Our new and updated study guide encompasses
all four levels of NCGR's
Certification Program. It includes new material on
traditional, Hellenic, Vedic, Chinese and Mesoamerican schools of
astrology.
Click
here to buy now.
It’s
time for NCGR elections once
again. You will receive the ballot for the 2007-2008 NCGR election in
the mail in November, so keep an eye out for it.
This
year’s election is for Chair
and two Directors, whose three-year terms begin in 2008. Please make
sure that your ret-urn ballots are mailed and postmarked on or before
December 31, 2007. Ballots postmarked after December 31, 2007
cannot be counted. In the event you wish to vote in person, you may do
so between 9:00 AM and 12 noon on January 1, 2008 at 2353 Massachusetts
Avenue #91, Cambridge, MA 02140.
Ballots
marked for more than one Chair
position or for more than two Director positions will not be
counted. Votes for a write-in candidate will not be counted
if the write-in candidate is not a current dues-paid member of NCGR.
Please
read the following candidate biographies. You are encouraged to vote
for those individuals who you think will best serve NCGR and the
astrological community. Election results will be announced in E-News
from NCGR and in the February-March memberletter. Thanks
to all the candidates for their willingness to serve NCGR, and special
thanks to Arlene Nimark for her superb work in chairing the Nominating
Committee.
Joyce
Levine, Clerk
2007-2008
Election: Meet The Candidates
NCGR
Chair Position
Madalyn Hillis-Dineen
When I
ran for my first term as Chair in
2004, I wondered whether I could make a difference for the organization
and for astrology as a whole or whether I was running simply because it
was expected of me. When I look back at the last three years, I can
happily say that I do think that I have made a difference for NCGR and
that I have been true to our mission: Building Community through
Astrological Research and Education.
Since I
have been Chair, NCGR has faced
many challenges from both within and without. Under my leadership, we
have met those challenges and turned them into opportunities. Our
current Board works together as a cohesive unit and, collectively, we
created the most successful conference NCGR has ever had. In 2004, I
said that I wanted to extend a hand of friendship to the leaders of the
other major astrological organizations. Along with the heads of ACVA,
AFAN, and ISAR, I am proud to be one of the coordinators of the
upcoming UAC 2008 conference and I am pleased to say that the four of
us are working in concert to produce a wonderful conference for the
community.
NCGR will have more challenges to face in
the next three years. With the Board, I will work to move our
organization forward so that we can meet the needs of our diverse
membership. Since I can only serve two terms as Chair, I will also be
actively seeking new leadership to follow me. Each Chair of NCGR has
brought his or her own personal style of leadership to the job.
However, we all have one thing in common – a love of
astrology and a sincere interest in seeing NCGR grow. With that in
mind, I again ask for your vote and your support as Chair of NCGR.
Madalyn
Hillis-Dineen, C.A. NCGR, is the winner of the 1995 UAC Regulus Award
for Community Service and the current Chair of the NCGR Board. Since
1979, Madalyn has served NCGR—first on a chapter level and
then nationally as editor of the memberletter, as Executive Secretary,
as Clerk and finally as national Chair. A noted Uranian astrologer and
certified Astro* Carto* Graphy interpreter, Madalyn joined Astrolabe,
Inc. in 1994 as their Director of Marketing. She is a
contributing author to the Llewellyn anthology Astrology
for Women: Roles and Relationships and is a member of
AFAN,
ISAR, AAGB and APAI.
Director
Position
Jan Warren Allen
Jan
began her study of astrology in 1971, and has been a professional
astrologer for the past 25 years. Her book Blueprint for Murder,
an
astrological profile of four serial killers, was published by the AFA
(American Federation of Astrologers). She won the AFA’s LCdr.
David Williams award for submitting the best AFA Bulletin article
during 1994-1995. In addition to the AFA Bulletin, Jan has also written
articles for NCGR’s memberletter,
and was on the writing
staff of Dell Horoscope
magazine for eight years.
Jan
started NCGR’s Milwaukee chapter 10 years ago, and is NCGR
Level IV certified in research. She has taught workshops at conferences
in the United States, Ireland, England, and Canada. Jan has a private
practice and has appeared on radio and television numerous times.
Aside
from astrology, Jan is a very experienced professional musician. Music
was always her first love, and she attended Alverno College in
Milwaukee, Wisconsin and majored in Music Education. As an organist and
pianist, she performed in the entertainment field for many years. She
was the Director of Music at the Unity Church in Milwaukee for 10
years, and has the honor of having a patriotic choral piece she wrote
and arranged accepted by the Army and Navy, which is in their Music
Libraries in Washington D.C. She has enjoyed performing at past
astrology conferences including several UACs.
I have
been the Chair of the Professional Empowerment Program (PEP) for the
past two years. The aim of this program is to help astrologers who have
the equivalency of, or have passed the educational Level III or IV
exams and want to go on to establish successful astrological practices
without wasting a lot of time on hit or miss methods. We now have eight
wonderful astrologers who have years of experience in many different
astrological areas who are signed on as mentors, and they work on a one
to one basis with the mentorees. I also have gathered 11 great articles
from them, as well as others, which are posted on the NCGR website and
are full of invaluable information.
My aim
is to continue to help new people to make the transformation from being
students to being professional, successful astrologers with ease and
confidence.
Carolyn Egan
Carolyn Egan’s astrological study
spans 23 years and she is well-known for her special study of long
range weather forecasting. She is one of the early pioneers in the
field of internet teaching where her weather course has been taken by
students world-wide. She has also developed a website dedicated to the
rediscovery and promotion of long range weather forecasting.
Carolyn
publishes free seasonal weather forecasts and a full season forecast of
hurricane information. She provides and monitors a weather email list
with international long-range practitioners and meteorologists, writes
articles and appears on local media.
She
held traditional astrology classes in her local area for 15 years and
has strived to improve astrology’s image in all her work. She
has presented the weather lecture at several NCGR conferences here and
abroad, and at UAC 2002. Carolyn serves on the board of the Boston
Chapter of NCGR and maintains the chapter website.
As
astrologers, many times we can see turning points in life. Joining NCGR
in 1989 was a significant life marker for me. The exposure to local and
national astrologers revived my interest and enriched my experience of
being an astrologer. I would now like to be part of the continuing good
work of NCGR, to be on the giving side and to serve would be an honor.
Through
NCGR, I was able to achieve a level of astrology beyond my
expectations. The same opportunities are available to any astrologer
who has the desire to expand their horizons. The community of
astrologers that NCGR has gathered enjoys a richer and deeper
experience of astrology because of those who dedicate their services
and who are the heart of NCGR, past and present—the Officers
and the Board of Directors.
NCGR
wisely took advantage of the
opportunities the internet provides making astrologer participation
greater than ever. I think 21st century astrology via the internet
offers a unique opportunity for NCGR to lead all astrologers to the
best of the new (and rediscovered old) information to produce solid
forecasting techniques for the established and the budding astrologers.
This effort will inevitably enhance astrology’s image. The
communication skills I have developed over the years and the continuing
interest in technology may be useful tools to further NCGR’s
future work.
A. T. (Tad) Mann
Tad Mann was born in New York in 1943 and
received a B.A in architecture from Cornell University. He
lived
in Europe for 28 years and now lives in Hudson, NY. He has
been a professional astrologer since 1972. The Round Art (1979) is a
classic book about his logarithmic time-based system that includes
conception and gestation for reading natal charts based on the
philosophy of Gurdjieff and Ouspensky, Tibetan Buddhism, and Sufi
mysticism. Matrix’s Win Star Express astrology software
system incorporates this system as Life Time Arcs. His adaptation of
the King Scale of Color is available in both Matrix Software and Solar
Fire Deluxe.
He is
the author of 15 books (translated
into 20 languages), of which 10 are about astrology or based on
astrological ideas. He created astrological calendars throughout the
1970s and early 1980s called the Phenomenon
Book of Calendars. His
other books are: Life
Time Astrology, The
Divine Plot: Astrology and
Reincarnation, The
Mandala Astrological Tarot, Astrology and the Art of
Healing, The
Future of Astrology, Millennium
Prophecies, and A
New
Vision of Astrology (Simon and Schuster, 2002).
He
lectures regularly at astrological organizations in Europe and the
United States, and has taught at most UAC and ISAR conferences over the
years. He has been active in local NCGR chapters (NY, CT, MA, PA).
He also
teaches using his book Sacred
Architecture at Manchester Metropolitan
University Architecture School in England, the Danish Design School,
the University of Cincinnati Architecture School, and lectured at the
California Institute of Integral Studies in San Francisco.
He is
currently writing Sacred
Landscapes, illustrated by the renowned New
York photographer Lynn Davis. He has made a documentary film on
Kalachakra Tantra Teachings by His Holiness the Dalai Lama, and
regularly works with Mystic Fire Video.
I would
welcome becoming a member of the NCGR Board to help our community
integrate astrology with other philosophical relatives in such fields
as psychotherapy, healing, cosmology, architecture and design, and
tarot through research, education, publications, and conferences. I
would bring to bear my experience with international architecture and
design organizations, making documentary films, teaching extensively
and writing, creating and designing publications for major publishers.
I believe that the astrology community needs outreach to younger people
worldwide and I think that I can aid in this endeavor.
Gayle
Parker
Gayle
Parker began her lifelong study of astrology on Cape Cod in 1979.
I
became hooked on astrology when I read a brief article on
Jonas’ work about how the sex of a child could be determined
by moon signs. I experimented with nine pregnant friends and
successfully “guessed” nine out of nine genders
during the days of pre-ultrasound. I immediately sought out a teacher!
Gayle
has been a member of NCGR since 1983 and was very fortunate to study
early on with gifted astrologer, Steve Blake (formerly of Astrolabe),
who mentored her successfully to Level III certification in 1984.
To
consistently hone her skills for her counseling practice, she presently
continues her studies with Noel Tyl in his Master Certification course,
and participates in annual OPA retreats. She is currently pursuing the
NCGR Level IV certification and is also a member of AFAN, OPA, and the
Brotherhood of Light.
Gayle
is the Founder of the Las Vegas
Astrology Meetup group for the purpose of introducing Las Vegans to
astrology and mentoring those that are interested in pursuing it
further through education and by encouraging them to attend and join
the local NCGR chapter that she actively seeks to expand. She gives
visual presentations, lectures, and teaches beginning astrology and
believes strongly in the education ethic of NCGR and models her classes
along the approved curriculum. She is in the process of
developing a newsletter for the Las Vegas Stargazers chapter of NCGR.
She is an Adamantine System Master, a form of energy-based quantum
healing and meditation technique, and teaches the system as an adjunct
to her astrological practice, Astrology Tonight, LLC.
I wish
to give back to the astrological community by serving where I am needed.
She is
a former Vice President of Operations and Controller of a small company
and former Corporate Purchasing Agent in the major casinos for over 15
years, from which she gained many useful skills that include
bookkeeping, budgets, and forecasting, financials, spreadsheets,
procurement, contracts, negotiation, creating mutually beneficial
relationships with clients and vendors, managing human resources and
personnel training, and benefits administration. She is an
avid reader and writer and most recently had an article published in
the OPA Career Astrologer publication about astrological business
licensing issues in Las Vegas.
Gayle lives with her husband and practices
astrology full time in Las Vegas, working closely with her colleague,
Margie Herskovitz.
Glenn Perry
Glenn Perry, Ph.D., is an astrologer and
licensed psychotherapist in private practice in Haddam Neck, CT. A
professional astrologer since 1974, he is director of The Association
for Psychological Astrology (APA) and former editor-publisher of The
Journal of AstroPsychology.
In addition to private practice, Glenn
lectures throughout the world on the application of astrology to the
fields of counseling and psychotherapy. He has written seven books,
including Issues and
Ethics in the Profession of Astrology, and is
President of the Academy of Astro-Psychology, an online school which
provides graduate level courses in psychological astrology. Glenn has
guest lectured at Kepler College and has served as clinical evaluator
at Antioch College, Union College, and Goddard College for students
integrating astrology into their course work. From 1998-2000, he taught
graduate classes in astrology to doctoral students at the California
Institute of Integral Studies (CIIS).
Dr.
Perry has served as vice-president of the International Society of
Astrological Research (ISAR) where he was a Board member from
1996-2004, and has also served on the Board of the United Astrology
Conference (UAC). As the primary architect of ISAR’s Ethics
Code, Glenn has been actively involved in the development of a
Certification Program for astrologers. He is currently Qualitative
Research Advisor for ISAR and writes a regular column for their Journal
called New Directions
in Astrological Research. More than 1000
astrologers subscribe to his online AstroPsychology Newsletter.
Dr.
Perry’s research interests center on how astrology can be
integrated with new paradigm thinking in science and psychology. Future
aspirations include supporting NCGR’s education programs,
advancing professionalism, and ethical awareness in the field,
developing qualitative methodologies for researchers, and promoting
greater unity and cooperation amongst national and international
astrological organizations.
Sylvia Jean Smith
Sylvia is a retired registered nurse with a
firm 20 years of administrative nursing in her background. Prior to
retiring, she was Nurse-Manager of a busy Medical-Surgical Unit in an
active treatment hospital, which required strong organizational skills,
as well as good interpersonal skills with staff-management, and
involvement on several committees. Her astrological career was
interrupted by this lengthy nursing career, however since resuming her
astrological interests, she has been far from idle.
Her
main passion has been research of the eclipses and their Saros cycles,
which she has been avidly involved in since 1992, and yes, there is a
book begging to be completed. Sylvia has also lectured in Canada and
the United States, and has been published in The Mountain Astrologer
along with various other American and British publications. She
singlehandedly edited and published a Canadian copyrighted
astrological newsletter (S.H.A.P.E.) from 1995 to 2003, and carried her
own by-line in this periodical. She also organized speaking engagements
for outside speakers in her community—again single-handedly.
Sylvia’s
passions are astrology and gardening, in that order, and she is an avid
reader. Her interests in astrology include traditional techniques and
teachings, horary, mundane events, and a never-ending interest in
medical techniques.
She is
a card-carrying associate member of
the Canadian Astronomical Society, and holds membership with NCGR,
ISAR, and AFAN.
I was pleased to be nominated as a
candidate on the NCGR team, and feel that I have a number of talents to
offer this organization. First, my interest is research, and have been
involved in this for the past 15 years with my Eclipse and Saros Series
work. NCGR has been very supportive of this endeavor, and I would like
to be able to give back to the astrological community through the NCGR
organization. Secondly, my ability to organize, meet deadlines, and
problem-solve are excellent, so my contribution to NCGR could offset
what I gain in my technically challenged areas. Without question, I
have much to offer the editing, publication, and layout of NCGR
publications, having not only published an astrological newsletter for
eight years, but also, during this same time, doing volunteer work at a
local school, teaching grade eight students how to organize, layout,
and seek financial support in the community for their yearbook.
NCGR
was the original Professional Development organization in the
astrological community that I learned of when I resumed my astrological
interests after my nursing career. They should proudly wear that
banner, and I will support this however I can.
Your
vote and your support of me as an NCGR team player is appreciated.
Leigh
Westin
Leigh
Westin (D.F.Astrol.S, C.A. NCGR), is a current Director, who was
appointed to an unexpired term in 2003 and elected in 2004, during
which she has led Chapter Affairs, envisioning the position as a
liaison between chapters and the National Board.
Under
her advocatory leadership and with chapter input, the first Chapter
Handbook was published, a chapter bylaw template was
developed, rebate
timing was further defined, and greater communication between chapters
and the Natonal Board ensued, first with the President’s list
(now the Presidents’ Council, which will be voting for the
first time with National for the Sisyphus Award), then with chapter
officers on the chapter bulletin board list.
In
2005, she led the successful publication sale during which chapters
could acquire for only shipping costs, cartons of Essentials of
Intermediate Astrology. In 2006 Leigh volunteered as
editor of the
Geocosmic Journal,
producing the last four issues and the sub-themes,
School of Athens (Classical
Journal) and the Masonic timeline (Alchemy
Journal). At the 2007 Baltimore conference, she led the
well-attended
Chapter Delegates meeting and a Chapter Leadership Workshop is planned
for UAC 2008.
Leigh
offers the unique perspective as an
astrologer and metaphysican for over 40 years combined with expertise
from other professional positions, involving large budgets, corporate
interface, innovation and accountability, spanning several years each
in curriculum development, university instruction, editing, writing,
marketing, and product management. In traditional education, Leigh
finished with honors: B.S., Education, 1978; M.S., Institutional
Management, 1980; and M.A., General Counseling, 1992.
One of
the first to teach astrology in colleges in the 1960s, Leigh achieved
the Diploma from the Faculty of Astrology Studies under Jeff Mayo in
1972. Early on, she built a client base, later turning to declination
research. Since then she has presented original findings; lectured for
many groups, including NCGR, ISAR, AFA, UAC; and is the 12-year editor
of the Declination SIG’s Journal, The Other Dimension.
In
2000, she published her first book, Beyond the Solstice
(others
currently in process).
Leigh’s
vision: Though we have
resolved multiple challenges, many remain. I'd like to see even
stronger chapters; more chapter leadership tools; stronger parameters
for chapter development; greater outreach to young astrologers; quicker
response and easier sign-up for new members and renewals; and chapters,
as our grassroots representatives, working with National to bring these
about. I am honored to have been entrusted with a cirectorship for the
past four years, and with your vote and re-election will continue to
work toward an even stronger NCGR.
Mark Wolz
As a
youngster, I had respect for astrology as a science and a mistrust of
it as an art. Fascinated by how the mind works and how people interact,
I completed a B.S. in psychology at Michigan State University. From
there I set out to see the world. During my travels and then while I
earned an M.A. in anthropology and Southeast Asian studies from Cornell
University, the balance shifted back and forth between science and art.
I moved to New York City and the scales tipped heavily toward art.
In 1983
I took up astrology because I found it answered questions that I
couldn’t address through other means. Later on I began to
practice yoga and found it blends nicely with astrology, helping me
find a meeting place between science and art. I completed the NCGR
Level IV certification for both teaching and consulting in 2000 and
became a yoga teacher at the same time. Since then I’ve been
active in the New York chapter of NCGR, offering classes and lectures
as well as seeing clients privately. I’ve been to two
retreats with OPA (Organization for Professional Astrology) and found
them very beneficial.
I
believe astrologers have much to gain
from working together and forming community. With two colleagues I
established Access Astrology; our purpose is to make astrology
accessible to the public. This year we are presenting a talk every
Tuesday at East West Books in Manhattan, and we’re finding a
public that gets excited about building community around astrology. By
lending a friendly face to astrology, we are broadening the interface
between astrologers and the public, and gaining respect for our art and
science.
I find
many of us are making efforts to
meet the public, and I believe NCGR will encourage such endeavors. I am
pleased to see astrology making its way into college curriculums, and I
believe the day will come when astrologers will again be able to have
productive conversations with psychologists and physicians.
NCGR is offering scholarships for members who want to go to UAC but may
have trouble meeting the expenses involved. The deadline to apply is
fast approaching, so check out the categories below and see if one fits
your situation. Applications for all scholarships must be sent to
, Scholarship Committee Chairman, by the January
31st deadline.
Chapter
Scholarship
The candidate must be nominated by the
chapter president, with an explanation of why he or she deserves this
scholarship. Scholarship: Free full conference registration
and banquet: $330 Criteria: 1) NCGR member 2) Must be a hard
working volunteer within the Chapter
* * *
For the following three scholarships
(educational, national, and international) the candidate must document
the specified criteria using no more than one single-spaced
page in a 12-point Times Roman font.
Educational
Scholarship
Scholarship: Free full conference
registration and banquet: $330 Criteria: 1) NCGR member must
be studying for Level I, II, or III certification and registered to
take one of these exams at the conference 2) Must demonstrate financial
need.
National
Scholarship
Scholarship: Free full conference
registration and banquet: $330 Criteria: 1) NCGR member 2)
Must demonstrate passion for astrology and financial need.
International Scholarship
Scholarship: Free full conference
registration and banquet: $330, plus $500 for expenses: $830 Criteria:
1) NCGR member 2) Must demonstrate passion for astrology and financial
need.
Our newly revised tests
for Levels I through IV have been operative since September 1, 2005.
What this means is that we will still allow testing with the exams
used at present - but beginning with June 1 and September 1
respectively brand-new Levels I, II, and III will be used exclusively
(the Level IV tests are essentially the same as before). This will
give all you procrastinators and fence-sitters the chance to take the
old tests between now and the new dates.
Other
changes have also gone into effect along with the new tests. For one,
the Level III Take-Home tests are now graded separately. That is, a
candidate must first take the
proctored Level III exam; after completing that exam with a passing
grade, the candidate can then apply for the Take-Home exam. The
Take-Home exam will not be administered unless and until the
candidate successfully completes the proctored Level III exam.
Another
change has to do with the math segments of Levels I and II. If a
candidate does not successfully pass the math segment of either of
these two tests, he or she must take the entire Level I or Level II
test over again in order to pass. There will not be a separate
re-take exam for math only.
Current
fees for each level of testing are as
follows:
Level
I (Proctored Exam)
$
45.00 NCGR Members
$
90.00 non-Members
Level
II (Proctored Exam)
$
55.00 NCGR Members
$
100.00 non-Members
Level
III (Proctored Exam)
$
65.00 NCGR Members
$
110.00 non-Members
Level
III (Take-Home Exam)
$
75.00 NCGR Members
$
120.00 non-Members
Level
IV (Rectification)
$
90.00 NCGR Members
$
135.00 non-Members
Level
IV (Consultation,
Education, Research,
or General Studies)
$
150.00 NCGR Members
$300.00
non-Members
The
Study Guide is still priced at $15.00 plus shipping & handling
and is available through
this
link.
Among some of the changes instituted with the revised tests have been
new material
on Classical Astrology in Levels I and II. You will also note that
Level III in particular includes new material in the proctored
exam that covers Vedic, Chinese, and Mesoamerican astrology. The
Take-Home exam for Level III still requires the in-depth Mundane
Essay but it also includes electing the best times for four
specific events from a given natal chart (instead of the previous
requirement of analyzing a Solar Return Chart). Solar and Lunar
Returns are now covered in the Level III proctored exam. Although
an essay on Professional Ethics is already included in the other
required material for the Level IV Consultation Track, questions on
Ethics are also interspersed throughout all three Levels of the
proctored exams.
We
sincerely hope that all of you who haven't already done so will now
decide to test your astrological mettle and participate in our
educational program by working toward the challenging goal of NCGR
certification.
Our
lists are currently hosted on Yahoogroups. To join the astrology
discussion list, click on the URL below, and then follow the
instructions. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/astrologyncgr/join
