Unlock Astrology

Learn the Essentials of Astrology With Our Group Classes

The Nitty Gritty of Astrology: Courses 1, 2, 3 & 4

With Samuel F. Reynolds

These courses are designed to provide nitty-gritty, tried and true essentials that bring a chart to life with symbolic richness and clarity. No dead keywords or rote memorization. This is astrology that goes beneath the surface and fosters living and imaginative principles and practices for analyzing charts.

Which Level of Nitty Gritty Astrology is Right for You?

Nitty Gritty 1: Beginners Group Astrology Class

  • Class Details

    • FOURTEEN weekly, 2 hour WEBINARS to learn the nitty-gritty of reading astrology charts well.
    • Conducted via Zoom (zoom.us)
    • Class on SUNDAYS, 9 a.m. – 11 a.m. MDT
    • Classes start, SUNDAYS, October 22, 2023, run until Jan. 28, 2024
    • *No class on December 24, 2023. 
  • Required Materials

    The classes will use On The Heavenly Spheres: A Treatise on Traditional Astrology by Helena Avelar and Luis Ribeiro ($32.56) as the primary text, purchased independently by students, or I will be selling it at the retail price.


    The book will help round out the student's education but is not essential for the course. Samuel will also supply additional materials for the course. You can purchase the book here: https://amzn.to/2qdy1QW

  • Class Syllabus

    An assignment will be given after each class and students will e-mail their completed work about four days prior to the next class (Thursday). I will also place a recording of each class in a private community space for all enrolled students. 


    Since every registrant will get a recording of the class, whether in attendance or not, there are no make-up classes or monetary compensation for missed classes.


    A public, weekly office hour for questions or concerns on Tuesdays at 10-11 am MDT.


    Here's a list of the weekly classes, with a brief description. Names of classes subject to change.


    Class 1

    Philosophies and Histories of Astrology

    Class 2 & 3

    Plain Truth About the Planets—Introducing all TEN planets, the keyholders for unlocking the heavens, and ways to think about the newer planets & sign rulers, like Chiron, Black Moon Lilith, etc.

    Class 4

    Deeper Truths about the Planets—Understand how the signs, the doorways to the cosmos, work with the planetary keyholders.

    Class 5

    A CLASS PRACTICUM--Creative exercises, chart examples, and discussion on integrating an understanding of planets and signs.

    Class 6 & 7

    Wheelin' and Dealin', Part 1—Understand how the relationships (or aspects) between planets crack open the chart's code.

    Class 8

    A CLASS PRACTICUM--Creative exercises, chart examples, and discussion on working with aspects. 

    Class 9

    Wheelin' and Dealin', Part 2 —Understand how the planets, their relationships, and important positions in the sky of heaven (in what are called houses) can reveal what happens on Earth.

    Class 10

    Toward a Method ––Crystalizing a clear method with laid-out steps for how to read each house of a chart effectively.

    Class 11

    Incorporating Essential and Accidental Dignities

    Learn the nuances of using essential and accidental dignities, by five levels of essential dignities, house, speed, declination, and relationship to other planets, the Sun and fixed stars in a chart and reading. 

    Class 12

    "Speed" Reading a chart —Using only 20% of somebody’s chart, i.e., the rising, moon and Sun sign, learn how to extract 80% of what you need to know about that chart.

    Class 13

    A CLASS PRACTICUM -- Looking at various charts to integrate the ways to read a chart.

    Class 14

    LIVE readings by students of each other's charts or willing volunteers.

  • To Enroll

    Enrollment for 2023 Nitty Gritty 1: Beginners Group Astrology class is open for classes running October 22, 2023 through Jan 28, 2024


    $675 for the full course


    Use this link to pay all at once


    Use this link to pay $225 over three months with automatic payments



    You can also contact Samuel directly about private one-on-one classes by exploring the private classes page. 

2. Nitty Gritty 2: Intermediate Group Astrology Class

  • Class Details

    • FOURTEEN weekly, 2-hour WEBINARS to learn the nitty-gritty of how to read and synthesize charts--astro*carto*graphy*, synastry (relationship reading) & prediction.
    • Conducted via Zoom (via Zoom.us)
    • OPEN Classes starting, March 3, 2024, 10 am - 12 pm MDT
    • Classes end June 16, 2024
    • No Class April 14 and May 26, 2024
  • Recommended Materials

    The classes will use On The Heavenly Spheres: A Treatise on Traditional Astrology by Helena Avelar and Luis Ribeiro ($39.95) as a recommended text, purchased independently by students.


    The book will help round out the education of the student, but is not essential for the course. This was the required text for Nitty Gritty 1. 

  • Required Texts

    The classes will use Astrolocality Astrology: A Guide to What it is and How to use it by Martin Davis ($7.23--Kindle) as a key text, purchased independently by students or click on the link above to Amazon.


    As well as Temperament: Astrology's Forgotten Key by Dorian Giesler Greenbaum ($39.95) as a key text, purchased independently by students or click on the link above to Amazon.


    And...Astrology and the Authentic Self: Traditional Astrology for the Modern Mind by Demetra George ($14.49) as a key text, purchased independently by students, or click on the link above to Amazon.


    Also back by popular demand! Synastry: Mastering The Astrology of Relationships by Rod Suskin ($9.99--Kindle) as a key text, purchased independently by students,  or click on the link above to Amazon.


    Samuel will supply all other materials for the course.

  • Class Syllabus

    An assignment will be given after each class and students will e-mail their completed work about three days prior to the next class (Thursday night or Friday morning, at the latest). I will also put the recording of each class in our circle.so community. Since every registrant will get a recording of the class, whether in attendance or not, there are no make-up classes or monetary compensation for missed classes.


    A public, weekly office hour for questions or concerns on TUESDAYS at 10-11 am MDT. 


    Practicums are classes specially designated for practice or to dive deeper into the material covered.


    Here's a list of the weekly classes, with a brief description. Names of classes subject to change.


    Class 1 & 2

    Astro*Carto*Graphy: Learn how geographical places, like cities, parts of the country, or even parts of your city resonate with a chart.


    Class 3

    Chart synthesis review. Chances are you’re not using essential dignities, accidental dignities & sect correctly. That’s even truer if you don’t know what those things mean.


    Class 4

    A CLASS PRACTICUM to integrate last 3 classes and field questions with practice charts.


    Class 5

    Temperament: Lost key for understanding one’s health & pathway to growth.


    Class 6 & 7

    Synastry/Compatibility Techniques: Temperament analysis, composite, Davison, and 9th harmonics.


    Class 8

    A CLASS PRACTICUM to integrate last 3 classes and field questions with practice charts.


    Class 9 

    Predictive Techniques: Profections, Solar and Lunar Returns 


    Class 10 

    Lunar Nodes, Venus, Mars, Saturn and Jupiter returns


    Class 11

    Progressions and solar arc directions 


    Class 12

    Zodiacal Releasing and Firdaria


    Class 13

    A CLASS PRACTICUM to integrate last 4 classes and field questions with practice charts.


    Class 14

    A CLASS READING: students practice their understanding of predictive techniques with each other in class. 

  • Class Enrollment

    OPEN Enrollment for Spring Nitty Gritty 2: Intermediate Group Astrology Class, BEGIN March 3, 2024.


    You can also contact Samuel directly about private one-on-one classes, by exploring the private classes page.


    You can either pay for the series of classes up front, or you can pay over a period of 3 months.


    $789 total


    Use this link to pay all at once


    Use this link to pay $263 for three months


    No additional fees. Contact me at unlockastrology@gmail.com, if you need adjustments to your payment plan. 



3. Nitty Gritty 3: Advanced Group Astrology Class

  • Class Details

    • FOURTEEN weekly, 2-hour WEBINARS to learn the nitty-gritty on how to use astrology to answer burning questions and to know best times to elect to begin or end an endeavor.
    • CURRENTLY OPEN OCTOBER 9, 2022, running until February 12. No classes or office hours: December 18, 2022-Jan 1, 2023 and January 22-29, 2023.
  • Class Syllabus

    An assignment, whether reading or otherwise, will be given after each class. Students will e-mail their completed work about three days prior to the next class (Wednesday night or Thursday morning, at the latest). I will also post a recording of each class to all enrolled students. Since every registrant will get a recording of the class, whether in attendance or not, there are no make-up classes or monetary compensation for missed classes.

    A separate syllabus page will be used for this class as well.


     A public, weekly office hour for questions or concerns on TUESDAYS at 12-1 pm EDT.

     

    Practicums are classes specially designated for practice or to dive deeper into the material covered.


    Here's a list of the weekly classes, with a brief description. Names of classes subject to change.

    Here's a list of the weekly classes, with a brief description. Names of classes subject to change.


    Class 1

    Horary Module #1: What is horary? History of Horary. Questions asked and not to be asked. Key terms used in horary.

    Class 2

    Horary Module #2: Review of houses as topics of questions, planetary rulerships, void of course moons, what are the considerations before judgment and how to use them.

    Class 3

    Horary Module #3: Mutual receptions, applying and separating aspects, timing and key points of crisis and development in a question.

    Class 4

    Horary Module #4: Explorations of questions & topics for Houses 1-6.

    Class 5

    A CLASS PRACTICUM Practicum for horary questions concerning Houses 1-6 with practice charts.

    Class 6

    Horary Module #5: Explorations of questions & topics for Houses 7-12

    Class 7

    A CLASS PRACTICUM Practicum for horary questions concerning Houses 7-12 with practice charts. Horary exam given

    Class 8

    Horary Exam discussion and evaluation

    Class 9

    Introduction into Electional Astrology

    Class 10

    Electing conceptions, marriages, mass mailings, launches, and other various events. Choosing to create an election of some kind during the week. (Yes, even with challenging circumstances!) Students will attempt to elect some kind of event that week.

    Class 11

    More elections, like pest control, haircuts, dates, talismans, etc. with examples and discussion.

    Class 12

    A CLASS PRACTICUM and finer questions related to elections, including astrological magic and talismans. Commissioned to make an electional "masterpiece."

    Class 13

    Electional Exam discussion and evaluation

    Class 14

    Electional "masterpiece" sharing and discussion among students."

  • Required Materials

    The classes will use The Horary Textbook by John Frawley ($28.11) as a key text, purchased independently by students.


    We will also use Works of Sahl & Masha'alla by Sahl ibn Bishr, translated by Benjamin N. Dykes ($36.00) as another key text, purchased independently by students.


    Now a key text is Choices and Inceptions: Traditional Electional Astrology, translated and edited by Benjamin N. Dykes ($24.95)

  • Recommended Materials

  • To Enroll

    Enrollment for FALL 2022 Nitty Gritty 3: Advanced Group Astrology Class, STARTING OCTOBER 9, 2022, 11 am to 1 pm EDT


    ONLY 25 SLOTS AVAILABLE!


    You can also contact Samuel directly about private one-on-one classes, by exploring the private classes page.


    You can either pay for the series of classes up front, or you can pay over a period of 3 months.


    Single Full Payment: $825


    Pay here



    3 Monthly payments: $275 per month


    Pay here


4. Nitty Gritty 4: Intermediate Group Astrology Class

  • Class Details

    • Intermediate class, but no need to have studied in Nitty Gritty 2 or 3. 
    • ONLY 25 slots available!
    • Must be willing to work past math phobia, if you have one. 
    • Prepare for the NCGR-I and ISAR exams. 
    • FOUR  weekly, 2-hour recorded WEBINARS to learn how to calculate a natal chart from scratch. Recorded office hour available for each week for review, practice and clarification. 
    • CURRENTLY OPEN JULY 9, 2023, running until JULY 30, 2023. Four consecutive SUNDAY classes, 9 am-11 AM MDT (USA). 
  • Class Syllabus

    Key text to use in class is Simply Math: A Comprehensive Guide to Easy & Accurate Chart Calculation by Fowks and Sellon along with other worksheets provided. Assignments will be given related to additional required texts, worksheets and the Simply Math text. 


    Students will e-mail their completed work about three days prior to the next class (Wednesday night or Thursday morning, at the latest). I will also post a recording of each class to all enrolled students in a community on circle.so. Since every registrant will have access to a recording of the class, whether in attendance or not, there are no make-up classes or monetary compensation for missed classes.


    A separate syllabus page will be used for this class as well.


     A public, weekly office hour for questions or concerns on TUESDAYS at 10a-11a MDT.

     


    Here's a list of the weekly classes, with a brief description. Names of classes subject to change.


    Here's a list of the weekly classes, with a brief description. Names of classes subject to change.


    Class 1

    Math Basics and Calculating GMT and basic time principles. Lessons 1-3 in Simply Math book.


    Class 2

    Calculating latitude, longitude, Local times and key elements of time. Lessons 4-6 in Simply Math Book and additional worksheets.


    Class 3

    Calculating the planets and using interpolation for exact location based on an ephemeris. Lessons 7-9 in Simply Math book and additional worksheets.


    Class 4

    Calculating the Houses and putting it all together. Lessons 10-13 (with sample exam questions) in Simply Math book and additional worksheets. Exam given with feedback within three weeks.



  • Required Materials

    The principal text to use in class is Simply Math: A Comprehensive Guide to Easy & Accurate Chart Calculation ($39.95) as a key text, purchased independently by students.


    We will also use The Michelsen Book of Tables ($19.95) as another key text, purchased independently by students.


    Other materials can be obtained online in lieu of very expensive books. Here are three we will use:

    https://www.latlong.net/

    and

    https://gps-coordinates.org/

    and

    https://www.timeanddate.com/time/zone/

  • Recommended Materials

    Recommended materials:


    The American Ephemeris 1950-2050 at Midnight, Trans-Century edition, $29.95 


    But you can use this page for free: https://www.astro.com/swisseph/swepha_e.htm

    Or an app on a mobile device.


    Samuel will also supply additional materials for the course.

  • To Enroll

    Enrollment for SUMMER 2023 Nitty Gritty 4: Advanced Group Astrology Class, STARTING JULY 9, 2023, 9 am to 11 am MDT


    You can also contact Samuel directly about private one-on-one classes, by exploring the private classes page.


    You can either pay for the series of classes up front, or you can pay over a period of 3 months.


    Single Full Payment: $285


    Pay here



    3 Monthly payments: $95 per month


    Pay here


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