13 by Olivia I love the Stoics, but I'm Jewish, so that probably explains it. Have some of my own theories about the Cypriot Jews and Stoicism but haven't done the research, so I'm not sure. Still, I'd say that when the bible (Jewish version at least) has quotes in it like 'the dead are happier than the living, and happiest of all are those who were never born' (some days that's one of my favourites), as well as all the mussar (ethical instruction) work about why anger is A Bad Thing and how to deal with it in a practical way, it's reasonable to assume there was a good bit of cross-fertilisation going on there. The lectures about the Stoics, and stoicism - those ones I definitely look forward to! For the rest of you: Stoicism isn't all gloom and doom, it's actually a pretty cool philosophy and lets you learn to look at life as it is, with the goal of maintaining a level emotional and mental state no matter what happens - so you still end up being a mensch (decent human being), and not losing your mind over the bad. Okay, that belonged in a for idiots guide, but stoicism's important, and the meaning of the word has been played pretty fast and loose throughout the centuries. It's not the 'grit your teeth and bear it' that people usually think of - often on the way to dental appointments. There's a whole lot more going on than that. Quote Sun Jul 12, 2009 9:08 pm
14 by Mark Hi All, I wanted to confirm the rumor that I will be offering a medieval course within about a year, focusing at least at first on nativities. Thats great news Ben. I have wanted to study traditional natal technique for ages. Sadly, Robert Zoller has had to drop out of running his course for health considerations. That has left a real vacuum for those seeking a better understanding of medieval astrology. With no direspect to John Frawley or Lee Lehman I understand their courses are traditional in a more generic sense rather than focused exclusively on medieval technique. Lee Lehman is actually quite explicit about this. Equally, while Bernadette Brady is offering a medieval astrology course her personal revisioning of some traditional notions (such as combustion) make me keen to find a teacher more solidly rooted in core medieval technique. I cannot speak for others but I would personally welcome a structured course which allowed individual feedback for students. Self study based on one or multiple texts can lead to misunderstandings which become quite ingrained without the opportunity for dialogue and constructive criticism. We now have your wonderful translations but I think many of us will really welcome a course like you are suggesting to put all that material into practice. regards Mark As thou conversest with the heavens, so instruct and inform thy minde according to the image of Divinity William Lilly Quote Tue Jul 14, 2009 6:57 pm
Medieval Courses 15 by Gemini18 Thank you all for your great input which is very much appreciated. A special thanks to MarkC who managed to encapsulate my thoughts entirely.... I cannot speak for others but I would personally welcome a structured course which allowed individual feedback for students. Self study based on one or multiple texts can lead to misunderstandings which become quite ingrained without the opportunity for dialogue and constructive criticism. It is, sadly all too easy - especially reading ancient texts no matter how well translated, to misinterpret or misunderstand meanings... and with few around to bounce such ideas off, the input from those who know better is invaluable, and in my case crucial!! Kind regards to all Quote Wed Jul 15, 2009 6:10 am
Re: Medieval Courses 16 by epurdue Patricia C Byron wrote: It is, sadly all too easy - especially reading ancient texts no matter how well translated, to misinterpret or misunderstand meanings... and with few around to bounce such ideas off, the input from those who know better is invaluable, and in my case crucial!! The way I see it, with a course, you are paying for the teacher's experience. Zoller's courses were heavy in quotes from Bonatti. However Zoller deviated at times because he actually worked with the material for years, so he figured out things that didn't work well and emphasized things that did. This is why starting out with just reading something like Bonatti is so much harder. One thing that many people don't understand is that in order to understand something like medieval astrology, you have to immerse yourself fully into it. In the beginning of all of Chris Warnock's courses he has you read "The Elizabethan World View" by Tillyard to get into that frame of mind. Zoller really pushed the "paradigm shifting" world view heavily too. I think Ben does it with his lectures. Heck even though I took Zoller's course, I might take Ben's too. Quote Wed Jul 15, 2009 3:35 pm
17 by pjef I am working on the course that Zoller wrote. I bought it at a discount (I believe New Library still has the sale going on). This course is packed full of information. It is hundreds of pages, dense with information and examples. I have been studying astrology seriously for over 20 years. My first exposure to Medieval astrology was through my Horary studies; then of course, Project Hindsight came along and I learned from the original sources (thanks to Robert Schmidt's brillliant work). Robert Zoller's course is amazing. I don't have extra money to spend on anything, but the course is on sale, and you can purchase it in two installments. If you can swing it, do not pass this one up. There is a very reasonably priced Foundation Course, but the Diploma Course is the way to go for the serious student. Quote Mon Jul 20, 2009 10:54 pm
Medieval Courses 18 by Gemini18 Thanks for that input Mithra6 and pjef! I am in awe of the work that Zoller put into researching Bonatti et al, however, I do suspect that I personally need structure to a course. (How often have you heard of someone buying the course and then giving up mid-way?? - Happens all too often!) I may play it by ear, as if Ben Dykes is going to offer a course shortly it may well suit, but he does acnowledge that it may not involve tutoring... Many thanks once again. Kind regards Quote Tue Jul 21, 2009 8:58 am
19 by PallasAthene Following on from courses, does anyone know of an astrology library in the UK? South West area in particular would be good for me. Quote Sun Sep 13, 2009 12:56 pm
20 by azcelt Hi I have been doing the Robert Zolle DMA course.It has tons of great information but I have found much of it pretty confusing.I was hesitant to take the exam but thought it would be a good measure of whether I am "getting" it. Apparently not. I have worked really hard on this and I failed pretty miserably.I still feel I have learned much valuable astrology but I do think that for the average student you do need a tutor. I have had many questions and have gone over and over certain lessons to try and get clarity. I am a right -brained , artistic, language -oriented type student and this material is very dry and scholarly. I have not been impressed with the New Library people who handle this course either. If you order this course you get tons of great information [Robert Zoller's material] but you are completely on your own. Don't be fooled and think you are part of the "predictive academy" because you never hear anything more about that Quote Sun Dec 13, 2009 9:42 pm
21 by Olivia I don't like that the online reference library has mostly been taken down. I did do the CMA course, and have the Tools and Techniques books, will probably spring for the DMA course when I can afford it, but I do realise it's a do-it-yourself affair unless you're a lot richer than I am. Fortunately you can ask questions around here. Does the DMA one have graded homework assignments, or do you simply take an exam at the end of it? Quote Mon Dec 14, 2009 8:39 am
22 by epurdue That's kind of a big question. If you ask them, they'll say yes. That being said I don't know of anyone who's failed it. At one time Robert and his wife graded the tests and all the homework. Today neither of them are affiliated with the course. If you ask New Library, they'll act shocked and surprised at your questions. Robert hasn't been involved in about 3 or 4 years. There have been no updates on the site since he left. The written material is still good though. Since I've graduated and have been doing charts, I've tweaked things here and there. The course is good for getting you used to certain concepts. All of my alterations of technique are still based on traditional sources though. The course made all of that easier. I just heard Chris Warnock is setting up a traditional natal course and of course Ben Dykes has been talking about it as well. I know he's busy, but if Ben started a course I'd take it even though I've already taken Zoller's. Quote Mon Dec 14, 2009 5:14 pm