Threads you'd like to see.

Are there any particular subjects you'd like to see here, addressing certain subjects more in depth? I'd like a thread where everyone can post ideas/suggestions for threads here that we could discuss all the various aspects of the subjects covered here in the Astrology, Spirituality, and Alternative Healing Group.

WHAT INTERESTS YOU?

I'll go first. I would like to know if anyone else here is interested in, or gardens using Astrology. I use it, using my own method, but I would love to know what others do that works for them.

And, Dear Pallas; I would love to know more about your Spiritualist teachings. It should surprise no one that once again, I must plead ignorance - this is an area of mysticism I know precious little about...but I would love to learn more! Please?

I am about to plant my first vegetable garden in better than thirty years, and I'm going to do as much as possible according to the Old Farmer's Almanac. Would be glad to talk about that!

On another topic, I would love to someday see a thread regarding what the old folks called Faith Healing: stopping bleeding, "blowing out" fire from burned flesh and curing children of "the Thrash." I have not had anybody to discuss these Gifts with since I discovered that they have been given to me, decades ago.

didn't really last too long. I'd LOVE for someone to dig that up or start another. I'm trying to do my gardening that way this year, but it'd sure be nice to discuss some of the details with others.

I can see how it would get lost in the wider discussion of gardening. It's so low-tech LOL.

:hi:

*energy work of all sorts, especially healing. That may include meditation, feng shui, reiki, drumming, and more. The conscious, deliberate work with energy to cleanse, heal, and raise the vibration of the world around me.

*connections and interconnections; how the world works. Might include astrology, comparative belief systems, deliberate attention to the big picture, the way everything works together. Could include history and current events.

*my own place in the midst of all of this.

*astrology for non-astrologers; I sometimes browse the astrology threads, but often get lost, since I haven't studied it.

I once belonged to a gardening group that used to send out a "gardening by the moon" calendar each year; not a published calendar, but one created by a member. I always meant to see if I could synchronize my garden with it, but it somehow never happened. I'm still interested in the concept.

:) definitely the gardening with moon & planetary phases

:) The old healing- faith healing arts ...I'm wondering how many people do these things already...where I grew up...well more on that later....

:) I miss the straight alternative healing threads...herbs, homeopathy, energy healing....

:)more "Michael Sharp" type discussions on spirituality & metaphysics.....

I know there was na few more...hopefully they will come to me later....


:hi: Anj :hug:
thanks for starting this...sorta got "bumped" off the computer last nite

especially healing and astrology for non astrologers. The latter might be tough because the astrologers here are so knowledgeable it would probably bore them to tears.

Maybe the astrology for non-astrologer threads could be for those of us who are interested offering tips on how to get started or what materials they've found beneficial.

I'm studying tarot right now and I really enjoy it and find it helpful so anything related to that topic would be of great interest to me, particularly how astrology relates to tarot.

I would really like a thread for this. I love reading the astrology threads but my knowledge is rudimentary. I just sort piece things together. I use an astrologer for my personal life but would like to know more about the mundane aspects of the art. There are plenty of sites out there that offer lessons but without the ability to ask questions they become cumbersome when trying to learn. I don't know how this would be organized, it might be difficult. And, I don't know, but teaching baby the abc's might be less than challenging and perhaps not very interesting to all the wonderful astrologers on these threads. Also, considering that time is often of the essence for most people these days, it might be asking too much. If this happens great otherwise I'll just scrub along picking up what I can with thanks for the generosity of shared knowledge that is available here.

How basic do you need this to be, or would a thread about," Ask your basic Astrology questions here" be enough?
As for the others, would you like a thread about each subject; one for each subject suggested? All these subject interest me, but I think others - like you - are far more knowledable on these subjects than I am, but I can start them if you'd like.Just make sure you all chime in frequently, okay?
I have a few links on Gardening with Astrology, so I can start that with those links.


ALL SUGGESTIONS ARE WELCOME!

Please?

recommended readings on a certain topic, for example houses, and then Q & A based on that topic which will clarify or expand it. I remember (I think) Pallas posted posted a web site that gave a good basic description of houses, which I read, but retained very little of because I didn't follow up or apply it to anything.

That way, the discussion has a bit of focus, common ground, and anybody knowledgeable with interest in shedding light on that subject could pop into the thread and give their input on a strictly voltuntary basis while the rest of us are hashing it out.

Just a thought.

Was this the site?

http://www.bobmarksastrologer.com/TOClessons.htm

I'm not sure if that one was it or not but I liked that one so I bookmarked it. Thanks for posting it. ;-)

A start-from-the-beginning discussion. Something similar to what Elorial is doing in the feng shui threads.

Side note: I'd also like a Tarot 101 discussion. Perhaps practice spreads where the more experienced can help those of us who are just learning to interpret.

As far as the astrology goes.

The Tarot too, for those who would benefit. I don't read R-W based cards, so don't need to interpret them. I'd step in if someone was reading a deck I'm familiar with.

(oops -- got cut off there)...as I was saying.... I'll help with the beginning/basic astrology threads, so that people who aren't familiar with it can get a framework to operate from.

So, if you want to start that thread I will help. :hi: How 'bout if all of us who know/understand astrology (you, Nancy, SpiralHawk, NEOBuckeye, Pallas, dbt, greenman3610, 28erl, jbnow, myself, etc., etc.), come to the threads and answer questions, and give basic information, it might help the ones who are trying to learn. Some people understand the way one 'teacher' is explaining it, and others understand another teaching method more easily.

I think it's a great idea, and can help broaden Astrological knowledge, so more people can participate! :grouphug:

Maybe we can start out with some sort of an outline:

I. The Planets...who they are, and what energy they bring.
II. The Houses....what area of life they represent.
III. The Signs.....what personalities they represent.
IV. The Aspects...the good, the bad, and the ugly.

Keeping it real simple at first.

Either we can put all of the basics on one thread, or we can start different threads with each basic piece of the puzzle. However our budding astrologers prefer it is fine with me!

Let's see if we can get more astrologers on board to help out!

:kick::kick::kick:

I also like the suggestion of finding a particular site or several to refer people to and then let them ask questions about what they're read.

Good suggestion about finding good sites that .... well, can sort of act as study guides, like a good compendium-type book would do.

:kick:

Keeping it real simple at first would also be terrific.

When he taught me how to find water with a forked stick, my Uncle Homer said it was something that anybody could do. That would lead me to believe that Astrology (for instance) is also something that anybody can do, if we know where to start and how to proceed. That would, IMO, necessitate an Astrology For Dummies sort of thread. And, even at the risk of boring experienced Astrologer to tears, I think it needs to be done.

(Yes, doing a chart would be much more complicated than cutting a Y-shaped stick from a tree that has "bitter bark" and simply letting the wood and the water work through your hands. It is hereby stipulated and agreed!)

When enough students want to learn, a Teacher will appear, no?

There have been so many wonderful suggestions here, I think we could go ahead and start a thread on Astrology 101 - does anyone here want to start the thread? Do you want me to start it?

On the threads about Healing, perhaps one of you could start this thread, since you know so much about it. What would you think of a thread where we can share our experiences in these areas, asking others to join in or ask question. I have lots of them! That way, we can learn about the varied experiences of what has worked for each of us, ask questions, etc. Or...do we need a seperate thread for each of these subjects?


I started the Gardening with Astrology thread, so feel free to chime in!

Thanks for all your ideas! :hi:

Anj

I have my hands full right now, having to get back to work on this project I've been hired to do, and then I have to drive out of town until tomorrow night. (Sunday)

I will jump in and contribute as soon as I get back, and hopefully, other astrologers will start to jump in and help, too, before then, if they have the time and the inclination. I think it will mean a lot for the astrological discourse here!

:hi: Let's do it! :grouphug:

Thanks, NB!

:kick::kick::kick:

Begin with the meaning of each Sign, Planet, House.
Then try to integrate them by asking questions such as:

So what might be the significance of having a natal position of Venus in the Sign of Gemini in the Third House?

Then move on to aspects....examing the different kinds and what they mean, followed by questions that integrate all the components already studied.

Learning to integrate them is key imo, so each step should be reinforced with exercises that get you to begin that process.

Also, for the serious student I'd highly recommend getting Robert Hand's book Horoscope Symbols for studying these different parts. His book is much meatier and indepth than most explanations I've read.

I will be glad to participate when I can, but don't anticipate that happening very frequently in the near future due to work, visitors coming, etc.

Since some of the posters asked for the most basic Astrology questions, I thought I'd start with a paragraph or two on Astrology and its Symbolism, and a brief paragraph or two on the chart itself. Then, I would, in a subsequent post, begin with the Signs, Planets, and Houses.

Do you think that is necessary, or should I assume everyone understands those two things?

to specifics. You also might simply ask those who would like to participate to share their experiences, if any, of astrology... ask them what has sparked their desire to learn more, and what knowledge they already have of the subject. That will give you a feel for where to begin and where the gaps are.
Also consider having everyone do their own chart at some point (either by teaching the math...argh!...or on computer such as is available on Astrodienst's website). In my experience, understanding my own chart was my main incentive for jumping into Astrology.
Some people are very turned off by the math, but Astrology is based in math and I think most teachers would not skip over the basics of constructing a chart in long hand. Even if they already have had a chart done, learning to do it themselves is highly recommended.

The main point of my suggestion on structuring the class is to give plenty of time and attention to integration/synthesis of the parts after each step.

Here's a brief intro by Liz Greene:


Introduction
Astrology sees mankind as being not only influenced by hereditary factors and the environment, but also by the state of our solar system at the moment of birth. The planets are regarded as basic life-forces, the tools we live by as well as the basis of our very substance. These planetary forces take on different forms, depending on their zodiacal position and on the way they relate to one another.

The aspects formed between the planets describe these relationships, the positions of the planets in relation to the place of birth tell us of their expression in the spheres of life depicted by the astrological houses.

By interpreting the roles of these players (the planets) and their qualities (the elements, signs and houses) and creating a synthesis, astrology is able to present a complete and comprehensive picture of the person and his potential, based on the natal horoscope.

I think it'd be interesting to have an alternative healing thread in which people discussed what changes they've made in their diet, or using supplements, or other types of changes. And then discuss whether or not any improvements were noted in health, as a result. I know this one might be tricky, for various reasons, but would be useful, I think.
Also,I'm glad that people do often share their dreams here, and ask for interpretations. However, I am not usually brave enough to throw in ideas, as it is too easy to miss something, or get a take on a dream that isn't really appreciated by the person. But it would be nice to have a thread that dealt with dreams that had a political overlay, or something fairly specific that would be easier to talk about.

I'm gathering up my books to go through them for the information requested for starting this thread.
Here's how I'd like to start: A few paragraphs to explain the SYMBOLOGY of Astrology( I found a wonderful passage by Isabel Hickey that explains it beautifully!). Then, a paragraph or two to explain the BASICS of a chart.
From there, I thought I would create a seperate post for the PLANETS, SIGNS, HOUSES and ASPECTS.
As we move on, I hope the others will join in to add the many other things we'll want to discuss. Dover suggestested a section on the math; I think this is also important for a true appreciation of Astrology, but I NEED someone else to do this, because I haven't done a chart by hand since I found Astrolog!
I will refer back to this thread often to implement everyone's wonderful suggestions, and if you have any more suggestions, please feel free to post them.

Thanks!

Anj

Maybe we could do the first thread on the topic of "overview"/"basics", symbology.

Beginners :hi: : Do any of you want to chime in on this??? How 'bout letting us know what you think!

:kick:

As a student that is :)

I think the plan sounds very good and I for one appreciate starting from the very beginning (symbology, etc.)

Thanks to everyone who is helping put this together!!! :hi:

I'd like to thank you all for being so enthusiastic about this.

It's a very generous offer and I'm getting excited about learning. The astrology threads have always been fascinating to me but imagine how much moreso when us newbies can actually understand the basis of the predictions and discussions.

:hi: