject to mood swings, for which astrology may provide clues. We are complex beings astrologically, but the polar opposites of the Moon’s nodes seem a fruitful area to explore in relation to this as we ride the symbolic dragon that stretches across the birth chart. People are welcome to bring their own charts to explore how they feel the Moon’s nodes and planets in aspect to them play out.
Thu. 21st. Oct. 8-10pm The Planets – a Fresh Perspective
Module 2 students, summer 2010
The planets of the Solar System hold endless fascination for astrologers. Many of us may have our own understanding of their meanings - and of the influence they have on our lives.
This evening offers fresh insight into the planets! Students from Aquarius Severn's current series of astrology classes will give a series of presentations. Each student has chosen a planet with which he or she has a special affinity. The result is a series of planet profiles that are unique, personal and thought-provoking.
During the evening we will all be involved in a range of experiences. These include an adventurous trip to Mars, a refreshing take on the influence of heavyweight Saturn, thoughtful insight into the mystery of Chiron ....
Newcomers to astrology will find this an accessible, insightful introduction to the wonders of the sky. Experienced astrologers will find plenty to enjoy as this fresh view offers an opportunity to revisit their own relationship with the planets.
The presentations will be given by members of the group currently taking the Aquarius Severn beginners astrology classes, led by Polly Wallace.
Thu. 7th. Oct 2010, 8-10pm: 2011: The Astrology for the United Kingdom and its Three Main Political Parties
David Rowan
Tonight’s talk will cover a wide scope of topics, including:
How to determine which chart to use for the birth chart of the country
How to use an ingress chart for an insight into the coming year of a seat of power
The transits of the UK for 2011 – including the UK’s political reform cycle
The Ingress chart/s for the UK through 2011.
A brief discussion on the transits for the 3 political parties and, possibly, their leaders
David Rowan is an astrologer who holds two masters degrees; an MA in Cultural Astronomy and Astrology and an Msc in Psycho-Social Studies. David divides his time between teaching Astrology and seeing clients for private consultations, and running a consultancy practice and teaching Modern Applied Psychology (NLP, Hypnotherapy, Psychobiology). David is also conducts special access tours inside the inner circle of Stonehenge by Moon, at Sunset and by Starlight. His recent acclaimed paper on the neuroscience of fate and determinism has initiated a new path of research for a PhD, encompassing all of his fields of interest.
Thu. 23rd. September, 7:30pm Equinox social evening
Aquarius Severn invites you to an informal get-together at Fostons Ash Inn which is on the B4070 Cheltenham-Stroud road, 3 miles south of Birdlip.
Come and join your astrological friends from 7:30pm onwards for a drink and a chat. The pub serves food up to 10 o’clock. Friends are also very welcome.
The day of the autumnal equinox this year coincides with a full moon, and - weather-permitting - we will be able to see Jupiter close to its maximum brightness. We will also be celebrating Jupiter’s conjunction with Uranus, currently at 28° Pisces - where is this transiting your birth chart ? Bring binoculars and we will show you how to spot this distant planet as well as some of Jupiter's moons.
Thu 16th Sep 2010, 8-10pm: The Astrological Ascendant
U.S. astrologer Courtney Roberts will be linking in with us live via video once again, this time from Florida.
Courtney has been working on a book on the Astrological Ascendant for Llewellyn and will be delving into some fundamental questions about what the Ascendant is, where it comes from, what function it serves, and how it has been used. Make sure you bring your own chart too, because we'll have plenty of opportunities to learn about our own Ascendants, and those of the other participants. This will be a 'Beyond the Basics' presentation, that should be useful for all levels. Courtney Roberts, MA
An astrological writer, teacher, and consultant,originally from Miami, FL, her work reflects a unique perspective: a real passion for the 'big picture,’ combining cosmology, religious studies, and history with a lifetime of observing the dynamic interaction of spirit and cosmos.
Courtney is a graduate of the revolutionary Masters program in Cultural Astronomy and Astrology at Bath Spa University in England, where she studied with Dr. Nick Campion, Dr. Patrick Curry, and Dr. Michael York. There, she developed her specialization in the role of astrology in religion, particularly Persian Zoroastrianism and western monotheism. An avid traveller and world citizen, her fascination with Celtic culture; the language, music and history, has kept her overseas for years, living in Ireland and Britain, while her Buddhist studies led to extended residence in Asia. She has lectured and taught for astrology groups and conferences, as well as audiences of every persuasion, throughout North America, Europe, Asia and Australia.
Courtney has over 25 years experience in astrology: in consulting, teaching, publishing, research, and organizational work. A former president of the Astrological Research Guild and founding president of the Central Florida Chapter of NCGR, her work has been featured regularly in astrological publications like The Mountain Astrologer and StarIQ.com. As a sports astrologer, her Real-Time methods represent a major breakthrough in event analysis, and her extensive sports data collections are published by Astrolabe, Inc., in the Astrodatabank, and in Cosmic Patterns' Kepler Program.
Her first book, Real-Time Astrology, a collection of essays covering her research in sports astrology, was published in 1998. Visions of the Virgin Mary: An Astrological Analysis of Divine Intercession, was published by Llewellyn in 2004. It is the first of its kind to introduce the astrological dimension into comparative religious studies. Her most recent book, The Star of the Magi, presents the most comprehensive, up-to-date research on the Star of Bethlehem and the messianic astrology practised by the Persian Magi. Courtney is currently working on a book on the astrological ascendant for Llewellyn.
Thu 2nd Sep 2010, 8-10pm: Communicating with your Chakras
Mary Horsley
The mysterious Chakras, subtle, glowing energy pools aligned up our spines, are affected by, and affect, our physical, emotional and spiritual life. Mary Horsley reveals how the Chakras might communicate their state of balance, and various methods you can use to adjust them, including simple yoga postures. (She won’t be asking you to tie yourself in knots or stand on your head!).
Her unique approach includes information on the so-called minor chakras of the meridian system. Loose comfortable clothing is suggested if you want to try the postures out.
Mary is author of Enneagram for the Spirit and The Chakra Workout, and a member of Aquarius Severn. www.maryhorsley.co.uk.
Thu 19th. August 2010, 8-10pm: The Dance of Venus & Mars
With Venus and Mars within a day of exact conjunction - part of a ten week dalliance these planets make this year, dancing low together in the evening sky - Kris Lee will examine the relationship of these two archetypal forces. Deeply linked in mythology, these are aspects of female and male, co-operation and competition, languor and action, and pleasure.
How can we utilise this time to understand the astrological archetypes they represent ? As characters in your birth chart : do they get on, fight or are just not on speaking terms ? Join us to explore how we can cultivate the Venus-Mars relationship within for a better understanding of our outer world.
We will also seek inspiration from the astrological charts of some well-known people born on a Mars-Venus conjunction.
Clink on the link below to see an animation of the conjunction.
This is a system of astrology based on an ancient book called the ‘I Ching’ which sees our world in terms of 9 year cycles and the interplay of yin and yang. We each have a birth number, from 1-9, depending on our year of birth. Each number corresponds to a different element in the ‘5 transformations of energy’ (fire soil, metal, tree, and water), each with its own characteristics. We also each go through a different ‘house’ each year (from 1-9), influencing the things we do - some years being better for different activities than others. John will help us find out our own birth numbers, current 'house', and the characteristics associated with each one.
John Davis is a macrobiotic counsellor and teacher based in Gloucestershire. During the last 30 years he has been interested in diet and its effects. He attended the Kushi Institute, USA to study the macrobiotic approach to healing (cooking, diagnosis, shiatsu, qi-gong, do-in). As a result of this he has developed an interest in ‘9 star ki’ astrology. He previously lived and worked in different parts of the UK and Europe as an English language teacher.
Thu 15th. July 2010, 8-10pm: The Wisdom and Creative Power of Dreams
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.
Thu 1st. July 2010, 8-10pm: The Astrology of Countries in Crisis
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
Previous Talks & Events:
Sunday June 20th 2010 10:30 - 3:30: Summer Solstice Field Trip Dorchester-on-Thames & Sinodun Hills
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.
Thu 10th June 2010, 8-10pm: The Jupiter-Uranus Conjunction: "Out with the Old, In With the New"
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
Saturday 22nd May 2010, 2pm - 5pm An Afternoon on Planet Narnia
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...
Thu 13th. May 2010, 8-10pm: Putting Dowsing on the Map
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.
Thu 29th April 2010, 8-10pm: How the Planets got their Names
Venetia Burney, namer of Pluto
... 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
Thu 8th April 2010, 8-10pm: The Dwarf Planets
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
Thu 18th March 2010, 8-10pm: Happy New Year!
Chris Mitchell
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.
Thu 4th March 2010, 8-10pm: Astrological Ways of Looking at Relationships
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 [email protected].
Thu 18th. February 2010, 8-10pm: Asteroids & Goddesses: A New Look at an Old Sky
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.
Feb 6th 2010 - Saturnalia!
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).
Thu 4th Feb 2010, 8-10pm: The Crystals in your Environment
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.
Thu 21st Jan 2010, 8-10pm: Into the light - Harnessing our Creative Dreams
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
Thu 7th Jan 2010, 8-10pm: 2010 - The Astrological Experience
We are sorry that this talk has been cancelled owing to difficult travel conditions, BUT :
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.