Theme: Saturn – Lord of Life and Death

Sunday, January 10, 2016.

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Benjamin Dykes, Ph.D.

10:15 a.m.–11:45 a.m. Pacific Standard Time

“Saturn in Traditional Mundane Astrology”

In this lecture we will look at the role of Saturn in traditional mundane astrology, beginning with Abu Ma’shar’s planetary hierarchy and Saturn’s role as the king and lawgiver, then moving to Saturn-Jupiter mean conjunctions, transits of and/or to Saturn, and Saturn-Mars conjunctions in Cancer. The talk will be illustrated by historical charts and timelines, particularly focusing on World War I.

Dr. Benjamin Dykes is a leading traditional astrologer and translator of Latin and Arabic who taught philosophy at universities in Illinois and Minnesota. In 2007 he published Bonatti’s complete Book of Astronomy, and since then has translated and published numerous traditional works in all areas, including the introductory Traditional Astrology for Today (2011). From 2013 he began to publish a mundane series, Astrology of the World. He is currently translating works from Arabic for a future astrology course. He offers the Logos & Light philosophy lectures on MP3 and speaks to astrological audiences worldwide. See: www.bendykes.com.

Jenn Zahrt, Ph.D.

12:00 noon–1:30 p.m. Pacific Standard Time

“Towards a Posthumous Astrology OR Astrology of the Afterlife”

Do our charts live on after we die? To what extent can we trace, and perhaps predict, when figures forgotten in life will become renowned after their deaths? Or when historical figures will make the news yet again? This presentation explores various astrological techniques that allow us to peek beyond the boundary of death, enabling us to engage in a deeply philosophical consideration of the ontological roots of our art.

Jenn Zahrt, PhD, researches the history, philosophy, and epistemology of astrology. She has taught and lectured domestically and internationally, in places such as Germany (Berlin, Hamburg, Leipzig), the United Kingdom (Bath), and Canada (Montréal). Dr. Zahrt is the editrix-in-chief and co-founder of Rubedo Press, a publication house based in Seattle, WA. She also serves on the Board of Trustees of Kepler College. More about her publications, translations, and activities in the astrological community may be found at www.jennzahrt.com.

Joy Usher

2:00 p.m.-3:30 p.m. Pacific Standard Time

“Iron-Fisted Saturn”

An open hand is a sign of friendship and suggests a mind open to possibilities or exchange, but when the hand becomes a tightly clenched fist we understand by reading body language that the owner of this fist has gone way beyond negotiation and is preparing to make a stand. The fist belongs to unyielding iron-clad Saturn, and only time and the power of persuasion, will ease the taut fist back into a relaxed open palm.

This lecture examines the nature of Saturn’s impassibility through its relationship with the signs and the other planets. Using example charts, it looks at how Saturn’s rulership of the houses affects our own charts, and discusses the circumstances under which Saturn becomes an iron fist and potentially creates disconnection and destruction within our own lives.

Joy Usher is a consulting astrologer based in the Barossa Valley in South Australia, who gained her FAA Practitioners Certificate in 1995. She was one of the first students to gain certification in the Robert Zoller Medieval Astrology Course in the early 1990’s and has continued to pursue her interest in traditional astrology since completing the course. In 2002 she was the co-founder, and remains co-principal, of the Australian astrological school, Astro Mundi, teaching 4 year courses in modern and traditional astrology. She has presented in England and Ireland, and most recently in Phoenix, Arizona, and has lectured at a number of conferences in Australia throughout her 20 year career.

Ryhan Butler

4:00 p.m.–5:30 p.m. Pacific Standard Time

“Directions of Life”

Medieval astrology is replete with techniques to measure an individual’s vitality, resilience to illness, and the approximate length of their life. One such technique involves identifying candidates from positions in the birth chart that take up special roles. In this lecture we’ll explore the hilaj and kadukuhdhah and determine how to identify them in a chart. We will also apply Primary Directions to indicate times when individuals may experience critical health periods.

Ryhan Butler has studied classical astrological techniques with an emphasis on medieval astrology for just short of a decade. He has lectured locally and as a part of national conferences, working to spread the techniques of medieval astrology to those who would otherwise not encounter them or may not immediately see their value. Ryhan is author of the Medieval Astrology Guide website, which serves as a resource for medieval astrology and he is also a co-host on the On Questions podcast.