Astrologer Kelly Surtees joins the podcast in this episode to discuss some recommendations for learning astrology and eventually becoming an astrologer.
The conversation is based in part on a post I did on my blog several years ago titled 10 recommendations for understanding astrology. (Update 8/18/2018: watch also my video on five short beginner astrology recommendations.) I wanted to revisit the subject in order to dig a little deeper into some of the suggestions and add a few new ones.
Kelly and I take you from the very first steps you need to take in order to begin your studies in astrology, assuming you know nothing or very little about it, all the way to the intermediate and advanced phases of learning about the subject, during the course of the show.
The end result is a 3-5 year framework for how to become an astrologer, and by the end of the program, we’ll have gotten the listener to the stage where they should be able to transition into professional astrology practice.
I’ve included an outline of some of the subjects covered in the program below, but please visit the original blog post linked at the top of the page for a full article with all of the links.
In This Article...
Studying Astrology: Episode Outline
Kelly’s three key astrological learning suggestions are as follows:
- Readbooks/blogs/websites/journals.
- Make contact with other people who are interested in astrology. Meetups, local astrology groups, and online astrology groups are all options.
- Educate yourself and get official training. Choose a person you can meet in person or an online course that interests you.
Tips for learning astrology in particular:
- AstroDatabank has birth information for a number of celebrities.
- Use online forums to connect with other astrologers.
- Skyscript, Astrodienst, Facebook, and other similar services are available.
- Meet up with astrologers in your area. Meetup.com, the NCGR, and a Google search are all good places to start.
- Start your own meetup if there isn’t one already.
- Take an astrology course, either online or in person.
- Kepler College, The International Academy of Astrology, The Faculty of Astrological Studies, The American College of Vedic Astrology, or courses taught by Chris or Kelly are all good places to start.
- Kelly teaches Practical Astrology: A Beginner’s Online Astrology Course
- Chris teaches through his online course on ancient astrology
- Join an astrological organization.
- NCGR, ISAR, AFA, AFAN, OPA, AAGB, ACVA, AYA, FAA (in Australlia), etc.
- Attend an astrology conference.
- NORWAC in Seattle next week.
- Get certified (?)
- Pros and cons of certification.
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What is the best way for me to learn astrology in India?
The Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan Institute of Astrology in Delhi is the best among the schools that offer astrology courses and undertake research on the topic. Legendary astrologer Shri K.N. Rao founded this institute’s current astrology programme in 1987. When this institute celebrated its silver jubilee (25 years) in 2013, more than 20,000 students had finished its astrology course. You may learn more about their astrology courses by visiting their website, which is listed below.
Aside from that, the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan Education Trust in Mumbai and Bangalore offers astrological studies. The following links will take you to their individual websites where you can learn more about the subject.
If you live outside of Delhi-NCR, Mumbai, or Bangalore, you can learn astrology at ICAS (Indian Council of Astrological Sciences) facilities. Dr. B.V. Rama, the late founder of this prestigious institute, established it in November 1984 with the goal of establishing an All India Body for the organized propagation of astrology. ICAS currently has over 40 facilities across India that offer courses on the subject. You can learn more about it by visiting their website, which is shown below.
However, these institutes are limited by the fact that they are not accredited by any federal or state government-run university. So, while these private institutes will provide you with the best knowledge and faculty to learn astrology, you will not receive any credential or degree that is recognized by any university. So, if you want to earn a degree in astrology, you’ll have no alternative except to enroll in a UGC-accredited university that offers astrology courses.