This three-hour workshop will introduce the topic of Zodiacal Aphesis, also known as Zodiacal ‘Releasing’, an advanced astrological technique recorded by acclaimed Greek polymath Vettius Valens in the 2nd century CE. This procedure was considered to be of immense value by Valens, and is perhaps the closest correlate for the Vedic daśā system in Hellenistic Astrology. While it largely fell out of use in the western tradition, the Hellenistic astrological revival of the past half-century has ushered in a resurgence in its use among traditional astrologers. Today, Aphesis charts can be cast using basic free software, or by using a simple Excel spreadsheet.
Through Zodiacal Aphesis, an astrologer can provide a definitive timeline of a native’s life based solely on the natal chart. This is similar, as noted by Chris Brennan, to narrativising a native’s life in chapters, paragraphs, and sentences. This provides a far more nuanced and precise interpretation of the natal chart than a general analysis, and highlights the periods in which each of the native’s topos will be activated. Peak periods of activity are highlighted and ranked, benefic and malefic influences are observed, and the overall themes of a native’s journey are made apparent for ease of future forecasting.
Many traditional astrologers today consider this to be among the crowning jewels of western astrology, and Erik Jampa has used it as the basis of his astrological practice for the past decade, with repeated remarkable results. From a Buddhist perspective, the process of Zodiacal Aphesis from the Lot of Spirit reflects a traditional interpretation of the joining of karmic causes (rgyu) and conditions (rkyen), and can be used to illuminate peak periods for existential growth.
In this course, we will cover the following:
How to cast a Zodiacal Aphesis chart by hand, with a spreadsheet, or using online software.
How to identify and interpret ‘peak periods’ pertaining to one’s karma or physical health.
How to assess benefic and malefic influences and tailor these to the native’s chart.
How to extract a karmic narrative from the natal chart.
Foreshadowing periods and the use of Aphesis as a forecasting tool.
Philosophical implications of Zodiacal Aphesis and a Buddhist interpretation.
Guided examples of Zodiacal Aphesis from the Lots of Spirit, Fortune, and Eros.