Member Articles

OPA Retreats: A Human Dimension to the Study of Astrology

by Maurice Fernandez

OPA Astrology RetreatI came back from the seventh Organization for Professional Astrology (OPA) retreat in Asilomar, California with a hopeful outlook. One reason for my optimism was that I experienced the community of astrologers in a different light. Professionals and amateurs alike were truly interacting in meaningful ways; it was not solely about delivering a presentation and then going back to one’s own personal business. Rather, it was a very creative mode of learning, where astrological knowledge was presented through multiple media. Workshops included creative writing, spiritual development, and counseling training. But more than anything, the retreat — despite the large number of attendees — felt like being with family: warm and intimate.

I first met Bob Mulligan, the founder of OPA, in 2003, when I was very much a newbie to the American astrology community. During our occasional brief exchanges, I gathered that he was leading the organization, and though I was really appreciative of the person himself, his generous character, and his beautiful vision, the last thing on my mind was the thought of belonging to any group. My Aries Midheaven was perfectly happy going solo and enjoying its creative freedom. So, when Bob asked me to lead a group during one of the OPA retreats, my response was to politely decline.

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I Didn’t Know How Hungry I Was… Until I Was Being Fed

Then I discovered I was ravenous and wanted even more! I’m talking about the Peer Group Supervision experience I had on Saturday, April 10th, in California hosted by the gracious Dvora in her lovely Calabasas home.

Pull Up A Chair

Imagine having about five other astrologers listen intently while you tell them about a particularly difficult or puzzling reading you had with a client. A reading that left you feeling uneasy, guilty, puzzled, angry, or worst of all, incompetent and out of your depth. A couple of the astrologers ask you clarifying questions and then you sit back and listen to what each astrologer has to say about your experience. Braced for criticism, what you hear instead is encouragement, empathy, advice, confirmation, laughter. With each word, you feel a place inside you fill up that you didn’t even KNOW was empty, and your whole body relaxes.

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My OPA Retreat Experience

opa-retreat-2As with any trip you wonder what it will be like, whom you will meet, awaiting magical moments to unfold. It starts so slow and ends so fast, you are left wondering if you were even there. When you have an amazing time and meet wonderful people, you are ultimately left wanting more. When it is over you will return home and wonder who will remember you? That is when all the smiles that touched your heart come rushing back and you smile and know you are remembered. You then are filled with great appreciation for all the special lives you have touched and shared moments with. You then vow to yourself to make a promise to never let these souls slip away. For the power of astrology has united us in karmic ways unexplainable to those that do not understand us and our ways. We will continue to unite and share in our astrological pursuits for many more lifetimes to come. This was the power of the OPA retreat at Asilomar 2009.

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Reflections on Career Development: The Path to Becoming a Professional Astrologer

It has been a month since the OPA Retreat in Asilomar. Still, each time I think back on it my heart fills with joy. It was such a pleasure to meet everyone. What a powerful and exceptional week that was! What a superb gathering of people from near and far away places!

We were represented by various types of professionals, non-professionals and many expert astrologers. What we all had in common was a genuine interest, curiosity and desire to learn more about astrology and some of its specialized fields.

Numerous times I reflected on how much I would have appreciated attending a retreat such as OPA offers early in my studies and practice as an astrologer. In 1975 when I began studying astrology there were not nearly as many places to go to further my education. To compound the situation, I often chose to live in beautiful, but remote places. In the late 1970's we were very fortunate several times to welcome Zip Dobyns to our tiny astrological community in Missoula, Montana. What a treat that always was!

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How Will the Global Downturn Affect Professional Astrologers?

When things go wrong, it is always galling to listen to a well paid “accepted expert in the field” telling us that “such an occurrence could only have been foreseen with the benefit of hindsight” – implying of course that it is impossible for anyone to have hindsight in advance! To astrologers it is doubly galling, because in the time leading up to the problem, their carefully considered warnings are often dismissed as unscientific superstition.

Money goes around the globeSo will the present global economic crisis prove to be a pay back time for astrologers? Will we be listened to at last? If so, what should we say?

Certainly some astrologers have told me that they do tend to receive more requests for their information and insight, when things go wrong – be it economically or otherwise. Just as we tend to double-check the transits, when an occurrence in our own lives takes us by surprise, our clients are more likely to make an appointment, when their relationships, careers and finances seem threatened.

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