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Western Australian astrology schools

Many people decide to learn astrology out of curiosity.  Some choose it as a form of self development to better understand their own strengths and weaknesses.  Others want to use the knowledge to find direction in their life or to help their friends and family through periods of challenge or excitement.  A few are called to live astrology as a dedicated lifestyle and profession.  Almost nobody chooses it for the money!

Anyone can teach astrology. However, choosing a qualified astrology teacher who has undergone an intensive, structured process ensures that the integrity of astrology is upheld and the student receives the best possible knowledge, support and understanding.

A minimum period of three years part-time study is required to reach the necessary standard to gain the FAA Practitioner’s Certificate, which entitles astrologers to put QA FAA after their name.  They are then eligible to apply for membership of the Association of Professional Astrologers Inc (APA) and can then put QA APA FAA after their name, which requires an ongoing commitment to professional development including counselling skills.

To achieve the Accredited Astrology Teacher (AAT) qualification, the Astrologer must hold a QA FAA and have put at least eight students successfully through the Calculation and Interpretation assessments or the Basic Certificate examination.  In those cases where two people are teaching in partnership, both must hold a QA and eight students from the partnership must successfully complete the Calculation and Interpretation assessments or the Basic Certificate.

When choosing an astrology teacher there are many issues to consider, such as: 

• have you spoken to someone who can recommend the astrology teacher?
• do you really understand what you want to achieve from your lessons?
• does the person teach from a recognised syllabus, with an accredited examination system?
• does the teacher have a recognised astrology qualification?
• how long is the course?
• how much does it cost?
• will you receive manuals and reference material?
• how many students are in the classes?
• where will the lessons be conducted?

Access the directory of qualified and practicing astrologers in western Australia recognised by the FAAWA

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Federation of Australian Astrologers examination system

The FAA exam system is recognised world wide for its quality and any person in Western Australia can sit the FAA exams.

There are four modules to sit to gain a Diploma of Astrology through the FAA exam system:

1. Interpretation Exam
2. Calculation Exam (24 hours at home)
3. Dynamic Exam
4. Relationship and Specialist Techniques Exam (Biennial Exam)

Please visit the FAA Website for further details if you are considering applying to sit the FAA Exams. Details of the FAA examination timetable are available here.

There is a FREE exam book (25 pages) available to download from the FAA website. There are other valuable resources available here also – past exams and past essays, and a YouTube clip FAA Introduction to Essay Writing.

For enquiries on exam board matters you can contact the Exam Board Coordinator Pauline Hepburn on 0415 560 716 or by email at exams@faainc.org.au

FAAWA members teaching the FAA syllabus

Margie Crocker (Dip. Astrological Guild of Educators International; Grad. Dip Psychotherapy and Counselling,B.Education)
Phone: 0421 413 660
Email: margie@constellationsastrology.com.au
Website: www.constellationsastrology.com.au

FAA certification System

The FAA Diploma of Astrology - Dip Astro (FAA) was previously awarded as the FAA Practitioners Certificate; and the Advanced Diploma of Astrology - Ad Dip Astro (FAA) was formerly the FAA Diploma.

All those holding the former FAA Prac Cert (also referred to as QA) can use the post-nominal Dip Astro (FAA,) and those with an FAA Diploma can now use Ad Dip Astro (FAA).

All holders of the former FAA Prac Cert and FAA Diploma are eligible for an updated certificate. Please contact the Exam Board Coordinator exams@faainc.org.au for a new certificate at a cost of $30.

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FAAWA Library

The FAAWA Library is at 3 Elizabeth Street, Bayswater, courtesy of Vice President, Margie Crocker. Members are welcome to come and read on the premises or borrow the books. The Library is open Friday afternoon, or by appointment late afternoons or weekends, call 9272 7861.

Complete Library Catalogue (December 2018)

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Students' Corner

In Students' Corner you will find some basic astrology principles to help get you started. If you would like to contribute, please contact Margie Crocker 0421 413 660 or margiecrocker@westnet.com.au.

 

The Planets

This short reference for the energy of the planets and Chiron was provided by a generous FAAWA member:

SUN
The Sun rules the sign of Leo. Sun key words: Identity, conscious self-expression, goals, power Just as the Sun is the heart and centre of our solar system, in astrology the Sun symbolises the heart and centre of the birth chart. It is the main expression of the individual, where we want to shine. The Sun represents the masculine principle, the father, husband and men in general, our ego, our will and our conscious nature. The Sun rules our health, vitality and sense of identity. It describes our goals and journey in this life.

MOON
The Moon rules the sign of Cancer. Moon key words: response, receptivity, instinct, emotions, and moods. The Moon represents our emotions, feelings and instincts, our inner world. It is passive and receptive. The Moon is the ultimate symbol of the feminine principle and is about moods, memories, the past, and our emotional needs – how you were nurtured, how you want to be nurtured, and how you nurture others. Its action fluctuates and changes. The Moon is where we look for support and comfort and our deep connection to family roots.

MERCURY
Mercury rules the signs of Gemini and Virgo. Mercury key words: communication – the written and spoken word, the mind, intellect, logic. Mercury is the closest planet to the Sun. In the chart it can be no more than 28 degrees either side of the Sun. Mercury was the Messenger of the Gods and was known for his speed and dexterity. Mercury is the only androgynous planet (neither masculine nor feminine). Mercury represents our intellectual and communicative processes. It is about how we gather information, how we think, speak, write and learn, and how we pass it on to others. Mercury rules the rational mind; its quality is logic only (no emotion/feeling). It also rules teaching, schools, children, language, humour, opinions, manual skills, travel, siblings and our immediate environment and neighbours. Where Mercury is placed in the chart shows where and how you communicate.

VENUS
Venus rules the signs of Taurus and Libra. Venus key words: love, attraction, beauty, harmony, money, quality. Venus is the Goddess of Love and Beauty. She is a very powerful planet that represents Love and Money and is never located more that 46 degrees distant from the Sun. In ancient times Venus was known as the lesser benefic. What brings benefit and how can we be benefited? Venus is about how we relate to others, how we attract others. Venus wants to form relationships of love, beauty, harmony, balance and value. Where Venus is placed in the chart is can show how we do this and what we want from relationships. It also represents our ability to love and be loved, how we love and value ourselves. Venus is the pleasure principle and enjoys beauty and comfort. Her action is gentle and harmonious. Venus rules relationships, possessions, art, culture, charm, jewellery, singing and music and governs marriage and unions of all kinds, sociability, luxuries, pleasure and appreciation.

MARS
Mars rules the sign of Aries and Scorpio. Mars key words: energy, drive, confrontation, assertiveness, anger. Mars was the Roman God of War and as such is the warrior in our charts. Mars is our will to survive, a symbol of energy, drive, assertiveness and aggression. Mars deals with our animal nature, our desire and sexual energies, and our desire to procreate to build his strength and power. He is in charge of how we assert ourselves and how we express anger. Mars can be used destructively and angrily as in combat or with bravery, courage and strength. In ancient times he was known as the lesser malefic.

JUPITER
Jupiter rules Sagittarius and Pisces. Jupiter key words: expansion, opportunity, justice, preservation, religion, other cultures, travel. Jupiter is the largest planet in our solar system and takes about a year to travel through one of the signs. Jupiter represents our need and desire to grow and expand, to feed a part of something larger than ourselves, our inner faith. Jupiter rules religion, spirituality, higher education, culture and other cultures, long distance travel, morality, law and wisdom. Jupiter is optimistic, positive, enthusiastic and generous. In ancient times Jupiter was known as the greater benefic. In the negative Jupiter can be excessive, indulgent, fanatical and extravagant. Jupiter’s action is orderly and promotes health and growth.

SATURN
Saturn rules Capricorn and Aquarius. Saturn key words: fear, responsibility, duty, restriction, limitation, standing the community. Saturn is the second largest planet in our solar system and represents the limit of the solar system that can be seen with the naked eye. With his cold rings seeming to limit his boundaries and ability to expand. Limitation is one of the principles of Saturn along with discipline, responsibility and restriction. Saturn is the Lord of Karma, the Father of Time and relates to the principle of contraction as well as structure, social order, and figures of authority. Saturn’s action is slow and lasting and its qualities are cold and dry.

CHIRON
There is no accepted sign ruled by Chiron. Some feel he is aligned with Virgo and Sagittarius. Chiron key words: undeserved/inherited wounding, healing, spiritual healing, isolation. Chiron was discovered on 1/11/77 and represents the wounded healer. It is the bridge between the inner and outer planets - Saturn and Uranus - and is the key to our healing. We all have psychic wounds. There is some debate as to whether Chiron is an asteroid, planetoid, minor planet or a comet. The word chiro means hands as in chiropractor, healing with the hands. Chiropractic was discovered on 1/11/77 by a man called Daniel Palmer, The idea being that if you align the body and spine the body will heal itself. Since 1977 the world has become more conscious of holistic healing and started to realize that we are responsible for our health and what we put into our bodies. Symbolically re healing the planet and ourselves. Before we can heal others, we need to heal ourself. Chiron is connected with health. Chiron has no rulership but is linked to Virgo through practical healing and Sagittarius being the centaur and teaching. Chiron has an erratic, elliptical cycle of 49-51 years around the Sun, and is represented in the body by the right side of the leg - thigh down to the foot. The Chiron dilemma is about, rejection and abandonment, sexual issues and deceit, betrayal, accepting something that is undeserved, unfair or misjudged, finding our own way out of the dilemma - no one can do it for us, sacrifice - giving up something and death.

URANUS
The modern rulership of Uranus is Aquarius. Uranus key words: sudden or unexpected change, inventiveness, originality, revolution. Uranus is the first of the Transpersonal or Outer Planets. Uranus was discovered in 1781. The cycle of Uranus around the sun is 84 years and it passes through each sign of the zodiac every 7 years. Its axis is horizontal and spins on its side. The colour of Uranus is shimmering pale green/blue. Uranus is considered the upper octave of Mercury. Uranus is very harsh, very judgemental and with detached emotions. Uranus represents things that are different. It is the planet of shock, rebellion, disruption, revolutions and uprisings. It will always be what you don't expect, sudden and/or instant change, turning things upside down, detachment and disconnectedness. Also Uranus is about things that are glitzy, sparkling or exciting. All that glitters is not gold. Uranus also represents the individuation process, sudden vision, endings and new beginnings. Where you come alive through a new vision. "The Awakener". Uranus is about breaking down structures and boundaries, trying to break away from the established order. Freedom from the known. Where we won't be forced into a mould. Being radical and being different. Standing out from the crowd and not conforming to the crowd. Will power. Where you are brave or courageous enough to be your true self. Uranus rules electricity, earthquakes and technology, but not computers. In mythology it is the essential force of creation, the divine rebel.

NEPTUNE
The modern rulership of Neptune is Pisces. Neptune key words: refinement, inspiration, mysticism, deception, confusion, mystery. Neptune is the second of the Transpersonal or Outer planets. It was discovered in 1846, and is the higher octave of Venus. It has a regular cycle around the Sun of 165 years, and takes 13.75 years through each sign. The colour of Neptune is all shades of blue and the blue/green of the ocean. Neptune rules fog, dreams, psychics, spiritual mediums, mysticism, religion, drugs, alcohol, tobacco, (any form of drugs that brings an altered state of consciousness or chemicals in the body). silver, music, musicians. Neptune is about lack of discrimination, can't identify what is real or unreal, illusion, delusion, images, compassion, lack of boundaries, infection, suffering. Neptune is a process, it is about absorption and dissolving eg. erosion, confusion and deceit. It is like being woken up out of the dream world, disorientation, unclear. Like being between two worlds. On another level it is about fashion, film and movie world. Music to set the mood, moodiness, dance, fairytale magic. Where Neptune is in the chart is about lack of personal definition, avoiding the truth. It is where you make a sacrifice, where we become a victim, where we are deluded, where we are co-dependant, where we are idealistic, addicted and deceived or where we deceive, and where we experience chaos. In Mythology Neptune is represented by Poseidon, ruler of the oceans that represents the collective unconscious. Neptune/Poseidon rules hurricanes, tidal waves and floods, also earthquakes and horses.

PLUTO
The modern rulership of Pluto is Scorpio. Pluto key words: transformation, regeneration, death and rebirth, elimination, the Phoenix. Pluto is the last of the known Transpersonal or Outer planets. It was discovered In 1930. Pluto is the modern ruler of Scorpio. The colour of Pluto is deep blood red. (garnets and rubies) and it has an erratic cycle around the Sun of 249-251 years. Pluto was in Scorpio for 11 years and Taurus for 33 years, hence the erratic cycle. Pluto is also known as the higher octave of Mars. Pluto is about birth death and rebirth, power, manipulation, transformation. Pluto rules the underworld, mining, (underground ie. gold oil - resources have power in the world). It also rules sex (the control mechanism), drains, plumbing, sewers, decay, garbage and compost. All in life that we don't want to face or know about. Also recycling of our waste. Anything nuclear or atomic, explosion, destruction. Suppression and repression. Pluto is about dealing with our own stuff - cleaning out. Pluto helps us to grow. Pluto is where we encounter power issues, empowerment/disempowerment. Where we give our power away. Where out own power is tested. Where we manipulate or become manipulated. Where we must transform our lives and where we encounter death. If Pluto is in the 1st, 4th, 7th, or 10th house it will be strong. Jealous, possessiveness, control, psychic feeling of what's going on. A Pluto power struggle is fighting to the death.

Planetary cycles and length of transit through the signs

Planet	Full orbit	Through sign	Per degree
Sun	-	30 days	1 day
Moon	28 days	2½ days
Mercury	88 days	14 to 30 days
Venus	225 days	23 - 62 days
Mars	2 years	1½ months
Jupiter	12 years	1 year	12 days
Saturn	29½ years	2½ years	1 month
Uranus	84 years	7 years	6 months
Neptune	164 yrs	14½ years	3 months
Pluto	248 years	10 - 20 years	18 months
Chiron	50 years	2-6 years

Healing associations of planets

Planet	Vitamins and Minerals	Herbs	Colours	Gems and Crystals	Aromas
Sun	D,  gold	Hawthorn, Lily of the Valley, Lavender	Gold	Citrine quartz, Amber, Topaz, Jasper	Benzoin, Orange, Patchouli
Moon	Silver	Mugwort, hops	Silver	Moonstone, Opal, Pearl	Cypress, Juniper
Mercury	B Complex	Nervine herbs, catnip, scullcap	Blue, Yellow	Agate, Cat’s eye, Tiger’s eye	Cardamom, Hyssop, Fennel, Lavender, Rosemary, Thyme, Peppermint
Venus	Iodine, Copper	Dandeloin leaf, Alfalfa, Licorice, Anise	Green, Pink	Malachite, Emerald, Chrysolite, Tourmaline, Rose Quartz	Bergamot, Rose, Jasmine, Geranium, Ylang – Ylang
Mars	Iron	Nettles, Yellow Dock Root, Cayenne	Red	Bloodstone, Ruby, Carnelian, Garnet	Basil, Black Pepper, Cinnamon, Ginger
Jupiter	Silica	Dandelion Root, Chicory	Blue-Green Yellow	Turquoise, Chrysocolla	Cederwood, Melissa, Sandalwood
Saturn	Calcium	Comfory, Wintergreen	Orange, Black	Diamond, Onyx	Camphor, Eucalyptus, Pine
Uranus	Magnesium, Manganese	Borage, Raspberry, Vervain, Valerian	Blue	Lapis Lazuli, Sapphire, Aquamarine	Chamomile, Marjoram
Neptune	Potassium, Zinc	Plantain	Blue-Violet	Amethyst, Jade, Fluorite, Coral	Clary sage, Myrrh, Frankincense
Pluto	E, Selenium	Ginseng, Damiana, Squawvine	Violet, Black	Smoky Quartz, Black Obsidian, Jet	Pennyroyal, Sage