STA Practitioners level Horary

11 April 2026 – 12 September 2026

This 6-month online course is ideally suited to astrologers in:

USA / CANADA EUROPE WESTERN ASIA

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Prospectus

For the full lecture schedule go to page 5 (or view a 1-page PDF file here).

Overview

The STA’s uniquely structured horary course is designed for astrologers who already understand the basics of chart calculation and interpretation. You don’t need prior training in horary – we provide a complete introduction to its theory, with clear guidance on the most effective principles of judgement and how to apply them in practice.

The course shows how to interpret charts with confidence and clarity, and also how to prepare for the kind of sensitive issues that arise in horary practice. It carries a practitioner-level accreditation, and by the end of the course professional astrologers will be well prepared to include horary in their client services.

Twenty serialised sessions explore horary technique in depth – covering the theory and history of horary, while focussing most strongly on interpretation and engagement with issues that commonly arise in consultation. Our emphasis is on learning through real client scenarios, alongside fascinating historical examples. While rooted in traditional principles, the methodology we teach also draws on modern counselling insights to support the needs of contemporary horary practice. As part of this, we demonstrate a wide range of horary questions — from common client queries to more unusual or challenging examples.

Study groups in this course are carefully structured to ensure that each student receives plenty of personal attention. Every session includes written and interactive tutorials, assignment feedback, and opportunities for one-to-one clarification in addition to group discussion. The course builds steadily, at a digestible pace, designed to offer an accumulated knowledge of horary doctrines in a balanced and accessible way – so that theoretical understanding enhances and inspires (rather than overwhelms) the creative elements of horary interpretation.

Course Structure

This course is carefully designed to make the most of online learning. Each week delivers a themed session through a blend of detailed course notes, media presentations, interactive tutorials, and structured assignments. While sessions are released weekly, students can work through the material at their own pace and on their own schedule – always with direct access to tutor support and the benefit of active study-group discussion.

A typical session includes the following components:

  • A live online presentation: approx. 2hrs (optional attendance / recorded for later review)
  • A set reading passage
  • A self-study assignment with workbook exercises or example charts to reinforce key concepts
  • An online assignment to test understanding of the session’s core principles
  • A follow-up ‘Answer Key’ document with further explanation, additional examples, or commentary on insights drawn from completing the week’s activity

Tutors guide each week’s content and are readily available for questions and clarification at any time. Weekly assignments are generally straightforward – many are instantly graded with automated feedback – but they build in complexity as the course progresses. Later sessions involve judgement exercises that are assessed individually, with personalised critique and tailored tutor commentary. Students are also encouraged to engage in group discussion via the course forums and informal chart discussion sessions – hosted regularly in the latter part of the programme.

Check the detailed Prospectus of each individual course to see the full schedule of live tutorial dates and times.

Course Content
  • Introduction to horary astrology
  • Principles of angularity and house signification
  • Identifying significators and using derived houses
  • Effects of planetary motion, retrograde cycles and combustion
  • Essential dignities and debilities
  • Dispositorship and reception
  • Relationship and contract charts
  • Assessing accidental strengths and weaknesses
  • A study of missing things and pets
  • Profiling: physical descriptions from planetary significations
  • Identifying perpetrators and unknown persons
  • Elements, humours and temperaments
  • A study of career matters
  • A deeper understanding of aspects and orbs
  • Aids and impediments to perfection & aspectual terms of art
  • A study of trials and conflict charts
  • Key principles of timing
  • Investment, property, and financial charts
  • Planetary hours and considerations
  • Heavy issues: health, death and trauma
  • A study of pregnancy and fertility charts
  • Formal close: reflections & advice for consulting

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 several 'student-chart' meetings which provide further opportunity to engage in horary practice and 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 one of our expert tutors.

Check the Prospectus (p.5) to see the full schedule of live tutorial dates and times.

Tutors

This run of the course features a strong teaching presence from Deborah Houlding, the course creator and author of its core text. Deborah will be leading the course, joined by an expert tutorial team including Wade Caves, Morgan Le Gall, and several guest presenters, who will share case examples, contribute to chart discussions, and offer guidance throughout the programme.


Deborah Houlding

Deborah Houlding, founder of the STA, has worked as a consultant astrologer since the 1980s. A well-known writer, researcher, conference speaker, and creator of the Skyscript website, she is the author of The Houses: Temples of the Sky (Wessex, 1996), co-author of Soru Astrolojisi: Horary Astrology (with Oner Doser, 2015), and editor/annotator of several reprints of classical texts, including William Lilly’s Christian Astrology Vols. I & II.
Deb has taught horary for over 30 years. Her commitment to deepening understanding of its techniques has been recognised with multiple awards, including the Marion March Regulus Award for Advancing the Theory and Understanding of Astrology (UAC, 2018), the British Astrological Association’s Charles Harvey Award for outstanding achievement and excellence in astrology (2010), and the Jayavidya Cultural Association’s International Award for sustained contributions that enhance respect for the field of astrology (2012).

Wade Caves

Wade Caves is the principal of the STA’s Astronomy and Mundane Astrology programmes. He maintains a busy horary consultation practice, lectures widely at international conferences, publishes regularly in journals and is the editor of the 300th anniversary edition of William Lilly’s autobiography (Rubedo Press). Wade shares his work on world astrology at Skyscript’s InMundo and hosts the InMundo World Astrology Summit, dedicated to advancing mundane technique for diverse audiences.

Morgan Le Gall

Morgan Le Gall specialises in Medieval and Renaissance techniques within the broader tradition of classical astrology. He has trained extensively in predictive methods, medical and psychological astrology, and magical elections. A skilled translator and calligrapher, he is also an accomplished linguist and artist with a deep interest in myth, symbolism and sacred texts. Morgan lectures on traditional techniques and contributes to the translation of historical sources between Latin, French and English.

Cost

The full course fee is £695 when paid in full at the time of enrolment (approx. 950 USD – exact costs in any other currency vary with exchange rates, which can be checked on XE.com). Alternatively, registrations can be secured by a deposit of 360, with the balance of 360 due by 20 March 2026 (total cost if paying by instalments: 720).

The STA is committed to astrology as a discipline, and we work hard to keep this programme affordable while delivering world-class training by subject experts in a specialist field. With 20 weeks of structured tuition, live classes, full tutor support, and access to exclusive resources, it represents exceptional value for serious students. The course fee is fully inclusive – there are no hidden costs – and covers everything needed to study and build confidence in the practice of horary astrology.

Payment is securely accepted via Stripe, credit card or PayPal through our online booking form. We also accept payment via Wise, which is often the best way to avoid international transfer fees. If you have any questions about payment methods, or would prefer to make a bank transfer, contact us by email: horary@sta.co.

Please read the requirements, policies and recommendations (below) before enrolling.

Policies & Requirements

  • Whilst previous experience of horary is not required, this course offers professional-level training. It is unsuitable for students who are new to astrology or lack experience in drawing up charts. Participants must have a solid grasp of core astrological principles, including the symbolic and theoretical concepts of planets, signs, houses, aspects and transits.
  • Chart calculation is not taught in this syllabus, except for horary-specific techniques (e.g. planetary hours, orbs, dignity scoring). Participants are expected to know how to draw up and interpret charts. The chart example below reflects the format used: applicants should be able to see that the Moon is separating from a trine with the Sun and applying to a square with Mars (perfecting in 1°50), and is placed within 1° of the 9th house cusp. It should also be clear that Venus is cadent but dignified by sign, and that if were placed in Aries, it would be in detriment. (Anyone unable to follow this level of narrative should gain more experience before commencing.)

    STA: Example chart format

  • Participants must be at least 18 years of age. Because horary addresses life concerns and emotional dilemmas, it involves ethical sensitivities. Some case studies involve distressing themes such as trauma or death, so anyone in a vulnerable emotional state is advised to consider this carefully before enrolling.
  • This English-language course includes over 400 A4 pages of notes and 40+ hours of live, interactive instruction. The main tutors are American, Australian and British (with corresponding accents), so a fluent understanding of English is essential.
  • Students should expect to commit approximately 6–8 hours per week to study. Our qualifying certificate is only awarded to students who demonstrate engagement with the material by completing the set assignments. (Students who do not complete the work within two weeks after the course ends may have up to 6 months to revise or catch up for an additional fee.)
  • Course materials are delivered as serialised PDF downloads. All texts, diagrams, and study materials are copyrighted and provided for personal use only – no part may be reproduced, amended, or circulated in any form. To protect the confidentiality of all participants, recorded tutorial videos are not downloadable and can only be accessed via our secure course portal. Students retain extended access to the portal and its resources for 12 months after the course ends, but tutorial support ends upon course completion.
  • Course materials are checked for compatibility with modern computers, but assignment submission may not function on mobile phones or reduced-capacity tablets, and we do not provide technical support for these devices. Students are expected to have access to a printer and reliable internet, as all coursework is completed via the STA Course Portal, and live sessions are conducted through Zoom (www.zoom.us).
  • In the two weeks before the course starts, students are required to read our Welcome Pack and view a 30-minute video explaining how to enrol, access materials, navigate the course site, and submit assignments.
  • Places secured by deposit must be paid in full by the advertised deadline; if not, we may offer the place to another applicant. If a student changes their mind, a refund is permitted within 30 days of the original payment. This covers the full amount received by STA but excludes non-refundable payment platform fees (e.g. PayPal, Stripe) incurred as part of your payment. No refunds are granted after this 30-day period or once any course materials have been issued. Because places are limited and enrolments close once the course is full, deposits become non-refundable and non-transferable after the 30-day ‘cooling off’ period.
  • In the unlikely event that the course is cancelled or postponed, STA will refund all course fees and deposits, but cannot be held liable for any additional personal costs incurred by participants. In the event of circumstances beyond our control (e.g. illness, technical failures, extreme weather, or other force majeure events), we reserve the right to adapt, withdraw or reschedule elements of the course as necessary. STA will make all reasonable efforts to minimise disruption, but cannot be held responsible for delays or changes arising from such circumstances.
  • Student information is handled with great discretion in accordance with our privacy policy. We do not collect or retain more information than is necessary to provide our educational services, and we never sell or share personally identifiable data with third parties for marketing purposes.
  • Most of our video tutorials are hosted on the platform Vimeo.com. A small number of countries (including Mainland China, Cuba, Indonesia, Iran and North Korea) block access to Vimeo and other Western media sites. If you live in a region that may be affected, please contact the course administrator before enrolling to test access via a sample video provided for this purpose.
  • This English-language course is personally administered by Deborah Houlding, and all enrolments are governed by the laws of England. Other language versions of this course are administered separately, and financial responsibility for those rests with the relevant course provider.
Early booking is recommended — course places are limited and this course fills quickly

Enrolment: Booking Form

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Please review the following to confirm your consent to our policies:

  • I understand that paying a deposit secures my booking only if the full payment is received by 20 March 2026.
  • I understand that in the unlikely event of the course being cancelled or postponed, the STA will refund any course fees or deposits but will not be liable for any other costs incurred by students.

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Extra Notes

Texts Grads Forum Testimonials


Recommended Texts

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Although the course material is comprehensive and fully self-contained, many students ask about additional reading. These two titles are highly recommended for horary astrologers and are referenced throughout the course. They’re widely available through international Amazon sites.


The classic text of traditional horary astrology, published in 1647. A full PDF of this work – reset in modern type and annotated with explanatory notes by Deborah Houlding – is available as a free download on the Skyscript website. A hard copy is well worth obtaining at some point – you’ll rarely read anything on horary that doesn’t refer to this work.

Amazon →

A practical guide to the originating theory and working use of house meanings in astrology. Written with the needs of horary practitioners in mind, this book is especially valuable for understanding the symbolic depth of house interpretations and the rulership principles attached to them.

Amazon →


After Graduation

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The principles taught in this course provide a firm foundation for exploring other branches of astrology, including natal, medical, electional, and mundane work. As a qualified horary practitioner, you will be well prepared to undertake further studies on these topics, and will also receive access to our private STA Graduates Forum. This secure forum site was set up in response to the desire of our delegates to keep in touch with each other. It allows qualified astrologers to share experiences and collaborate with fellow practitioners and professionals – safe in the knowledge that client charts can be discussed in confidence, without public exposure of sensitive details.


Testimonials

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The STA’s Practitioners Level Horary Course has been undertaken by many of the world’s leading astrologers, who frequently recommend it as an essential part of professional training. Our students range from emerging astrologers to established practitioners, and we consistently receive exceptional feedback on the depth, clarity and value of this course.

With hundreds of verified five-star reviews, the STA holds an Excellent rating on the independent review platform Trustpilot. Below is a recent, unsolicited review from a course participant, shared here in full. It offers a candid and thoughtful perspective on the experience of studying horary astrology with us. We invite you to explore more reviews on Trustpilot to see what other astrologers have said about their experience of the course.

› www.trustpilot.com/sta.co


One of the best decisions you can make if you want to learn horary astrology

If you want to learn traditional horary astrology, signing up for the STA Horary Practitioners Level Course is one of the best decisions you can make. Let me tell you why.

Three years ago, I finally decided I wanted to learn traditional astrology. The subject has fascinated me for over twenty years, but each time I opened a book, I felt intimidated by the sheer amount of material to absorb. This time, however, I decided to take the plunge.

In the months and years that followed, I bought more books than I’ll be able to read in a lifetime. The result: I was completely overwhelmed, and more than once I threw those precious books into a corner. What’s even worse: I developed a fear of sitting down and actually reading a chart. I don’t want to be an ‘armchair astrologer’ – but where do I start? When and how do I apply concept X or technique Y? The STA course helped me tackle these problems.

Both the study materials and online classes are very well structured and of high quality. You’ll learn all the key concepts that lie at the basis of horary astrology and traditional astrology in general. Even more important, you’ll learn to apply those concepts as tools to delineate a chart with detail and objectivity.

Parallel to gradually familiarising yourself with the theory behind the art, the course is designed to make you learn by practising. The exercises start at a comfortable level, and with each session you’ll find yourself climbing higher up the carefully designed scaffolding. This is done through a well-thought-out structure of (1) example charts with delineations by the tutors – learning by example – and (2) delineating charts yourself, adding newly learned concepts and techniques as you go – learning by trial and error. Constructive feedback by tutors helps you retrace steps and correct mistakes you might have made.

The flame of my initial enthusiasm has been rekindled, and I’ve gained enough confidence to put everything I learned into practice. The course has ended, but my journey has only just begun. I’m looking forward to revisiting the course materials and doing chart work for people who are in need of advice. I’ll probably stumble in the beginning, but with all that I’ve learned at the STA, I’m confident I’ll stand up again and reach the goal I’ve set for myself.

Do you want to learn traditional astrology? I’ve pointed you the way. May you fare well with the stars as your guide!