by Alison Price
The Canadian Astrology Conference
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
The Canadian Astrology Conference is an all Canadian speaker astrology conference is in its second year.
Hosted jointly by the Calgary Astrology Association and the Edmonton Astrology Association it moves up and down Alberta. There was some talk of it going East to Ontario or West to Vancouver at some point.
The conference is like your Mars’ return and only comes around every two years.
In 2015 it was held in Edmonton and will be again in 2019. Then I understand it will be back to Calgary for 2021.
All speakers have to be Canadian or new Canadians who have made Canada their home, like me. Yes, I have a Canadian passport.
Venue
Held at the Executive Royal Hotel in Calgary near the airport to help attendees and speakers with their travel. The shuttle bus picks up and drops off.
Christine at the check-in desk was perky at midnight when I arrived. She even organized a complimentary cup of 2% milk for me so I could make tea in my room just like at home.
I take my own Twining’s Earl Grey tea bags and run the boiling water through the coffee machine. The only thing I always need is the 2% milk. The milk went in the room fridge for my late night and early morning tea.
I had a room with one queen size bed. The sheets were clean and crisp. The towels white and fresh. There was a super large desk and electrical outlets for my computer, phone and ephemeris etc.
I always offer On-the-Spot astrology readings (by donation as you see fit) at conferences where I am a speaker and I did so this time. My room was generous enough for clients to sit comfortably on a chair in a conversation style.
I do not like it if my room is so small that my clients have to sit on the bed. I only work with female clients in this way all of my male clients are accommodated in the public meeting rooms.
There was no room safe for valuables (computer) which was surprising. However I did appreciate the laminate floor instead of carpet. The illusion is of cleanliness all the way.
I tip my chambermaid every morning so we know where we are.
Alison and Kelly
The barman/server Ken was excellent and his sense of humour had the ladies laughing all night. He handled multiple changes of orders for dinner with ease and aplomb and brought several wine samples for our dearest lady to try before she chose her favourite.
The house white was a Chardonnay so I was good with that.
The Organisers
Organized by Donna and Peggy with help from Geni and no doubt many faceless others (and husbands in the wings) whom I never met.
Apparently, these two women have been astrology friends for years and the ease with which they worked together as a team showed. They are caring people whom I am now pleased to call my friends.
The event had a pre-conference morning with Kelly and then officially kicked off at 1 pm with the opening ceremony and then it was straight into the lectures.
I was delighted to be the initial speaker with my presentation on Superior Planet Synodic Cycles and I’d like to think that set the tone for all the quality talks to come.
My engaged audience. Thank you!
I want to give a special shout-out to my good friend Toby and my “longtime-no-see” old friends Franco, Kelly and Hillory. They all gave excellent talks.
I was happy to meet JoAnn and chat before dinner. There were good wines in the bar and the pre-dinner drinkies were a roaring success of conviviality and sparkling conversation.
The Saturday night buffet banquet was substantial as only you can get in Alberta. The haunch of Albert AAA beef was roasted and seasoned to perfection.
Fresh local vegetables (raw and cooked) and enough variety for the vegetarians amongst us. There was an enormous font of gravy with which to anoint your meal. Yum.
There was a dessert trolley with Nanaimo bars and other Canadian favourites. Double yum.
Alison, Toby and Caz.
Entertainment
Madame Popo had much to say and drew many laughs with her outrageous political commentary poking fun at leaders both local and abroad. Go for Justin.
I enjoyed her risqué assessment of the speakers and their quirks that she had picked up earlier.
Her lavish costume was breathtaking and clearly this is Vivienne Westwood’s inspiration and muse for her exotic creations. Madame P. had the personality and presence to pull it all off.
Delightful as she was Madam Popo had a valuable message.
That the gift you have of astrology, and its understanding, needs to be cherished and shared with your clients. This is your gift, use it well.
I loved this part. Her words were on my mind as I travelled back home to Vancouver.
This conference had wonderful after dinner entertainment. You should go to this event simply for the pleasure of experiencing spectacular Madame Popo.
Why You Should Attend
If you are Canadian you should support local astrology. There is a certain pride in the excellent quality of the people you will meet both those who run the show and those who attended.
This is what I would call a boutique astrology conference. Quality speakers, topics and fare but not so well known.
“a boutique astrology Conference”
If you are an American you should go because you love astrology and you need to experience Canadian hospitality at its best. Live dangerously and travel north of the border. You will love it.
Alison and Franco
If you live anywhere else (not North America) you should go because you can learn from a rich resource that is the basis of modern Canadian Astrology.
The Take Home
These are the things I have taken home from this weekend.
* Gratitude for having being invited to share my insights and experience with this audience.
* Inspiration to try new things in astrology.
* New friends to keep in touch with and join up with when they come to visit my city.
* The knowledge that there is always something to learn in astrology and it is not always a technical detail.
* That in my audience, if the light goes on in only one person’s eyes, I have done my job.
* Thankful for those who enjoyed my talk and their private comments to me afterwards. Thank you. Hugs.
Banquet
Why I’ll Be Back
I wasn’t always a Canadian. In fact I lived in Africa for most of my life. But Canada is an inclusive country that embraces cultural diversity.
This is good.
There are many options for astrology conferences but to make the most of them you need to know how to have fun at an astrology conference so you get the best from your first, or fiftieth, experience.
If you decide to go to the next Canadian Astrology Conference In Edmonton learn what to pack for an astrology conference to make your event going that much sweeter.
See you at the next one.
Alison
by Alison Price
by Alison Price
Natural Sequence to Chart Reading
As you start to get into astrology and read horoscopes there is a natural sequence to charts that you will read.
Some of you who begin with astrology may stop sooner than others who may go on to be competent astrologers.
Several of you will go on to be aspiring astrologers and competent astrologers and be able to provide an acceptable solid reading. You may read for friends and family or in a casual way.
A few of you will become experts and exceptional chart readers and can read any and every chart that comes your way. You are likely to attract clients at this stage.
Chart number 1: Your own chart.
You will always start with your own chart and certainly, this chart will be with you through your astrology journey. You will read it in a simple way and then develop your interpretations into more complex methods in the future.
You will work on this chart for the rest of your life.
Charts numbered 2-10: Your immediate family’s charts
This includes your husband, wife, kids, parents and siblings etc. They are people you know very well and have known for many years. Now you can benefit from some basic chart reading skills.
At this point you are a hobbyist astrologer
Charts numbered 11-18: Charts of people who you do know.
These are the charts of friends and people you know well enough to ask for their chart details, “so you can practice.” You will do these charts for free and enjoy the time spent pouring over each unique chart.
At this point you are a student astrologer
Charts numbered 18-25: Gateway charts
These charts you will draw up for people who are technically “clients.”
You will tentatively explain that you are opening an astrology business and although you are still a junior astrologer, you wish to read their charts in a professional manner to practice your readings and your professional practice competency. You are aware of how your outer planet signature attracts clients.
You will charge them a moderate fee of around US$5-10 or barter for a cup of coffee.
These charts are for your gateway clients and they get you into being a professional astrologer. There may be more charts in this group but if you are determined that astrology is for you then you will only need about six practice runs and these are the charts you will use.
At this point you are an amateur astrologer and may consider seven days to a better chart reading.
Charts numbered 26-100: Your paying clients – Junior astrologer
You are now in business. You charge a fair fee for your services. You may be interested in 10 things to do before your client arrives.
At this point you are a junior professional astrologer.
Charts numbered 100 plus: Your paying clients – Professional astrologer
At this point you are a professional astrologer. You know how to give an astrological referral. You can run a prosperous astrology business and you know how to work with clients.
Your Journey
The process of becoming an astrologer is not one straight line from start to finish. Each person will make detours and have stops and starts along the way.
To see where you are exactly on your journey towards becoming an astrologer the five levels of astrologer are explained in more detail. You can see that you could be straddling two areas at once.
If you want to travel fast go alone,
if you want to travel far take a friend.
Think about how many charts you have read. Consider where you are on your journey to becoming a fabulous astrologer.
by Alison Price
Astrology Study Group
Humans are group oriented individuals. It is natural for us to congregate together even if it means simply sitting in a coffee shop or alone at a busy bar. The nature of people is to flock together. Did I hear “baaaa!”
Like minded people often gather to discuss their favored subject, support each other, bounce ideas off each other and explore theories amongst themselves.
A study group is created when several people join forces to work, read or study something of mutual interest. As I have said many times before, astrology can be an isolating interest.
It makes sense to go where you are understood and (dare I say it) everyone knows your name. Perhaps you have been thinking of getting some people together to mull over charts if so here are some ideas to help you formulate that plan.
When to Start a Study Group
Consult your chart to find the best time to begin building your astro group. Or any group for that matter. Bear in mind the planet that signifies the subject of the groups should be prominent. In our case Uranus rules astrology and astrologers.
Here are some times to look out for when creating a group:
- Transits to your eleventh house. (For example, Mars is good to get things going.)
- When the ruler of your eleventh house is aspected.
- During transits to your North node. In astrology the North node suggests future people who may come into your life and the nodes are hubs and indicate get-togethers.
- Conjunctions to your Vertex show new people entering your life.
Who to Invite
It is my belief that the people who will benefit from your group will make themselves known to you. It is natural for strong fire and air types to get together and the same for earth and water signs.
If you give it some thought, you will probably be able to come up with one or two people who live nearby and maybe interested.
Perhaps you have a busier astrologer in your area. Send them an invite. All astrologers have the same problem as in not having many others to talk to about the ins and outs of charts. This suggests why astrology conferences, retreats and seminars are so prolific and most astrology organizations are going from strength to strength.
When to Host
You may meet once a month, perhaps every third Wednesday, from 10:00am to noon or 7:00pm to 9:00pm. If you establish a firm day and time it makes it easier for attendees to juggle their schedule and make more appearances during the year.
What to Do
- Astrology book clubs are often the first step. One new book is chosen each month and the attendees read it beforehand to arrive prepared and ready to discuss it at the meeting. You can explore the philosophies of the author compare your views on the techniques presented or even compare the “professional” book reviews found in the trade magazines.
- Astrology transit groups usually discuss the current Moon placements and any major transits or planets changing signs happening during the month. This is a good method to support general first level forecasting techniques.
- Astrology interpretation groups will often discuss each others charts comparing Jupiter placements or work through one planet each meeting going over, for instance, Jupiter in all the houses and learning by hearing how other members of the groups experience their Jupiter placement. this type of get together supports natal chart analysis and better interpretation skills.
These are just some ideas for bringing your astrology cronies together in meaningful discussion.
If you feel like hosting a group similar to one of these in your home you can benefit by offering to do all the three type of meeting suggested above.
by Alison Price
Create the Life You Want With The Art of Astrology
Your Creativity
I believe that all women are creative. Each and every one of us has something to offer and it can be big or small.
I find that if you bring your talents forward and make time for interesting things it establishes a balance in your life between what has to be done and what you like doing. It is the action of creating that makes the process satisfying.
We all have responsibilities such as having to work for someone else, commuting, launching our kids into the world and maintaining a social life and meaningful personal relationship.
Daily you may face a to-do list and if you don’t do them who will? If you tap into your creativity it can mitigate many of the mundane details of life.
As Women Evolve
Many of the women I see in my astrology practice are in the forty- or fifty-something age group.
They have already brought up their children and made a home for their family. At this point in their lives they want something more. They ask me, “Is this all there is?” or words in the same vein.
After the efforts they have put out for years that are now not needed, they have a good look at their life. The kids have gone their partner now may, or may not, measure up and an uneasy feeling of dissatisfaction has crept in.
Other women relish their newfound freedom and seek ways to make the most of the next phase of life. Either way women want a new direction, purpose and meaning for their life.
Enter Astrology
This is where an astrology consultation can help. Astrology is the study of the influence that the stars and planets have on life on Earth. Thousands of years of analysis have shown that particular traits are inherent in each zodiac sign.
A professional astrologer can cast your unique birth chart and provide you with a life map for your journey.
Your natal chart is original and contains many combinations of planetary energies all flowing at the same time in different directions. It is the skill of the astrologer to sort through the themes shown in your chart and present a clear picture for you.
I look at all the planets including your Sun and Moon signs and find the message in your chart. It is different for each one of you. Some will call it your soul purpose, others your life path.
Whichever words you choose to use your birth chart shows all the potentials, urges and opportunities that you have and that need to be satisfied in this lifetime.
We cannot all be rocket scientists, and indeed it would be a very different world if we were, but every woman owes it to herself to be what they truly want and not have to bow to what society, or your mother-in-law, or anyone else, thinks you should be.
Reading for Mari
I had a client recently a woman we will call Mari. She came to me in mid-life for a reading. I think initially she was simply curious as she had never consulted an astrologer before. We exchanged pleasantries. I offered her tea and we settled down in a comfortable environment for her reading.
She started off by saying, “What can you see?” and I began discussing her chart and spoke of how I interpreted her chart and who I saw her as through reading her chart and the eyes of astrology.
I had never met her before and soon I was chatting about her motivations and how her nativity was suggesting a certain path. She stopped me then, and said, “I wanted to do that when I was a girl, but I had forgotten about it until you mentioned it.”
I asked her, “Do you still want to do it?”
She thought for a moment and said, “Well I did once but that was a long time ago, I’m a different person now, I have responsibilities.”
Hmm…
I shall break from the story here and tell you that this response is common. That what we wanted to do as children or young people has been shelved in favour of a life that is an existence but pays the rent.
Yes, I know providing a roof is important but to my mind having your dream come alive again is a most desirable state of affairs.
Astrology can help you focus on what is truly important in your life and, to be honest, it could simply be continuing down your present path. But for many women it is a way to re-ignite ideas or passions that have been left to wither on the vine.
Let Your Ideas Breathe
Going back to Mari’s situation. I urged her to consider changing what she was doing, not all at once as transformation can be daunting, but that she let the thoughts of following her long lost passion mull in her head for a while and give her ideas space to breathe.
Two months later I met with Mari again and we discussed how things were going for her. She told me she had signed up for a class to refresh her desired activity and would be starting in the New Year.
She also informed me that she has changed her attitude towards herself and her view of what she wanted her life to be.
Although this was still a work in progress the small changes she had made had improved her overall perspective and brightened her outlook.
Consider getting your chart featured. What are you waiting for?
by Alison Price
If you are an aspiring astrologer or even a full-blown astrologer for that matter, these five items you need to have in order to read charts effectively.
You may be attracted to a different branch of astrology than the next astrologer, but the basics to need are the same.
I am going to share with you the five essential things every aspiring astrologer requires to read a chart.
These items are distilled from many years of experience in my practice where I have cast and read charts for people.
Although you can have tons more books and goodies that can help with the process, I have trimmed the list down to the five basic necessities that you require to read a chart.
1) An Ephemeris
This is the best book you can have on your desk. An ephemeris contains the planet’s positions, retrogrades, eclipses, lunations and many other interesting facts about what the solar system is actually doing.
Back in the day (before we all had a computer to cast charts) you would need your ephemeris to calculate the chart in the first place.
Now you will reach for your ephemeris to quickly find when Pluto will enter your client’s eighth house for the second time, retrograde in a five-hit transit or to discover if it is going to be an appulse or total eclipse next autumn as you write you horoscopes for the following year.
If you never refer to your ephemeris for charts and forecasting it makes a great spot for your cat to sleep.
2) A Computer with Solar Fire
Where would we be without a professional astrology software program?
Still casting charts by hand I suppose. You do need some way to draw charts quickly and correctly if you read charts for a living.
I use Solar Fire and it is really powerful software and to be honest I don’t use all the features all the time, or even many of the features most of the time, but
I do use the powerful chart processing ability and its calculations for secondary progressions, solar arcs, solar returns, and transits. These are for client work and the chart for right-here right-now to plan my day.
You can get chart calculation apps for your iPhone like Astro Gold and this is wonderful for casting charts on-the-go. I use Astro Gold for pondering the charts of my clients as I always load their birth data into my phone, as well as Solar Fire, before the consultation so I can consider all the ideas I may have about their chart wherever I am in my day.
I can do this because I book clients usually one week ahead because I like to cast their chart and then mull over it for a few days so it can “speak” to me.
If you work differently (and you should follow your path) or work ahead of time as I do then, either way, you need powerful astrology software.
3) The Chart
You need the chart to do the interpretation. Usually, you will print the chart from your computer or draw it by hand.
But just having a plain chart is no good and you have to make notes on it, highlight special planets, draw attention to grand trines or yods and the like. This extra jotting on the chart is best done in color.
Emphasize the ruling planet in yellow wherever it appears on the page even in the aspectarian.
Color the grand trines and mini-grand trines in blue along with the normal blue trines for ease the T-squares in red (red is for squares in general), Thor’s hammers in tangerine (sesquiquadrates are always orange), emerald for yods (quincunxes are green).
You do this in color because after a time when you have looked at hundreds of charts they can easily blend into one in your mind. If you have each chart highlighted in color and the main features, planets, houses and major aspect patterns enhanced it is quicker to scan and immediately get up to speed on that particular chart.
It is a way to streamline your readings and stop you ploughing through all the myriad of details that each chart contains. By adding primary and secondary shades, as a component to clarity, you become more effective and just glancing at the wheel hues can become almost as a mandala when you contemplate many charts.
4) Your Astrology Journal
An astrology journal is every aspiring astrologer’s friend. You will always be learning new interpretations for charts. When you read astrology articles online, blogs or pieces in trade publications there is always something to learn.
It could be a technique or another way to remember planetary placement meanings, if you write them down you don’t have to remember everything.
You may not ever use these tidbits of information but then again you might. Points you find that may not make much sense today may be just what you are looking for in the next chart you read or maybe next year when you tackle another method that is new to you.
Astrologers are always learning and this is what the journal is for.
I use mine when I planning my horoscopes for next year or other writing projects that I may be developing.
5) Herb Tea
As you sit at your desk for a few hours each day working on charts and chatting to people it is nice to have a soothing cup of herb tea at your elbow.
Personally, I enjoy green tea, jasmine tea and now and then a refreshing Earl Grey. If you are not a tea drinker it doesn’t matter but you do need your favorite drink to hand.
Taking a beverage break lets you sit back, ease your shoulders that have become tense leaning in, drawing notes on your charts and making case notes for your charts.
Pausing for a drink gives you a time to breathe and make a moment of stillness in your day.
These are the five basics that should be on your desk. There is room for many more reference books (oh the books), but to cast a chart and read it you only need five things.
Start with these items on your desk and develop your aspiring astrology chart reading skills as you immerse yourself in the magical world of astrology.
by Alison Price
Astrology Business Kick Start Master Class
If you are an aspiring astrologer and want to set-up your astrology business then this is the master class for you.
In this master class, we address the challenges experienced in the first year of your practice.
Who This Master Class is For
If you are an engaged astrology student, keen and attentive or you are thinking of starting to charge for your readings this master class is for you.
Masterclass Features
Your booking package
When you book a spot you will receive a booking package the week before the event which includes:
- A copy of your birth chart.
- A 12-month graphic ephemeris.
- A questionnaire designed to bring focus to your business journey, which you will complete beforehand and bring to the masterclass.
- The Zoom link of the event.
- Worksheets for in-class exercises so you can follow along every step of the way and map out your astrology business.
Summer 2023
Zoom webinar
Presented by Professional Astrologer Alison Price
Master Class Outline
9:45 am – 10:00 am – Zoom waiting room open
Welcome and hellos.
10:00 am – 11:15 am – First Session
What type of astrologer you are and what type of astrologer should you be.
How to set up and manage your astrology business.
The importance of your online presence.
11:15 am – 11:30 am – Coffee break
11:30 am – 12:45 pm – Second Session
How to attract clients.
Advertising, marketing and promotion of your astrology business.
How to correctly take a client booking.
12:45 pm – 2:00 pm – Lunch break
2:00 pm – 3:15 pm – Third Session
The wealth potential in your chart.
Whether you took a vow of poverty.
How to manage your first paid consultation.
3:15 pm – 3:30 pm – Coffee Break
3:30 pm – 4:30 pm – Fourth Session
How to set fees for your products and services.
What your money says about your values.
How your chart shows the path for your astrology business.
4:30 pm – 5:00 pm – Closing Summary
Final thoughts and next steps.
Masterclass Details: What You Need to Know
Only a few attendee spots available
To maintain an intimate experience and ensure personal attention the space is limited to only a few spots.
Pricing and Payments
Delivery
Via Zoom webinar.
Cancellations
All booking cancellations requiring a refund will attract a $30 administration fee.
No refunds after two weeks prior to the start.
Transfers
If for some reason you cannot make it, you may transfer or donate your spot to someone else at no extra charge.
Astrology Classes
Below are the options I have for astrology lessons from beginner to advanced chart readings and more.
Click the images on the left for more details.
Beginner’s Astrology: Natal (16 Classes)
Semester One: Basic Natal Charts
Signs, planets, points, houses and aspects.
Semester Two: Advanced Natal Charts
Essential dignity, Lunar phases, retrograde, Nodes, chart shape etc.
Intermediate Astrology: Natal (16 Classes)
Semester One:
Dignities, phases, retrograde, most elevated, derivative and oriental.
Semester Two:
Proximity, Anticia, synodic cycles, moiety and dexter.
Advanced Astrology: Forecasting (16 Classes)
Semester One: Direct Astrological Forecasting
Transits, solar returns and eclipses.
Semester Two: Indirect Astrological Forecasting
Secondary progressions, solar arc directions and mundane.
Vocational Astrology: Money and Career (4 Classes)
Your passion, earning and soft skills.
Chart challenges and job seeking tips.
Relationship Astrology (4 Classes)
Love and Romance Questions
Synastry and chart comparison, composite midpoints, Davison charts, Wedding Elections.
Your Astrology Business Setup (2 Classes)
Basic Business Setup
Start charts, website, products and services.
Privacy and mission statements.
Astrology Mentorship (by the hour)
Individual sessions to focus on your knowledge gaps.
Client work advice.
Practise readings so you can get better.
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