SuS with Blaze-Maximus — The Aries Ingress of the Year 2025
Join us on Thursday, March 20th, 2025 at 7 PM Eastern Time (ET) for Blaze Maximus’s next talk, “The Aries Ingress of 2025!”
Talk Description
To interpret the events of the world, natural disaster, economics, and politics, astrologers of the Medieval Islamicate world would cast a horoscope every year the Sun enters 0º Aries. Following the Persian holiday Nowruz, the Spring Equinox was regarded as a renewal for the world as the world came alive, the length of days started to increase, and generation would be renewed in plants, animals, and humans alike. In this talk, we will recreate the same methods employed by astrologers like Masha’allah ibn Athari and Abu Ma’shar to make predictions for what 2025 has in store for the world.
Presenter Bio
Blaze (he/they) is an Ecuadorian astrologer from The Bronx, NYC living in Orlando, Florida studying Afro-Asiatic traditions of astrology, esotericism, & the Islamic occult sciences. His journey in studying astrology started with his family casting horoscopes for him & his mother at birth, & has continued by taking on the study of astrology in 2016 & taking clients since 2020. He is an international presenter of astrology, presenting at the 6th European Astrology Conference and the Association for Young Astrologers. He is a practitioner of Natal, Horary, Electional, Continuous Horoscopy, Magical, and World astrological branches of astrology.
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Date: Thursday, March 20th, 2025
Time: 7:00 PM Eastern Time (ET)
RSVP: Eventbright (Click Here!)
Note: Free to attend; a recording of the talk will be available to members after the event. Click here to become a member!
SuS with Rachelle Hicks — The Many Faces of Venus: A Mythological Exploration
Join us on Saturday, February 22nd, 2025 at 2 PM Eastern Time (ET) for Rachelle Hicks’s next talk: “The Many Faces of Venus: A Mythological Exploration!”
Talk Description
Venus is about much more than just beauty and connection. By exploring mythological stories, we’ll gain insight into different facets of this archetype and what they might offer for the upcoming Venus Retrograde in March and April of 2025. This talk is about moving beyond keywords, and feeling the symbol of Venus on a deeper level. We will also touch on how Venus shows up for you, and which areas of life you might see Venus Retrograde influencing your chart.
Presenter Bio
Rachelle Hicks is a professional consulting astrologer based in Dublin, Ireland. She works with modern, western astrology with a spiritual focus. In her practice, mythology and lunar phases play a prominent role. She is a graduate of Astrology University’s 4-Year Professional Astrologer’s Training Program and now works as a Teaching Assistant and Blog Writer for the school.
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Date: Saturday, February 22nd, 2025
Time: 2 PM Eastern Time (ET)
RSVP: Eventbright (Click Here!)
Note: Free to attend; a recording of the talk will be available to members after the event. Click here to become a member!
SuS with Cristina Rivera — Aimless: Approaching the Tools of Peregrine Planets
Join us on Thursday, January 30th, 2025 at 8 PM Eastern Time (ET) for Cristina Rivera’s next talk: “Aimless: Approaching the Tools of Peregrine Planets!”
Talk Description
Being classified as “aimless” doesn’t sound like an asset. Peregrine planets are often described as having “no particular strength or weakness,” a “drifter” at a loss to identify their role or their aim. Not an endorsement! Yet all of the planetary placements have their lessons and offer tools whether in the natal chart or by transit. As astrologers, we’re tasked with supporting others in locating how to work with the energy of a placement whether or not that’s an easy life assignment.
Aimless is about using the visual landscape of Tarot to explore the purpose of peregrine placements. Via the 2025 Mars Rx in Leo (a peregrine Mars), we’ll investigate a process for clarifying how to think about / discuss the 33 peregrine placements in the zodiac.
Presenter Bio
Cristina Rivera is an astrologer and tarot reader from the Salem, MA area. She has also spent over 20 years in the classroom teaching students of all ages. Cristina possesses a lifelong passion for developing tools and curating sacred spaces of learning for knowledge-seekers. As an astrologer Cristina uses astrology as a tool for personal reflection, empowerment, and direction.
Her SMR is Cancer/Taurus/Aquarius. Follow Cristina’s work at her website, cristinariveraastrologytarot.com.
RSVP
Date: Thursday, January 30th, 2025
Time: 8 PM Eastern Time (ET)
RSVP: Eventbright (Click Here!)
Note: Free to attend; a recording of the talk will be available to members after the event. Click here to become a member!
SuS with Michelle Craft — Introduction to Temperament in Natal Astrology
Join us on Saturday, December 7th, 2025 at 2 PM Eastern Time (ET) for Michelle Craft’s next talk: “Introduction to Temperament in Natal Astrology!”
Talk Description
Review the concept of temperament in astrology including the temperaments of the planets and elements. Then how to determine the temperament of a chart and what temperament can tell us about a person’s attitudes, inclinations, and motivations. Example charts will be used with opportunities for group calculation and delineation and participants will learn how to calculate their own temperament. If there’s time, the group can share their own temperaments and how it shows up for them.
Presenter Bio
Michelle Craft is an astrologer in the SF Bay Area. She started out learning modern psychological astrology but now predominantly uses Hellenistic and Medieval Islamicate techniques in her practice. She has studied astrology with the AFA, Sam Reynolds, and Kelly Surtees, but also considers Chris Brennan and Ali A. Olomi to be a major influence on her practice and understanding of astrology today. Her practice is open for bookings at soulhealingwithmichelle.com.
RSVP
Date: Saturday, December 7th, 2025
Time: 2 PM Eastern Time (ET)
RSVP: Eventbright (Click Here!)
Note: Free to attend; a recording of the talk will be available to members after the event. Click here to become a member!
SuS with Blaze-Maximus — Medieval World Astrology: Religions & Dynasties
Join us on Thursday, October 24th, 2025 at 8 PM Eastern Time (ET) for Blaze-Maximus’s next talk: “Medieval World Astrology: Religions & Dynasties!”
Talk Description
World Astrology is the oldest branch of astrology that is concerned with using astrology to make predictions about the world, political alliances, the rise and fall of empires, natural disasters, religions, and dynasties. Blaze-Maximus has been studying the Medieval Islamic tradition of World Astrology through the works of Dr. Ali A Olomi, Abu Ma’shar Jafar ibn Muhammad ibn al-Balkhi, and Masha’allah ibn Athari. In this talk we will explore the framework of Historical Astrology that breaks down epochs of a thousand years into smaller and smaller ages of history. This talk will present a universal timeline to explore where we are at according to the Medieval framework and interpretation of what to expect for the future.
Presenter Bio
Blaze (he/they) is an Ecuadorian astrologer from The Bronx, NYC living in Orlando, Florida studying Afro-Asiatic traditions of astrology, esotericism, & the Islamic occult sciences. His journey in studying astrology started with his family casting horoscopes for him & his mother at birth, & has continued by taking on the study of astrology in 2016 & taking clients since 2020. He is an international presenter of astrology, presenting at the 6th European Astrology Conference and the Association for Young Astrologers. He is a practitioner of Natal, Horary, Electional, Continuous Horoscopy, Magical, and World astrological branches of astrology
RSVP
Date: Thursday, October 24th, 2025
Time: 8 PM Eastern Time (ET)
RSVP: Eventbright (Click Here!)
Note: Free to attend; a recording of the talk will be available to members after the event. Click here to become a member!
Synastry vs. Davison: A Relationship Astrology Technique Comparison
Description of Techniques
Synastry is the comparison of two or more natal charts, and how placements between two people manifest in their interactions and lives. The biwheel drawing makes it easy to see aspects formed between charts, and whether or not you use synastry, the concept of chart overlays is a foundation of all astrology. Synastry is a great next step to study after natal astrology, as other people’s placements can act as permanent transits to your chart, provoking or exciting you, and often both!
Composite charts are another form of comparing natal charts. The Composite chart was created by John Townley, who popularized the method in his 1973 book The Composite Chart. The idea is that you calculate the midpoints of each person’s placements to generate a hypothetical chart that characterizes the relationship. More attention is paid to the ascendant, the sign placement of the chart ruler. and stelliums in houses and or signs to describe the themes of relationships. However, you cannot over-interpret the chart since it is largely based on midpoints. Transits can be applied to this chart to assess how the astroweather is affecting a relationship.
In the early 1970s, Ronald Davison developed and outlined a different form of composite chart that would become known as the Davison Relationship Chart. Unlike the midpoint composite popularized by John Townley, the birth date, birth time, and birthplace are averaged to generate a chart that exists in time and space. Many of the same principles for interpreting midpoint composite charts apply, but it can be read like a natal chart. Experimentation suggests that timing techniques beyond transits can actually be applied to this chart, describing the seasons of a particular relationship.
Mo’s Preference: Davison
I am a big composite fan, and more specifically a fan of the Davison Relationship Chart. People understand their connections to other people through their experience of the relationship, and I think both forms of composite charts are helpful for achieving these goals. A big selling point for me with Davison charts is that you can identify the midpoint of a relationship in the ephemeris. Since the chart generated is not just the midpoint of individual placements, you can have retrogrades show up in the chart. If you are connected to someone born in a different part of a key planetary cycle, you may find that a retrograde planet or a cazimi plays a central part of your relationship. You may also find repetitions of that planetary cycle (eclipse, retrograde, cazimi, etc.) are transits that strongly impact the relationship! Overlays are key, and despite having an averaged date/time/location, sometimes the energy of one person dominates more in these charts, rather than being a perfect average. This provides valuable interpretive nuance, regardless of the nature of the relationship!
Anna’s Preference: Synastry
Synastry always gets a bad reputation as a sort of lesser form of astrology for a few reasons. Relationship astrology is sensitive and extremely complex, as well as personal. It’s easy to think you’ve got it wrong because there are so many astrological and emotional variables. I honed my astrological skills through dissecting my own relationships and those of others, vascilating between the roles of observer and participant. As I study and read astrological texts from both the ancient and modern world, I’m always pleased to see synastry woven into descriptions of nativities and other delineations. While I also use Composite and Davison charts for relationship readings, because they were crafted in the 20th century, there isn’t as much of a richness of historical analysis, and much of that analysis comes from synastry as well.
As astrologers understand more about the ways that the stars manifest in overarching societal experiences, mapping out the sparks in your romantic connections may seem petty in comparison. But amidst all of the turmoil and crisis of humanity, it matters who you come home to, and a synastry biwheel can show that so simply and poetically. I think there is something to be said for the basic and vital aspects such as Venus trine Moon, which expresses such care and understanding between individuals.
Finally, synastry is not just for romance! Rivalries, friendships, families, career, social media accounts, and pets are all relationships that can be examined through synastry.
About the Authors:
Anna DunLany is a traditionally influenced modern astrologer who specializes in natal and relationship readings. She started studying astrology in her teens, reading every book and internet forum she could find, then formally studied with Samuel Reynolds, and opened her professional practice in 2022. With her background in non-profit fundraising and volunteer management, Anna is focused on how AYA can best support astrologers educationally and financially, while connecting with one another in meaningful ways.
A deep love of history, creative writing, and her Gemini MC led Anna to combine her academic and esoteric interests and write her newsletter, Overly Personal Astrology, where she writes personal essays and astrological analysis of herself and historical figures. She lives in Atlanta, Georgia.
Mo is an American astrologer currently based in Toronto, Canada. She has been a practicing astrologer since 2018. She specializes in Hellenistic and Medieval astrology, focusing heavily on Solar Revolutions, Profections, and related timing techniques. She is passionate about teaching people about the various applications of the smaller subdivisions of the zodiac.
Seminar Under the Stars with Mo Olufemi: Triplicity, A Crash Course
The Association for Young Astrologers is so excited to welcome Mo Olufemi (@australtaur) to offer us a comprehensive overview of astrological triplicity. While most of the focus later in the Western Astrological traditions has centered on looking at placements in their domicile, exaltation, fall, and detriment; there 3 other tiers of essential dignity that can add nuance to the expression of a planet and the consequences it has for the topics it rules. In this workshop, we will explore triplicity as a concept and its wide ranging uses in astrology! This is an abbreviated version of talks Mo has previously given on the subject.
Seminar Under the Stars is a continuation of AYA’s long-running lecture series, Dinner & Drinks. We’ll be delivering the same stellar talks and astrological wisdom across disciplines and traditions while extending a more welcoming hand to all who may be interested.
This event is free and open to the public. We will gather on September 22, 2022 for a live lecture and Q&A. In addition, AYA members will have lifetime access to the recording of this talk along with prior Dinner & Drinks lectures.
Join us here on Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/3732274719