There can be nothing more valuable to the dedicated astrologer than a firm grounding in foundational astronomy. In this course, you will learn how we measure motion and position in the heavens, build proficiency in chart calculation, and be invited to consider the philosophical implications made when dividing the sky using this technique vs that. Instructional elements of this course open a door to the past, affording glimpses into the lives, contributions, and methods of astronomy’s master disciples like Ptolemy (2nd c.), Al-Biruni (11th c.), Copernicus (16th c.), and Kepler (17th c.). By the end of this course, you will be able to calculate a chart by hand with nothing more than an ephemeris and a table of houses and participate in informed astronomical discussion.
For the 10-week delivery of the course, each week consists of a live presentation related to the study of astronomy. The weekend intensive features the heart of these presentations spread across two days, with supplementary recordings to watch before and after the course to complement the live deliveries. Some sessions feature math, but for the purposes of this course, it doesn’t get much more complicated than basic algebra (i.e., addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division). Some of the sessions rely on spatial reasoning.
Students are given an opportunity to test their comprehension with session assignments. For those featuring calculation, students are given a recorded visual demonstration of Wade solving the same type of problem, and ample opportunity to practice. The average student should expect to spend 3 to 5 hours per week to adequately digest the course material.
Course content (subject to reasonable amendment):
Details of the tutors and lecture times/dates are provided in the course Prospectus for each course (see table below for available start dates). The course also provides an active forum for group discussion and off-syllabus office hours which provide further opportunity to astronomical exploration. Our course has gained a great reputation for its excellent level of tutor interaction and student engagement, and no one will miss the opportunity to have their questions addressed in a timely manner by a dedicated tutor team.
The course material was written by Wade Caves, with contributions from STA founder Deborah Houlding and guest presentations which vary each delivery of the course.
Wade Caves, based in New York, USA, is an astrological consultant and educator specializing in horary, electional and classical astrological technique. Wade was certified with honors from the Mayo School of Astrology in London and the School of Traditional Astrology, and has expert knowledge of both traditional and modern psychological methods of chart delineation. Wade's passion is in understanding the historical and philosophical origins of astrological symbolism, whilst finding new and reliable ways to put this information to use in a consultation setting. He is the editor and annotator of the 300th anniversary edition of William Lilly's History of his Life and Times (Rubedo Press, 2015).
Wade received his certification as a horary practitioner from the STA in 2013, and now serves as a faculty member. He began tutoring for the STA in October 2015 and delivers the Practitioners Level Horary Course as an intensive attendance program and online.
Wade has a busy consultation practice, lectures widely and publishes frequently on horary through journal articles and online podcasts. Wade's personal website is at www.wadecaves.com. Wade can be contacted via email at wade@sta.co.
Deborah Houlding, founder of the STA School, is based in the UK and has worked as an astrological consultant since the late 1980s. Her articles on horary have been translated into many languages and have appeared in numerous international journals. She was the founder of Ascella Publications (specialised in the republication of traditional astrology texts), editor of The Traditional Astrologer magazine (1993 to 2000), and creator of the Skyscript astrology website. She has also worked as the Horary Editor for the Astrological Association of Great Britain's Journal, and the The Mountain Astrologer magazine, which presented her serialised 'Introduction to Horary Astrology' in 2013.
Deborah's book, The Houses: Temples of the Sky is regarded as an essential text for anyone seeking an informed knowledge of the development and practical use of astrological houses. It is available in Czech, English, German, Italian, Japanese and Turkish. Deborah is also the author, with Oner Doser, of Soru Astrolojisi: Horary Astrology (Astroloji Okulu, 2015).
Deborah established her own horary course in 1996, in a completely unique format, which demonstrates theoretical principles through their application to chart work. This approach was motivated by her observation that many astrologers who gain qualifications in horary courses, admit to knowing the theory, but lacking the confidence to apply the techniques in practice.
In 2010 Deborah was awarded the Charles Harvey Award by The Astrological Association of Great Britain in recognition of her 'exceptional service to astrology'. In 2012 she received the Jayavidya Cultural Association International Award for her cultural contributions to the field of astrology. In 2018 Deborah received the UAC Marion March Regulus Award for 'advancing the theory and understanding of astrology'.
| Format | Zones | Start | Language | Main Tutor | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10-week online | Americas, Europe, Eastern Asia | 9 July 2023 | English | Wade Caves | View details |
| Weekend intensive | Americas, Europe, Eastern Asia | 21 October 2023 | English | Wade Caves | View details |
Click through the links of our available courses for details of cost and booking conditions. Places on our courses are restricted to ensure that the study groups are friendly and supportive, with everyone able to receive the personal attention they need.