SAA 50th Anniversary Conference
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Join us for two full-days at the of astrological explorations and applications to celebrate this landmark anniversary with our local-based and extended family of members.
The conference features four talks, a half-day med-astro workshop, and a plenary. Our presenters include Mark Cullen, Anna Estaroth, Nicholas Grier, JD Kelley, and Lianne McCafferty.
Saturday, June 22nd, 9:30 am - 5:00pm BST (Hybrid, Virtual Sessions Open-to-all)
Link for Saturday's Sessions:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85137628375?pwd=0cqqjHwPqa3heAqWbH5PwSvMWCfWRe.1
&
Sunday, June 23rd 10:15am - 4:30pm BST (Hybrid, Workshop for Registrants Only & Plenary Virtual Session Open-to-all)
Link for Sunday's Plenary:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88062279171?pwd=OayHHOHGnICebBaGqDLrCzRaGb7St8.1
In-Person at the Arthur Conan Doyle Centre, Edinburgh & Virtual via Zoom. Zoom Meeting Links can be found just below. TBA
All registered attendees, both in-person and virtual will receive the relevant recordings.
Attending In Person
Drop in on the day for any part of the conference. Registering by Thursday 20th June end of day, to ensure that you are included in the numbers of the dinner on Saturday evening.
Regarding in-person attendance, no one will be turned away for lack of funds. Just email us at scottichastrology@gmail.com to let us know you would like to attend.
There will be a social and meal on Saturday evening from 7:00 pm for those attending in-person at Las Iguanas in Edinburgh.
Attending Virtually
Register by Friday by no later than 6:30pm to ensure that you will receive the relevant joining instructions. Late virtual registration is acceptable, but please be patient with us on the days of the conference.
Virtual sessions of Saturday's programme and Sunday's plenary will be open-to-all to attend live, but only those registered will receive access to any recordings.
Registration and Payment here: https://forms.gle/crsgfnQSAn33DhX8A
Conference Details
Registration Fees:
SAA Member -
In-Person Both Days, £55.00 / In-Person Sat, 22 June Only, £25.00 / In-Person Sun, 23 June Only, £35.00
Virtual Both Days, £50.00 / Virtual Sat, 22 June Only £20.00 / Virtual Sun, 23 June Only £30.00
Other Attendees -
In-Person Both Days, £65.00 / In-Person Sat, 22 June Only, £30.00 / In-Person Sun, 23 June Only £40.00
Virtual Both Days, £55.00 / Virtual Sat, 22 June Only, £25.00 / Virtual Sun, 23 June Only, £35.00
Conference Schedule
Saturday, June 22nd, 9:30 am - 5:00pm BST (Hybrid, Virtual Sessions Open-to-all, see Zoom Meeting link below.)
Static Zoom Meeting link for all Saturday Sessions: TBA
9:00 am - 9:30 am Arrival with tea and coffee
9:30 am - 10:45 am JD Kelley Welcome and Nicholas Grier No Better time to be an Astrologer
10:45 am - 11:00 am Break
11:00 am - 12:30 pm Mark Cullen Deciphering the Dragon: a look at the History and Contrasting Approaches to the Lunar Nodes in Astrology
12:30 pm - 1:45 pm Lunch
1:45 pm - 3:15 pm Anna Estaroth The Sun and Moon in Sacred Spaces
3:15 pm - 3:30 pm Break
3:30 pm - 5:00 pm Lianne McCafferty The Astrology of Ceres: Grain, Parental Bonds & The Best Dram in the Valley
7:00 pm Dinner: TBA, In-person attendees will be contact directed regarding this.
Sunday, June 23rd 10:15am - 4:30pm BST (Hybrid. Workshop for Registrants Only & Plenary Virtual Session Open-to-all, Zoom Meeting link below.)
Zoom Meeting link for Sunday's Plenary at 3:30 pm BST: TBA
10:00 am - 10:15 am Arrival with tea and Coffee
10:15 am - 11:15 pm Med-Astro Workshop Session 1: Anna Estaroth & JD Kelley The Temperaments: Introduction
11:15 pm - 12:00 pm Break
12:00 pm - 1:30 pm Med-Astro Workshop Session 2: Anna Estaroth & JD Kelley The Temperaments: Nativity Analysis
1:30 pm - 2:15 pm Lunch
2:15 pm - 3:15 pm Med-Astro Workshop Session 3: Lianne McCafferty The Physicality of Nourishing the Mind & Body
3:15 pm - 3:30 pm Break
3:30 pm - 4:30 pm Plenary Session, All presenters. Stirring in the Deep: The Great Outer Planetary Shift of the Decade
Static Zoom Meeting link for all Saturday Sessions: TBA
9:00 am - 9:30 am Arrival with tea and coffee
9:30 am - 10:45 am JD Kelley Welcome and Nicholas Grier No Better time to be an Astrologer
10:45 am - 11:00 am Break
11:00 am - 12:30 pm Mark Cullen Deciphering the Dragon: a look at the History and Contrasting Approaches to the Lunar Nodes in Astrology
12:30 pm - 1:45 pm Lunch
1:45 pm - 3:15 pm Anna Estaroth The Sun and Moon in Sacred Spaces
3:15 pm - 3:30 pm Break
3:30 pm - 5:00 pm Lianne McCafferty The Astrology of Ceres: Grain, Parental Bonds & The Best Dram in the Valley
7:00 pm Dinner: TBA, In-person attendees will be contact directed regarding this.
Sunday, June 23rd 10:15am - 4:30pm BST (Hybrid. Workshop for Registrants Only & Plenary Virtual Session Open-to-all, Zoom Meeting link below.)
Zoom Meeting link for Sunday's Plenary at 3:30 pm BST: TBA
10:00 am - 10:15 am Arrival with tea and Coffee
10:15 am - 11:15 pm Med-Astro Workshop Session 1: Anna Estaroth & JD Kelley The Temperaments: Introduction
11:15 pm - 12:00 pm Break
12:00 pm - 1:30 pm Med-Astro Workshop Session 2: Anna Estaroth & JD Kelley The Temperaments: Nativity Analysis
1:30 pm - 2:15 pm Lunch
2:15 pm - 3:15 pm Med-Astro Workshop Session 3: Lianne McCafferty The Physicality of Nourishing the Mind & Body
3:15 pm - 3:30 pm Break
3:30 pm - 4:30 pm Plenary Session, All presenters. Stirring in the Deep: The Great Outer Planetary Shift of the Decade
Session Descriptions and Speaker Bios
by order of the Schedule
Nicholas Grier No Better time to be an Astrologer
Imagine a world when everyone would know their own horoscope, and knew the horoscopes of their bosses or rulers, a world where understanding astrology was as common as being able to read another language. Maybe that's on its way, because there's no better time to be an astrologer with a wealth of knowledge about techniques, methods and practice just a few clicks away. That's also why we set up the Scottish Astrological Association - to expand awareness of our celestial art.
Yet it is astonishing how accurate some past astrologers were, and we are still learning from them. Plucking a few celebrated examples from history helps illuminate the richness of the science and art of astrology, and in particular its practical uses for forecasting, horary and elections. What's the point about knowing about astrology if we don't take advantage of its practical benefits?
Professor Nicholas Grier. W.S. was interested in star signs from the age of seven. Despite this, he wisely decided not be a professional astrologer, and qualified as a lawyer, specialising in business and corporate law. In due course he moved into academia where he became head of the Law departments at respectively Edinburgh Napier University and Abertay University. He is company secretary of the new Scottish Astrological Association Ltd. He is in touch with a number of time twins all over the world who are also practising astrologers. He has a strange psychic ability called the Curse of Grier, which he will explain in the course of his talk.
Mark Cullen Deciphering the Dragon: a look at the History and Contrasting Approaches to the Lunar Nodes in Astrology
Most astrologers work with the lunar nodes and some regard them as a key part of the horoscope. However, there is no astrological consensus on how to delineate them. Historically, contrasting astrological traditions evolved on how to interpret the nodes in Mesopotamian, Hellenistic, Medieval, and Indian astrology. In addition, the 20th century saw the introduction of several new, radically different approaches towards delineating the nodes. After reviewing all these differing approaches, we will examine the nodes in some practical chart examples with a particular focus on their influence in planetary conjunctions, squares (bendings) and the transiting nodes.
Mark Cullen has been exploring astrology since the early 1980’s. After studying modern astrology with the Faculty of Astrological Studies in the early 1990s he completed Deborah Houlding’s STA (School of Traditional Astrology) certificate in 2005. Ever since that time Mark has made a study of traditional astrological techniques and history. Mark was chair of the Scottish Astrological Association from 2011-2016 and has been a mundane astrology moderator on the Skyscript website since 2011. He has maintained an updated list of all the astrological predictions on the US Presidential election on the Skyscript website since 2016. Mark has given talks on a variety of topics including mundane astrology, lunar nodes, declination, fixed stars and comets. His current focus is financial astrology and ongoing research into the astrological history of the US national chart for a potential book. Mark lives in Edinburgh and works as a manager in a charity/NGO.
Anna Estaroth The Sun and Moon in Sacred Spaces
This talk encompasses some of Anna’s research carried out for her MA in Cultural Astronomy and Astrology at University of Wales, Trinity Saint David. It celebrates the long lunar cycle which peaks this year by exploring certain ancient monuments in Scotland which exhibit a special relationship with the sun and moon. It considers Calanais, on the Hebridean Isle of Lewis, where the moon is seen to skim along the horizon on special years. This last occurred in 2006, it happens again in 2024 and 2025 then does not repeat until 2043/44. It also considers sunlight entering chambered cairns and the myths and legends arising from
these magical places. Finally, it looks at a couple of Pueblo sites where sun and moon are significant in southwest USA.
Anna Estaroth has been a professional astrologer since 1971 and a member of the Scottish Astrological Association since 1977. She is a Fellow of the Association of Professional Astrologers International and a past chair of the SAA. She used to teach astrology, but now focuses on her studies. She completed the MA in 2018 and is currently undertaking a PhD in skyscape archaeology with the University of the Highlands and Islands. This involves exploring how sunlight and shadow was significant for neolithic peoples on the islands of Orkney and Shetland.
Lianne McCafferty The Astrology of Ceres: Grain, Parental Bonds & The Best Dram in the Valley
This talk will delve into the myth and astrology of Ceres - goddess of grain, parental bonds, civilised arrangements and the cyclical nature of life. In recognition of the SAA’s 50th anniversary, we’ll explore Ceres’ resonance with Scotland’s history and future through both natal and mundane examples. But when talking about grain, it’s a must that we also indulge in a look at the astrology of one of Scotland’s finest exports, whisky!
liannemccafferty.com
Lianne McCafferty D.M.S. Astrol, MAPAI, holds the Mayo School of Astrology Diploma (Distinction) in both natal & mundane astrology and has been one of its tutors for several years. In addition to teaching, consulting, speaking and writing, with numerous articles published in the likes of the AA and NCGR Journals, her current research is focused on asteroids and dwarf planets. Formerly a professional sportsperson and coach prior to transitioning into martial arts and achieving Black Belt in Shotokan Karate, she is particularly interested in the use of astrology to help enhance sport performance.
Anna Estaroth & JD Kelley The Temperaments: Introduction & Nativity Analysis
We are all familiar with the fundamentals of natal astrology but tend to overlook how the elements of earth, fire, water, and air deeply influence our physical and mental wellbeing. This workshop enables you to understand your essential temperament using traditional astrological approaches. Determining the humoural constitution is crucial as we begin to consider the applied work of medical astrology. We will begin with a brief historical overview along with some unique ancient astral anecdotes. Then we will delve into the substance of these sessions with an overview of essential concepts and technical considerations of temperament analysis. This is your opportunity to apply these concepts to your own nativity using traditional concepts of temperament. Equally techniques related to healing and the houses will be applied, in particular the relationship of the 5th/6th houses and 11th/12th houses. There will be individual and group applied-sessions both for in-person or virtual attendees.
Anna Estaroth, see above.
John-David (JD) Kelley hails from the USA and for the last twelve years has lived in England and Scotland. Having worked professionally as an anthropologist, studying religious experience, animism, magic, education, and performance, and as educator, he now devotes his time to his esoteric and astral passions.
He is the current chair for the Scottish Astrological Association, having served since 2020; the founding president of the International Association of Astral Magic (IAAM), which hosts open-to-all, monthly online-meetings exploring topics and research within the field of astral magic; and the organiser of Astro Magia, the premier esoteric conference at the intersections of astrology, magic, and related fields of study and practice.
JD is a professional natal and electional astrologer, as well as a practitioner of astral magic, namely talismanic. His astrological leanings are both traditional and modern alongside a deep interest in astrological and astral magic. JD is influenced by historical approaches to magic, the mixing of magical traditions throughout the world, by an animist view of the Cosmos, by art and art-making, and by visionary and ecstatic practices. You can find him at Cunning as Folk where he teaches and practices his range of esoteric and interpretive arts, or you can follow his dance on all channels @cunningasfolk.
Lianne McCafferty The Physicality of Nourishing the Mind & Body
We all know exercise and movement are important for maintaining physical and mental health. But can exercise in fact connect our minds and bodies to something higher that nourishes us at a spiritual level? In this webinar we will look at the astrology of exercise, its benefits from both a medical and holistic perspective and the role of the Moon, Neptune and temperaments
Lianne McCafferty, see above.
Plenary Session, Stirring in the Deep: The Great Outer Planetary Shift of the Decade
Our speakers will turn their attention to the impending great shifts of the outer planets tropically, namely Pluto into Aquarius, Neptune into Aries, and Uranus into Gemini. JD has highlighted that this shift entails a significant polarity shift from all three being in nocturnal, feminine signs to diurnal, masculine signs. We will use this as a jumping off point to explore this, the great outer planetary shift of the decade,
Imagine a world when everyone would know their own horoscope, and knew the horoscopes of their bosses or rulers, a world where understanding astrology was as common as being able to read another language. Maybe that's on its way, because there's no better time to be an astrologer with a wealth of knowledge about techniques, methods and practice just a few clicks away. That's also why we set up the Scottish Astrological Association - to expand awareness of our celestial art.
Yet it is astonishing how accurate some past astrologers were, and we are still learning from them. Plucking a few celebrated examples from history helps illuminate the richness of the science and art of astrology, and in particular its practical uses for forecasting, horary and elections. What's the point about knowing about astrology if we don't take advantage of its practical benefits?
Professor Nicholas Grier. W.S. was interested in star signs from the age of seven. Despite this, he wisely decided not be a professional astrologer, and qualified as a lawyer, specialising in business and corporate law. In due course he moved into academia where he became head of the Law departments at respectively Edinburgh Napier University and Abertay University. He is company secretary of the new Scottish Astrological Association Ltd. He is in touch with a number of time twins all over the world who are also practising astrologers. He has a strange psychic ability called the Curse of Grier, which he will explain in the course of his talk.
Mark Cullen Deciphering the Dragon: a look at the History and Contrasting Approaches to the Lunar Nodes in Astrology
Most astrologers work with the lunar nodes and some regard them as a key part of the horoscope. However, there is no astrological consensus on how to delineate them. Historically, contrasting astrological traditions evolved on how to interpret the nodes in Mesopotamian, Hellenistic, Medieval, and Indian astrology. In addition, the 20th century saw the introduction of several new, radically different approaches towards delineating the nodes. After reviewing all these differing approaches, we will examine the nodes in some practical chart examples with a particular focus on their influence in planetary conjunctions, squares (bendings) and the transiting nodes.
Mark Cullen has been exploring astrology since the early 1980’s. After studying modern astrology with the Faculty of Astrological Studies in the early 1990s he completed Deborah Houlding’s STA (School of Traditional Astrology) certificate in 2005. Ever since that time Mark has made a study of traditional astrological techniques and history. Mark was chair of the Scottish Astrological Association from 2011-2016 and has been a mundane astrology moderator on the Skyscript website since 2011. He has maintained an updated list of all the astrological predictions on the US Presidential election on the Skyscript website since 2016. Mark has given talks on a variety of topics including mundane astrology, lunar nodes, declination, fixed stars and comets. His current focus is financial astrology and ongoing research into the astrological history of the US national chart for a potential book. Mark lives in Edinburgh and works as a manager in a charity/NGO.
Anna Estaroth The Sun and Moon in Sacred Spaces
This talk encompasses some of Anna’s research carried out for her MA in Cultural Astronomy and Astrology at University of Wales, Trinity Saint David. It celebrates the long lunar cycle which peaks this year by exploring certain ancient monuments in Scotland which exhibit a special relationship with the sun and moon. It considers Calanais, on the Hebridean Isle of Lewis, where the moon is seen to skim along the horizon on special years. This last occurred in 2006, it happens again in 2024 and 2025 then does not repeat until 2043/44. It also considers sunlight entering chambered cairns and the myths and legends arising from
these magical places. Finally, it looks at a couple of Pueblo sites where sun and moon are significant in southwest USA.
Anna Estaroth has been a professional astrologer since 1971 and a member of the Scottish Astrological Association since 1977. She is a Fellow of the Association of Professional Astrologers International and a past chair of the SAA. She used to teach astrology, but now focuses on her studies. She completed the MA in 2018 and is currently undertaking a PhD in skyscape archaeology with the University of the Highlands and Islands. This involves exploring how sunlight and shadow was significant for neolithic peoples on the islands of Orkney and Shetland.
Lianne McCafferty The Astrology of Ceres: Grain, Parental Bonds & The Best Dram in the Valley
This talk will delve into the myth and astrology of Ceres - goddess of grain, parental bonds, civilised arrangements and the cyclical nature of life. In recognition of the SAA’s 50th anniversary, we’ll explore Ceres’ resonance with Scotland’s history and future through both natal and mundane examples. But when talking about grain, it’s a must that we also indulge in a look at the astrology of one of Scotland’s finest exports, whisky!
liannemccafferty.com
Lianne McCafferty D.M.S. Astrol, MAPAI, holds the Mayo School of Astrology Diploma (Distinction) in both natal & mundane astrology and has been one of its tutors for several years. In addition to teaching, consulting, speaking and writing, with numerous articles published in the likes of the AA and NCGR Journals, her current research is focused on asteroids and dwarf planets. Formerly a professional sportsperson and coach prior to transitioning into martial arts and achieving Black Belt in Shotokan Karate, she is particularly interested in the use of astrology to help enhance sport performance.
Anna Estaroth & JD Kelley The Temperaments: Introduction & Nativity Analysis
We are all familiar with the fundamentals of natal astrology but tend to overlook how the elements of earth, fire, water, and air deeply influence our physical and mental wellbeing. This workshop enables you to understand your essential temperament using traditional astrological approaches. Determining the humoural constitution is crucial as we begin to consider the applied work of medical astrology. We will begin with a brief historical overview along with some unique ancient astral anecdotes. Then we will delve into the substance of these sessions with an overview of essential concepts and technical considerations of temperament analysis. This is your opportunity to apply these concepts to your own nativity using traditional concepts of temperament. Equally techniques related to healing and the houses will be applied, in particular the relationship of the 5th/6th houses and 11th/12th houses. There will be individual and group applied-sessions both for in-person or virtual attendees.
Anna Estaroth, see above.
John-David (JD) Kelley hails from the USA and for the last twelve years has lived in England and Scotland. Having worked professionally as an anthropologist, studying religious experience, animism, magic, education, and performance, and as educator, he now devotes his time to his esoteric and astral passions.
He is the current chair for the Scottish Astrological Association, having served since 2020; the founding president of the International Association of Astral Magic (IAAM), which hosts open-to-all, monthly online-meetings exploring topics and research within the field of astral magic; and the organiser of Astro Magia, the premier esoteric conference at the intersections of astrology, magic, and related fields of study and practice.
JD is a professional natal and electional astrologer, as well as a practitioner of astral magic, namely talismanic. His astrological leanings are both traditional and modern alongside a deep interest in astrological and astral magic. JD is influenced by historical approaches to magic, the mixing of magical traditions throughout the world, by an animist view of the Cosmos, by art and art-making, and by visionary and ecstatic practices. You can find him at Cunning as Folk where he teaches and practices his range of esoteric and interpretive arts, or you can follow his dance on all channels @cunningasfolk.
Lianne McCafferty The Physicality of Nourishing the Mind & Body
We all know exercise and movement are important for maintaining physical and mental health. But can exercise in fact connect our minds and bodies to something higher that nourishes us at a spiritual level? In this webinar we will look at the astrology of exercise, its benefits from both a medical and holistic perspective and the role of the Moon, Neptune and temperaments
Lianne McCafferty, see above.
Plenary Session, Stirring in the Deep: The Great Outer Planetary Shift of the Decade
Our speakers will turn their attention to the impending great shifts of the outer planets tropically, namely Pluto into Aquarius, Neptune into Aries, and Uranus into Gemini. JD has highlighted that this shift entails a significant polarity shift from all three being in nocturnal, feminine signs to diurnal, masculine signs. We will use this as a jumping off point to explore this, the great outer planetary shift of the decade,
