 A
whole day seminar exploring various aspects of the History of Astrology
Sunday 28 October 2007
Programme Organiser: Kim Farnell
10.00 am - 5.00 pm
(Join us for tea/coffee from 9.30)
Includes fabulous vegetarian lunch.
9:30 Welcome tea/coffee
 10.00
Kim Farnell - Simon Forman’s Medical Astrology
The charismatic Simon Forman was a sixteenth century astrology, physican
and alchemist. He has earned a place in literary history for recording
his impressions of Shakespeare’s plays. Numerous biographies record
his life, but little attention has been paid to the astrological component
of his work. He was renowned by other astrologers, including William Lilly.
Several of his manuscripts exist, although they have previously remained
unpublished and so unavailable to most astrologers. This talk examines
some of Forman’s medical astrology techniques and methods with reference
to the manuscript Sloane 99 held at the British Library, which is currently
being prepared for publication.
Kim Farnell specialises in astrological history and is the author
of several books and articles on the subject including Flirting with
the Zodiac, a history of Sun Sign astrology. She holds an MA in Cultural
Astrology and Astronomy from Bath Spa University and is currently preparing
the material for her PhD. Her website can be found at www.kimfarnell.co.uk.
 10:
50 Deborah Houlding - Ptolemy’s Terms and Conditions
Most Western astrologers who employ the so-called ‘Ptolemaic terms’
adhere to the values given in William Lilly’s Christian Astrology.
This is despite the fact that there is a sequence in Lilly’s table
that is contradicted by all the critical editions and all of the English
translations of the Tetrabiblos. This talk examines whether there is a
way to verify the correct sequence of planetary rulership based upon an
understanding of the “natural and consistent’ principles that
Ptolemy insisted existed within it. It additionally explores the history
of the terms and how Ptolemy’s works have been transmitted to modern
readers.
Deborah Houlding is the past editor of The Traditional Astrologer
magazine, author of The Houses: Temples of the Sky, (reprinted:
Wessex Astrologer, 2006) and creator of the Skyscript astrology website
(www.skyscript.co.uk).
11:35 Tea/coffee
 12:00
Courtney Roberts -
The Great Cycles of Jupiter-Saturn Conjunctions
The great cycles of Jupiter-Saturn conjunctions were used throughout Christian,
Jewish, Moslem, and Zoroastrian chronology to determine the rise of new
dynasties, prophets, and world religions. Our earliest source for this
use is Mashaallah (8th century CE). Earlier texts, no longer extant, would
place its use within the late Sasanian dynasty (approx. 6th century CE),
hence the claim of Sasanian origins for this tradition. But the Sasanians
are the only Iranian dynasty whose rise (224 CE) does not correspond with
the cycle! And yet, the preceding dynasties: the Arasacids, Alexander
and the Seleucids, and ultimately, the Achaemenids, all do leading to
speculation that this tradition could be considerably older.
Courtney Roberts, developed her passion for Persian astrology and
religious chronology while completing her degree in Cultural Astronomy
and Astrology at Bath Spa University. Her latest book, The Star of the
Magi, explores the influence of the astrology of the Persian Magi on the
earliest Christians.
12:45 Lunch
 13:45
Christian Borup -
The Rise and fall of the Royal Danish Astrologer Tycho Brahe
(1546-1601)- Life, Era, Charts, Methods and Predictions
Tycho Brahe served as court astrologer to the Danish King Frederik II
for twenty years before falling from grace and having to flee the country.
His unusual life and strange personal disposition won him few friends,
but his observations of Mars made it possible for his apprentice Johannes
Kepler to formulate the well-known laws of planetary motion. Tycho Brahe’s
predictions for the Danish royalty show his proficiency, personal preferences
in the tools and methods he used and the unique astrological style. This
talk gives an astrological exposé of a great astrologer living
at a time where the worldview was quickly changing.
Christian Borup has studied astrology since 1968, and holds diplomas from
the IC Astrology Institute and the American Federation of Astrologers.
He was Chairman of the Professional Danish Astrologers Union from 1983
to 1986. Since 1987, Christian has been the owner and director of the
IC Astrology Institute in Copenhagen and the editor in chief of the astrological
monthly Stjernerne (The Stars), which has been published without interruption
since 1956. Christian has lectured widely in Europe, Russia, South Africa
and the USA.
 14:35
Helen Jacobus -
The Use of Astrology by Characters in the Bible
Helen will look at the relationship of astrological knowledge and key
figures in the Hebrew Bible, as recorded in ancient texts.
Helen is a PhD student at the University of Manchester where she is
researching calendars, astronomy and astrology in the Dead Sea Scrolls,
and early Jewish astrology.
15:20 tea/coffee
 15:45
Bernadette Brady -
Galileo - his Contribution to Astrology
as Revealed in his Astrological Papers
Through Galileo’s Astrologica nonulla - his personal collection
of horoscopes and astrological notes -we can gain insight into his personal
astrological methods. Additionally with his role of being the principle
teacher of astrology at Padua University from 1592 to 1610 we also gain
insight into the astrology of the Veneto in the late sixteenth century.
This paper suggest that Galileo’s love of movement, and his focus
on Copernicus sun centered solar system, penetrated his astrology and
potentially laid one of the foundation stones of modern astrology.
Bernadette Brady holds an Masters degree in Cultural Astronomy and
Astrology from Bath Spa University College, is co-principal of Astro Logos,
an astrological school dedicated to the education and qualification of
practicing astrologers, and co author of the Visual Astrology Newsletter.
16:35 Open floor
17:00 Close
Tickets
Details of tickets can be found here.
Venue
The Theosophical Society
50 Gloucester Place
London, W1U 8EA
How to get there |
