COURSES
An Introdction to Symbology
The Introduction to Symbology course runs over six weeks. The lectures are online and are weekly on a Thursday evening at 8.00 pm and the course runs over six weeks. The lectures typically run from 8.00 - 9.30 p.m. with time for questions. The first 15 minutes generally deal with preparatory work related to the lecture.
This is a selective course and applications are invited.
Lecture 1: An Introduction to Symbology (Thursday 2nd June 2022 at 8.00 p.m.)
In this lecture we look at the importance of the zodiac to symbology. We will start to learn the order of the zodiac signs and see how the zodiac signs, and in particular the way that that astological signs can be embedded in stories, statues and other artefacts.
Lecture 2: Symbology in Art (Thursday 9th June 2022 at 8.00 p.m.)
In this lecture we look at how symbols can be embedded in paintings. We will continue from the previous lecture looking at the zodiac, however in this lecture we will look at the precession of the equinoxes in art rather than the fixed signs. This will be combined with the completion of the study and memorisation of the astological signs and symbols of the zodiac.
Lecture 3: The Symbology of the Tarot (Thursday 16th June 2022 at 8.00 p.m.)
In this lecture we will look at how symbols have been embedded in the tarot cards, in particular the major arcana. Many are familiar with the images but are not clear on the reason why these particular images were selected. In this lecture we will look at the links between the tarot cards and the grail legends and how an understanding of the grail legends informs the understanding of the symbols on the tarot deck.
Lecture 4: Astronomical Symbolism (Thursday 23rd June 2022 at 8.00 p.m.)
In this lecture we will look at the constellations and how they feature in symbols. This lesson will look extensively at constellations that are not part of the zodiac to interpret how they have become part of legends, icons and art.
Lecture 5: Astrological Symbols (Thursday 30th June 2022 at 8.00 p.m.)
In this lecture we will look at astological sysbols and how astrology informs a large part of modern symbolism. We will look at the Elizabethan grimoire tradition to understand how to understand the astrological symbolism that is seen in these texts. This will involve students interpreting a section of an original 16th century text.
Lecture 6: The Symbolism of the Sphinx (Thursday 7th July at 8.00 p.m)
In this lecture we will look at the symbolism of the Sphinx to understand how symbols are embedded in art, statues and other artefacts. We will look at the deveopment of symbolism in both monotheistic and polytheistic traditions and understand how this continues to inform art, statues, buildings and rituals into the modern era.
Course Fee
The course fee is £50 or, alternatively, students can pay per lecture at £12.50 a lecture. Students do not need to complete all the lectures in a single series but will need to complete all lectures before proceeding to the advanced course. All lectures are held on Zoom. No payment credits will be carried over for those paying in full for the entire course and being unable to attend an individual lecture and they will need to pay as a new student for any later course. A course booklet will be provided but this will only be sent to those paying in full for the course. There will be a reduced fee for the first lecture of £5.00.
Please note that course dates are planned dates and may be subject to change.
Advanced Symbology
The Advanced Symbology course runs over six months. The course uses the study of symbols from the first course to look at six texts with one being studied each month. The lectures are in person and are monthly on a Saturday evening in London to allow those travelling from outside London to attend. The course runs over six months and there is private study of six texts, one per month of the course, as part of this course of study
Lecture 1. Parzival (Saturday 3rd September 2022 at 7.00 p.m.)
The Grail Legends are universally understood to hold deep and hidden meanings, yet few are clear about the basic plot of the Grail and the true meaning of the Grail legend isn't widely understood. In this lecture we will look at Parzival by Wolfram von Eschenbach and look at the symbolism held within them to unlock the meaning of the legend.
Lecture 2. The Targums (Saturday 1st October 2022 at 7.00 p.m.)
In this lecture we will look at how the Targums have influenced the symbolism of the Occidental traditions.
Lecture 3. The New Testament (Saturday 5th November 2022 at 7.00 p.m.)
In this lecture we will look at how the symbolism of the New Testament has informed art and how symbolism has informed the New Testament.
Lecture 4. The Book of Revelation (Saturday 3rd November 2022 at 7.00 p.m.)
The Four Horsemen, the Number of the Beast and the Whore of Babylon are widely known symbols bit their meaning is unclear to many. In this lecture we will use our knowledge of astronomical and astrological sybolism, together with numerology to understand the meaning of the Book of Revelation and to understand the meanining of the enigmatic symbols.
Lecture 5. Escatological Texts of Monotheism (Saturday 3rd December 2022 at 7.00 p.m.)
In this lecture we will look at the symbolism of the escatalogical texts of monotheism to understand what meanings are being hidden behind the cryptic images that are to be found in these texts.
Lecture 6. Reginald Scot's Discoverie (1584) and the Grimoire Tradition (Saturday 14th January 2023 at 7.00 p.m.)
Reginald Scot's texts draw on numerous complex images and rituals. In this lecture we will look at the true meaning of these texts.
Following the final lecture some members of the course may be offered the opportunity to take part in a closing ritual for the course. This new moon rite is informed by the symbolic knowledge presented in this course. This will not be offered by default and some members will not be included in this ritual.
Course Fee
This is a selective course and applications are invited. The course fee for the secondary/advanced course is £250, paid in advance following selection for this course. Students will need to complete all the lectures in a single series in order to proceed to higher levels of study. All lectures are held in person.
