Astrology, Myths and Fairy Tales
Finding Our Personal Stories
Residential Workshop
May 16–23, 2025, Shrewsbury, UK
‘The most important question anyone can ask is: What myth am I living?’ ~ C.G.Jung
Myths, legends and fairy stories lend meaning and significance to our lives. Throughout history, their timeless narrative patterns have provided individuals, and even whole cultures, with orientation, guidance and ways of navigating human experience. This week is devoted to the significance of the imaginal worlds – both individual and collective - within which we live. Myths speak the language of the soul and are food for the soul, connecting us to our deepest selves and to the truth of our inner experience.
Birth charts are life stories and every planet has an essential myth at its core, revealing the hidden narratives at work in our lives. In a chart reading, it makes all the difference if our experiences are placed within an imaginative or poetic framework. Using astrology’s rich symbolic language, we come to recognise the archetypal human patterns, or dilemmas, which live through us. When seen through the lens of myths and fairy stories, our lives can be transformed as we develop insight and the courage to live more authentically. Transits and progressions add dynamism, energy and depth, connecting us to the truth of our inner experience and providing guidance to help us navigate meaningfully through times of transition.
Over seven days, Carole and Clare will guide you through the rich landscape of myths, legends and fairy stories. We will begin with creation myths, stories of life, death and rebirth, light and shadow, and the importance of family and ancestral influences. We will discuss the patterns constellated in our adult relationships through Venus and Mars, with their themes of love, competition, jealousy, fidelity and betrayal. Themes of the scapegoat and outsider will be included, as well as the heroic journey to the heart of the self which is symbolised by the Sun. Each presentation will be followed by a practical session working on the charts of participants, to discover the archetypal narrative patterns which reside in the chart of each individual in the group.
The workshop is suitable for astrologers at all stages of study and practice, but you should have basic knowledge of astrological symbolism and how to read a birth chart.
COURSE SCHEDULE
Friday - May 16
Arrival
Check in after 1:00 pm
Stroll around Shrewsbury, or rest
5:00 - 6:15 pm: Gathering for Introductions and Orientation: CAROLE & CLARE
Identifying the significant stories in our own lives – in myths, fairy stories and dreams. What tales or mythic patterns do you identify with?
7:00 pm: Dinner together locally (optional and not included in the course fees)
Saturday - May 17
7:30 - 8:30 am: Breakfast
9:30 - 10:45 am: Setting the Scene: CLARE
The loss of soul in our contemporary world – its effect on individual health and happiness. The healing power of storytelling and imaginative thinking.
10:45 - 11:15 am: Tea/Coffee Break
11:15 am - 12:30 pm: Creation Myths: CAROLE
The creation of the world out of chaos. The separation of opposites: day and night, good and evil. The establishment of time, order and governance. The golden age and the loss of paradise.
12:30 pm: Lunch Break & Rest
3:30 - 4:45 pm: The Cross of Matter: CLARE
Being born. The birth chart as a map of our incarnation, and the role of the astrologer as midwife. The world tree and the mandala.
Short Refreshment Break
5:00 - 6:15 pm: Reflection and discussion: CAROLE and CLARE
Reflecting on today’s material.
7:00 pm: Dinner
Sunday - May 18
7:30 - 8:30 am: Breakfast
9:30 - 10:45 am: Dynasties and Family Relationships: CAROLE
The Olympians and other dynasties. The World Parents: Great Mother and Great Father, and their shadows as power over life and death. Marriage and relationships – love, fidelity, betrayal and jealousy. The youngest child as disruptor. Siblings – rivalry, competition.
10:45 - 11:15 am: Tea/Coffee Break
11:15 am - 12:30 pm: Dynasties and Family Relationships – continued: CAROLE
12:30 pm: Lunch Break & Rest
3:30 - 4:45 pm: Fate and the Ancestors: CAROLE
The Spindle of Necessity and the spinning of fate – Ananke and the Moirai. The family curse – fate, vengeance and retribution. Motifs of trauma, healing and taboo. Balancing past, present and future: the Nodal Axis and the water houses.
Short Refreshment Break
5:00 - 6:15 pm: Fate and the Ancestors – continued: CAROLE
7:00 pm: Dinner
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Monday - May 19
7:30 - 8:30 am: Breakfast
9:30 -10:45 am: Finding our Orientation: CLARE
The MC/IC axis of the world and of the individual. The mystery traditions and the incarnation of the soul. The second birth.
10:45 - 11:15 am: Tea/Coffee Break
11:15 am -12:30 pm: Finding Our Orientation – continued: CLARE
12:30 pm: Lunch Break & Rest
3:30 - 4:45 pm: Myths of Parenthood and Childhood: CLARE
Parental myths – the King and Queen, 10th/4th houses, Moon and Saturn. Sons and daughters – the Prince and Princess, Mercury.
Short Refreshment Break
5:00 - 6:15 pm: Myths of Parenthood and Childhood – continued: CLARE
7:00 pm: Dinner
Tuesday - May 20
7:30 - 8:30 am: Breakfast
9.30 - 10:45 am: Underworld and Otherworld: CAROLE
Journeys into the underworld and the gaining of wisdom. Dying and rising gods, heroes and monsters.Encounters with the other world – enchantment, the gifts of poetry and magic, and the validation of kingship.
10:45 - 11:15 am: Tea/Coffee Break
11:15 am - 12:30 pm: Underworld and Otherworld – continued: CAROLE
HALF DAY – Free time for rest and relaxation ​​​​​​
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Wednesday - May 21
7:30 - 8:30 am: Breakfast
9:30 -10:45 pm: Individuation I: CLARE
The ASC/DES axis and the development of adult relationships. The Anima and Animus. The myth of Eros & Psyche. Adolescence and the development of Venus and Mars in the four elements. A look at some relevant asteroids.
10:45 - 11:15 am: Tea/Coffee Break
11:15 am - 12:30 pm: Individuation I – continued: CLARE
12:30 pm: Lunch Break & Rest
3:30 - 4:45 pm: Individuation II: CLARE
Relationship axes and their archetypal myths. Recognising the themes in our own charts.
5:00 - 6:15 pm: Individuation II – continued: CLARE
7:00 pm: Dinner
Thursday - May 22
7:30 - 8:30 am: Breakfast
9:30 - 10:45 am: Direction and Destiny: CAROLE
The hero’s journey and rites of passage. Solar myths and the Sun in the birth chart. Themes of miraculous birth and the search for immortality. Magical objects, magical helpers. Planetary cycles and life passages.
10:45 - 11:15 am: Tea/Coffee Break
11:15 am - 12:30 pm: Direction and Destiny – continued: CAROLE
12:30 pm: Lunch Break & Rest
3:30 -4:45 pm: Outsiders and Scapegoats, Culture Heroes and Tricksters: CAROLE
Mythic themes of the scapegoat and the outcast. Chiron and Lilith in the chart. Disrupting the order of things – change-makers and gods of creativity.
Short Refreshment Break
5:00 - 6:15 pm: Outsiders and Scapegoats, Culture Heroes and Tricksters – continued:CAROLE
7:00 pm: Group Farewell Dinner
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Friday - May 23
7:30 - 8:30 am: Breakfast
9:30 - 11.00 am: Closing Session: CAROLE & CLARE
Check-out by Noon
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Following the workshop is a 6 day tour of Shropshire & Wales, , May 24 -30, through Heaven and Earth Workshops. This event is also based out of the Abbots Mead Hotel.
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Recommended Reading - ​Coming soon!
Depending on our group dynamic, there may be many optional group dinners during our time together. There are countless excellent restaurants close to our venue, catering to all tastes and budgets, for both lunch and dinner.
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.
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Easily accessible, just 70 minutes direct train ride from Birmingham International, (BHX), with the train station being conveniently located within the airport itself.
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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
Refreshments at Break Times
Free Onsite Hotel Parking
​Cost
Single Occupancy per person
ï¿¡1,850
Shared Occupancy (twin beds)
￡1,460 per person​​​
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Payment in full due by March 20, 2025
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Lunches and Dinners paid for Individually
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Inclusive breakfasts will include vegetarian and meat choices
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After this workshop there will be a 6-day optional tour of Shropshire, with accommodation at the same location: The Joys of the Shire, May 24 - 30, 2025.
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.
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