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Face to Face | Local Groups | Workshops | 2008 Workshop Programme | 2008 Conference |
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| 'FACE
TO FACE'
These are intensive experiental workshops for API students and non-students alike. Astrology 1 and 2 do cover the Diploma course material but Astrology 1 starts at the beginning and can be followed by anyone at any level of astrological knowledge. Psychosynthesis is a highly transformative experience which encourages personal growth and exploration. Again, anyone can attend. What some past attendees said Face to Face 2006 - from Margaret Carman A weekend residential course studying Huber astrology? I have to admit that in my mainstream management consultancy world this was something that clients and colleagues found it difficult to get their heads around! I also have to admit to being somewhat reluctant to take a weekend away from my partner and head off to Buckland Hall in the Brecon Beacons that particular Friday lunchtime but the sun was shining as I set off and adventures beckoned…The journey from Chester along the A483 and via Builth Wells was scenic and untroubled by traffic - so much so that my favourite car and I were able to indulge in some pretend rally driving! Buckland Hall and its location were stunning and an incredible sense of peace descended on me as I stood in my room admiring the view across the hills and woods - and listened to the birds. Plenty more Bill Oddie moments to come… I had booked to study Astrology One with the intention of reviving my interest and understanding of the basics of Huber astrology. Having started module one when work was quiet last November, I had found myself overtaken by exciting work contracts and had less time than I'd hoped to study - so this refresher and insight should help. It did so much more than that! Tutors Jeremy and Maria offered a great combination of style and facilitation and my fellow delegates - from as far afield as Norway and Brazil - were really keen and prepared to share, what at times, was the emotional learning journey of self-discovery. Perhaps for me the most pertinent aspect of learning was in Maria's encouragement - and perceived permission - to work with as many people as possible and access their chart information with them to find out what aspects and planets in the relevant houses meant for them. I learn by doing but had been waiting to work with people until I felt that I knew more… I now have a perfect way into learning practically and am now signed up for megastar software and study group sessions with tutor Joyce to ensure that I enhance and develop my learning. More Feedback "First class and innovative" Psychosynthesis (2004) by Linda Tinsley I went to Face to Face this year but without my usual enthusiasm as I needed to do what I thought of as the dreaded Psychosynthesis. My idea of this was playing around and becoming upset as we were to bring out the dark shadow! I would much rather do chart work than this nonsense, was my attitude! How wrong I was, as my experience of this three day module was quite amazing to say the least. The
sessions were very well structured and, with the help of Assagioli's
'Egg' Diagram, we were constantly informed about which area of consciousness,
or unconsciousness, we were working in. The facilitators, Hilary
and Toni, were like good counsellors as they created a space that
was warm accepting and safe. Added to this was a group of lovely
people with whom I really felt comfortable. So, in this atmosphere
I was able to explore and bring out my 'Inner Child' - not easy
with someone with Saturn near her AC! Astrology 1 (2004) by Nuala Nevill
As
we were welcomed by Joyce, in the large group, we were asked to
say what we were feeling. People spoke of excitement, anxiety, peace.
My feeling was curiosity - how would the experience this year compare
with my memory of the last course? I soon discovered that it would
be very different. In Astrology 1, we were a small group but it
felt complete and the space
became ours and we felt our way into the topics. I had done little
work on astrology during the past year and realised how much I had
forgotten as we listened, talked and played out scenarios. But I
was there to be enthused and to learn from others. And I was, and
I did. Face to Face is an experience of generosity for me - generosity from the tutors, from the people sharing the course, and from the new friends I make by sharing a room or a conversation over coffee. This year I was fortunate enough to be the subject of the Interpretation Group, who spent an hour trying to fit their understanding of my birth chart to the real person. Never before have so many people been so interested in who I was and what I had to say - it was an exhilarating experience!
This was my fourth visit to Buckland Hall. After the first time I was hooked! Arriving this time I felt excitement as I drew up in front of the Hall. The majestic building with its warm stone walls appeared to welcome me back. The Astrology 2 module I was attending was aptly named 'Meeting the World' and so it seemed, with participants from Spain, S. Africa and Norway as well as all over the UK. I was the oldest member of our group by age and the youngest in terms of course work, and this caused me some apprehension which happily soon disappeared. A feeling of mutual trust and support built up very quickly within the group as we shared fragments of our life experiences and looked for correlations in our charts. David & Joyce were our facilitators and the work we did with them really bought charts to life for me. It was not all theory, there were times when the drawing boards and crayons came out and we also touched on the deeper spiritual aspects in our lives. We worked hard as we had a lot to cover and I learned a great deal in a short space of time and gained new and deeper insights into my chart. It was exhilarating but often left my mind reeling! When this happened there was the beautiful garden to wander in, or the swans to visit on the pond and always the wonderful views to the Welsh mountains beyond to calm my mind. On the last day one of our group volunteered to teach us an Irish Blessing. This had to be performed with gestures to illustrate the words, as we moved round changing partners. I leave the result to the imagination! After such a rewarding and intensive four days, laughter and a blessing was a lovely way to finish. Interpretation Group (2004) by Maggie Jeffery As I turned into the driveway to Buckland Hall last Autumn, I thought how the Interpretations Course had come at just the right moment in my life. Leaving behind a varied career in care and teaching, I'd moved into counselling and worked my way slowly through the psychosynthesis course - a life changing experience. Somewhere during this process, I'd found myself, quite by accident, attending a Huber Workshop. Despite knowing very little about astrology, I was hooked and eventually signed up! My problem was that, not knowing conventional astrology, I'd always felt a bit of a fraud when asked what I was studying. Despite my protestations, the mere mention of astrology seemed to invoke a fairly common response. A gleam would come into the eye of the other person and they would begin to throw out strong hints for me to tell them their fortune! So I wanted the wider picture reinforced and perhaps a bit more confidence; "Interpretations" proved to be just what I needed. Richard and Ghislaine created a varied and exciting programme with every person in the group contributing to make this a truly memorable workshop. For me it reinforced the importance of staying open, being flexible, listening to my intuition and importantly it demonstrated how effectively psychosynthesis and astrology could be integrated. The exquisite timing of this workshop still amazes me. For some months, I'd been in a sort of "in between" state - feeling like I was stuck, stagnating. Focusing on the Dynamic Quadrants showed me that I was indeed in an "in between" stage and just at the threshold of a major new journey in my life. I'd found being 63 a bit of a shock and a depressing one at that. This understanding helped me no end! Comparing Nodal, Natal and House Charts reinforced the sense of purpose within the larger pattern. Working together and sharing experiences gave a picture of continuity and meaning - comforting in the apparent craziness of today's world! The Constellations workshop linked us with our higher purpose and was so sensitively and professionally facilitated by Ghislaine. Role play was very effective and I don't think I'll ever forget two particular planets giggling together and being disruptive! I'm indebted to this workshop that seems to be triggering major changes for me. So love and thanks to everyone for making this experience such a joy - not forgetting those who work to maintain the magic of Buckland Hall - and of course that porridge to die for! Jeremy Cooper: "Most people continue in a straight line in life - the decision to enrol on the Huber astrology course changes that straight line, so for me it became a series of steps like climbing stairs. Each stair is like an opening of a window to see others and self with a greater awareness, and in the process to build a new reality for oneself, and to find a new expression of our own values. Because astrological concepts are presented in the Huber Course that push us beyond how we originally defines ourselves. And the final presentation is an opportunity to share that expanded awareness, those new realisations, and those new values. To be and to do that which I could not have done at the beginning of the Course. And to pause - momentarily - at the top of the stairs, only to realise it is just the first step in an ongoing process of growth and discovery. And to continue that by sharing, teaching and encouraging others. Toni Edwards: "I enrolled with the Huber School in November 1994 when my AP had just gone into Gemini in my 7th House. The Diploma Presentations occurred just as I entered Cancer at the BP of my 8th House. It’s been a long journey and I have learnt a lot during those years, about astrology and also about myself and life. And as the astrology was really coming together during the last year, so was my sense of who I am and what I want my life to be about. Preparing the presentation felt like the culmination of this period of discovery, and delivering it was like taking a step over a threshold, almost like a birth. And how wonderful after the traumas of the journey to be born into a sea of warmth and support, full of welcoming smiles! It truly does make everything worth while." Juliana Jones: "I joined the Huber School at the LP of the 9th House in Aries, six years later I gave my Diploma Presentation on the LP of the 10th House in Taurus. These years were an inner journey of self-discovery and understanding - so many times I have thought ‘why am I choosing to do this?’ but something, my higher Self perhaps, has compelled me to go on. My tutor prodded and supported at the right time too. Pain
has been tempered with moments of joy and genuine understanding.
Looking back to the beginning period I am more whole, stronger -
I was a misunderstood doormat - misunderstood by myself. The Sabian
symbol for the CP in my chart, when I was in the darkest phase reads
- ‘Birth of a whole creative new impulse. Expression of self
in a whole new light.’ and that was the opportunity I was given
at that time in my life which I took -without understanding - that
came last year. There have been many instances like this - don’t
give up - have faith." We were thrilled to receive our Diplomas
the same evening. General feedback "Good communication between the facilitators created a good and harmonious atmosphere" "Both facilitators worked well with enthusiasm and dedication. They made the content come alive" "I found the experiential approach very interesting and fruitful". "A great success and I feel much enriched by it" "I really enjoyed myself, lovely people, inspirational".
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This
is our annual series of experiential workshops, which provide an
opportunity for students to come together and combine learning,
in an informal and supportive atmosphere, with having a good time
among their fellow astrologers.
Every
year we hold our 'Face to Face' series of workshops, which form
a compulsory element of the Diploma in Astrological Psychology course.
They are currently being run separately over several days in different
areas of the country.|
©
API UK 2008 | www.api-uk.org | webmaster@api-uk.org
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