Antiscia are reflections in the steps of the sun. Astrologers from antiquity to William Lilly regarded antiscia as unique aspects revealing a hidden harmony and connection between signs. However, this aspect of astrology remains mysterious to many.

Do astrologers under-utilize antiscia because our popular tools obscure them, or were they lost in some historic transition?

The root of antiscia is the Greek word “scia,” meaning “shadow” or “shade.” Antiscia bring signs together through reflection across the seasonal turning points (solstitial and equinoctial axes). They express symmetry through shared power and light (antiscia) and time (contra-antiscia).

In this course you will explore what makes antiscia special and how to deepen your astrological practice with them. You’ll also see how their presence in the Thema Mundi has profound implications. These equal arc openings will change how you look at the space between things and broaden your view of core concepts in astrology.

Weekly Topics:

1. The Rhythm of Antiscia: the Earth and an Embodied Approach
   
2. Building Blocks: Balance, Temperament, and the Thema Mundi
   
3. Poetic Pairings: Seeing Signatures in the World
   
4. Patterns of Place: Expand your Practice with Ascensional Timing
   
5. Tying it All Together: Hellenistic Timing Techniques and Antiscia
   

At the end of the course, participants will understand:

• The long history of antiscia within astrology
• That antiscia function like other close aspects 
• Other factors like essential dignity and reception show up with antiscia
• How antiscia are connected in the Thema Mundi, through the benefics
• Temperament and elemental symmetries deepen one’s understanding of the zodiac 
• The ‘hidden’ connectedness of houses in a chart, through ascensional time
• How to think creatively about the 12 pairs, that they each tell a story 
• Equal arc openings are at the heart of antiscia
• The importance of midpoints
• That the space between things matters
• Transits by antiscia are just as powerful
• How to use technology and software with more ease to find antiscia efficiently 
• How to apply ancient timing techniques using antiscia – e.g., ascensional timing, directions, circumambulations, solar return, pro

Prerequisites:

Basic understanding of planets, signs, houses, and aspects is required, and some understanding of essential dignity is preferred.