Chart Interpretation and Synthesis
A Correspondence Course
For Intermediate-Advanced Students
©2004-2009 by
Donna Cunningham, MSW
Moon Maven Publications
http://www.moonmavenpublications.com
"I KNOW ALL THE PIECES OF AN ASTROLOGY CHART,
BUT HOW DO I PUT THEM TOGETHER?"
Now You Can Study with one of Astrology's most famous Authors!
Announcing Donna Cunningham’s Course in
Chart Interpretation and Synthesis
Putting 40 years of experience at your disposal, Donna Cunningham offers
a 14-lesson course by email. If you’ve studied the signs, planets, houses,
aspects and transits but don’t know how to put them together, this
intermediate class is for you. You'll explore the chart as a whole and spot
important patterns. The reading material and exercises teach you to scan
the chart for themes and see what stands out. You’ll build on this overview
layer by layer to analyze aspects and other important chart features. You'll
learn to interpret transiting positions and how they relate to natal themes.
If you’re not certain whether the course suits your level of knowledge, take the quiz later
in this booklet. Then you'll have a phone interview with Donna to determine your
interests and level of previous study.
HOW THE COURSE WORKS: You'll receive a booklet with 14 lessons, do the reading
for each lesson, complete the written assignment, and send it to Donna by email for
feedback. (If you don’t own astrology software, charts will be provided for you.)
Donna’s exercises will train your mind and eye to recognize what is important and unique
in each chart. Exploring the aspect pattern, balance of elements, and planetary type adds
to this initial grasp. You'll be given tools to develop independence in analyzing a variety
of aspects, including major configurations like the T-square, Grand Trine, and Yod.
These tools are then applied to transits and their relationship to the natal chart.
TUITION: New price for Fall, 2009, $300 paid in advance. Includes all 4 texts.
(Usually $300, plus $50 for 4 texts, a $50 saving.) For up to 60 days after purchase,
students may drop out after two lessons and receive a tuition refund, minus $50
administrative costs. The cost of texts is not refundable.
CONTACT INFORMATION: To learn more about the course, call Donna Cunningham
at (503) 291-7891 between 10:00 AM and 7:00 PM Pacific or send an email to her at
moonmave@spiritonel.com
Topics Covered by the Lessons:
Lesson One: First Impressions—A Visual Overview of the Chart
Lesson Two: The Aspect Pattern and Elemental Balance
Lesson Three: Integrating the Sun, Moon, and Ascendant
Lesson Four: Finding the Person’s Planetary Types
Lesson Five: Factoring in the House Placements
Lesson Six: Keywords: the Key to Analyzing Aspects and Sign Placements
Lesson Seven: Understanding Outer Planets in Signs
Lesson Eight: Hard Aspects and their Place in Personal Dynamics
Lesson Nine: Soft Aspects and the Grand Trine
Lesson Ten: More about Major Configurations
Lesson Eleven: Whole-Person Vocational Astrology
Lesson Twelve: The Chart as a Whole—Themes and Patterns
Lesson Thirteen: Individual Transits to the Natal Chart
Lesson Fourteen: Synthesizing Multiple Transits to the Natal Chart
Required Texts:
Cunningham, Donna. How to Read Your Astrological Chart: Aspects of the Cosmic Puzzle. York
Beach, ME: Red Wheel/Weiser, 1999. (Available from Donna.)
Cunningham, Donna. Astrological Analysis: Selected Topics in Chart Interpretation, 2008, Moon
Maven Publications. An e-book distributed by Moon Maven Publications in a downloadable PDF
file: http://www.moonmavenpublications.com
Cunningham, Donna. The Outer Planets and Inner Life, Volume One: The Career Path of the
Exceptional Soul. 2007 edition, Moon Maven Publications. An e-book distributed by Moon
Maven Publications in a downloadable PDF file: http://www.moonmavenpublications.com
Cunningham, Donna. Selected Readings for Correspondence Course Students. Complementary
ebook supplied by the instructor to students of this course only. A brief collection of Donna’s
published articles and chapter excerpts for lesson assignments.
Sample Test for Donna Cunningham’s
Chart Interpretation and Synthesis Course
This is an intermediate class, suitable for those who have already studied the
planets, houses, signs, aspects and transits. If you’re interested but uncertain as to
whether the course suits your current level of astrological knowledge, answer the
questions below and return them to moonmave@spiritone.com. (If you don’t know the
answers, the material in the course covers them.)
What astrology studies have you pursued up to now—classes, seminars, conferences, and
reading?
President George W. Bush has only one planet in earth—Mars in the 2nd house. What
does this explain about his policies?
Bush has Mercury and Pluto conjunct in Leo. What can you say about his
communication patterns?
What planets and signs are in the vocational houses of your own chart?
What are your current transits?
About the Instructor, Donna Cunningham
EDUCATIONAL AND EMPLOYMENT BACKGROUND: Donna Cunningham
graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Grinnell College in 1964, with a major in psychology
and a minor in sociology. She received a master's degree in social work with a casework
concentration from Columbia University in 1967. As a social worker, Donna was
employed in settings such as hospitals and medical clinics, women's health, psychiatric
clinics, and group homes for the retarded. She was Director of Social Service at St.
Mary's Hospital in Brooklyn, NY, then left for a private practice combining
psychotherapy, astrology, and healing. She was licensed as a social worker in New York
and California.
ASTROLOGICAL BACKGROUND: Beginning in 1968, her main teacher was Richard
Idemon, who embodied the needed blend of psychology and astrology. She was certified
as a professional astrologer by both the AFA and PAI in 1983 and as an
Astro*Carto*Graphy practitioner by Jim Lewis in 1984. Donna has done insight-oriented
astrology consultations since 1970. She began giving classes in 1971 and has spoken at
conferences nationally since 1974, including NCGR, ISAR, NORWAC, WRAC, ARC,
and UAC. Internationally, her seminars reached a wide audience in Europe, Brazil,
Canada, and Australia. In 1986, Professional Astrologers Incorporated gave her their
lifetime achievement award. Her materials on counseling principles for the professional
astrologer filled an important need in the field. In 1998, she received the United
Astrology Congress’ prestigious Regulus Award in Theory and Understanding.
WRITTEN CONTRIBUTIONS: Donna is the author of 17 books, including An
Astrological Guide to Self-Awareness, Being A Lunar Type in a Solar World, Healing
Pluto Problems, The Consulting Astrologer's Guidebook, and How to Interpret Your
Astrological Chart. Her special gift is in conveying psychological concepts grounded in
astrology in accessible language. Since 1971, she has published hundreds of articles in
astrological journals such as the NCGR Memberletter, as well as more popular venues
like The Mountain Astrologer and Dell Horoscope. She has been an advice columnist in
Dell Horoscope Magazine since 1994.
ORGANIZATIONAL MEMBERSHIPS: Donna has belonged to NCGR since the early
1970s and served on the board of NY-NCGR as newsletter editor. She joined AFAN at its
inception and served as an AFAN advisor. She served on the board of the Oregon
Astrological Association and was also webmaster for Continuum, the organization
dedicated to preserving the legacy of Jim Lewis in the field of Astro*Carto*Graphy.
Website: http://www.MoonMavenPublications.com
Blog: http://www.skywriter.wordpress.com email: moonmave@spiritone.com
Address: P.O. Box 25331, Portland, OR 97298
Phone: 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM Pacific Time, 503-291-7891.