Syllabus

Abu Ma’shar’s Kitab al-Madkhal al-Kabeer ila fi ‘ilm Ahkam an-Nujum(Book of the Great Introduction to the Science of the Judgement of the Stars) is one of the most influential astrological texts in history, making the art of astrological judgments accessible to the public in an unprcedented way. Abu Ma’shar states in the beginning of his Madkhal that the purpose of this book was to compile many disparate sources and opinions on astrology into a single source, and that this is the first book to read when someone seeks to learn the science (‘ilm) of astrology.

The aim is that this book would be taught in a classroom with a teacher to instruct you in the philosophical and practical application of astrology. As if a math teacher was walking you through a math textbook to learn the introduction to the principles, concepts, and foundations of math. This book instructs the student of astrology in a complete treatment of the knowledge they need for making judgements of how the planet’s movements will affect change on Earth.

We will apply Abu Ma’shar’s text in our online classroom as a guide for teaching astrology in the modern era. We will supplement further information from his teachers, students, and contemporary scholars to give a holistic perspective of the intellectual tradition of Medieval Islamicate Astrology as inherited from the Hellenistic, Babylonian, African, Indic & Perisan Worlds.

Course Content

• Theories of Astral Influence according to Abu Ma’shar

• Philosophical defense of astrology

• Arguments against and rebuttles in favor of astrology

• The 4 Elements and rationale for their order in the zodiac

• Rationale for the Tropical Zodiac, 12 Zodiac Signs, and ordering of the spheres

• Introduction to Stellarium astronomy software

• Basic Astronomy for Astrologers

• How to assess ebb and flow of the Moon’s tides

• Rationale behind malefic and benefic planets

• Scoring methods to judge planetary condition

• The Thema Mundi: domicile and exaltation rationale

• Subdivisions of the Zodiac: Decans, Bounds, Nawbahra, and Dodecatemoria

• Planetary Days and Hours

• 5 Aspects and the rationale behind their significance

• Relationship of the zodiac signs to each other

• Classification of the zodiac signs

• Indications of the 12 Houses of the Sphere

• Solar Phase of the Inner and Outer Planets

• Assesing conjunctions, out of sign aspects, and configurations

• 21 Assemblages of the planets

• Conditions of Strength, Weakness, and Corruption of the Planets

• Indications of the 7 Planets

• The Arabic Lots, their rationale, how to cast, and delineate

• How to assess various topics in the horoscopes with planets, houses, and lots

Location - Online

Class feed and discussion is hosted on Google Classroom

This is a 12 week long course hosted on SUNDAYS at 1 PM and Zoom

Each class will consist of a 2 hour lecture, with discussion and questions held at the end. Students are encourged to take notes, come with questions, and participate!

All classes will are recorded and uploaded to Google Classroom for those who are unable to attend live sessions.

All slides, PDFs, videos, and resources will be sent via Google Classroom after each class.

Pricing

$400 for total of 12 classes

Must purchase all classes together

Payment Plans are available by emailing astrobymax@gmail.com for details

Registration open through September 26th

Course Schedule

Sept 27th - Unit 1
Theories of Astral Influence

Oct 4th - Unit 2
The Zodiac and Astronomy for Astrologers

Oct 11th - Unit 3
The Ebb and Flow of the Moon

Oct 18th - Unit 4
Malefic & Benefic Planets

Oct 25th - Review Session 1
Review Session 1: Units 1-4

Nov 1st - Unit 5
Rulership & Subdivisions of the Zodiac

Nov 8th - Unit 6, Part 1
Aspects & Zodiacal Relationships

Nov 15th - Unit 6, Part 2
The 12 Houses of the Sphere

Nov 22nd - Unit 7, Part 1
Solar Phase and Planetary Conditions

Nov 29th - Unit 7, Part 2
21 Asssemblages + Significations of the Planets

Dec 6th - Unit 8
The Lots and their Delineation

Dec 13th - Review Session 2
Review Session 2: Unit 5-8