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2008 Conference Review
For
our 50th anniversary year and 40th conference, the programme was packed
with star presenters. This high quality was more than matched by the
enthusiasm of the delegates to attend as many sessions as possible.
From Michael Lutin's stimulating opening, through fascinating breakout
and plenary sessions, to Liz Greene's incisively thought-provoking
closing address, the appetite for more knowledge and experience never
flagged. But don't just take our word for it, we've asked our members to provide reviews for us as you can see below.
Our 2008 Conference Photo Album can be viewed
by clicking here ... |
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Robert Anderson
Plymouth
Astrology Group
The AA's 50th birthday and its 40th conference
were blessed with fine weather throughout. This lifted everyone's
spirits and displayed Staverton Park to best advantage. The speakers
and their talks were likewise of a high standard and it was interesting
to see some of the 'big names' in contemporary astrology in action over
the three days. Picking highlights is not easy but for entertainment
value Frank Clifford's 'Humour in the Horoscope' had many hilarious
moments and even John Green's “Depression and Astrology” was grimly
amusing. I now know to “feed my Moon” if I get depressed! The 'Skype'
link to the U.S.A. BLAST Conference provided an unusual platform for
Roy Gillett and Rob Hand as contenders for the Charles Harvey Award.
Roy and colleagues worked very hard throughout the conference but he
seemed the only person able to coax the projector back to life when it
played up in the plenary sessions! The conference was also an
opportunity to socialise, and whether I was manning the APAI stand,
hobnobbing in the local groups meeting room or enjoying the ample meals
provided, it was good to meet fellow astrologers and indulge in some
informed astro-chat. All too quickly Sunday arrived and Liz Greene gave
the final talk in impressively professorial style. It was time to take
a last turn round the astrological garden and wend my way home to
friends and family in Plymouth
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View From a Crane!
Pam Crane
The Conference chart always makes me smile. Yes, it’s the formal opening when Roy steps forward and ceremonially lights that friendly flame - but conferences begin when meetings begin, and mine began just after 1 pm at Rugby when the Conference Minibus arrived reassuringly early and several of us scrambled into our seats. My conference has the Sun, ruling the 9th, on the Midheaven, and the sidereal Aries Moon facing tropical Venus across my draconic Asc/Desc - so from that moment to Sunday teatime new friends from overseas were constant companions, and there were reunions with women-friends I hadn’t seen for months or years, looking splendid.
About 200 of us gathered under a draconic Scorpio Sun close to the equinox and squared by Pluto. Draconic Mars/Mercury sparked the Sag. Mc of the elected chart, Capricorn Jupiter was on its draconic MC and Saturn with the draconic Desc. So - oodles of chat, much wisdom and world-shrinking, some serious fun, and a lot of senior stargazers picking history apart to second-guess Pluto’s impact. With the world at crisis point and our collective insight needed, many thanks to Liz for her closing appeal to resist astrological parochialism, as we each have our distinctive part to play.
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Laura's Review
Laura Andrikopoulos
I very much enjoyed the conference this year – we had beautiful weather and the venue was particularly convenient for me, a Midlands dweller. I attended some excellent lectures, particularly enjoying Geoffrey Cornelius’ thought-provoking talk on the disintegration of modern astrology and Michael Lutin’s witty remarks on the outer planets. Despite the forthcoming pressures of Pluto in Capricorn and the titanic clash of Saturn and Uranus, for me the conference had an upbeat, exciting feel. As ever, it was a great opportunity to get together with the astrological community and share in the latest astrological ideas.
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Sue's Review
Sue Farebrother
This was a Conference with a difference, with a number of ‘firsts’. Not only was this sunny weekend the Association’s big anniversary conference, but also it was the first time that the ambitious link up through satellite technology had been attempted with America - with the Blast Astrology Conference held over the same weekend. Rob Hand was clearly visible and audible live from Arizona, to the whole room full of delegates at Daventry, UK.
He was preceded by a most unusual panel presentation to celebrate 38 years of keynote Carter Memorial lectures, composed of a number of well known former lecturers, who each spoke for a short time – another first. And for me, the highlight was being there at the unique Panel of Founders presentation, which took place before the time honoured Astrologers Feast on Saturday night. Presented by Chester Kemp, a Founder member spoke to us - 94 year old Dr Mary Austin - followed by the Addeys, Peter Firebrace, and Helen Hain, member since 1959. A piece of astrology’s living history was unfolding before us all.
The Conference chart had Aquarius rising and Mars, Mercury and Venus conjunct in Libra, and as well as a high standard of choice of lectures – causing some hard decisions to be made - much networking took place. I met an astrologer I hadn’t seen for nearly thirty years, when I was a beginning student. Altogether a highly memorable and enjoyable weekend!
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A Note from us
We hope to include more reviews from our members here. If you have any comments or short paragraphs (approx 50-70 words) you would like to send us, please send them to Glenda Cole. Please note we may not be able to include all your comments, but we shall include as much as we can in the space allowed.
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Click here for highlights of previous conferences
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