Astrology, Alchemy and the Journey of the Soul
Astrology and alchemy share a common history, the shared belief that we live in a participatory universe which responds to our engagement with it. Alchemy’s powerful imagery and symbolism reflects the structure of the horoscope and the alchemical opus, or great work, describes the journey of personal initiation as its various stages and processes guide us through the ever-deepening discovery of what has been there from the beginning, in the birth chart, but unknown.
The alchemists knew that change depends on the movement of the planets and an alchemical approach tracks the journey of self-discovery, in the great work of extracting the buried light from the darkness of matter, bringing the universal spirit, soul and body into alignment, as we gradually come home to our deepest selves, to the most fundamental understanding of our own nature.
​
The alchemical journey guides us through a personal metamorphosis. As we die to our old, adapted selves, ancestral and cultural distortions are gradually purged and released and we find ourselves reborn into a profoundly new way of being, conscious of ourselves as both individual and universal.
​
Consisting of more than 30 hours of learning, we will alternate between formal teaching and personal chart work sessions. We will chart our experiences of transits, weaving these into our understanding, as the base matter of our horoscope is slowly transformed into alchemical gold.
SCHEDULE
​
Friday - May 3
Arrival
Check in after 1:00 pm
Stroll around Shrewsbury, or rest
5 - 6:15 pm: Gathering for Introductions and Orientation with Carole & Clare
Dinner together locally
Saturday - May 4
7:30 - 8:30 am: Breakfast
Alchemy and the Birth Chart
Separatio: differentiation of psychological functions
9:30 - 10:45 am: The history and vision of alchemy - the 'magnum opus' and
the art of transformation
10:45 - 11:15 am: Tea/Coffee Break
11:15 am - 12:30 pm: Number symbolism in astrology and alchemy
12:30 pm: Lunch & Rest
3:30 - 4:45 pm: Stages of the alchemical process - a developmental framework
Short Refreshment Break
5 - 6:15 pm: Discussion/Personal Chart Work
7:00 pm: Dinner
Sunday - May 5
7:30 - 8:30 am: Breakfast
Alchemy and the Birth Chart
Separatio: differentiation of psychological functions
9:30 - 10:45 am: Polarity and projection - tension and conflict in the birth chart
10:45 - 11:15 am: Tea/Coffee Break
11:15 am - 12:30 pm: Discussion/Personal Chart Work
12:30 pm: Lunch & Rest
3:30 - 4:45 pm: The modes and elements as soul work
Short Refreshment Break
5 - 6:15 pm: Discussion/Personal Chart Work
7:00 pm: Dinner
Monday - May 6
7:30 - 8:30 am: Breakfast
Planetary cycles and transits
9:30 -10:45 am: Saturn - the Earth process; COAGULATIO
10:45 - 11:15 am: Tea/Coffee Break
11:15 am -12:30 pm: Discussion/Personal Chart Work
12:30 pm: Lunch & Rest
3:30 - 4:45 pm: Incarnation - Chiron and the Nodal Axis
Short Refreshment Break
5 - 6:15 pm: Discussion/Personal Chart Work
7:00 pm: Dinner
Tuesday - May 7
7:30 - 8:30 am: Breakfast
Planetary cycles and transits
9.30 - 10:45 am: Uranus - the Air process: SUBLIMATO
10:45 - 11:00 am: Tea/Coffee Break
11:00 am - 12:00 pm: Discussion/Personal Chart Work
12:OO pm: Lunch
HALF DAY – Excursion to Hawkestone Park Folies
Wednesday - May 8
7:30 - 8:30 am: Breakfast
Planetary cycles and transits
9:30 -10:45 pm: Pluto - the Fire process: CALCINATO
10:45 - 11:15 am: Tea/Coffee Break
11:15 am - 12:30 pm: Discussion/Personal Chart Work
12:30 pm: Lunch & Rest
3:30 - 4:45 pm: Neptune - the Water process: SOLUTIO
Short Refreshment Break
5 - 6:15 pm: Discussion/Personal Chart Work
7:00 pm: Dinner
Thursday - May 9
7:30 - 8:30 am: Breakfast
Coniunctio: Prima Materia to Lapis
Lead to Gold
9:30 - 10:45 am: Soul-centred Astrology: Mercurius
10:45 - 11:15 am: Tea/Coffee Break
11:15 am - 12:30 pm: Discussion/Personal Chart Work
12:30 pm: Lunch & Rest
3:30 -4:45 pm: The Mystical Marriage of opposites: CONIUNCTIO
Short Refreshment Break
5 - 6:15 pm: Discussion/Personal Chart Work
7:00 pm: Dinner
Friday - May 10
7:30 - 8:30 am: Breakfast
9:30 - 11.00 am: Closing session – Carole & Clare
Check-out by Noon
(extra nights can be booked, subject to availability)
​
Recommended Reading - Alchemy: The Soul of Astrology by Clare Martin
​
All group meals and excursions are optional
Shrewsbury on the River Severn
Our workshop will be held in the charming, medieval town of Shrewsbury, in the west of England 9 miles from the Welsh border. Set inside a loop of the River Severn, its town centre is lined with half-timbered houses. The birthplace of Charles Darwin, it is also known as the "town of flowers", and the pearl of the Marches region. One of the best kept secrets in England, it is also amongst the most well preserved and beautiful historical towns in the UK, noted for its Tudor and Jacobean architecture.
​
Easily accessible, just 70 minutes direct train ride from Birmingham International, (BHX), with the train station being conveniently located within the airport itself.
​
Our workshop/retreat venue is Abbots Mead, a lovely Georgian hotel in the very heart of Shrewsbury, close to the river, on the edge of the park; adjacent to shopping, restaurants and pubs. We have reserved the entire hotel for our retreat, and will have exclusive use of all its facilities.
INCLUDED IN WORKSHOP PACKAGE
30+ Hours Tuition with Clare & Carole
7 Nights Ensuite Hotel Accommodation
7 Breakfasts
6 Lunches
Refreshments at Break Times
Transportation & Entrance Fee to Inclusive Excursion
Free Onsite Hotel Parking
​Cost
Single Occupancy per person
ï¿¡1,650
Shared Occupancy (twin or double bed) - Limited Availability
￡1,260 per person​
​
Payment in full due by February 18th, 2024
​
Dinners paid for Individually
​
Inclusive breakfasts will include vegetarian and meat choices
​
Inclusive lunches will be vegetarian and light (so we stay awake!)
​
(Post this workshop is a 10-day tour of Shropshire, with accommodation at the same location: The Joys of the Shire, May 13-24, 2024)
If you have any questions about passports, travel insurance, or how to get to there, we are happy to assist in any way we can. Visit our Travel Plans page.
We are limiting the group size to meet the hotel capacity - 16 rooms total
​