AFA 2013 Conference Schedule
Pre-Conference Workshops
Chart Calculation: presented by Christine Arens, LPTMAFA; click here to learn more about this workshop on Wednesday, May 1, and Thursday, May 2.
Dueling Planetary Arc Directions: presented by Stephanie Clement, LPMAFA; click here to learn more about this workshop on Thursday, May 2.
Conference Schedule
Thursday, May 2
1:00 pm - Opening, Welcome, Introductions
1:30-2:00 pm - James Holden Keynote: What Will Happen Next?
2:00 -2:45 pm - Introduction of Speakers: Group Panel Moderated by Demetra George and Ben Dykes. What is our background in astrology, what techniques of timing do we use, how do we view prediction, and to what extent has our perspective and position changed over the course of our careers?
Break
3:00 - 5:15 pm - Bill Meridian: The Predictive Power of Eclipses. Timing was a specialty of Lorne Edward Johndro and Charles Jayne. The study of eclipses was one of their specialties. This lecture will explain the timing techniques. The path of the eclipse describes where the action will occur. Activity along the path can be timed with the eclipse horoscope.
Evening free to socialize at hotel happy hour and dinner on own
Friday, May 3
9:30 am -12:00 pm - Shelley Ackerman: When Life Happens: Transits, Stations, Progressions and Other Assorted "Must Haves" in the Astrologers Tool Box. Beginning with the natal chart, and working under the assumption that all that we experience must somehow be "promised in the natal," we will explore several fascinating and occasionally surprising case studies to see how specific life events unfolded.
12:00 -1:30 pm - Lunch (included with registration)
1:30 pm - 4:00 pm - Demetra George: Hellenistic Time Lords. The origins of Western astrology contain many predictive techniques that were never passed on to medieval and modern astrology due to gaps in transmission and translation. This lecture will survey some of the most popular and common timing methods used by Hellenistic astrologers, such a planetary periods, ascensional times of the signs, profections, circumambulations, and zodiacal releasing. Using one event in the life of a famous person, learn how each of these unique timing methods predicts this same event. Finally, see how transits were used as the last factor in a hierarchy of other considerations.
4:15-5:00 pm - Prediction, Determinism, Kinds of Freedom and Choice: Group panel moderated by Deb Houlding. How does prediction function in different kinds of charts, such as mundane vs. nativities, and how does it impact upon the issue of the individuals freedom of will? Are fatalism and determinism the same thing? How determinist can or should a person be when it comes to looking at charts - especially nativities, and how have astrologers approached the sensitivities of these issues historically? What exactly is prediction and how are astrologers able to define its possibilities as well as its limits?
6:00 pm - Reception Party at AFA headquarters (shuttle provided)
Saturday, May 4
9:30 am - 12 pm - Deb Houlding: Electional Astrology How to Get It Right. One of the most satisfying ways to consolidate astrological awareness is to engage in the art of electional astrology. The oldest and most instinctive use of astrology, its core concepts act as keys that illuminate all other astrological techniques. Electional astrology is often misrepresented as being purely materialistic, but it actually presents a fascinating philosophy, which not only allows us to maximize potential by selecting the best moment to act, but allows us to recognize the weaknesses in our plans whilst we still have time to make changes. This workshop demonstrates the principles by reference to example charts and eliminates much of the confusion that has built up around this subject, focusing on the most important considerations that are reliable and easy to apply.
12-1:30 pm - Lunch (included with registration)
1:30 pm - 4:00 pm - Ben Dykes: Solar Revolutions, Old and New. Solar returns (or solar revolutions) have been part of the astrologers annual check-up toolbox for many centuries. In this session we will look at two related approaches to solar revolutions, with practical examples: the earlier Persian approach which combined revolutions with other techniques like profections and transits, and the later one which treated the revolution as more independent. We will also talk about the general relationship between revolutions and the nativity, and what they can and cant do.
4:15-5:00 pm - Counseling with Prediction: Group panel moderated by Shelley Ackerman. What does a client really want or need to know? How do we handle bad news or challenges that we see, either interpretively over the life as whole (which is a kind of prediction) or through strictly predictive methods? How do we give advice? Do we think that the astrologer has the power to create, alter or prevent a clients possible future as suggested in the chart through his or her words?
