The Basic Course encompasses a total of 24 downloadable lessons, each approximately 12-15 pages in length. Within each year of study, a student will cover 6 lessons, The entire course can be completed in 4 years.
Written Lessons With Homework
Within each lesson will be a discussion of the astro-logic related to a particular aspect of the astrological language, plus a homework assignment designed to give the student practice in the application of astro-logical principles to their own life process. Students with limited time constraints would likely be able to do the homework in a thoughtful way in 2-4 hours per lesson, although homework assignments are designed more to be an opening into a particular line of inquiry than a demonstration of mastery, and as such, could probably absorb as much of a student's time, as s/he is willing to put into it.
Phone Consultations
Upon completion and submission of the homework to a given lesson, a phone consultation will be arranged to discuss the homework, provide feedback, correct any mistakes or misunderstandings and to help the student more clearly understand how the principles presented in the lesson apply to his/her chart and life process. More than just an academic exercise, each 90-minute phone consultation is intended to address real life issues and concerns from the perspective of the material being studied. Each consultation will be an ongoing dialogue between teacher and student, focusing in depth on one piece of the student's chart, and making an intimate correlation between the astrological symbolism being studied and the student's relevant life experience. Students will then be encouraged to continue their exploration of these connections through subsequent informal assignments and suggestions, specific to whatever insights emerge through the course of the consultation. Each lesson – including study of written materials, response to homework and phone consultation – is designed to encompass 2 months worth of work.
Introductory Questionnaire
As a preliminary to the first lesson, each student will be required to respond to an extensive Introductory Questionnaire designed to provide the raw material from which this correlation between astrological symbolism and life experience can be made. Students completing the questionnaire to date have reported finding it an enlightening experience unto itself, regardless of the way the information is subsequently used, although it will also serve as a helpful foundation for the personal feedback offered in the phone consultations. All responses to the questionnaire that are submitted to The Astropoetic School are kept strictly confidential. I have also responded to this questionnaire, and will be glad to share my response with any student who is interested.
Daily Journal
In addition to the formal course work, it is highly recommended that each student keep a daily journal. Having journal entries to supplement memories and record observations will be an invaluable tool in understanding astrology from the intimately personal perspective adopted in this course.
Required Reading
Lastly, all students are expected to read The Seven Gates of Soul – which outlines the philosophical basis for the astropoetic approach to astrology presented in the lessons – within the first year of their study with The School. Copies of the book can be ordered from the publisher at Ancient Tower Press or at 1-800- 877-2693.
Free Upgraded Lessons
The Course is under constant revision, in response to the homework that is turned in, to make sure the material is as clear as it can possibly be, to gradually incorporate relevant examples from the real life experiences of students, and to address any questions that may come up in response to the homework. All students taking the Course can download copies of all revisions for any lessons they have already taken, when they become available, free of charge, for as long as they are taking the course.
Advanced Placement Exam
Students with prior experience in astrology, who wish to move through The Course at a faster pace can download and complete the Advanced Placement Exam. The Exam is designed to measure not just your knowledge of astrology, but also your capacity to apply this knowledge to your own life process from an astropoetic perspective. Upon completion of The Exam, recommendations will be made for further study at The School, within the context of The Course. These recommendations will be discussed, along with your response to The Exam in your first phone consultation. The Exam, including the follow-up phone consultation will count as the first lesson in your first year of study with The School.
