Seminar Under the Stars: The Astrology of Psychic Phenomenon with Janelle Belgrave

The Association for Young Astrologers is hosting Janelle Belgrave for The Astrology of Psychic Phenomenon on Saturday, June 20, 2026 at 12:30pm Eastern Time.

Lecture description: In this lecture we’ll explore the prominent planetary placements & aspects commonly associated with those who have manifested psychic and/or other metaphysical abilities in their lifetime. Additionally we’ll explore how public interest in the metaphysical has waxed and waned throughout modern history and whether or not society’s current peak will last. Will psychic abilities remain on the skeptical fringes or become an accepted part of humanity’s future?

Presenter bio: Janelle Belgrave is an astrologer, licensed acupuncturist, and clairvoyant intuitive. She is the co-host of the Stars on Fire podcast, and house astrologer of the Skyline Drive podcast. You can find out more about her work on her site www.soabove.com.

RSVP

Date: Saturday, June 20th, 2025
Time: 12:30 PM Eastern Time
RSVP: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/sus-janelle-belgrave-the-astrology-of-psychic-phenomenon-tickets-1989968415098
Cost: Free!

A recording of the talk will be available to members after the event. Click here to become a member!

SuS with Akil Carta — On What Condition? The History, Practice, and Importance of Assessing the Planets

Join us on Saturday, July 26th, 2025 at 11:30 AM Eastern Time (ET) for Akil Carta’s debut talk: “On What Condition: The History, Practice, and Importance of Assessing the Planets!”

Talk Description

Babylonian astrologers recognized that the planets had a baseline quality — either constructive or destructive — that was able to change under certain conditions. This fundamental idea was maintained and further elaborated by Astrologers in the Hellenistic, Islamicate, and Latinate worlds. In this lecture, we will discuss the history, practice, and importance of assessing planetary conditions prior to and for the sake of delineating and forecasting.

Presenter Bio

Since 2022, Akil has immersed themselves in the serious study of astrology and magic, exploring their rich intersection. Engaging in discussions within various spaces, they have cultivated an understanding of how these fields intertwine and influence personal and collective experiences. Now, Akil aims to formalize and share these insights through articles, presentations, and other methods, fostering a broader dialogue and encouraging deeper exploration of astrology and magic in contemporary contexts.

RSVP

Date: Saturday, July 26th, 2025
Time: 11:30 AM 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!

AYA Workshop — Designing an Effective Astrology Presentation

Join us on Saturday, June 28th, 2025 at 2 PM Eastern Time (ET) for an AYA Workshop: “Designing an Effective Presentation!”

Looking for tips on making your astrology presentation more informative and engaging? Bring your most exciting ideas to our workshop!

RSVP

Date: Saturday, June 28th, 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 Cori Anne Adams — Herbs as Allies for Astrological Remediation

Join us on Thursday, April 24th, 2025 at 7 PM Eastern Time (ET) for Cori Anne Adam’s’s next talk: “As Above, So Below: Herbs as Allies for Astrological Remediation!”

Talk Description

In a contemporary context, traditional astro-herbalism offers up language and guidance in bridging connectivity between celestial realms and our terrestrial experience. In this seminar we’ll take a look at using herbs as grounding remediation for strengthening or mitigating natal placements, as well as for transits and seasons of life, based on herbal actions and energetics that align with the native’s needs.

Presenter Bio

Cori Anne is a Brooklyn-based consulting astrologer, writer, podcast host and producer, and occult historian. Her practice is centered in traditional technique and theory while creating space for our complex contemporary lived experience. As a practitioner she specializes in using the natal chart holistically as a guide to cultivating and tending to a fulfilling life path that centers the desires of the soul and calling of the spirit through harmonizing all aspects of life. Cori Anne also studies herbalism, folklore and myth, and traditional witchcraft, all of which are woven through and reflected in her astrological practice. Outside of her astrological practice she is an avid reader, horror film enthusiast, seamstress, and lover of all things vintage and antique.

RSVP

Date: Thursday, April 24th, 2025
Time: 7 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!

March 2025 Open Board Meeting

Join us on Sunday, March 30th, 2025 at 7 PM Eastern Time (ET) for our quarterly open board meeting! This board meeting is open to members of the Association for Young Astrologers and gives us a chance to show you our processes. Attendees will get insider knowledge on some of our recent votes and an opportunity to see us soft launch some new board members.

RSVP: Eventbright (Click Here!)

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.

RSVP

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.

RSVP

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

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!

3 Lessons I’ve Learned in 3 Years of Being an Astrologer

At least once or twice a year I feel like I want to stop doing consultations. Because I don’t know enough.

Astrology is one of the most challenging practices I have studied in my life. More challenging than:

Studying neuroscience
Dancing for 12 hours a day
Writing a thesis on improvisation

Why? Two reasons:

Studying astrology feels like a thorn in my side. There’s always more to learn. I’m constantly wondering if I know it well enough to share confidently.
Similar to yoga and dance, I feel the weight of the responsibility of sharing astrology with people and doing it well (Capricorn rising, hello, how are ya?!).

Last year, I met with an incredible, very seasoned astrologer. I told him about my struggle. He reminded me that astrology is God’s writing in the stars and anyone who has the ability to read it has a responsibility to share what it says with others.

He also told me I will never know it all. That’s the beauty of it. It assures our humanity. We can’t ever be God.

The most important thing he told me, which sticks with me to this day, is this:

“Whatever you tell them is extraordinarily useful and helpful. That’s the nature of Astrology. And your responsibility is to just do it right. Just do what you’ve been trained to do. That’s thousands of years of knowledge.”

Here are three things I’ve learned to help me keep going and honor my responsibility:

1. Be where you are.

I can’t rush the wisdom that comes from experience and practice. I can’t expect myself to be an expert astrologer immediately and I still know more than enough to contribute.

I’ve made some mistakes along the way, especially in the beginning as I was
working on synthesizing the information. I’ve had to learn to forgive myself for it. I accept that people are getting this version of me and what I know now. Which means giving myself grace for being new… Because the only way to not be new is to keep going.

I can’t be at year 20 in year 3. And that’s okay (freaking out silently still…).

2. Share what you can.

Speaking of things that are okay… I don’t know everything… and that’s okay (or is it… LOL). But honestly, sometimes I have to say, “I’m sorry but I cannot answer that.”

Anyone can ask anything about their life and receive guidance from the chart. So I make no mistake about where the limitation lies… it’s with me, not with the tool.

At first I wasn’t okay with that. I felt like I had to all of a sudden be able to give people all these answers to their life questions because I studied astrology.

Now, I feel more at peace as I grow more confident in my foundational knowledge and allow myself to trust in exactly what I was trained to do.
It feels both humbling and empowering to receive messages like this:

“I am sitting here amazed by how spot-on you were with everything You’ve left me with lots to think about and a fresh outlook on some of the things I had been worrying over. I appreciate you so much! Looking forward to the next session!”

3. Learn what you will.

I’ve learned that insecurity arises because I feel a lack of knowledge in a specific area. So I turn to my resources as a comfort and a guide. Especially in times where I feel like I need to stop because I know “nothing” (can anyone relate?).

A lot of my learning is about Re-learning. Re-reading the books I read at Kepler. Reviewing the courses I took.

I repeatedly go back to The Astrology Podcast episodes about foundational
concepts like the signs, the houses, the planets and the aspects. I sit in relationship with my chart, to witness and reflect on how it shows up in my
life. I work to develop true relationships with these ideas so they become more embodied.

As a choreographer, I work with affirmations in my creative process to meet fear of the unknown in performance. One of my favorites is, “I am in a constant state of learning.”

Isn’t it so true though? We are all in a constant state of learning. One of the biggest takeaways for me has been recognizing that I can be both: learning and contributing.

Permission to be both, granted. If you have any doubts about your own brilliance, I wish that for you, too.

Bianca Paige Smith’s Links

Website: http://biancapaigesmith.com
Astrology Consults: https://biancapaigesmith.offeringtree.com/offerings
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/biancapaigesmith/

2024 Open Call for Board Members

The Association for Young Astrologers is excited to announce that the call for board members is once again open! If you’ve been wanting to get more involved in the astrological community, now’s your chance to join AYA’s wonderful team of folks.

Our priority is to fill the roles of Vice Chair and Webmaster. Below you’ll find a brief summary of these roles, but be sure to click through to the full listings for a more detailed breakdown of expectations.

Vice Chair

The Vice Chair will work closely with the Chair and other board members to ensure the continuous operation of the organization and the completion of projects. Additionally, the Vice Chair will act as an AYA representative for outfacing endeavors (when necessary).

Our ideal Vice Chair is someone who has…

Strong leadership skills
Values that align with AYA’s mission of education and resource-sharing
Passion for mentoring and/or providing opportunities to young and emerging astrologers
Passion for community-building

Full listing for Vice Chair: https://youngastrologers.org/open-call-for-vice-chair/?preview=true

Webmaster

The Webmaster is someone who is familiar with various site hosting platforms- especially WordPress- and can offer guidance as the organization potentially considers migrating to a new hosting site. The Webmaster will also assist AYA members in troubleshooting issues that arise with their accounts and/or website access.

Our ideal Webmaster is someone who has

Knowledge and experience in web design and UX
Prioritizes the intersections of design, UX, and accessibility
Experience with branding for nonprofits is a plus
Creative approaches to problem-solving
Excitement to contribute to various projects outside of web management

Full listing for Webmaster: https://youngastrologers.org/open-call-for-webmaster/

Other Board Roles

While our priority is to fill the above roles, we know there are so many skilled and passionate young astrologers out there! Calls for other board positions will be announced in the near future, so we invite you to stay tuned and see if you may be a better fit for a different role.

Open Call for Webmaster

The Association for Young Astrologers (AYA) is seeking a savvy someone to step into the role of Webmaster. Our Webmaster will be a voting member on the board and will work closely with other board members to ensure maintenance of AYA’s website.

Our ideal Webmaster is someone who has

Knowledge and experience in web design and UX
Prioritizes the intersections of design, UX, and accessibility
Experience with branding for nonprofits is a plus
Creative approaches to problem-solving
Excitement to contribute to various projects outside of web management

If you have these qualities and are looking for a way to be more involved in the astrological community, AYA’s Webmaster position might be for you! To apply, send your resume and a cover letter to youngastrologers@gmail.com with the subject line “2024 Webmaster Application.” The call for this position will remain open until the role is filled.

Duties

Maintenance of the AYA website
Managing content on website (lecture archive, blog, etc.)
Collaborating with Social Media Manager to ensure cohesion across platforms
Troubleshooting website issues with AYA members
Guiding voice in AYA’s consideration of changing hosting site
Voluntary involvement with other projects

Requirements for Webmaster

2 year commitment to serve in Webmaster role
Capacity to spend a maximum of 5-7 hours per week towards AYA duties
Availability every other Monday evening at 7pm Eastern to attend board meetings

Desired Qualities

Technical knowledge of WordPress and other hosting sites
Familiarity with SEO best practices
Highly collaborative
Effective communicator
Familiarity with the astrological community
Familiarity with Google Suite and Asana
Can communicate about capacity and ask for help when needed

Benefits

Professional Development
Networking opportunities- building relationships with others

Open Call for Vice Chair

The Association for Young Astrologers (AYA) is seeking someone with a collaborative spirit and a strong foundation in management to step into the role of Vice Chair. As AYA continues to prioritize a lateral division of power and labor within the organization, we envision the Vice Chair position as highly collaborative in its leadership responsibilities

Our ideal Vice Chair is someone who has

Strong leadership skills
Values that align with AYA’s mission of education and resource-sharing
Passion for mentoring and/or providing opportunities to young and emerging astrologers
Passion for community-building

If you have these qualities and are looking for a way to be more involved in the astrological community, AYA’s Vice Chair position might be for you! To apply, send your resume and a cover letter to youngastrologers@gmail.com with the subject line “2024 Vice Chair Application.” The call for this position will remain open until the role is filled.

Duties

Operations Management
Co-facilitating board meetings
Tracking AYA’s inbox for important messages
Project Management
Team Management

*All the above duties are shared by at least one other board member and will be completed in collaboration.

Requirements for Vice Chair

2 year commitment to serve in Vice Chair role
Capacity to spend 5-10 hours per week towards AYA duties
Availability every other Monday evening at 7pm Eastern to attend board meetings

Desired Qualities

Previous experience in leadership positions
Familiarity with the astrological community
Highly collaborative
Highly organized
Project management skills
Effective communicator
Familiarity with Google Suite and Asana
Can communicate about capacity and ask for help when needed
Passionate about astrology and has ideas for future AYA projects

Benefits

Professional Development
Networking Opportunities- building relationships with others

Not Another Mercury Retrograde: Going through the (Apparent Retrograde) Motions

Written by: Jasmin Lila

It seems like everyone and their aunt knows when Mercury is retrograde these days. I dare say it’s nearly as popular as knowing your Sun sign. Which is pretty cool; I’d never lament a more widespread acceptance of Astrology.

However, with this surge in mainstream popularity, and a (mostly justifiable) need to simplify complex concepts for broader accessibility, the conversation around Mercury retrogrades does seem to have gotten a little repetitive. Cliched. Reductive.

The finer details of Mercury retrograde have been somewhat lost in translation – the absolute on the nose perfection of which is not lost on me.

It’s a problem I realized I was contributing to, as I wrote yet another interpretation about how this is a time to reassess and rethink, to triple check the data, and avoid making big decisions. It’s not terrible advice, but it certainly lacks a greater nuance that any given Astrology transit deserves. Because even though they might have a similar foundation, no two retrogrades are created equal.

Mercury retrograde in expansive Sagittarius has a much different flavor than that of one in grounded Capricorn. A retrograde that features squares with Neptune is bound to melt the mind and confuse communication, a little more than one that features sextiles with clear-cut Saturn. Combine those and you get two very distinct periods of retrograde time. Once you factor in how it’s influencing your natal chart, there’s no telling how many variations are possible from one single retrograde.

All of that had gotten away from me somehow, though. Another Mercury retrograde was upon us and I was on autopilot, just going through the motions. Honestly, I think Mercury noticed.

This past retrograde (Dec. 2023 to Jan. 2024) manifested in some of the most obvious, palm-to-forehead ways for me. While Mercury was retrograde in my third house of communication, I recorded an entire podcast episode before realizing my microphone hadn’t been working. When Mercury backtracked to my second house of money, I had a bank account get shut down without my knowledge or any warning.

The majority of those classic retrograde bloopers and snafus – glitchy tech, misunderstandings, retracing your steps – happened while Mercury was in Sagittarius, reminding me and emphasizing the importance of planetary condition. Mercury’s detriment in Sagittarius surely contributed to making that part of the retrograde all the more haywire.

My experience was radically different while Mercury was retrograde in Capricorn. Though it’s neutral territory for Mercury, the steady environment of a Saturn-ruled earth sign likely offered extra stability, to stay ever so slightly more on track.

The second take on that podcast episode was infinitely better than the first, and this recording delay wound up playing a role in the renaming and rebranding of that podcast. A change I had been trying to make for months, and which the retrograde revising opened the door for.

This third house retrograde also brought the opportunity to recreate my website, to pivot the type of regular content I create, and on the day of the retrograde station, a reversal in mindset. It was this initial stage of the retrograde that awakened me from autopilot.

It’s not uncommon for the day of a station, whether retrograde or direct, to be the trickiest part of the cycle. With the planet completely inert, delays and inactivity make sense. However, this particular station day was one of the most productive I’d had in weeks. A writing project I’d been working on, and hitting one roadblock after another, was suddenly finding its stride. And then it was done.

As Mercury found a place of stillness in the cosmos, my mind found a calm clarity here on Earth. I doubt every retrograde station will provide such a blessing, but this possibility for mental peace and focus will get factored into my future interpretations.

More than just reminding me that ubiquity doesn’t negate uniqueness, this retrograde prompted me to rethink my approach to Astrological translation. To give the planets a little more agency in the stories they’re weaving. We might know how the last retrograde played out, but that doesn’t mean we know all the twists and turns of the retrogrades yet to come.

We can be prepared to reassess, triple check data, and delay big decisions, but we can also go deeper than that. Each retrograde holds the gift of a second chance. The pen to rewrite our stories. An opportunity to awaken from autopilot and do more than just go through the motions.

More from Jasmin Lila

Website: https://jasmins-astrology.square.site/

Links: https://jasminsastrology.bio.link/

AYA’s 2023 Year in Review

As 2023 comes to an end, we’ve been reflecting on the exciting developments and accomplishments the Association for Young Astrologers has experienced this year. Join us in celebrating AYA’s 2023 highlights!

Board of Directors

This year, we’ve welcomed two new board members onto the team. Additionally, two existing board members embraced new positions. The lineup of our current board is as follows:

Janay Anthony, Chair
Anna DunLany, Treasurer
Dee, Secretary
Mo Olufemi, Education Coordinator
Melissa Marklin, Social Media Manager

AYA has intentions to continue expanding the board and present more opportunities for community involvement in 2024, so keep a look out for calls in the upcoming year.

Bylaws Update

Perhaps our biggest undertaking as an organization was updating our bylaws. We revised our bylaws to align them with our other governing documents, as well as to reflect current practices around remote work and the use of gender-neutral language. Throughout this process, AYA’s board recommitted to the organization’s original mission statement: to bridge the gap between generations in the field of astrology and promote astrological knowledge through an array of programming.

AYA at NORWAC

We were so excited to attend NORWAC this year! It was a joy to reconnect with the community, and see so many of you face-to-face. Did you have the chance to stop at our table and say hi? We also had the pleasure of bringing along our very first cohort of AYA fellows to participate in the conference virtually. In one of our first commitments to center education at AYA, we developed an Astrology Conference Fellowship program that provided two full and three partial conference registration stipends to five outstanding AYA members.

A special shout out to our very own Mo Olufemi for giving an incredible NORWAC lecture on Using the Davison Chart for Intentional Relationships.

Seminar Under the Stars

We had a spectacular lineup of speakers join us for our Seminar Under the Stars series. Here’s a breakdown of the brilliant minds we had the privilege of learning from this year:

Samuel F. Reynolds, The Astrology of Policing
Mychal A. Bryan, Audience with the Author
Solar Simone, Bravery & Boundaries: How the Malefics Shape & Influence Us
Eric Lusby, History of the Lots

We want to highlight Mychal A. Bryan who was our first guest in what we hope to be a recurring series under the Seminar Under the Stars umbrella: Audience with the Author. Mychal joined us to discuss his recently published work, Mastering Traditional Astrology: A Depth of Beginning in the Celestial Art, and AYA gifted a signed copy of the book to three lucky AYA members.

Additionally, December will bring us a special edition of Seminar Under the Stars where the AYA board will discuss the major transits of 2024. Register here if you’d like to join the conversation!

What a Year!

Overall, we’re very proud of what we’ve been able to accomplish as an organization this year. All of the highlights above are only the beginning, and we have exciting projects in the woodwork coming up in 2024, so stay tuned!

May 2023 Horoscopes by Fionn Cleary

Here are your rising sign horoscopes for the month of May!

This month there is a major emphasis on the fixed signs, particularly the Scorpio/Taurus axis. We have just blasted out of eclipse season. This month kicked off with the lunar eclipse in Scorpio on May 5th, bringing with it some major culminations and transformations. We get to enjoy some steady growth and lushness with Jupiter entering Taurus on May 16th, and then we plant new seeds in fertile fields with the Taurus new moon on May 19th. Although, a new Moon in the third decan of Taurus could indicate planning ahead for new beginnings with the knowledge that we may need a backup plan and a rainy day fund.

Aries

Following the eclipse in your eighth house, there may have been a major process of disentangling from what binds you to others. As you release what you owe to others, Jupiter enters your second house to help turn what resources you already have into more.

Taurus

The month kicks off with a push to do some major work within your close relationships. As you take a breather after your final seventh house eclipse, Jupiter enters your first house to big you up like a hypeman and help you renew a fresh sense of hope and possibility. This begins a period of personal growth, learning and getting closer to your goals.

Gemini

As the month begins, you may be prompted to do some problem-solving around your physical well-being and work-life balance. As Jupiter enters your 12th house, you may begin a process of deep introspection in which you unearth hidden talents and nuggets of wisdom.

Cancer

The lunar eclipse may have facilitated a breakthrough in your creative passions and romantic life. As Jupiter rejoices in your eleventh house, it is well-equipped to facilitate growth, forging alliances, and the fruition of hopes and dreams.

Leo

The eclipse cycle brought about major changes in your home, family and living situation, and no it is coming to a close. Jupiter enters your house of career, allowing for a boost in profile, or you may earn a reputation for being your showy and sunny lil self! When Mars enters your first house later in the month, you may become particularly driven.

Virgo

The lunar eclipse marks a transition away from difficult experiences within your close circle and local community. As Jupiter enters your 9th, you can broaden your outlook and worldview. The myriad of possibilities the world has to offer opens up to you, offering new perspectives and plans for learning and growth.

Libra

The eclipse may bring some major changes to how you earn your living and manage your resources. Jupiter in your eighth house can bring forth opportunities from the commitments you made during the first half of the year. Your committed relationships could enter a further level of intimacy or material involvement.

Scorpio

This eclipse hits you right in your first house! Eclipses in the first can feel akin to a snake shedding its skin – letting go of an old identity and beginning to live in a manner that’s authentic. Jupiter meets you in your 7th house, bringing you in contact with wise folks, teachers and generous partners. Jupiter may bring balance, agreement and good will to your committed relationships.

Sagittarius

The eclipse in your 12th house of isolation and hidden places brings a revelation in the dark – finding wisdom and deep resilience in difficult circumstances. Jupiter in Taurus brings support to your health and work and has the potential to offer supports and experts that can support your well-being.

Capricorn

Momentum is building within your social scenes after some major changes in your house of wider communities. Jupiter enters your fifth house, offering you some opportunities to flourish creatively and build up routines to sustain your creative force. It also brings opportunities for making romance a more lush and expansive area of your life.

Aquarius

The Scorpio eclipse may have brought major developments and momentous occasions in your career or public life. This may have been taxing for you and those close to you, so it’s good news that Jupiter enters your fourth house to bring some balance and expansion within the home.

Pisces

This eclipse may have brought a deep questioning around where you want to go in life and where in the world you like to place yourself. With Jupiter in your third house, you may be researching and planning for the foundations you want to set for the next phase of your life. This is a great time to question what you want your day-to-day life to look like.

Plugs:

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https://fionnclearyastrologybookings.as.me/schedule.php

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AYA Bylaws Update

On March 1st 2023, the AYA Board of Directors voted to approve a revision to our bylaws.

The update is mostly much-needed housekeeping; we are now more clearly aligned with our other governing documents such as our Articles of Incorporation and the state statutes, and we’ve updated and clarified the language to reflect today’s practices around gender and remote work.

Most excitingly though, we’ve created new opportunities for the Board and those who care about AYA to more actively participate in governance and organizing.

Bylaw Update Highlights:

Instead of President and Vice-President, we’ve returned to the original Incorporation language of Chair and Vice-Chair.
We’ve adjusted the committee process so the Board can create committees as-needed, including committees that can include more non-Directors, such as a Board nomination committee and advisory committees.

The Board has already voted to create an Advisory Committee, hoping to bring in more community members of diverse generations and astrological traditions to advise on and support initiatives of the Board, as Demetra George supported and believed in AYA’s mission when first founded.

AYA’s principal mission continues to be to provide outreach and support to young people discovering astrology, and secondly, in support of that, to promote a deeper understanding and knowledge of astrology through lectures, seminars, workshops, conferences, study groups, research and information distribution, and any and all other appropriate means.

Through the bylaw process, we’ve reaffirmed AYA’s identity as a small Board-governed 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization created for educational and charitable purposes, accountable to the public good and supported by our members, a legion of small donors who believe in AYA’s mission and benefit from our programs and community.

AYA’s current programming remains in line with our mission: monthly Seminar Under the Stars, monthly newsletter with opportunities for emerging astrologers, our Discord server, and forthcoming fellowship program.

If you’d like to register your interest in being on the Board or Advisory Committee prior to our official call, please contact youngastrologers@gmail.com

Astrology Conference Fellowship

To honor our mission of uplifting new and upcoming voices in astrology and providing opportunities to those who may not have them otherwise, the Association for Young Astrologers has created the Astrology Conference Fellowship.

AYA’s Astrology Conference Fellowship is a needs-based scholarship program for students of astrology looking to expand their skills and knowledge through attendance at conferences. Folks at any and all levels of astrology are welcome to apply.

To launch our fellowship program, AYA will be awarding 2 full and 3 partial scholarships for attendance to virtual NORWAC 2023!

Full Scholarship: worth $375 each, equates to the price of full conference registration, excluding pre/post-conference workshops
Partial Scholarship: worth $188 each, equates to half the price of full conference registration, excluding pre/post-conference workshops

Applicants are required to:

Have an active AYA membership
Demonstrate financial need
Be age 18+
Submit application form by April 30, 2023 at 11:59 PM EST.

Awardees of the fellowship will be required to:

Agree to be featured in AYA’s newsletter and blog
Attend a virtual social gathering for fellowship awardees on the evening of Saturday, May 27, 2023 (exact time TBD)

If you can commit to all the requirements, AYA invites you to apply for the Astrology Conference Fellowship! The deadline to submit this form is April 30, 2023 at 11:59 p.m. EST.

Apply here: https://forms.gle/JUZXPHr4C913VRBMA

Open Call for AYA Secretary

With AYA’s recent adjustments to board roles, we are eager to announce an open call for our Secretary position.

Filling this position is a high priority of the AYA board, so please submit your application by April 27, 2023 at 11:59 PM EST. If we are still in need of a Secretary at that time, the call will remain open until the position is filled.

Our Secretary is responsible for…

Recording minutes for all board meetings
Maintaining organized records in Google Drive
Utilizing Asana to assign tasks designated during board meetings
Working with Communications Manager to check and maintain social media
Collaborating with other board members on committee projects that pique your interest

Position Requirements

2 year commitment to the position
Ability to attend biweekly board meetings Monday evenings at 7PM EST.

Preferred Secretary Qualities

Organizational Skills
Strong Communication Skills
Familiarity with Google Suite
Collaborative
Curiosity and Eagerness to Learn
Virgo energy highly welcome!

If you’re interested in applying to the Secretary position, send your resume and a cover letter to youngastrologers@gmail.com with the subject line “2023 Secretary Application.” Applications received by April 27,2023 at 11:59 PM EST will be prioritized over those received after this date. Though the call will remain open until the position is filled.

Don’t think the Secretary position is right for you, but still want to be more involved with AYA? You’re in luck! AYA is looking to continue expanding our board, and will be announcing open calls for other board positions in the near future. Stay tuned!