The MA in Cultural Astronomy and Astrology at Bath Spa University College

Progress Report and Students' Comments

by Alice Ekrek

The MA at Bath Spa University College continues into its second semester with one new student from Amsterdam, which brings the total number of students to thirteen. Applications to begin the MA in October are coming in steadily, and include applicants from the USA, Portugal and Belgium as well as around the UK. A number of PhD applications have also been received from the UK and Portugal.

In addition to the regular staff members, Michael York, Patrick Curry and Nick Campion, we have had guest presentations from (amongst others) Robin Heath on Megalithic Astronomy, Liz Greene on depth psychology, Komilla Sutton on the religious background to Vedic astrology, and Babs Kirby on Jung and astrology.

The Sophia Centre has developed into a lively community of students and members of the wider astrological community who are interested in research into astrology. Our first PhD student is Garry Phillipson, author of Astrology in the Year Zero. Alie Bird, who is working for her PhD at Sussex University, has been observing the classes as part of her study of astrology as a knowledge system. Researchers from around the world are contacting the centre, and donating copies of their work to the fast developing Sophia Centre Library.

The staff at the Centre invite members of the astrological community interested in research into astrology to contact the Centre and introduce themselves. We welcome copies of research theses completed at other institutions, as well as other relevant books and journals that may be donated to the library which is housed at the Centre.

Some Students' Comments on the First Year of the MA

Pictured - Sophia Centre staff and students from left to right: Michael York, Bernadette Brady, Alie Bird, Alice Ekrek, Garry Phillipson, Chris Turner, Kim Farnell, Nicholas Campion, James Brockbank, Jane Amanda, Judith Levy, Robert MacNaughton, Irene Earis, Chantal Allison, Faye Cossar, David Rowan, Patrick Curry and Bernard Eccles. Absent from photo: Wendy Stacey

The current students' enthusiasm for the course has been apparent since the programme's inception in October 2002. One student, Irene Earis, an ex-teacher and archaeoastronomy enthusiast, describes the course as "challenging, interesting and very enjoyable." She states: "The course is sufficiently open and flexible to give everyone an opportunity to follow up their own special enthusiasms, as well as exploring new academic territory. The subject matter is wide-ranging and the erudition of the permanent staff is most impressive. I also feel privileged to be part of the friendly and strong-minded group of students on this first year of the course. Between them they possess an amazing range of background knowledge and experience. In short, I am very glad that I am doing the MA part-time over three years, since otherwise it would all have been over too quickly!"

As the second semester is winding down and the first batch of full-time students are nearing completion, Jane Amanda writes of her experience on the course: "It is an honour to be amongst the first intake of students on the MACAA, especially in the knowledge that, consequent only to the Herculean effort of the organisers, Astrology has at long last been re-introduced to Higher Education after a protracted exclusion. It is clearly evident that a great deal of thought and preparation has gone into the selection of modules and course content. The reading lists are comprehensive: there is sufficient material introduced to keep even the most mercurial totally absorbed."

Another full-time student, David Rowan, describes the course as "simply awesome", and writes: "During the first term, those of us lucky enough to be on the course were bowled over by the depth and knowledge of the tutors. Now, in the second term I find that somehow you have excelled beyond that with the topics and choice of guest lecturers. The appreciation I have for a subject I have studied all of my adult life is now enriched and coloured with its rightful history, breadth and wisdom."

A student who is well known in the astrological community, Bernadette Brady, describes the MA as being "like discovering a lost or forgotten library. The history, the thinkers, the methods, the research and the religious beliefs which have shaped the way we view the heavens all come alive in the seminars. Some days the room is crowded with students all talking, all adding their thoughts; other days it can be silent as we sit enthralled by the unfolding lecture. Cultural astronomy and astrology is a new field of academic study but one quickly discovers it is focused on one of the oldest wonders in human history- the starry sky."

Upcoming Events at the Sophia Centre

10 May 2003 Making your own Astrolabe AA seminar with Bernadette Brady. For further information contact the Astrological Association

13-14 June 2003 Astrology and the Academy The Sophia Centre is holding a two-day conference to celebrate its launch. Further information and booking forms can be obtained from here or contact the administrator: Alice Ekrek, Sophia Centre, Bath Spa University College, Newton Park, Newton St. Loe, Bath BA2 9BN, United Kingdom/Tel: +44 (0)1225 876147/Fax: +44 (0)1225 876230/ Email Alice

12-13 July 2003 Solar Fire, Jigsaw and Starlight Tuition Weekend Astro-software training session with Roy Gillett and Bernadette Brady. Further information can be obtained from Roy Gillett: roy.gillett1@ntlworld.com

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