Traditional Astrology Lectures

Introduction to Traditional Astrology

This lecture is the Logos & Light version of Dr. Dykes's presentation to the FAA (Federation of Australian Astrologers) in January 2010, as part of his all-day seminar. Due to recording issues, this version is more complete. It covers eight major differences in technique, attitude, and approach which distinguish traditional astrology from modern types. After describing them in some detail, Dr. Dykes applies some traditional principles of delineation to two charts (length 38:20, 18MB). $4.99

Full-Day Workshop: Traditional Distributions through the Bounds

This special, hands-on workshop will teach you how to use "distributions," an ancient and powerful predictive technique, in both natal and solar return charts. Distributions (sometimes called directing through the bounds/terms) divide the life up into chapters, in which various issues will arise in life. Special rules govern when these affairs will be more intensified. When applied in a solar return, they can yield a year-long story with events that are accurately predicted to within a week or a day. We will focus on distributions of the Ascendant, for general themes in life. Few contemporary astrologers have learned how to use this technique or been exposed to its application to solar revolutions.

After a brief review of some basic concepts in traditional astrology (such as basic delineation of planets, whole-sign houses and angles, and profections), Benjamin Dykes will cover both the theory and practice of natal distributions and their application to solar returns. At various points, listeners are encouraged to turn off the recording and apply the methods to their own charts. Because the workshop is lecture-only (with practical work taking place offline), the recording is able to add extra material on Ptolemy and primary directions, while being shorter than a full day experience.

Length 3:03:00, 84MB. $40.00

FAA 2012 Lecture: Freedom, Ethics, Metaphysics: Philosophical Issues in Astrology

This lecture explores several views on what astrology is, what the universe could be like, and freedom of the will and determinism. Benjamin Dykes discusses the difference between metaphysics and epistemology, astrology as a technology of knowledge and whether astrology itself can tell us what astrology is, the views of Ptolemy on astrology, the metaphysics of Plato and Aristotle, and a signification theory of the Stoics. Some problems with Ptolemy's astrology are discussed as well as astrology's advantage in being able to interpret Fortune. Dykes then addresses what "free will" originally meant, and poses some problems that suggests freedom of the will (in this original sense) is not as moral or praiseworthy as we might think. The lecture concludes with suggestions for how we might embrace an astrological view of a "determinism of types" (developed in his Traditional Astrology for Today, choice rather than free will, and a tiered metaphysics. Length 1:21:00, 37MB. $14.99

FAA 2012 Lecture: Eminence and Status in Traditional Astrology

This lecture from FAA 2012 Conference in Melbourne describes numerous traditional techniques for evaluating eminence and status in a natal chart. The material is drawn from works by the most illustrious ancient and traditional astrologers and writers, such as Valens, Firmicus Maternus, Masha'allah, and others. These techniques are rarely presented and have only recently been organized together by Benjamin Dykes, including triplicity lords of the sect light, bodyguarding (dusturiyyah), Lot of Fortune houses, fixed stars, and more. All of the techniques are applied to two charts of famous individuals, Michael Jackson and Bill Gates. Length 2:33:00, 70MB. $30.00

AFA 2011 Lecture: "Signs, Dignities, Houses, Interpretation"

This lecture from the highly successful AFA 2011 Conference in Arizona combines material on signs, dignities, house classifications, aversions, and interpretation. Much of this will be new to purchasers of other lectures, but it is valuable to beginners in traditional astrology. Length 1:15:00, 36MB. $14.99

FAA 2010 Interview: "Translating the Tradition"

In this interview by Brian Clark, Dr. Dykes explains a bit about his background, what is important about traditional astrology, and its future. Length 38:10, 17MB. $4.99

FAA 2010 Lecture: Life Purpose and Spirituality in Traditional Astrology

This lecture introduces three basic techniques for looking at a native's sense of purpose and spirituality: personal happiness or prime motivation, religion or law, and the Victor of the chart (sometimes called the mubtazz or almuten) Length 1:11:55, 33MB. $14.99

FAA 2010 Lecture: Sexuality and Relationships

This lecture introduces traditional techniques for delineating sexuality and relationships in the chart, from the 7th House to Venus, to predictive techniques using the Lot of Marriage. Length 1:15:46, 35MB. $14.99

FAA 2010 Lecture: Solar Revolutions

This lecture introduces several solar revolution techniques, part of the Persian suite of annual predictive techniques: profections, the solar revolution chart, and transits. Length 1:08:57, 31MB. $14.99

FAA 2010 All-Day Seminar: Special Topics in Traditional Astrology

This advanced workshop takes a tour through five special topics in traditional delineation and prediction: Detriment and Fall (length 52:15), Aversions (length 31:50), Bounds (length 1:16:15), Stakes/angles and Overcoming (length 19:07), and Profession (length 33:24). Whole-sign houses and profections are heavily emphasized. Total length: 3:32:51, 48MB. $44.99