Welcome to my enews update, with personal news, products available, astrological feasts, etc.

NORWAC 2015 was a wonderful experience and I had the time of my life. The desk clerk said that the conference booked almost every room at the hotel! My two talks were exceptionally well received, exceeding capacity.

The second talk I gave: "The Astrology of Mental Illness" was based on content and research for my upcoming book on this subject. However, for  those who are eager, there is a fascinating audio now available in my audio shop by the same name. Don't forget to use the sale coupon below to save 20%! Astrology is one of the oldest and most thorough systems of psychology. However, it is much more - functioning on all levels from spiritual to physical.

CARRYING THE LIGHT: My personal NORWAC "mind blows" were Demetra George and Rob Hand. Both presented material on ancient astrology so vital to maintain in the flood of new ideas and astronomical discoveries. Please note my tirade on this subject below! It was also wonderful to meet medically oriented astrologers like naturopath Kira Sullivan out of Canada and Stephanie Gailing, accomplished herbalist and astrologer. It's high time we bring back the tradition of Renaissance Medicine, whose bed rock was a combination of high mastery in both herbal medicine and astrology.

WHAT DO THE NEW PLANETS ERIS AND SEDNA MEAN?
Let's be honest. We don't know. 

But woops - some writers have already rushed to announce both Sedna's and Eris' soon now to become "traditional" meanings based only on one person's exclusive interpretation of their names! Please, please, please do not just accept these new meanings because someone said so; or one new book came out defining the meanings of the newbie. Test their ideas and keep an inquiring approach.

The theory that "as it is named, so its meaning" does not always work. For instance Uranus' influence doesn't fit his mythological counterpart, and mythological Neptune lacks many of his astrological namesake's influences!  Astrologer Richard idemon wrote a fine treatise proving how Uranus should have best been named Prometheus.

RESEARCH ON ERIS AND SEDNA?
Do your own research and thinking! Remember...no research that would stand up to even the most minimal scientific scrutiny and replication has been accomplished to establish the meanings of new planets Eris and Sedna. Neither have they been observed through several rounds of the zodiac. Let's stand up against bad, instant astrology! It required the skilled observations of highly qualified astrologers over thousands of years to combine in our present knowledge of Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, etc.   

PRESERVE GOOD ASTROLOGY
Astrology is in peril of being overwhelmed with a host of
tiny planets with "established" meanings assumed from their names as interpreted by one or maybe two writers! This does not mean the writers are not accurate, but shouldn't we be sure? We can respect their hypotheses while continuing to observe the planet with an open mind and our journal at hand.

SUGGESTION FOR THE STUDY OF A NEW PLANET'S INFLUENCE:
Let's do what was done when Neptune arrived on the scene. A large group of astrologers can volunteer to independently study Sedna, Eris (or yes, Chiron!). A decade would be best, but since we are all in a hurry, a year would be a good place to start!

Then let's meet to findings. Should consensus be found, we have a place to start.
    
HOW TO STUDY A NEW PLANET:
We need to carefully observe these new bodies as they conjunct planets in the charts of many friends and family members, i.e., those whom we can observe closely. Then, we need to rule out that what is going on with the conjoined natal planet is not in fact due to another influence, perhaps a square from Saturn or an opposition from Uranus, etc.

The conjunction shows the most powerful and obvious results. Many astrologers need to keep journals over many years (as they did when deciding on Neptune's meanings). For instance these astrologers coincidentally discovered that Neptune's transiting conjunctions produced a diffusive, psychic and sleepy effect! No such group orchestrated research has been accomplished on Chiron, as far as I know. HIs  now traditional "influence" was immediately determined from his name alone, with no genuine research supporting. Later, the Magi society did some statistical research that suggested that Chiron's meanings may be otherwise then those provided by the first writers on his meanings.

I remember (but don't quote me) that they found he had a lot to do with marriage.

Alas, its too late now to challenge the characterizations of "the wounded healer," Chiron as now firmly established in our astrological psyche by the first writers.

WEIGHT OF INFLUENCE
Neither should we rush to treat every new member of our solar system as if it is as important as Jupiter! This is now the case with the small ice ball Chiron exactly (he is not a planetoid as originally thought, but a small ice body). Some charts are now so jammed with asteroids that one cannot properly weigh the more important themes within. Many tiny asteroids are now relegated by some sources the status of our major planets!

BEING A GOOD READER
That's what chart reading is all about! Astrologers who cannot judge the weight of influences in a chart become confused readers. One must know what is more essential to a life then something else, otherwise we loose proportion! E.g. Is it a bigger deal to lose your car or lose your lipstick?

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MEDICAL ASTROLOGY 101 is a complete self-study course for independent students who would love an affordable way to learn the basics in a unique 12-module course that trains students using all four senses. Those who attended The Lost Secrets of Renaissance Medicine Conference last May would love this course! Download Now

Judith provides tutoring in advanced reading skills for advanced students. 
THE RENAISSANCE SCHOOL OF PRACTICAL ASTROLOGY offers a  small apprenticeship for a small, dedicated group of students. With the graduation of one apprentice, I've room for one more. If you are an advanced student in hopes or process of establishing an astrology practice, feel free to contact me for further information. You do not need to live in my state. Opportunities of this kind are extremely rare. Contact me for pricing and details.

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