AFA 2011 Traditional Astrology Conference
In September 2011, the oldest American astrological association, the American Federation of Astrologers, hosted a three-day traditional astrology conference. Held in honor of James Holden's research into and historic translations of traditional texts, Benjamin Dykes, Demetra George, and Chris Brennan gave extensive presentations on numerous traditional concepts and techniques. Running at 13 hours of audio (375 MB), this audio download contains MP3 recordings of the proceedings, plus many PDF slides and study aids. See list of lectures below.
Bonatti on Horary
One of the most thorough treatments of horary, drawing especially on the medieval masters Sahl b. Bishr and Masha’allah. Surprising predictive techniques combine elections, solar revolutions, and horary charts. Includes two charts from Bonatti’s own career. Learn whether your horse will win the race, your husband is cheating on you, or the king will fall from grace (278 pp)! Click here for a PDF excerpt.
Hermann of Carinthia: The Search of the Heart
“Every question of astronomy… is either in thought or in speech.”
In the 1140s AD, Hermann of Carinthia assembled instructions from medieval Arabic-speaking authorities on interpreting the unstated thoughts of clients (now called “consultation charts”), often using a “victor” or mubtazz or almuten for topics or the chart. Hermann also offered his own reflections on the proper balancing of dignities, house rank, and planetary strength.
The Book of the Nine Judges
The great medieval compendium of Persian and Arabic masters
The Book of the Nine Judges is the largest traditional compilation of horary astrology, drawn from nine Persian and Arabic astrologers. Translated from Arabic sources chiefly by the 12th-Century Latin translator Hugo of Santalla, it achieved legendary status but has never before been translated into any modern language. It includes material by Masha’allah, ‘Umar al-Tabari, Abu Ma’shar, Sahl bin Bishr, al-Kindi, Abu ‘Ali al-Khayyat, “Dorotheus,” “Aristotle,” and Jirjis. Click here for a PDF excerpt.
The Forty Chapters of al-Kindi
The famous, “first” Arab philosopher, al-Kindi (ca. 801-870 AD) wrote many instructional letters and works on astrology and the universe. The Forty Chapters is on horary and electional astrology: answering questions and choosing auspicious times to act. It is the second volume in the horary trilogy, preceded by The Search of the Heart and followed by The Book of the Nine Judges.
Works of Sahl & Masha’allah
Sahl bin Bishr (Zahel) and Masha’allah were two of the most influential medieval astrologers from the Arabic period. In a new work of 618 pages, Dr. Benjamin Dykes translates 16 of their most important works–many of them for the first time in any modern language! This essential work in medieval astrology includes many charts and lengthy introductory remarks and explanations by the translator.