The STA’s uniquely structured horary course is suitable for anyone with a secure grasp of basic astrological principles and experience of drawing up and interpreting charts. Previous experience in horary is not necessary: we provide a full theoretical overview and highlight the most useful and reliable principles of judgement. We show how to draw out the meaning of the chart in the most effective manner and how to prepare for the sensitive issues that arise within a horary consultation. The course offers a practitioner level of accreditation, and by the end of it any astrologer who is delivering a professional astrology service will be able to include horary within their services.
This course fully explores the methodology, theory, history and practical application of horary technique. Our emphasis falls on learning through typical client-scenarios, with consideration also given to informative historical examples. Although traditional techniques lie at the heart of the study, the course is geared towards the consulting needs of the modern horary astrologer and a very wide range of typical (and unusual) horary queries are featured.
Our study groups are designed with care to ensure that everyone gets plenty of individual attention. Our lessons take the form of written and interactive tutorials with follow-up discussion, set assignments and lots of practice scenarios. Throughout the course, students are constantly guided towards developing refined focus, and taught the most efficient way to extract the pertinent details of the astrological symbolism. Each lesson allows exploration and consolidation of the principles being taught, and the course is designed to offer an accumulated knowledge of traditional doctrines in a balanced way, so that theoretical principles enlighten and facilitate (rather than overwhelm) the creative component of horary interpretation.
The format of this course has been developed to maximise the advantages of online delivery. Twenty session themes are delivered on a weekly basis, through a combination of supplied course notes, modern media presentations, online tutorials and set assignments. Each student studies at their own pace and in their own time, but always with easy access to guidance and support from the tutors, and with the benefit of supplementary study-group discussion.
A typical session will include: a live presentation (attendance is optional: this is recorded and can be watched or reviewed later); a reading and self-study assignment; workbook activities or additional example charts to aid preparation for the session assignment; an online assignment which tests understanding of the session’s main principles, and an ‘Answer Key’ document which provides extra follow up material and more information on points discovered through taking the assignment. The tutors deliver and guide the week’s content, review student assignments, give personalized feedback and are always readily available for questions and feedback. We also encourage students to engage in group interaction through forum discussion, and through some of the extra (optional) chart discussion sessions that we host within the course.
Full details of the lectures dates and times for this course are provided within the PDF prospectus.
Course content (subject to amendment):
The course was written by Deborah Houlding and benefits from an expert tutorial team. Click the names below to view biographical details of the main tutors who will be delivering this course. Guest presenters who will also play a role in delivering this course include Nina Gryphon and Morgan Le Gall.
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'.
In her four decade development as an astrologer, practical application has been a persistent hallmark which has defined Lee Lehman. Lee has a Ph.D. in Botany from Rutgers University. She is author of The Ultimate Asteroid Book (1988), Essential Dignities (1989), The Book of Rulerships (1992), Classical Astrology for Modern Living (1996), The Martial Art of Horary Astrology (2002), Astrology of Sustainability (2011), Traditional Medical Astrology (2011), Classical Solar Returns (2012), The Magic of Electional Astrology (2014), and a translation from the French of Papus’ Astrology for Initiates, available for purchase here. Lee is the former Academic Dean of Kepler College, and has taught regularly at the Midwest School of Astrology and Avalon School of Astrology, as well as serving as a faculty member of the STA and Principal of the STA Medical Program. Lee has trained students in horary, medical and electional astrology all over the world, in both live and online formats.
An early adherent of the current neo-classical movement in astrology, Lee’s focus has been to speak the method of classical astrology in modern language, and to help encourage people to learn how to apply ancient knowledge in modern systems. Her Perennial Herbal takes ancient astrological herbalism onto the web.
Lee was the recipient of the 1995 Marc Edmund Jones Award, and the 2008 UAC Marion March Regulus Award in the category of astrological education.
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 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.
The cost of the course is £640 if payment is made in full at the time of enrolment (approx. $850 US dollars but exchange rates vary). Alternatively, places can be secured upon a deposit of £300, with a further £360 due by 27 March 2022 (full cost of course if paying by instalments: £660).
The course cost is fully inclusive and the course materials provide everything needed to study and gain confidence in horary astrology. Please read our policies, requirements and recommendations (below) before making an enrolment.
Early booking is strongly recommended because our course places are limited and this course fills quickly.