Event Description
This event is unique in the USA. For the very first time, staff from the Sophia Centre at the University of Wales, Lampeter, UK will be teaching an intensive, based upon the Medieval Cosmos module in the MA in Cultural Astronomy and Astrology program.
Your teaching staff will be Nick Campion Ph.D., Bernadette Brady M.A., and Darrelyn Gunzburg.
This intensive will examine medieval astrology in the context of wider theories of medieval cosmology. The western medieval world view was based on a combination of scripture and classical learning, in the Book of Genesis and the Greek philosophers, Plato and Aristotle. As people looked to the heavens, they saw God's glory, divine messages and planetary influences.
We will examine medieval cosmology and its beliefs about the moral and physical structure of the universe. We will also explore the uses of astrology (how did astrologer's actually work?), arguments about its legitimacy and the stars' role in salvation from sin.
There are two approaches a delegate can take to this 3-day intensive:
● One can simply come along with a desire to deepen their astrological knowledge in terms of philosophy, history, and practice.
– or –
● One can decide to take up the special scholarship which is 30% off of the first years fees which is available to San Diego delegates only.
See below for the full San Diego daily program, which will include time for questions and discussions.
Day One
Friday
9.30 am – 10.00 am
Welcome by Nick Campion Ph.D.
Overview about the nature of the three days, the handouts, and an introduction to the MA in Cultural Astronomy and Astrology.
10.00 am – 11.00 am
Lecture I
Nick Campion Ph.D.: An introduction to the classical philosophy of Plato and Aristotle, their theories of fate, the soul and celestial influence, and their significance for the medieval views of the cosmos.
11.00 am – 11.30 am
Morning Recess
11.30 am – 12.45 pm
Lecture II
Bernadette Brady M.A.: The philosophy of the essential dignities and the cosmic order of the horoscope as viewed by Ptolemy, Masha’allah, Abu Ma’shar, ibn Ezra and Guido Bonatti.
12.45 pm – 2.00 pm
Lunch
2.00 pm – 3.15 pm
Lecture III
Nick Campion Ph.D.: The history and cosmology of the Middle Ages: the ‘Dark Ages’, the Twelfth Century Renaissance and translation of Islamic and classical astrology, Christian cosmology and the collision with the pagan universe, Thomas Aquinas and the freedom of the soul and celestial influence.
3.15 pm – 3.45 pm
Afternoon Recess
3.45 pm – 4.45 pm
Application Session I
Exploring how different medieval astrologers actually approached horoscopes. How did Ptolemy, Masha’allah, and Abu Ma’shar, work with horoscopes – differences and
similarities.
4.45 pm – 5.15 pm
Discussion Period I
Questions and general discussion on the subjects covered during the day.
Day Two
Saturday
9.30 am – 9.45 am
Questions & Discussion
9.45 am – 11.00 am
Lecture IV
Bernadette Brady M.A.: The extension of Aristotle’s thinking of causation and determinism into the idea of almutens and lots, and the consistent application of the principle of this technique from 9th to 14th centuries with example charts.
11.00 am – 11.30 am
Morning Recess
11.30 am – 12.45 pm
Lecture V
Nick Campion Ph.D.: The medieval cosmos and its nature; the theory and practice of astral magic, and the ‘questions’ of the medieval scholars, including the argument that other worlds are inhabited and the proof that the Earth is a sphere.
12.45 pm – 2.00 pm
Lunch
2.00 pm – 3.15 pm
Lecture VI
Darrelyn Gunzburg: Astrological images in both secular and non-secular art of Medieval Europe. Astrology as the order within in the pursuit of the order without.
3.15 pm – 3.45 pm
Afternoon Recess
3.45 pm – 4.45 pm
Application Session II
Exploring how different medieval astrologers actually approached horoscopes. How did ibn Ezra and Guido Bonatti work with horoscopes – differences and similarities.
4.45 pm – 5.15 pm
Discussion Period II
Questions and general discussion on the subjects covered during the day.
Saturday Evening
Social Function
Day Three
Sunday
9.45 am – 11.00 am
Lecture VIII
Bernadette Brady M.A.: Medieval aspect theory from Masha’allah to Guido Bonatti exploring the changing face of these techniques from simple whole sign aspecting to moiety and reception.
11.00 am – 11.30 am
Morning Recess
11.30 am – 12.45 pm
Lecture IX
Nick Campion Ph.D.: Literary applications, Dante’s moral cosmos and celestial journey,and Chaucer’s use of astrology for plot development.
12.45 pm – 2.00 pm
Lunch
2.00 pm – 3.15 pm
Lecture X
Bernadette Brady M.A. with Nick Campion Ph.D.: Guido Bonatti and ibn Ezra’s definition of soul and its location within the natal horoscope, the implications for the role of fate and determinism within medieval astrology.
3.15 pm – 3.45 pm
Afternoon Recess
3.45 pm – 4.45 pm
Application Session III
Exploring how different medieval astrologers actually approached horoscopes. The medieval legacy to astrology seen through the eyes of two 17th century astrologers - Kepler and his charts and how these were different to Galileo and his charts.
4.45 pm – 5.15 pm
Discussion Period III
Questions and general discussion on the subjects covered during the day as well as a summary of all three days.