Classes, Workshops & Lecture Descriptions

Weekly Classes

Beginning Astrology
This is a beginner class that will deeply acquaint you with the basic principles and building blocks of Astrology: the houses, planets, signs, qualities, elements, as well as quadrant and hemispheric orientations. We’ll explore all of these from a holistic, psychological and karmic point of view – 7 classes.

Astrology 2 – Putting it Together, Planets in Signs
Synthesis – the art of chart interpretation is the most difficult and often the most confusing part of learning astrology. In this class we will start with the important first steps of basic chart synthesis ~ putting planets in signs. We’ll start with an overview of the planetary functions from Astrology 1 and then we’ll move into the meat of the class which is synthesizing planets in signs. Be prepared to do homework and to participate in class! – 6 classes.

Astrology 3 – Planets, Signs, Houses
In this class we will concentrate on putting depth into the psychological & karmic principles of the planets in signs as they manifest through the houses. This is a class in astrological reasoning. We play with the planets in the signs – changing the houses – in order to learn basic techniques of synthesis – chart interpretation. – 6 classes.

Astrology 4 – Planetary Dispositor
This is the third level of chart synthesis/integration. Dispositors are planets that rule the sign another planet is in. Dispositors are a primary component of synthesis and understanding this additional element is very important in the study of astrology! In this class we’ll add these rulers to our equation of a planet in a sign and house and you’ll begin to see the fascinating depth that the chart holds. Many examples as well as homework will be given. – 6 classes. 

Astrology 5 – House Rulerships
Up to this point, we have been exploring the Planetary View of the chart, and in this class we will introduce the house view of chart interpretation. We will start with an overview of the twelve houses, reviewing their traditional as well as psychological/karmic applications. We will explore house rulerships as well as the significance and meaning of the planets in the houses. – 7 classes.

Astrology 6 – Aspects & Phases, Part 1
In this class we will introduce the standard aspects within the context of the eight phases – New, Crescent, First Quarter, Gibbous, Full, Disseminating, Last Quarter and Balsamic. Aspects and phases describe the psychological/karmic relationship between planets and are important and dynamic factors in bringing the chart together as a whole. Part 1 will focus on aspect & phase calculation and the first two of the eight phases – New & Crescent.   Students must have basic knowledge of planets, signs and house. – 7 classes.

Astrology 7 – Aspects & Phases, Part 2
This is the second in a series of three classes in the deep exploration of aspects and phases. In this class we will examine the First Quarter, Gibbous and Full phases and the corresponding aspects. Students must have a basic knowledge of planets, signs and houses. – 6 classes.

Astrology 8 – Aspects & Phases, Part 3
This is the last in the series on the aspects. Aspects and phases describe the relationship between planets and are an important factor in tying the chart together as a whole. Part 3 will focus on the last three phases – Disseminating, Last Quarter & Balsamic. Students must have basic knowledge of planets, signs and houses. – 7 classes.

Astrology 9 – Techniques in Chart Synthesis
This is an 8 week class in which we will explore specific issues within the natal chart. We will combine synthesis techniques from previous classes including – planetary rulers, house rulers & aspects, with an emphasis on house rulers. This is an important class is learning to “put it all together”.  We’ll look at the most asked questions – career, love life/relationships, money, family . . . and more. – 8 classes.

Astrology 10 – Karmic Astrology: Pluto, part 1
In this series of classes we will look at the “Pluto Method” of chart interpretation from Jeffrey Green’s book, Pluto – The Evolutionary Journey of the Soul. We will review chapter 1 – the basic rules of the method, then each week we will apply the methods by looking at charts with Pluto through the houses.  Charts will be pulled from the students in class.  – 7 classes.

Astrology 11 – Karmic Astrology: Pluto, part 2

6 classes

The Lunar Nodes
In this class we’ll explore the basic psychological/karmic implications of the Lunar Nodes.  From the South Node’s pull to the past and the issues of comfort, to the North Node and the issues of dharma – the path of growth and issues of resistance.  We explore the important aspects to the Nodes as well as the Nodes through the Signs & Houses. – 7 classes.

Mars: From Desire to Action
From desire to action – how do we activate our will?  In this 6 week class, we will explore Mars through the signs and house; looking at how the desire is or isn’t acted upon.  We’ll also explore the issue of anger and aggression and how it is or isn’t manifested. – 6 classes.

Relationship Astrology
This class is jam-packed with information and techniques on the art of relationship astrology. We’ll be addressing karmic connections through synastry, as well as other powerful tools for understanding basic compatibility between any two charts. Composite chart work will be included. All assignments and class examples will be pulled from the students attending. – 7 classes

Saturn: From Fear to Mastery
Saturn has long represented our fears and limitations, and very often feels as if they are something beyond our control.  In this workshop we’ll take a look at a our deepest fears as described by Saturn through the houses; exploring how we recreate the past over and over again out of comfort and a fear of the unknown.  Then we’ll look at how Saturn holds the keys to moving from fear and limitations to Mastery. 7 classes

Neptune: From Disillusionment to Inspiration
In this workshop we will explore the myriad manifestations of Neptune  ~ escapism, faith, fantasy, confusion, visions & illusions, just to name a few.  Students are often mystified and unclear about how to actually apply this often illusive planet into the chart.  The goal is help you find your way through Neptune’s fog, to clarity and inspiration. – 7 classes

Solar Returns
The Solar Return chart is a powerful and expressive tool for understanding the
issues of the “solar year” (birthday to birthday). The chart is calculated for the exact moment in time the transiting Sun returns to conjunct the natal Sun, on or around the birthday each year. Learn how to use this dynamic chart for yearly guidance and direction. We will be using the student’s solar returns for class assignments.  – 7 classes

Workshops

The Asteroids: Ceres, Pallas Athena, Juno, & Vesta
Over a number of years I have been working with these wonderful & very rich “Asteroids” through myth, story and personal journey. In this class, we’ll explore these myths and archetypes and discover how they can apply and become a part of your astrological repertoire.  Generally, I’m of the philosophy that “less is more” and tend not to “clutter” the chart; however, these Goddesses represent powerful themes that are not really articulated in the basic chart natal chart, so bring your chart and come along on this mythical journey. – 1 day workshop.

Neptune: From Disillusionment to Inspiration
In this workshop we will explore the myriad manifestations of Neptune  ~ escapism, faith, fantasy, confusion, visions & illusions, just to name a few.  Students are often mystified and unclear about how to actually apply this often illusive planet into the chart.  The goal is help you find your way through Neptune’s fog, to clarity and inspiration – 1 day workshop.

The Path to Emotional Security – The Moon in Our Natal Chart 
Each and every person has developed a way of dealing with emotional stress. We have coping mechanisms that have been developed over many lifetimes and are re-stimulated very early in our childhood.  These skills help us “get through” life, but they do not bring us a true sense of emotional well-being.  We’ll explore the path to real emotional security and the karmic patterns that hold us back.

Relationships
This workshop is jam-packed with information and techniques on the art of relationship astrology. We’ll be addressing karmic connections through synastry, as well as other powerful tools for understanding basic compatibility between any two charts. Composite chart work will be included. All assignments and class examples will be pulled from the students attending

Saturn: From Fear to Mastery
Saturn has long represented our fears and limitations, and very often feels as if they are something beyond our control.  In this workshop we’ll take a look at a our deepest fears as described by Saturn through the houses; exploring how we recreate the past over and over again out of comfort and a fear of the unknown.  Then we’ll look at how Saturn holds the keys to moving from fear and limitations to Mastery.

2 Hour Lectures

The Moon in Our Natal Chart 
Each and every person has developed a way of dealing with emotional stress. We have coping mechanisms that have been developed over many lifetimes and are re-stimulated very early in our childhood.  These skills help us “get through” life, but they do not bring us a true sense of emotional well-being.  We’ll explore the path to real emotional security and the karmic patterns that hold us back.

The 4th House – Protecting a Vulnerable Core 
We are all walking around in a world that reinforces the notion that to be vulnerable is dangerous.  So we have developed our defenses – how we protect ourselves from a rough and tumble world and all the people we encounter.  The sign on the 4th house cusp is like the Security Guard at the gate . . . in this lecture, Laura will walk you through the twelve signs on the cusp, as well as explore a bit of house rulers.

The Moon and Nurturing; Ceres and Soul Nourishment 
Laura will explore the stereotypes we have collectively bought into around the concept of nurturing -others as well as ourselves.  There are some basic principles that are embedded in the Moon; but how do the twelve different zodiacal archetypes come into play? What is the best way to nurture – does one size fit all?

Planetary Dispositor
Dispositors are planets that rule the sign another planet is in.  Dispositors are a primary component of synthesis and understanding this additional element is very important in the study of astrology! In this class we’ll add these rulers to our equation of a planet in a sign and house and you’ll begin to see the fascinating depth that the chart holds. Many examples as well as homework will be given.

90 minute Lectures

Aspects to the Nodes
Skipped-Steps, Karmic Fruition and Karmic Relive – these are basic elements of Evolutionary Astrology and the Lunar Nodes.  In this lecture we’ll look at planets square the Nodes, along with planets conjunct the South or North Node and the methodology for determining where a Soul is along its evolutionary path

Ceres
We feel it . . . a well of grief; a void never-ending.  We seek to quiet these feelings, to fill the void ~ whether with food, relationships, career . . . . Ceres (Demeter) represents the deep and misplaced desire to replace what has been lost . . . often  with something that still leaves us “hungry”.  Laura explores Her myth ~ describing what sustains us at a deeper and more fulfilling level.

Changing the Narrative: Mercury/3rd House
Stories . . . . we all have them, in fact we have thousands of them . . . stories that shape our perceptions of the world around us, and the perceptions we have of ourselves. These are the stories ~ our internal narrative ~ the meaning we give to everything.  Most of the time we don’t have a conscious clue as to what those stories are and how much power they have on our lives . . . including our emotions.  Transits to Mercury and the 3rd house are prime times for shifting or changing these narratives; taking a look at old mind-sets and opinions that no longer serve us in a healthy way.  We’ll explore the transits of Jupiter, Saturn, Chiron, Uranus, Neptune and Pluto.

Chiron: The Myth & Application
Continuing in my series of classes devoted to one planet; this 7 week class will explore the myth of Chiron from his birth to his death and how this story informs our view of how Chiron is used in the natal chart. All students need to have at least an intermediate knowledge of astrology.

Uranus: Understanding Karmic Trauma
How does a soul or individual break free from lifetimes of conditioned behavior?   Since we seem to be very fond of consistency and are very resistant to change, so in steps Uranus to help us shift and evolve.  Since the nature of evolution seems to be slow and progressive, with periods of rapid and sudden growth – Uranus is the planet that describes those sudden shifts. Unfortunately, Uranus usually provides that shift in shocking and often traumatic ways.  In this class Laura will explore Uranus through the natal houses and discuss why it seems that trauma is often necessary for our growth.

75 minute Lectures

Chop Wood, Carry Water: Virgo & the 6th House
The Buddhist say “How you do anything is how you do everything”. How we do our day to day work, the little things in life; is in fact, how we “do” our spiritual path, or the work that fulfills our dharma. Join Laura for a thorough exploration of Virgo & the 6th house in a way you may not have heard before.

Emotional Needs & Coping Skills & the Moon
Each and every person on the planet has developed a way of dealing with emotional stress.  These “Coping Skills” have been developed over many lifetimes and are re-stimulated in the early life.  The sign, house, rulership, and aspects to the Moon, as well as the sign and rulership of the fourth house, give us a fairly complete picture of their emotional coping skills.  These skills help us “get through” life, but they do not, however, bring us a true sense of emotional well being.  Learn how to create emotional well being in your life and help others to do the same.

Kassandra: The Karma of Disbelief
She was gifted the art of prophecy by Apollo, and out of spite, he cursed her so no one would believe her. This asteroid and her myth are little known; however I have had a fascination with her for many years.  So when I discovered Solar Fire includes her in their list of asteroids, I began to actively place her in my client’s charts to see if she had any relevance.  Find out about her powerful myth and how it applies to her interpretation in the natal chart.

Mars: The Art of Going to War
Going to War ~ it’s a very powerful phrase. . . . . How do we manifest our courage, the will to take a stand and fight for something . . . or not? Mars is a fascinating planet, with a multiplicity of functions. Courage, anger, action, will, personal desires. Laura will also explore the idea that anger is a manifestation of thwarted or unmet desires.

The Mutable Signs: The Cross of Perspective
Relative Perspective (perception) is the most powerful component of the human mind; and the foundation of mutable energy. In this lecture Laura will explore all four signs – Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, Pisces; along with the planets that rule them. Laura will shift the narrative away from the stereotypes to give you a whole new perspective.

Natal Retrogrades
As with so many other areas in astrology – retrogrades have too many stereotypes.  In this lecture, Laura examines the karmic implications of Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn in the natal chart.

Putting it Together: Foundations in Chart Synthesis
You’ve learned all the keywords, memorized the archetypes and the planets and now for the difficult part – putting it all together. Synthesis is the ‘Art’ part of astrology . . .in this lecture Laura will lay-out a grounded methodology; putting planets in signs, houses and adding the dispositor’s placement.

Solar Returns
The Solar Return chart is a powerful and expressive tool for understanding the issues of the “solar year” (birthday to birthday). The chart is calculated for the exact moment in time the transiting Sun returns to conjunct the natal Sun, on or around the birthday each year. Learn how to use this dynamic chart for yearly guidance and direction. We will be using the student’s solar returns for class assignments.