Foundation Course (Certificate in Astrology)

Master the Essentials of Astrological Practice

Dive into the essentials of astrology with our Foundation Course, meticulously designed to provide you with a robust understanding of birth chart analysis, ethical practices in astrology, and the mechanics of the Solar System. Whether you’re taking your first steps into astrology or aiming to solidify your knowledge, this course offers a structured pathway to mastering the foundational aspects of this ancient discipline.

What You’ll Learn

Birth Chart Analysis

Unravel the complexities of birth charts, learning to interpret the positions of the Sun, Moon, and planets and their significance in your life.

Ethical Practices

Understand the importance of ethics in astrology, ensuring responsible and confidential consultations.

Astronomical Foundations

Explore the Solar System and planetary motions, crucial for accurate chart interpretations.

Course Overview

Module 1 — Building Blocks

Introduction to astrology’s major branches and foundational birth chart analysis.

Delve into the symbolism of celestial bodies and their energies.

Discover the elements (Fire, Air, Earth, Water) and modes (Cardinal, Fixed, Mutable) and their implications on personality.

Fee: £260

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Module 2 — Chart Interpretation, Ethics, and Philosophy

Deepen your chart analysis skills with a structured approach to interpretation.

Navigate the ethical landscape of astrology, addressing confidentiality and client interactions.

Engage with astrology’s relation to psychology, religion, and science.

Fee: £330 | Reduced Tuition Fee: £220 (conditions apply)

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Module 3 — Astronomy, History, and Chart Calculation

Split into two parts: (3a) Understanding the Solar System, and (3b) Learning Manual Chart Calculations.

Explore the historical journey of astrology from ancient times to the modern era.

Learn the practical skills of chart calculation to recognize and correct errors.

Fee: £325 | Reduced Tuition £255 (3b will be taught with full tuition)

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Course Fees

*You are still required to receive full tuition for module 3b

How to Enrol

To enrol on our Foundation course, you will typically start by enrolling on Module 1. After this, you pay for and enrol on each subsequent module individually. Your Foundation Certificate will be awarded once you have completed each module and passed their corresponding exams.

Your 6-month tuition period starts once you enrol and have received your course material.

Tailored Learning Pathways for Students With Prior Experience

If you are coming to our Foundation Course with prior astrological knowledge, you might be eligible to adjust your learning path according to your expertise:

  • Module 1 — Building Blocks: Students with a deep understanding of astrological basics might not need to start from scratch. This module lays the groundwork, so if you are already familiar with the elements, modes, and basic chart interpretation, you may proceed directly to more advanced modules. You will need to complete our Astrology Experience questionnaire (PDF or DOC here) so we can get a sense of your current level.
  • Module 2 — Chart Interpretation, Ethics, and Philosophy: If it is decided that you have adequately covered the syllabus in Module 1, you will be able to enrol on Module 2 and, depending on your experience, you may be able to enrol on this module with reduced tuition.
  • Module 3, Part 3a — Astronomy and an Introduction to the History of Astrology: You can choose to enrol on Module 3a on astronomy and history with reduced tuition.  This means that your tutor assesses fewer of the exercises and you have some choice over which ones to send in.  If you would like some advice on this, contact your tutor or the college if this is the first module you are enrolling on.  Module 3b only comes with full tuition and parts (a) and b) are sold together.

Your Tailored Learning Experience:
We aim to accommodate your prior learning and experience. Please contact us to discuss your options if you are considering the reduced tuition options. Our goal is to make your educational journey as enriching and enjoyable as possible, ensuring you gain the most from our Foundation Course without repeating familiar material.

Course Materials

All modules come with comprehensive lessons and exercises designed to enhance your learning experience. Course materials are delivered in PDF format via email, with an option to receive a hard copy for an additional fee of  £25 per module.

Why Choose Our Foundation Course?

Comprehensive Curriculum

Covering all essentials for a robust foundation in astrology

Expert
Guidance

Learn from experienced astrologers with personalized feedback

Flexible
Learning

Distance and online options that fit your lifestyle and learning preferences

Practical
Application

Engage with exercises that explore real astrological charts

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Foundation Course: A Detailed Overview

Module Content:

Before finding out about the birth chart, Module 1 introduces you to the major branches of astrology, which are both many and varied. Throughout this module, you will learn about the birth chart and how to analyze and interpret it. Starting with the individual parts of the chart, by the end of this module, you will be prepared to analyze a whole chart comprehensively.

The birth chart serves as a map of the Sun, Moon, and planets for the time, date, and place of your birth. You will delve into the symbolism and meanings of the Sun, Moon, planets, and the Zodiac Signs. Traditionally, astrologers refer to the Sun and Moon as “planets” for simplicity, stemming from a time when they were all considered wanderers in the sky. The Zodiac forms the pathway along which these celestial bodies travel. The Earth and other planets orbit the Sun, while the Moon orbits the Earth, yet they all seem to follow the same belt across the sky—the Zodiac—at varying speeds.

You are likely to be familiar with the elements (triplicities) of Fire, Air, Earth, and Water. This course explores what these elements symbolize, which is crucial for understanding a person’s character. Are we enthusiastic, spirited, feeling, and emotional, or are we more rational, logical, and practical? Do these traits exist in balance, or does one element predominate?

Furthermore, the course examines the modes or qualities (quadruplicities). These relate to our capacity to be outgoing, take the initiative, remain steady and persistent, or adapt and be flexible. It’s interesting to see whether one mode of being is predominant or if they are well-balanced within us.

Depending on your time of birth, day or night, the birth chart reveals how it is anchored in the material and physical reality of our lives (the houses). This connection to reality touches on various areas most of us are concerned with, such as self-image, relationships, friendships, family life, and career. The Sun, Moon, and planets each represent different facets of our nature. This module aims to help you comprehend how some aspects of our character harmonize, while others may conflict. These relationships are illustrated through Aspects, denoted by the angular distances between planets as observed from Earth.

Although the course does not specifically focus on analyzing your own birth chart, it includes several exercises that encourage you to explore it.

Learning Outcomes:

  • Understand the foundational structure of a birth chart.
  • Introduction to the symbolism of the Sun, Moon, planets, and Zodiac Signs.
  • Explore the elements (Fire, Air, Earth, Water) and modes (Cardinal, Fixed, Mutable), and their influence on character.
  • Discover the importance of Houses and Aspects and their roles in character dynamics.

Practical Application:

Although direct analysis of your own birth chart is not a primary focus, exercises encourage personal exploration.

Lessons and Exercises:

  • Contains 9 lessons and 9 exercises (6 assessed by a tutor, 3 self-assessed).
  • Guidance Notes provided for self-assessed exercises, with tutor support available for all course content.

Fee:

£260

Enrol on Module 1

Module content:

This core module lays the groundwork for effective chart analysis and interpretation. When learning to analyze and interpret a birth chart, you are given clear guidance on steps to take. We encourage you to follow these stages because the birth chart is circular, and it is easy to literally go around in circles trying to interpret it! This can lead to repetition when there is no need to do so. You may decide sooner or later that you prefer to use other methods in chart interpretation, and that is fine, but our methods will get you started. In this module, you learn how to analyze and interpret a whole birth chart to help the client in answering their questions and concerns.

The module covers the most important ethics. While doctors and medical consultants sign the Hippocratic Oath, astrologers passing our Diploma are asked to sign a Code of Ethics. We encourage good practice from the start:

  • What does confidentiality imply?
  • How would you respond to a client who wants you to look at the chart of her partner?
  • How do you deal with requests about health and illness?
  • How do you explain astrology to others? Have you found that some people are stunned when you tell them you are learning astrology? It may upset their religious beliefs, or it challenges their scientific outlook on life.

We introduce you to astrology in relation to psychology, religion, and science. You also start to look at the issue of fate vs. free will.

Learning Outcomes:

  • Master the steps for comprehensive birth chart analysis.
  • Understand the ethical considerations in astrological consultation.
  • Navigate discussions on astrology in relation to psychology, religion, and science.
  • Examine the debate between fate and free will.

Ethics in Practice:

  • Delve into confidentiality, handling third-party chart requests, and addressing health inquiries ethically.

Lessons and Exercises:

  • Comprises 9 lessons and exercises (8 assessed by a tutor, 1 self-assessed).

Fee:

Full Tuition: £330
Reduced Tuition Option: £220 (under certain conditions)

Enrol on Module 2

This module is divided into two parts: 3a and 3b.

3a. Astronomy and an Introduction to the History of Astrology

History of Astrology:
Dive into the evolution of astrology from ancient times to the present day. This introduction will give you an insight into its fascinating roots.

Astronomy:
In part (a) of Module 3, you’ll explore the Solar System and learn the basics of astronomical phenomena. Understand the orbital periods of the planets around the Sun and the Moon around the Earth. Discover what astrologers mean by retrograde planets, learn about the Moon’s phases (the lunation cycle), the significance of the Moon’s Nodes, and the phenomena of solar and lunar eclipses. Additionally, we delve into how we measure planets and other celestial objects on the celestial sphere, including essential terrestrial measurement systems of longitude and latitude crucial for calculating birth charts.

Understanding Time:
Since Einstein’s era, our understanding of time has evolved, leading to debates about its very existence. However, practical considerations of time remain fundamental to our daily lives. This section covers the rotation of the Earth, which slightly differs from the 24-hour civil day, and introduces the concepts of Sidereal and Tropical years and months, crucial for understanding astrological timing.

Seasonal Markers:
You’ll learn about the Solstices, Equinoxes, and Cross Quarter Days, which mark significant turning points in Earth’s annual cycle around the Sun. The course explores these phenomena’s implications on seasonal changes across both hemispheres.

3b. Chart Calculation

Why Manual Calculation Matters:
Relying solely on computer software for chart calculation can lead to unnoticed errors. This section emphasizes the importance of understanding the manual process to identify and correct potential inaccuracies, whether from input errors or software glitches.

The Process:
Calculating a birth chart involves basic arithmetic, primarily addition and subtraction in units of 60. We’ll guide you through the process with worksheets and tools like a scientific calculator, breaking down each step for clarity.

Practical Skills:
You’ll practice calculating and drawing up birth charts for any location and time. This part of the module also teaches you how to read an ephemeris for daily planetary positions, including Sidereal Time.

Software and Data Accuracy:
Discover free resources for birth charts and learn to use astrological software, focusing on Solar Fire (Astrolabe Inc.), among others. Gain tips on obtaining accurate birth data from clients and understanding the reliability rankings of birth charts.

Learning Outcomes:

  • Discover the historical evolution of astrology.
  • Learn about the Solar System, retrograde motions, lunar phases, eclipses, and celestial measurements.
  • Understand the significance of Sidereal and Tropical years and months, and time’s impact on astrology.
  • Why manual calculation is essential and how to do it.
  • Use scientific calculators and worksheets for step-by-step guidance.
  • Introduction to ephemerides, software options, and ensuring data accuracy.

Lessons and Exercises:

  • Totals 14 lessons and 11 exercises (9 tutor-assessed, 3 self-assessed).
  • Engage in astronomy exercises with puzzles for an interactive learning experience.

Fee:

Full Tuition: £325
Reduced Tuition Option: £255 (part 3b still requires full tuition)

Enrol on Module 3

Enrol Today

Embark on your astrological journey with our Foundation Course, designed to lay the groundwork for a profound understanding of astrology.

You may enrol on the complete course or, dependent on previous astrological experience, you may be able to skip Module 1.

Click the buttons below to enrol. You will be taken to a page where you can view purchase options and learn more about the enrolment process.

Luna. Cardiff Castle. Sculptor Thomas Nicolls. Wikimedia Commons.