This class is both a focused study of the 12 houses as they were understood by Hellenistic astrologers and a writing workshop on how to use the principles of house delineation to tell stories and construct compelling narratives. Using the narrative architecture of the houses as a framework for writing will allow our creative explorations to act as first-hand research into the nature of each house and the relationships between them. This approach is designed to help practicing astrologers bridge the gap between the analytical aspects of house delineation and the creative intuition needed to tell meaningful stories.

The skills you learn in this class will improve your ability to read charts fluidly and dynamically, whether you’re practicing natal, predictive, mundane, horary, or electional astrology. It’s also ideal for anyone looking to develop their writing practice, particularly astrologers who write (blogs, essays, horoscopes, forecasts, fiction, etc.).

Weekly Topics:

We will learn the Hellenistic approach to delineating houses from the ground up, while using the principles and techniques we study each week to inspire and structure creative writing. 

• The first meeting will include a lecture on the history, cosmology, and mythology of the houses that lays the groundwork for a closer study of each house over the course of the coming weeks. In each subsequent meeting we will:

1. Study 3 or 4 of the houses and their Hellenistic significations
2. Learn a new technique or principle of house delineation 
3. Use that technique or principle to prompt an original piece of writing

By the end of this course, students will be able to: 

• Evaluate the baseline strength and favorability of each house
• Interpret empty houses 
• Describe the aspect relationships between the houses in the chart
• Identify which planet is “overcoming” the other in an aspect
• Plot the past, present, and future course of an event using the houses

Prerequisites:

None

Required Text:

George, Demetra. Ancient Astrology in Theory and Practice: Volume 2. Rubedo Press (April 20, 2022).