September 13, 2009: Open Table Discussions

The Intermediate table was intended to teach how to see aspects easily by awareness of the elements and modes. However, what actually happened was that three different people were more interested in solar returns. So, we looked at each one of their solar return charts for the current year, discussing events that have happened and how they were shown by positions in the return chart as well as where the progressed Moon had moved to at the time of a particular event. We studied where solar return houses and planets fell in the natal chart and how that influence was affecting the affairs of that natal house and is being felt by the individual this year. In these small groups people are sometimes more comfortable giving feedback and asking questions about their own charts. But the best part was that we all had fun learning more about solar returns.

Audria Gebhardt is a 30+ year student of astrology. She has been a member of AASTL for approximately 30 years and has served in several board positions including past and current President. Being the Sagittarian that she is, Audria is a strong advocate for the best educational programs we can have at AAStL, including giving lectures. Audria wants everyone at AAStL to enjoy learning about astrology as much as she continues to enjoy it. Besides astrology, Audria is interested in metaphysics, art, music (she plays the harmonica and belongs to Gateway Harmonica Club), health, and healing and is currently a massage therapist.

At the Special Topics table, we opened with a discussion of how Saturn transiting through Libra might manifest worldwide after it leaves Virgo in late October.  Saturn is exalted in Libra, indicating a powerful placement—involving social responsibility.  Its discipline, structure, and restrictions in the sign of justice, fashion, fine arts, partnerships, and relationships brought to mind the possibilities of clothing becoming more conservative, with the use of darker colors in fashion and in other art forms, and architecture becoming more aesthetically pleasing, or more symmetrical.  In justice systems everywhere, Saturn can bring more sternness or more discipline, more structures (prisons) or improved structures and systems.  In partnerships (business and otherwise), marriages, and one-on-one personal relationships, Saturn can bring increased commitment, responsibility, and seriousness.  There may also be a shrinkage in the number of such relationships, with some perhaps replaced by group or "tribal" relationships, or by an increase in internet social networking.  Saturn's 26-month-long transit through Virgo has coincided with an overall shrinkage of the job market worldwide.

The Special Topics group then turned their attention to some participants' individual charts, with discussion of placements of natal and transiting Saturn in the charts.

Linda Chambers (Sun in Virgo, Moon in Aries, Sagittarius Ascendant) has been a student of astrology since 1977.  She has attended AAStL programs since the 1980s, and is currently serving as AAStL Treasurer.  Her major astrological interests are self-understanding, understanding others, optimal self-unfolding, and learning from planetary transits.

The Beginners table started off by looking at a very brief history of astrology, discussing whence the signs originate and how astrology has reached the point it is at today. Entangled with this was an in-depth exploration of how and why astrology works. Special emphasis was put on the fact that astrology is the oldest known quantum physics. This was validated by addressing the fact that in the 1990's, when quantum physicists were exploring theories, they developed the 'M' theory and the 'String' theory, which served to validate astrology even more.

Next, we went into the basics of the elements, with particular emphasis on how those elements manifest not only in astrology, but also in everyday life. Following this linearly, we discussed the modes and how they affect the manifestation of the elements in astrology, as well as in everyday life, just as we did above.

Following this, we went into a more concrete look at astrology,  focusing on the planets from a very loose astronomical perspective, and discussed the seasons, the ingresses into cardinal signs, and retrograde motions. We also looked at what astrology can provide, specifically the different types of astrology, such as horary, predictive, financial—and we even touched on forensic astrology!

To finish the afternoon up, we discussed the houses and how they can tell us what life areas are addressed when planets are located in houses, and what it means if there is an "empty" house.

As icing on the cake, we discussed, broadly and loosely, the quadrants of the wheel, as well as touching on spiritual astrology and esoteric astrology. However, when these different types were discussed, it was done more in the fashion that they exist rather than an in-depth look at them.

At the Advanced Study table, there was quite a bit of discussion among the members who participated. The facilitator, Ruth Williams, covered material on Progressions, emphasizing how very important they are and how she includes the Solar Arcs and Eclipses.