This is the most comprehensive Foundation course available for students of Western Predictive Astrology. It is written by a recognised leader in the field, Robert Zoller and is specifically designed for those who are entirely new to astrology or who know some astrology but wish to refresh their predictive technique. 

It consists of an Orientation lecture and four major lessons. The wide-ranging Orientation lecture gives a solid introduction to astrology providing both an historical background and a broad philosophical base from which to proceed. The lessons that follow then give you a through grounding in the application of astrology that you can use immediately. It is above all a practical course. Also well suited to compliment studies in other occult and esoteric subjects. 

The FC leads to the qualification of the Certificate in Medieval Astrology (CMA) after which students may advance to the Diploma in Medieval Astrology (DMA) materials. 

This course is studied using text files which you can read either on screen or in printed hardcopy. There are also audio lectures that you can listen to on your computer. Both print and audio work together for easy learning. 

The audio is Robert Zoller's voice which follows the accompanying texts to the letter. Therefore, you can read the texts and listen to the lectures at the same time. It is almost like being in a private lecture with Robert except you can stop and start, replay etc at your convenience. 

In the initial stages as you are studying the FC a sound manner in which to progress is to firstly print the tables and diagrams and to commit these to memory - to get to the stage where you can recall the information at will. This information is the bedrock upon which to base further study. All other elementary information is found within the lessons themselves. 

Also, as you go through the course lessons you will find other articles and papers referred to. Most of these additional materials you will find on the Website (at www.new-library.com/zoller ) or on your course CD. The reading of these additional materials is not compulsory but is highly recommended to those students who wish to expand their understanding of Western Predictive Astrology. 

COURSE COMPLETION DATE: You must complete the FC within 12 months of starting it. 

THE COURSE MATERIALS: 

Orientation Lecture:This lecture gives a general introduction to Predictive astrology. It addresses the following questions: What is Medieval Astrology? How does Medieval Astrology differ from Modern Astrology? What is the Medieval Predictive astrologer's attitude toward fate and free will? It further looks at the history of astrology and directs your attention to matters of historical importance. 

This lecture also gives a broad philosophical overview for your studies and establishes basic concepts, which are then further explored in the following four lessons. 

Do you know why this form of astrology is called Medieval Predictive Astrology? This is to distinguish it from other forms of astrology. It is called Medieval Predictive Astrology as it largely draws on the type of astrology that was practised 700 years ago in Medieval Europe when astrology was at its height. Robert Zoller places this in the modern context and his aim is to teach you now to predict using astrology. Prediction itself raises all sorts of other questions Ñ such as how fate and free will interact Ñ and it is the main purpose of this lesson to bring such questions to the forefront of the studentÕs mind so that in the lessons that follow you can better consider these very complex matters. 

Why study Predictive Astrology? Western Predictive Astrology is some 2000 years old while Modern Psychological astrology has only developed over the last 100 years. It is Modern astrology that normally passes for mainstream astrology in the West today. In its most watered down version it is called Sun-Sign astrology. The fundamental difference between the two is that Modern astrology cannot be used for accurate prediction and is basically character analysis. Medieval or Western Predictive Astrology on the other hand is a predictive Art and more than that it concerns itself not just with the temporal, worldly affairs of men and women, their societies and nations but deals with the deep spiritual and philosophical questions that lie at the root of Western civilisation and thought. It is the astrology that all the great masters of astrology, without exception, have studied. 

Lesson One: Signs, Subdivisions and Rulerships: Basic astrological concepts. These are the building blocks that you need to master. This lesson explains these clearly, in relation to the Zodiac and how to use them by referring to charts and tables. This is a very comprehensive lesson, which goes into much detail. 

One of the wisest and greatest astrologers was Guido Bonatti. Robert Zoller was the first person of the Modern Era to undertake translation of his works and to study his techniques. Much of the material that you are learning can be traced directly to Bonatti. Bonatti, in his lifetime made a number of extremely important public predictions. So revered was he that Dante included him in his famous Divine Comedy (one of the most important works in Western literature). 

Lesson Two: The Arabic Parts: these are very ancient tools used by astrologers to delineation (see note in bold at end) the natal chart. It is essential that you delineate the chart correctly otherwise prediction is impossible. This lesson explains many of the Arabic Parts and how to calculate and use them. 

The Arabic Parts can be used to tell you such things as how you will make your income (later coupled to prediction which tells you when), whether you will be married (or form a close intimate relationship), whether you will have children etc. Also the important Part of faith (spiritual conviction) and the Hyleg (your life purpose) are explained. 

Have you heard of the Part of fortune? This is an Arabic Part. Unfortunately, due to early misunderstandings and possibly mistranslation many people did not know how to use it correctly. This still results in errors today. Robert Zoller discovered that the key to its use was to distinguish whether it is used diurnally or nocturnally. These concepts and how to accurately calculate and use the Part of fortune are fully explained in this lesson. 

Lesson Three: The Astrological Houses: This explains what the houses mean and more importantly what is the meaning of a particular planet’s or Arabic Part’s position within one of the twelve houses. It also introduces you to important concepts such as the Almutem, significators, house rulers and derived houses (don’t worry all jargon terms are fully explained). An example horoscope is used so you gain a firm understanding of the houses and how to use them. At the end of this lesson you will be well on your way to being able to examine and accurately delineate your own natal chart. 

Did you know that to properly read the houses you must examine each, both in general terms and in very specific terms? Those who only adopt a general approach, which is common in Modern Astrology, often only reach general conclusions which are too vague for prediction. This lesson will teach you the importance of going beyond this approach so that the reading (your conclusions) is more accurate and more importantly more specific to the person who's chart it is. This removes much of the hazy judgment that confounds many Modern astrologers. 

Lesson Four: Predictive Techniques: this lesson teaches you two fundamental techniques for prediction. These are known as profections and Firdaria. Again, while these may be unfamiliar to many Modern astrologers or those who are just learning, they are essentials for the Predictive astrologer. They are fully explained with illustrations drawn from an example horoscope. The Firdaria Planetary Period technique is a powerful method for predicting. It gives you the ability to see the whole course of the native's life and to write his/her biography without even knowing him or her. 

The profections are used to allow you to calculate when certain things may happen to a person. Remember the natal figure is a snap shot of the moment you were born, your beginning or "principle". The profections allow you to see when 'something' may happen (that something being that which you will have already learnt how to discover in the earlier lessons). 

In Medieval Astrology two operations are used by the astrologer to read the chart. These are delineation and prediction. The two operations are distinct. By delineation we read what the chart promises with regard to the various affairs of life signified by the houses (e.g. life, wealth, siblings/communications, family, children, servants/skills, work, partnerships, death, religion, profession, friends, secret enemies/ institutionalisation). Once we know the natal promise, by having systematically read what the chart has to say about these areas of life, only then can we proceed to Prediction. 

Prediction is nothing more than the application of timing techniques to the natal promise. They indicate when what is promised in the natal chart will come forth as an event in the life of the native. Be very clear about this: Delineation tells us "what." Prediction tells us "when." You cannot honestly or reliably predict anything astrologically which is not promised in the natal chart. 

COURSE TUTORING: If you need help while doing the FC then you can contact the Registrar atregistrar@new-library.com though you are encouraged to do as much as you can by yourself - a deliberate policy to encourage students to rely on their own resources and expand themselves as much as possible in finding answers (all of which are in the course and supporting materials). Nonetheless, while this is not a tutored course, every effort is made to assist you. If you find that you do need an individual tutor then this can be arranged. 

COURSE EXAMINATION: When you have completed the FC you are requested to contact the Registrar at registrar@new-library.com . By agreement a time of one hour and twenty-five minutes is then set-aside for you to undertake an examination via the Internet. The examination is open book. Students may attempt the examination three times. Upon passing the examination you will be sent a Certificate of Medieval Astrology awarded by The Academy of Predictive Astrology - London. Your name will be entered in the Register of Certificate Holders, entitling you to use the initials 'CMA' after your name in matters relating to astrology. 

The examination is not arduous. It is really quite straightforward. You are asked to answer some questions about a natal horoscope that is sent to you prior to the examination, so you have time to study it at your leisure. The examination does not include any questions about the Orientation lecture or the history or philosophy of astrology. The examination only tests your practical understanding of astrology. 

The examination is not compulsory, though has to be passed before your certificate can be awarded. Most students find it very positive and helpful to undertake the exam. You can sit it whenever you feel you are ready to do so. 

When you are ready to sit the examination all you have to do is to email registrar@new-library.com for full details. But please remember the examination is not compulsory so if you would rather not do it, that is fine and dandy. Also, if you do not/cannot sit the examination within the 12-month completion date but would still like to later, then you can. 

COURSE TEXTS: 

Tools & Techniques of the Medieval Astrologer: Book One on Prenatal Concerns and the Calculation of the Length of Life 
Tools & Techniques of the Medieval Astrologer: Book Two is on Astrological Prediction by Direction and the Sub-division of the Signs. 
Tools & Techniques of the Medieval Astrologer: Book Three on Horary and Electional Astrology and An Astrological Miscellany. . 

Bonatti and Cardan: Considerations and Aphorisms (Bonatti was the leading astrologer of the 13th century and Cardan was a leading astrologer of the 15th century). It is an invaluable work and if you memorise Bonatti's Considerations early on you will find they hold you in good stead throughout your studies.

You also will find synopsis of these books and all the materials recommended for studies in Medieval Predictive astrology in the Works Available catalogue that you downloaded with your course materials. 

These works will greatly enhance your learning and assist with the understanding of problems such as house division, advanced (i.e. refined) delineation techniques and fuller explanation of predictive techniques. 

Special Note: Medieval Astrology is not a static subject. It is rather a growing body of work as many of its methods and techniques are "re-discovered", tested and made more accessible to the modern practitioner of astrology. It is therefore highly important that you endeavour to use only the most up-to-date materials available.

Tools and Techniques is a good example of this. Earlier editions (pre-2001) are now too out-of-date to use and have been superseded. So, if you have earlier editions published by Spica (Australia), Ascella (England) or Ixion (USA) then please do not rely upon them in your studies. These earlier editions have been substantially revised and replaced by the Tools and Techniques trilogy of works noted above.

ASTROLOGICAL SOFTWARE: All the methods/calculation of techniques and charts you need are contained within the course materials. Therefore, to start with, you can study without any software, if you prefer. However, doing charts by hand can be laborious and so later you may want to consider software. If you need advice, this can be requested at any stage and at the beginning of your studies some direction is given. 

PREDICTIVE ASTROLOGY EMAIL LIST: As a student you can join the Predictive Astrology List for free. This will ensure that you get automatic notification of events, updates, and new materials. Spam is never sent and you will often gain access to material that is not generally distributed to the wider public. 

ADMISSIONS: There is no restriction on admissions to the Foundation Course. You can begin it immediately if you wish.