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:
- www.astro.com can provide you with a copy of your birth chart.
- If at all possible, double-check your birth time.
- Learn the symbols for the zodiac signs, planets, aspects, and more.
- Kelly provides a free handout with the icons for the planets and zodiac signs.
- She also has some more astrological handouts for beginners here.
- Make use of free online resources. Blogs, blogs, podcasts, YouTube, Reddit, and other social media platforms
- Dictionary of Astrology
- Reddit’s Astrology section
- For astrology videos, go to Chris’ YouTube account.
- Get yourself a few astrology books. Here are some decent books for beginners:
- April Elliott Kent’s The Essential Guide to Practical Astrology
- Derek and Julia Parker’s Astrology is a book on astrology.
- Helena Avelar and Luis Ribeiro’s On the Heavenly Spheres
- Richard Tarnas’ Cosmos and Psyche
- Stephen Arroyo’s Chart Interpretation Handbook
- Principles of Practical Natal Astrology, by Kevin Burk, is his most recent book.
- The Mountain Astrologer magazine is available for subscription.
- On their website, they also feature a fantastic beginner’s series.
- Learn to read an ephemeris if you don’t already have one.
- The free online ephemeris from Astrodienst.
- Learn how to use an ephemeris in our guide.
- With Astro.com’s unique daily horoscope, you can start tracking your transits.
- Begin by charting the Moon’s path through your houses or making aspects to planets in your birth chart.
- Examine the horoscopes of your friends, family, and celebrities.
- 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 astrological 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 classes taught by Chris or Kelly are all good places to start.
- Kelly delivers A Beginner’s Online Astrology Course: Practical Astrology.
- Chris teaches ancient astrology through his online course.
- Become a member of an astrological organization.
- AAGB, ACVA, AYA, FAA (in Australia), NCGR, ISAR, AFA, AFAN, OPA, AAGB, ACVA, AYA, FAA (in Australia), and so on.
- Attend a conference on astrology.
- Next week, NORWAC will be in Seattle.
- Obtain certification (?)
- Certification’s benefits and drawbacks.
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What can you learn from your birth chart?
Your placements in signs, planets, asteroids, and other celestial bodies are determined by your birth chart. We were all born with a mystical chart that astrologically defines who we are. A Birth Chart reveals who we are at our core, calculating the astrological aspects and sensitive angles of that beautiful time in our lives: our birth.
What is the best way for me to learn how to interpret astrology?
So you want to learn astrology, a symbolic language that seems to express the subjective human experience with remarkable depth and precision. yay yay yay yay yay I’m delighted you’ve arrived, and I’m here to assist you.
Have you ever attempted to learn a new language? In astrology, learning the planets, signs, and houses is similar to learning a new language, albeit one based on symbols rather than words.
You can’t begin with Shakespeare, as you can’t with any other language. You must first learn the words, then the pattern that connects them. Gradually, with practice, you’ll be able to read and speak this new language more “fluently.”
How do I start learning astrology?
- Over and through, go over the fundamentals.
- Practice with a variety of charts.
- Consult with an astrologer.
- Attend gatherings of astrologers’ groups.
- Keep an eye on the astrological calendar.
Make flashcards
I like to use note cards that are 3 x 5 or 4 x 6 inches in size, lined on one side and blank on the other. Draw the glyph for the planet or sign, or the house number, on the unlined side. Make a list of terms for that planet, sign, or house on the lined side. Start with the keywords in this course and add to them as you gain a better understanding of astrology symbols and their meanings.
Making your own flashcards is a terrific way to brush up on your knowledge of the planets, signs, and houses.
You can use the cards to test your knowledge of the meanings of the planets and signs, as well as other basic information. You can also combine them to aid with chart interpretation.
Let’s imagine your Moon is in the sign of Taurus. You’d take your Moon card and your Taurus card and put them together to see how the sign Taurus influences your Moon’s expression, and how it represents your feelings and behaviors.
Review the basics over and over
Studying your own birth chart, as well as the birth charts of the people in your life, is the greatest method to learn astrology. Many charts, especially those of your closest friends and family, may seem confusing at first, and that’s fine. They’ll make more sense as time goes on. Continue to read charts, study, and observe.
You’ll eventually get to more advanced themes like as aspects, transits, progressions, and composite charts. You’ll begin comparing your chart to others’ and learning about connection energetics. Still, don’t forget to go over the fundamentals: planets, signs, and houses. Each of these symbols has several levels of meaning. You’ll be a better chart reader if you know more.
Take my beginner course!
Meet the Planets is a course that will take you by the hand and walk you through your birth chart. You’ll receive my course flashcards as well as formulas to help you read your chart and begin writing your Book of You.