Organization for Professional Astrology

You must choose a group leader at the time of registration: (you may change your group up until 60 days before the retreat). Click the group leaders name to read his or her bio.

Ani Bettati – Beginners Group

The beginners group is open to every wishing to improve their skills in astrology and also to those who want to start reading a chart. Even if you have no knowledge coming in you can join us.We will discuss the basic meaning of the signs, houses, planets, and aspects.

You will learn how a chart is constructed and how to begin interpreting it.  You will receive practice in getting basic useful information from the chart.  We will experiment with each others charts, so you will know more about yourself as well as learn more astrology.”

During four intensive days you will initiate the first steps in the practice of astrology and you will enrich yourself listening experienced astrologers teaching about their practice. This is going to be a turning point in your future activity as astrologer.

Robert Corre – Improving interpretation skills through structure and work habit

The primary obstacle to effective horoscope delineation is appreciating that a chart contains much too much information. Unless trained otherwise, this complex of information hinders interpretation and poses a serious problem.

Most people enter and examine a chart in a chaotic and haphazard [fashion] which predisposes them to becoming overwhelmed with the risk of becoming discouraged; this ends typically in most cases in frustration and only modest satisfaction. We introduce a solution to this dilemma, a methodology that stresses discipline.

We illustrate how a systematic approach used consistently leads to a managed and organized chart inspection which begins with a comprehensive examination of the Ascendant. But a complete and rewarding evaluation requires that the astrologer perform this same appraisal on the Midheaven, Moon, and Sun that ends with a final observation of any additional noteworthy factors. This structured way to proceed epitomizes a rational method to interpretation.

We demonstrate the need for complementing this systematic approach with a set of work habits that facilitate delineation irrespective of the particular astrological tradition practiced. These include skills that give the ability to prioritize specific chart factors based on their importance along with techniques to simplify your observations and economize your thinking. These provide the means to protect you from becoming intimidated by the complexity of the chart’s image.

The above capabilities will dramatically improve the effectiveness of your interpretative skills and will lead you to a more assured and reliable judgment of a natal horoscope. Please come join us for a program that I am sure will prove to be a valuable complement to your own studies and practice.

Monica Dimino – Relationships and Their Many Guises in the Horoscope

Day One:  Synastry – Looking at all the astrological components that inform us about relationships in the astrological chart. We will start with an overview of key concerns, then practice with real charts to illustrate points.

Day Two: Special Relationship Charts – The Composite and Davison. How and when to use them. Practice readings will focus on fluency in their interpretation, as we also integrate material from Day One.

Day Three: Timing Relationships – The role of transits and progressions, major relationship triggers.  The astrological frame often carries hidden meaning. More practice readings will wrap up this three day program.

Hands on work will provide the learning experience. Each participant is asked to bring charts to be reviewed in the group.

Maurice Fernandez – The Spiritual Dimension of a Chart

A birth chart presents a wealth of information about a person or an event. The planetary placements and configurations describe everything about one’s life, from the most trivial details to the more complex existential purposes. Since we are not on earth merely to survive to the next day, let us explore what the chart has to say about our deeper life quest and purpose…
During the retreat we will learn about the spiritual significance of the luminaries and the planets, from the Sun to Pluto, with perhaps a contemplation of Chiron’s influence in this context, if time allows.

For example, commonly we can interpret the Sun as an influence that describe our sense of purpose and creative development; yet, forging to the spiritual layer, what spiritual force is behind creative expression but the pure essence of love—love as a conscious and sincere aspiration to give the best of ourselves to life or perhaps to God…

Exploring the Sun and then the other chart bodies from this perspective provide so much light and depth to the chart, that it transforms a person as his or her soul awakens. Be sure to bring your own chart and apply this perspective to your own existence. The retreat will include optional meditations and Kundalini Yoga sessions to integrate the given notions not only on a mental level, but more holistically. This group is open to both beginners and advanced astrology practitioners.

Chris McRae – THE WORLD WE LIVE IN … Mundane Astrology

WHAT IN THE WORLD IS HAPPENING AROUND US — AND WITHIN US?
Our small individual self exists within a very large cosmic environment. We need to  understand how we and our clients fit into the cosmic flow that influences earthly evolution.

A personal chart is only the beginning. There are larger cycles within cycles, along with Lunations, Eclipses, Great Conjunctions and other powerful patterns. We will examine the world from this macrocosmic mundane point of view.  Once we see the overarching patterns in the sky, we can understand how we are woven into this larger web.  For example, after 9/11 many clients were rocked by crisis: job losses, divorces, and more.  Saturn/Pluto challenged structures around and within us.  Many clients were relieved to learn that greater forces were at work, and that many of these difficulties they were experiencing weren’t solely their fault.  And what about generational groups who are born at a time when the world is in crisis?

There are frameworks to use in looking at the world including the AstroCartoGraphy Map, and the Geodetic Map to see where stress occurs politically, societally and geophysically. These are also dual function tools that are also used to relocate a personal chart anywhere in the world.

This workshop will be packed with so much information that we’ll wish we had a week together. You are sure to come away with a wide array of useful astrological tools!

Bob Mulligan – “Building Your Successful Astrology Practice”: Personalized Guidance for All Professional Astrologers.

If you’re a professional astrologer, or would like to be, then you have every right to earn an abundant living. And you can learn to do just that in the “Building Your Successful Astrology Practice” track, taught by successful astrologer, Bob Mulligan.
If you’re just beginning, he can help you start successfully; if you’re a professional, he can help you take your practice to the next level! Want more clients? He’ll show you how to attract them based on your chart, professional skills, and current situation. Need to boost your confidence? He’ll help you build faith in yourself and your mission. Have questions? Bob will answer them.

This highly interactive experience will help you learn about the inner workings of your life and career. Mulligan and an intimate group of your peers will assist you in unlocking the keys to your success. Everyone receives personal attention; as a group we work openly with our charts to demonstrate what works and what doesn’t. Everyone leaves with specific information and a plan for action.

Whatever’s missing from your practice, Bob will help you put it into place. You’ll receive valuable input on your mission, business ideas, and chart.  Your experience will also include practical information on accounting, marketing strategies, websites and much more. This dynamic group experience will be supportive, intense, and transformative. Most importantly, it will empower your career as a professional astrologer. Join Bob in “Building Your Successful Astrology Practice” track. Where the surf’s up – for your prosperity!

Glenn Perry – Chart Synthesis with Consulting Skills

This four-day intensive will focus on the development of chart interpretation skills that empower astrologers to maximize the therapeutic impact of consultations.

Before the chart can reveal answers, it must first be utilized as a guide for asking questions. The astrologer’s job is to reframe and amplify information the client provides in order to stimulate insight, promote hope, and encourage growth. You will learn how to think and speak metaphorically, recognize prototypical childhood events, discern underlying beliefs from aspect patterns, see pattern amidst apparent randomness, and draw parallels between past and present.

Instruction in chart synthesis will be combined with counseling technique to give students supervised, practical application of astrological theory. A variety of skills will be taught and demonstrated in a manner specifically geared to the astrological counselor. Participants will learn how to help clients discern the purpose of their experience, integrate difficult aspects, resolve conflicts that impede potential, and transform weaknesses into strengths. Experiential learning will be supplemented with group discussion and sharing.

Sandra-Leigh Serio – Forecasting

Predictive Astrology: Forecasting Techniques that Make you a Better Astrologer. Learn all about Eclipses, Transits, Secondary and Solar Arc Progressions and how to synthesize these techniques so they can be applied to a natal chart to make accurate predictions. Sometimes a transit doesn’t deliver, why is this? What is the difference between Solar Arc and Secondary Progressions and why are both so important? The ancients made many of their predictions using their knowledge of  eclipses. What did they know that we should know about eclipses? We will use chart examples from case studies and also applying these techniques to your natal chart as well.

Comments from attendees in Sandra-Leigh’s group in April 2009:

“She was exceptional in every area!” Sheila McGinty

“My first OPA retreat was transformational in many ways, one of which was being part of Sandra-Leigh Serio’s group. Sandra-Leigh is such a knowledgeable and skillful teacher that I came away with a whole new set of tools for interpreting natal charts in relation to transits, solar arcs and progressions. Her enthusiasm created a wonderful atmosphere for lively interaction among all the participants.” Geri Bellino

Gisele Terry and Richard Smoot – Consulting skills

This consulting skills intensive is designed to give astrologers basic listening and empathy skills that facilitate the astrologer-client relationship. Integrated with principles of chart interpretation, these active listening and communication skills provide the astrologer with the ability to respond to clients’ most personal thoughts and feelings. Emotional understanding is a key ingredient in forming a trusting relationship and these listening skills help the astrologer impart astrological information with compassion, understanding and sensitivity. Anyone who plans to do client work will surely benefit from the training session.

Day one explores basic styles of listening and communication skills, with an emphasis on paraphrasing, reflection, listening, asking questions.  Day two focuses on more advanced levels of these skills and their application in experiential vignettes and exercises.  And day three focuses on the integration of listening and communication skills with chart interpretation.

This training is required for completion of ISAR’s Certification program.

Arlan Wise – Writer’s Workshop

During our three sessions together we will learn basic journalism 
techniques as we use fun exercises to practice “translating” 
astrological events and symbolism into plain English. We will write 
longer pieces on various topics, read our work to each other, discuss 
the pieces of writing without criticizing, and help each other discover 
and gain confidence in our writing strengths. We will encourage each 
other to start/continue/finish our personal writing projects. The goal 
for the track is that by the end of the conference we will each have an 
article to submit for publication.

Comments from past participants:

”We owe our group success to Arlan Wise, one of the best group leaders I 
have ever had the privilege of working with. She was direct, inspiring, 
and articulate. I hope she continues to have the writing track in the 
future…I now know I chose the correct track for myself and am certain I 
will leave here a better writer.”

“I could feel Arlan’s encouragement and enthusiasm for my writing as it 
has been improving while at OPA. My fellow group mates also assisted as 
we all cheered each other on and began to write.”

Arlan Wise
arlanw@vineyard.net
www.arlanwise.com

Review the Retreat Schedule