For the greater part of history, prior to the last century, medical practice encompassed a wide range of approaches aimed at treating disorders affecting the body, mind, and spirit. No singular school maintained exclusive intellectual or legal priority. The foundational courses within this program examine the historical transformation, including the emergence of dominant institutional models and the resulting implications for both practitioners and those seeking care.
This certificate explores the field of medical astrology through the study of horary and decumbiture charts, as well as the methods and contributions of influential historical astrologers such as Abraham ibn Ezra and Nicholas Culpeper. Students will investigate traditional astrological approaches to health, illness, and diagnosis, while developing an understanding of the historical, philosophical, and interpretive frameworks that informed medical astrology across different periods and traditions.
Why the term “Astrology of Healing”?
In response to historical and institutional changes that have constrained the professional autonomy of many healing traditions, this program adopts the term “Astrology of Healing,” a designation that remains legally non-restrictive while emphasizing the integrative and supportive dimensions of astrological practice.
Within some interpretive traditions, the phrase may imply a hierarchy between the body, mind, and spirit. In this program, however, the term is employed in a non-hierarchical sense, emphasizing reverence for the individual process of self-understanding, healing, growth, and acceptance. The curriculum recognizes that practitioners may approach astrology from differing perspectives; some concentrating on physical well-being, others on psychological or spiritual concerns, while sharing a common commitment to promoting health, insight, and holistic well-being. Astrology is therefore approached not as a deterministic system, but as a reflective and interpretive practice that may support greater awareness, understanding, and personal development.
Why Study Astrology of Healing
The study of medical astrology provides insight into the historical and symbolic relationship between astrology, health, and human well-being. As one of the oldest branches of astrological practice, medical astrology examines the correspondence between planetary movements, bodily systems, psychological states, and patterns of vitality. Through this framework, students develop an understanding of how astrology has historically been used to interpret health-related experiences and support processes of self-awareness and healing.
Studying medical astrology also deepens the practitioner’s interpretive abilities by encouraging a more integrated analysis of the natal chart. Students learn to identify symbolic indicators associated with constitutional tendencies, periods of stress or recovery, and the interactions among the physical, emotional, and spiritual dimensions of experience. This holistic perspective promotes a broader understanding of the individual and the interconnected nature of well-being.
Students engage with classical methods, including decumbiture and horary approaches. Students gain an appreciation for the intellectual, cultural, and ethical dimensions of astrology’s historical relationship with healing practices.
Learning Outcomes
Successful graduates of this certificate will be able to:
- Compare and critically evaluate historical astrological practices, with particular emphasis on Hippocratic and Galenic medicine, associated systems of thought, astrological rulerships, and principles of symbolic pattern recognition.
- Demonstrate an understanding of Hippocratic, Aristotelian, and Stoic humoral theories and their relevance to the historical development of medical astrology.
- Analyze the historical application of medical traditions and examine the ways in which diverse healing systems were synthesized with astrological principles across different cultural and intellectual contexts.
- Apply astrological analysis and critical reasoning to the interpretation of historical medical and non-orthodox approaches intended to support physical, psychological, and spiritual well-being.
- Utilize astrological timing techniques to inform elections, prognostic assessments, procedures, and wellness-oriented practices in ways intended to enhance experience, support well-being, and encourage ameliorative outcomes.
- Contextualize their astrological practice within broader astrological traditions and within the communities of care and support in which such practices operate.
Prerequisite Knowledge
A strong foundation in astrology is recommended for success in this certificate.
All courses range in astrological skill level from Low Beginner to Advanced. The required skill level is identified for each course.
To determine whether a course is the right fit for your current level of astrological knowledge, please review the link below:
Kepler College Skill Level Guidelines
Certificate Requirements
This certificate requires 40 credits to complete.
All courses are 5 credits (5 weeks) unless otherwise stated.
Required Courses:
- MPC301 Medical Astrology: History & Foundations (10 credits - Low Beginner)
- MPC306 Elements, Humors, Temperaments (Low Intermediate)
- MPC311 The Astrology of Physical, Mental, and Spiritual Disease (Advanced)
- MPC316 Melothesia: Astrological Anatomy (Low Beginner)
- MPC321 Medical Consultation & Decumbiture Chart Interpretation: Prognosis (Low Intermediate)
- MPC331 Traditional Disease Tendencies in Medical Astrology (Low Beginner)
- MPC391 Certificate Level Demonstration of Learning (live attendance required, need 35 completed credits - Advanced)
Elective Courses:
- E312 Medical Consultation & Decumbiture Chart Interpretation: Diagnosis (Low Intermediate)
- MPC313 Astrology & Nutrition (Low Intermediate)
Faculty: Dr. Masen Gaspervic, Will Morris, Marcos Patchett, Mercedes Stewart, Kira Sutherland