An Introduction to Hellenistic Astrology
Online Course Taught by Chris Brennan
This three part course is presented through interactive online software that each student will gain access to upon registration. If you have already registered and received your user name and password then please click here in order to enter the course site.
Course Description
The purpose of this course is to provide an introduction to the ancient Hellenistic tradition of astrology, which is a tradition of horoscopic astrology that was practiced from the 1st century BCE until approximately the early 7th century CE. The course covers the history and origins of the early tradition of horoscopic astrology, as well as the philosophical, theoretical and technical underpinnings of the system. Students will finish the course with a strong foundation in the history, techniques and practice of Hellenistic astrology, and with plenty of new techniques and practical material to apply to their own astrological practice.
Each portion of the course contains detailed readings from a course manual that was written specifically for the class, as well as additional optional reading assignments from recommended books and detailed slide show presentations with accompanying hour-long audio lectures in MP3 format that cover the basic concepts addressed during each part of the course. Here is a preview of some of the required reading material from the first part of the course:
Synopsis of Each Part of the Course
The first part of the course is historical and philosophical in nature, and in it we cover the historical undercurrents which fostered the creation and evolution of horoscopic astrology. Topics such as the origins of astrology, its legendary founders, mystery schools present in the early tradition, and the different philosophies underlying the system are discussed.
The second part of the course focuses on the technical apparatus of Hellenistic astrology, with an overview of the core concepts of the system such as the Thema Mundi, whole sign houses, the Hellenistic aspect doctrine, sect, lots (otherwise known as the so-called "Arabic Parts"), and numerous other important concepts. In this week several completely new astrological concepts are introduced to those who have not previously been initiated into the Hellenistic system, and other concepts that are still used in modern astrology are presented in a much different light in order to provide a basis for a more precise approach to concrete predictive astrology.
The third and final part of the course covers 'universal techniques', direct timing methods, and provides an introduction to a powerful
Hellenistic time-lord system known as annual profections and its advanced application in chart delineation. This final part of the course introduces several very important and precise timing techniques that are quite foreign to modern astrology, yet rather powerful and revealing when applied to chart delineation. A new section on a second time-lord technique called zodiacal releasing is also being integrated into the course.
Flexible Participation Requirements
Since the course is presented online each person is able to adapt it to their own schedule. Once registered for the course each student will gain unlimited access to the course site, thus allowing them to work with the material at their own pace. There are no specific times that students need to be available for the course, and the completion of assignments is optional.
Each week students may choose to participate in the class and get feedback by responding to study board question in the student forums, or by completing short optional written assignment on the topics covered during a particular part of the course. Some students choose to do a final project by writing up a chart delineation of a cultural icon or historical figure using the Hellenistic techniques that were covered during in the course, or by writing an essay on one of the historical or philosophical topics that were addressed. Others do not complete the assignments, but instead focus on studying the material provided in the course, since there are very few sources for learning Hellenistic astrology at the present time, and the course provides a unique and exciting learning opportunity.
Accessing the Course
The entire course is presented over the internet through interactive online software that each student gains access to upon registration. A new group of students start on the first day of each month, although new students can register and gain early access to the course site at anytime. Since the course is presented online there are no specific times that students will need to be available for the course, and each person is able to study at their own pace. When a new student registers for the course they will be emailed a user name and a password upon shortly thereafter and they will be able to log in to the course site that contains all of the materials immediately and study at their leisure.
Additional Recommended Reading Material
The course presents quite a bit or material and concepts, and it should prove to be quite intellectually stimulating and challenging for anyone who is interested in this material and wants to learn about the early tradition of horoscopic astrology. All of the required reading material is available on the course site itself and may be viewed or downloaded by the students once they log in. There are a couple highly recommended books that students can get to supplement the required reading for the course if they have the time and would like to spend the extra money. The recommended reading list will be provided to students upon registration for the course. Ordering the additional books through online retailers usually costs about $40 USD.
Registration
If you would like to register for the course, receive more information, or if you just have a question then please contact Chris Brennan through his email address listed on the contact page. The price for the introduction to Hellenistic astrology course is $100 USD, and you can register for it by contacting Chris Brennan and then using one of the Paypal 'buy now' buttons located on this page in order to pay for the course.
Once you have registered and paid for the course you will receive your log in information by email and you will be able to access the course site through the following link:
Access the Hellenistic course site
Important Note: Although it is not a requirement, a broadband internet connection is highly recommended for the courses in order to download audio and other files that would take a while on slower connections.
How do I pay?
Payment is handled through PayPal as soon as you are ready to start the course by using one of the 'buy now' buttons located on this page. As soon as I receive your payment I will send you an email with your login information and password for the course site.
Paypal is a very easy and secure method of transferring funds over the internet. As part of the ordering process you will be directed to the Paypal website for payment. If you do not already have an account with Paypal then you will be given the option of opening an account with them or making a secure payment using your existing credit card. Paypal is a free service which allows you to send money from your bank account or credit card to anyone with an email address in over 40 countries.
