Each group meets eight hours a day 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., for four days, including a weekend, about twice a year. Costs vary slightly from program to program, but average around $380 per session. Accomodations and food may or may not be included depending on the location. No group is larger than forty people.

The Apprenticeship Program began in May '98. The groups were originally envisioned to meet for a total of six sessions in two phases. The first phase was a cluster of three meetings, primarily lecture. The first session focused on the interpretation of the birthchart itself; the second, on Transits and Progressions; the third session, on Synastry techniques.

All groups are now entering or in the third “phase” of the program, the third cluster of three meetings, the main focus of which continues to be the development of each participant's own astrological "voice." There is, in other words, less straight teaching on Steven's part and more coaching and listening. During these sessions, we are also making room to introduce other astrological techniques in the counseling context, such as astro-mapping, electional astrology, rectification, and perhaps horary modalities.

Currently a very small number of spaces are available in each group. New students are welcome to join, provided they have a reasonable familiarity with my work, they feel comfortable with and are willing to be coached towards finding their own voice, and space is open.

In the San Diego area, the groups are coordinated by Ingrid Coffin and meet at her Blue Sky Ranch in Lakeside, CA. A group rate is available at a local hotel, and the price includes lunch on site, coffee and snacks in the morning, and a mystery Theme Dinner on Saturday evenings. Please check our workshops and lectures page for details, or email Ingrid at: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

In San Francisco, our group gathers for a 4-day residential retreat, currently held outside Napa, in the wine country. Accommodations and all meals are included. The San Francisco group is coordinated by Joyce Van Horn and Lee Russell. Check our schedule page for details.

In all the groups, close friendships have formed between the local people and the folks from out of town, and many of the latter have wound up enjoying the hospitality of the former.

If you're interested in being part of the AP, please contact the coordinator for your program, Ingrid or Joyce. Dates, contact information, and topics are all updated on our Events page.

Read on for more information about the intentions and spirit of the Apprenticeship Program.

ASTROLOGICAL APPRENTICESHIP with Steven Forrest

I've made my living full-time as an astrologer since 1976. Throughout that time, come recession or bull market, I've been so overwhelmed with my client load that I've wanted to clone myself. When I realized that I was one of only a handful of astrologers in that happy if stressful predicament, it really shocked me. The basic pattern I've seen around North America is that astrologers are starving -- or more likely, working other jobs.

I didn't become involved with the world of serious astrologers until fairly recently -- it was 1987, just after my second book came out, that I attended my first astrological conference. Since then, I've traveled around the continent quite a lot, getting to know the scene and the people in it. Again and again, I've met intelligent, caring individuals with real knowledge of the craft, who've been compelled to make their livings in other fields -- people who would practice astrology professionally if they could. They just don't have the clients. My dismay at this mess has been compounded by the realization that even a number of the recognizable "names" in the astrological field are in the same boat: plenty of knowledge, very few clients.

This lack of serious professional activity in the field of astrology is a source of much sorrow for me. Over and over again, I've seen the system make a real difference in the lives of my clients. I know the power of the symbolism when it is applied consciously. We astrologers have such a wonderful, helpful gift to offer, but basically nobody's taking. Why? Why are there so many affluent psychotherapists and so many starving astrologers?

It's easy and partly accurate to blame the usual demons for our dilemma: the Media, Big Science, stupid religion. They've formed an unlikely alliance, united in their agreement that astrology is bad for you. But I really think that the core of the problem rests with us astrologers ourselves. We've made many mistakes, but the most grievous of them, in my opinion, is that our potential clients have gotten way ahead of us, both spiritually and philosophically.

The sorts of people who come to me for readings don't want trivial character analysis. They don't want to hear what they already know, even if it's "amazing" that the astrologer could know it. Many of them are even tiring of narrow psychological perspectives. By and large, they don't want disempowering predictions. What they want is intelligent, person-centered coaching -- realistic, accurate advice about how to conduct their lives at every level. They want energetic engagement, inspiration, re-enchantment. They understand that they are creating their own futures, not waiting for the future to happen to them. They want plausible spiritual encouragement. It's that kind of astrology that draws clients back again and again over the years. That's the kind they recommend to their friends when those friends are facing crossroads, challenges, and dilemmas.

Weekend workshops and those "Ninety Minute Wonders" that are staples at astrological conferences have their places, but I've come to realize that they just don't cut the muster in terms of bringing bright people up to speed as professional-level astrologers. What can succeed there depends on the usual private disciplines: reading, practice, listening to tapes, and so forth. But, the truth is, the instructional process is miraculously enhanced by a kind of mysterious "Transmission" between teacher and student that only happens in person, in a context of trust, proximity, rapport, and time. Creating that reality presents logistical difficulties but I am committed to overcoming them, provided small groups of people are motivated to make that journey with me.

THE PLAN

In my approximately bi-annual Apprenticeship Programs I am developing ongoing methods of support for class members during the between-times -- through email communication, a newsletter, and study materials.

Here are a few features of the program:

* The groups remain small -- forty people max.

* Although astrological apprenticeship is the essential aim of the group, the tone is intimate and personal -- and requires solemn vows of silence regarding sharing the group process with outsiders. This is not because we are playing some "secret society" game, but because one of the learning modalities is that we get to know each other's charts -- and the personal lives they represent -- very deeply. We practice on each other, in other words. And that requires respectful confidentiality.

* The group meetings comprise a mix of presentation and instruction on my part, with opportunities for each individual to interpret various configurations "out loud" before the group. Our aim goes beyond theoretical understanding and focuses primarily on the presentation of astrological material to bright, but astrologically naive clients. Thus, chances for each student to articulate his or her perceptions are critical to the process. In addition, depending on logistics, we pair off and do astrological work for each other, with me floating in and out, listening and commenting. It is also my intention, time permitted, to occasionally work individually with class members.

* Between visits, there is a suggested reading list, as well as quite a lot of material to be absorbed from two kinds of cassettes: tapes of various lectures and talks I've given, and tapes of actual readings I've done for real clients -- either with their permission (of course!) or tapes of readings I've done on the basis of bad data. My hope is that by depending on taped and written material for much of the basic instruction, our "live" time can concentrate on polishing deeper interpretive and presentational skills rather than a "lecture" format.

* We have an e-mail list in which most of the group members participate, so you can discuss the material with fellow students.

* There is no "grading" or "testing" per se -- only feedback regarding the strengths and weaknesses of one's ability to present the material. I also emphasize that, while I certainly anticipate a high level of seriousness and commitment on the parts of the students, people's boundaries are respected -- those who don't feel comfortable speaking in front of the group or sharing personal information are not to be forced into doing so.

* I am convinced that a great many distinct kinds of astrology "work" quite effectively -- Vedic, the various and sundry "Classical" traditions, Uranian, Cosmobiology, you name it. But just so these classes didn't become the Tower of Babel, the language we use is Modern Tropical Geocentric astrology, with a psycho-spiritual orientation. I tend toward Placidus Houses, but we respect differing views in that regard. Also, years of practice have convinced me that we serve our clients more effectively by going deeply into a few central matters rather than shallowly into dozens of obscure technicalities. Thus, the classes emphasize the sophisticated, intellectually-rigorous analysis and presentation of what is essentially a fairly simple kind of astrology -- basically, signs, planets, houses, Ptolemaic aspects, transits, secondary progressions, solar arcs, and a handful of synastry techniques...with perhaps a dollop of midpoints and asteroids. Other areas might be explored, but they aren't a major focus.

* At the end of the teaching/learning experience, people whom I deem ready to work with clients will receive a diploma.

COSTS

Costs vary by event. I'm eager to provide "scholarships" for perhaps one or two younger people who might not be in a financial position to afford the class. Additionally, between sessions students would be encouraged to purchase a number of instructional tapes at reasonable fees, as well as a small number of books. For simple convenience or for people who may be short of cash during my visits, I can accept payments through most major credit cards.

I am personally very excited about this kind of teaching. Professionally, I'm known for my books and lectures, but I've always been proudest of the work I've done privately with individuals, one at a time. By its very nature, that work has been secret. I'm eager now as I contemplate turning fifty to begin the process of passing on the torch.

All Best,
Steven Forrest