STA
Turning students into practitioners
School of Traditional Astrology
The School of Traditional Astrology focuses on tried and tested astrological techniques grounded in profound metaphysical principles, proven through centuries of successful practical application.
Founded by Deborah Houlding in 1996, and initially specialising in horary astrology, the school has since grown into a collaborative venture supported by some of the worldâs finest astrologers. The STA now offers training in horary astrology (in English, Chinese, Greek and Spanish), along with English-language courses in mundane astrology, astronomy for astrologers, and a periodically run specialist course on magical elections.
The STA does not currently offer courses suitable for beginners.
MarÃa Blaquier, Argentina
Wade Caves, USA
Eve Dembowski, Australia
Deborah Houlding, UK
Jupiter Lai, Hong Kong
Morgan Le Gall, USA
Nina Gryphon, USA
Vasilios Takos, Greece
Horary astrology is not an obscure, historical astrological technique that defines the interest of an astrologer â it is a fundamentally important, key component of all the integrated branches of modern-day professional astrological practice. Every consulting astrologer should have a good understanding of horary, and know when it is the best technique to employ for clients.
The STA horary program is totally unique in its structure and content. Based on decades of in-depth research by Deborah Houlding, the finer points of horary practice are explored through to their symbolic origins, to remove all areas where potentially confusing concepts could cause uncertainty in practice.
This intensive 5-month course is suitable for astrologers who already have a firm grasp of basic astrological interpretation. It offers our core program of horary instruction, which demonstrates the most efficient and meaningful way to approach horary interpretation. The course also explores the philosophical, astronomical and metaphysical roots of traditional astrological symbolism in considerable depth, in order to ensure the employment of those principles in horary is as competent and confident as possible. The course offers a practitioner level qualification in horary, and also acts as a foundational program: graduates of this course are able to progress to advanced level assessment and tuition (if desired), and are sufficiently prepared to gain expertise in other astrological branches that rely on good understanding of traditional technique.
Graduates of the Practitioners Level Horary Course are eligible to apply for the Advanced Level Horary Diploma. This self-paced mentorship program offers tutorial support that bridges the gap between understanding theory and gaining confidence in professional practice. Qualification requires the submission of three seperate horary case studies. These are analysed and critically assessed, with focus applied to helping improve the flow of chart interpretation. Points of judgement and details of professional practice are explored through discussion, always within the context of the astrologerâs personal chart judgement under examination. Graduates are entitled to advertise their fulfilment of our assessment criteria by using the initials STA DipH (School of Traditional Astrology Diploma in Horary) in promoting their astrological services.
Since its earliest origins, astrology has been sociopolitical.
Ancient civilizations first used celestial observations for weather prediction and to track seasonal cycles for agricultural purposes. As societies grew more complex, so did the application of astrological principles. By the time of the Babylonians, astrology had developed into a sophisticated tool for statecraft and the establishment of kingly dynasties. It was used to anticipate periods of war and peace, famine and surplus, gain and loss to be expected from domestic and foreign trade, and many other matters of collective importance. This early focus on worldly affairs laid the foundation for what we now call mundane astrology, the most enduring application of astrological philosophy.
Today, world astrology continues to apply divinatory principles to global affairs, offering insights into political, economic, and social developments. The subject provides a framework for understanding and engaging in large-scale trends, considering geographical and cultural dynamics, leadership patterns, societal structures, and widespread movements. Mundane astrology allows practitioners to examine themes of communal interest including developments in science and technology, trends in culture and the arts, financial and commodities cycles, historical narratives, shifts in faith and world religions, political contests, geopolitical realities and possibilities, the development of civil infrastructure, et cetera.
Many techniques blossomed over millennia â tested across cultures, land, and time â to facilitate mundane inquiry. The heart of the tradition continues to offer valuable tools for those seeking to understand the complexities of world affairs. Mundane astrology provides a unique perspective on historical patterns and potential future developments, making its study essential for astrologers looking to expand their practice beyond the individual. By mastery of these core techniques, practitioners will be better positioned to weigh in on the forces shaping our world, and add fresh perspective to conventional analyses of global affairs.
This course offers a unique tutorial format in which the principles of mundane astrology are demonstrated through historical case studies and contemporary global events. This 4-month online course is delivered as 12 weeks of instruction with periodic breaks, and builds upon the principles laid out in the STA Practitioners Level Horary Astrology Course.
There can be nothing more valuable to the dedicated astrologer than a firm grounding in foundational astronomy. In this course, you will learn how we measure motion and position in the heavens, build proficiency in chart calculation, and be invited to consider the philosophical implications made when dividing the sky using this technique vs that. Instructional elements of this course open a door to the past, affording glimpses into the lives, contributions, and methods of astronomyâs master disciples like Ptolemy (2nd c.), Al-Biruni (11th c.), Copernicus (16th c.), and Kepler (17th c.).
By the end of this course, students will be able to calculate a chart by hand with nothing more than an ephemeris and a table of houses, participate in informed astronomical discussion, and engage in informed research on themes of cultural astronomy.
The astrological study of celestial phenomena offers us a view into the past, present, and future â but what if we could harness planetary power to achieve personal growth and solve problems? If astrology is the art of diagnosis, magic is the remedy.
The Hermetic dictum on which astrology is built says âThat which is above is like that which is belowâ because the stars and planets move synchronously with events on earth. Hermeticism views humans as microcosms reflecting the greater celestial macrocosm. By analyzing planetary movements and using astrological techniques to identify auspicious moments, we can transform our lives, and most importantly, ourselves, the microcosmos. Further, elected ritual and creation of talismans can be turned toward fine-tuning of the mind and spirit to achieve inner growth.
The STA Magical Elections course offers instruction on Western medieval and Renaissance-era astrological magic, with a strong emphasis on its Platonic philosophical roots. In addition to a firm grounding in philosophy and magical theory, the course is designed to introduce students to the practice of electing times for magical workings with celestial bodies, and to teach techniques for astro-magical rituals and the creation of talismans.
This is more than a âtheoryâ course â delegates will be tasked with studying the historical elements of astrological magic, and will be taught how to internalize the philosophical underpinnings of the Hermetic worldview to elect horoscopes and design rituals with correct traditional attributions to support that election. Upon completion of the course, graduates will be equipped to practice astrological magic and talisman creation at a sophisticated level.
By taking this course, students will learn from the finest primary sources on philosophy, astrology, and magic of the last two millennia, curated and explained by Nina Gryphon, an expert in traditional astrology and astrological magic. Throughout history, this information was available to a very few educated occultists and astrologers, and this course is an effort to reunite the long-separated parts of ancient astrological and magical practices.
To facilitate greater understanding and respect for the philosophy and practice of astrology.
To ensure the historical transmission of astrology as a line of continuation between past, present and future practitioners.
To support the development of astrology practitioners to their full potential.
To promote awareness of the need for every consulting astrologer to have a confident knowledge of horary, together with a good understanding of when it is the best technique to use, and when and how a horary chart can be used in combination with other relevant charts.
To provide âchart-ledâ instruction on classical astrological techniques, which not only explains the theoretical and philosophical principles, but recognises that the purpose is to generate confidence in the art of chart judgement in modern-day astrological practice.
