iVillage

I would like to give you an idea of what you need coming into this course and what you can expect to get out of it when you are done.

As for requirements, there are none, other than your own interest in astrology. Previous knowledge of the subject is not assumed and you can learn at your own pace. If course outlines are too confining, you are free to jump around and sample whatever sections interest you. I have tried to make the sections short, and use illustrations as much as possible—sometimes just because they are fun and look good.

We will start at the beginning, working with concepts you already may be familiar with, such as Sun sign astrology, the signs, planets, and so forth. From there, we will learn the major elements of modern astrology, which include planets, signs, houses, aspects and many other areas.

Throughout this course, I try to offer you several approaches, since we don’t all learn in the same way. You will be introduced to the concepts, keywords, phrases and images that astrologers have studied by rote memory and used for centuries. For those of you who like the nuts-and-bolts approach, I also offer lots of information about the astronomy that astrology is built upon.

In addition, in most modules you have the option of learning a more in-depth approach to astrology, one that explains not only how and why these concepts were created, but how to use them dynamically to develop your own keywords—to better understand how these concepts work.

Most importantly, we will study how to use astrology to interpret our own chart and those of our family and friends. This is the reason most of us study astrology in the first place: to better understand ourselves and our lives.

And last but not least, I have done my best to include, where possible, short sidebars on the esoteric meaning of astrology, the inner or hidden side of the subject.