The Alternative Traditions Certificate is designed for students seeking to expand their astrological education beyond mainstream modern practice and engage with a range of systems rooted in diverse philosophical, cultural, and technical perspectives. These traditions introduce alternative cosmologies, symbolic languages, and interpretive frameworks that deepen historical awareness and broaden analytical flexibility.
Through coursework spanning global, esoteric, and specialized branches of astrology, students are exposed to distinctive methodologies and worldviews. This interdisciplinary approach enriches their overall astrological practice and supports more nuanced study, research, and application across multiple traditions.
Why Study Alternative Traditions
Studying an Alternative Traditions Certificate is mainly about expanding the range of ways you can understand and work with astrology.
Here are some reasons people choose to study these courses:
1. Broader interpretive skill
Different astrological traditions use different rules, symbols, and assumptions. Learning multiple systems helps you see patterns in new ways and avoids getting locked into one interpretive style.
2. Historical and cultural depth
Astrology has developed across many cultures and time periods. Studying alternative traditions gives you context for how ideas evolved, rather than treating modern practice as the only “standard” approach.
3. More flexible thinking
Working with multiple frameworks trains you to shift perspective. That can make your interpretations more adaptable and less rigid, especially when chart factors don’t fit neatly into one system.
4. Exposure to different techniques
Some traditions emphasize timing methods, others focus on symbolism, astronomy, or philosophical models. This gives you more tools to draw from in analysis and practice.
Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the Alternative Traditions Certificate, students will be able to:
- Explain the philosophical foundations and core principles of a range of alternative astrological traditions.
- Compare and evaluate different symbolic frameworks, methodologies, and interpretive approaches across traditions.
- Apply techniques from diverse astrological systems to enhance interpretive flexibility and analytical depth.
- Integrate insights from multiple traditions into a coherent personal and professional astrological practice.
- Demonstrate a nuanced, critical, and research-informed understanding of alternative approaches to astrology.
Prerequisite Knowledge
All courses range in astrological skill level from Low Beginner to Low Intermediate. 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 30 credits to complete.
All courses are 5 credits (5 weeks) unless otherwise stated.
Choose from the Following Courses:
- E102 Mesoamerican Astrology self-study (10 credits - High Beginner)
- E205 Symmetrical Astrology self-study (10 credits - High Beginner)
- AM200 Astromapping: Astrology of Mapping & Astro*Carto*Graphy (ACG) (10 credits - Low Intermediate)
- MD100 Introduction to Medical Astrology (10 credits - Low Intermediate)
- RA202 Horary Astrology (Low Intermediate)
- UN201 Introduction to Uranian Astrology (Low Intermediate)
- RA301 Mundane Astrology (Low Intermediate)
- E310 Mundane Astrology for Political Elections (every 4 years - Low Intermediate)
- E202 Introduction to Harmonic Aspects (Low Beginner)
Faculty: Mary Gaterud, Elisabeth Grace, Rick Levine, Tamira McGillivray, Marcos Patchett, Steve Pincus, Bruce Scofield