Astrology Lectures

2025-2026

Season Line up

Our exciting 53rd season runs a broad gamut from a long-range look at historic epochs and understanding world events, to a deep dive into our personal lives using lunar cycles, retrogrades and a mind-bending interplay between houses, to a Western-friendly exploration of Indian astrology. If that’s not enough, how about a sweet embrace of Venus? Join us to stretch your knowledge of astrology!

Janet Booth, President

Current Season

ASC has hybrid in-person/online meetings for some of our events, in addition to streaming all of them on Zoom. When we meet in person, our hybrid lectures are at Pitkin Community Center, 30 Greenfield St., Wethersfield, CT. Our events in September, November, January, February, March and April will only be on Zoom.

If you are unfamiliar with terms used in the lecture descriptions, we recommend you attend our Pre-Lecture for an introduction. It is at 6:15 PM, prior to the 7:00 PM lecture, and is free for members, paid non-member attendees and guests.

Lectures

Members can attend lectures for free and will be sent the Zoom link automatically. Non-members can attend and will be emailed the link close to the event date, after paying the $10 non-member lecture fee using the registration button by the event listing. (NOTE: a link does not appear directly following payment and the deadline to register is midnight before the lecture date.) Most lectures are preceded by an introduction to the topic in our “Pre-Lecture” (taught by an ASC member) for no additional charge. To join ASC, see our Membership page. Members receive a discount on workshops and other benefits.

Workshops

As part of our educational efforts, we offer workshops with the opportunity to roll up your sleeves, delve into a topic and get hands-on experience. We may break into small discussion groups, giving us time to get to know one another, look at the participants’ charts and exchange ideas stimulated by the workshop presenter(s).

The fee for each workshop is $40 for ASC members, $50 for non-members. (Use the drop-down box to select the appropriate fee when registering.) Attendance information (and Zoom link, if applicable) will be emailed to participants prior to the event – a link does not appear directly following payment.

Abbreviations

See below for descriptions of abbreviations included in our speaker profiles.

Ray Grasse

Ray Grasse is a Chicago-based writer, musician, photographer and astrologer. He worked for ten years on the editorial staffs of Quest Books and The Quest magazine and has been associate editor for The Mountain Astrologer magazine since 1998. He’s lectured extensively on the topics of astrology, synchronicity and mythology, and maintains an active astrological practice with clients around the United States and abroad. Ray is author of ten books, including The Waking Dream, An Infinity of Gods, Signs of the Times, Under a Sacred Sky, So What Am I Doing Here, Anyway?, Urban Mystic, When the Stars Align, StarGates, and most recently, In the Company of Gods. In addition to his astrological pursuits, Ray has a degree in filmmaking and has studied with various teachers in both the Kriya Yoga and Zen traditions. He can be contacted at Jupiter.enteract@rcn.com.

ZOOM ONLY
Lecture, Thursday, September 18, 2025, 7:00 PM Eastern

The Roaring 2020s — Ray Grasse

The United States is undergoing not one, not two, but three important planetary returns all in the span of one decade – Pluto, Chiron and Uranus. Any one of those could by itself indicate turbulent changes for the country – but all three at once?! In this talk, we’ll look at a few of the possible implications of this celestial trifecta and their potential impact on politics, culture and our institutions. Along with this, we’ll also be taking a look at the outer planet ingresses taking place during 2024-2025: Uranus into Gemini, Pluto into Aquarius, and both Saturn and Neptune into Aries. These are historic times!

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Dietrech J. Pessin is a full-time consulting and teaching astrologer from the Boston area. In practice since 1974, she serves an international clientele. In 1991, she discovered Moon Families. In her book, Lunar Shadows III – The Predictive Power of Moon Phases and Eclipses, you’ll find tables of eclipses, Moon phases and Moon Families to personalize your journey into the study of Moon Families. Dietrech has lectured widely in both the US and Europe. With a well-organized, practical and unique approach to astrology, she shares her method during lectures, workshops and consultations. You can hear her weekly radio report at WZBC 90.3 FM on Saturdays at 9:30 AM or find the recording on her website, Lunar-Shadows.com. Her email is Dietrech.Pessin@gmail.com.

IN PERSON & ON ZOOM
Lecture, Thursday, October 16, 2025, 7:00 PM Eastern

Moon Families: A Reliable, Reflective and Predictive Tool — Dietrech J. Pessin

A Moon Family is a group of Moon phases linked to each other by nine-month intervals beginning with a New Moon, followed nine months later by a First Quarter Moon. In another nine months, there’s a related Full Moon and finally, a Last Quarter Moon arrives in another nine months to complete the four Moon phases of a Moon Family. Each Moon phase occurs near the same degree and sign as the originating New Moon. A storyline follows the dates of a Moon Family, making it a wonderful tool for predicting the timing of related upcoming events and more. A future Moon Family member is most likely coupled with an event related to the original story. Use the Moon Families to trace events in your own history.

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Kenneth D. Miller

Kenneth D. Miller has been studying astrology all his life and practicing professionally since 2005. Based in San Diego, CA, he sees clients and teaches astrology. He earned his MA in Eastern and Western Traditions from Kepler College and holds a Council of Vedic Astrology Jyotish Kovid Certification Level II. In addition to Indian astrology, Kenneth has studied modern western astrology, as well as Hellenistic, Medieval and Renaissance astrology. He is one of the few professional astrologers with a working knowledge of all of these traditions. He has taught internationally at various conferences, including the last three UACs and will appear at UAC 2026. He is the author of several articles and the forthcoming book Mars: Passion or Strife? (2nd revised edition). He can be found celestialintelligencer.net and reached at Kenneth@Celestialintelliger.net.

ZOOM ONLY
Lecture, Thursday, November 20, 2025, 7:00 PM Eastern

Indian (Vedic) Astrology: What’s In It For Me? Learn How to Read a Vedic Chart in Two Hours!— Kenneth D. Miller

Perhaps you’ve heard horror stories about how complicated Indian astrology can be. Perhaps you’ve heard unbelievable stories of its predictive powers. Can you really learn to read a chart in a couple of hours? Yes, you can! This lecture explains Indian (Vedic) astrology’s approach to chart reading, including a thorough introduction to the history, concepts, practices and theory behind Jyotish, the astrology of India, used by 1.2 billion people. The basic principles of chart analysis will be examined. This lecture is designed to improve your house-based chart reading skills, no matter what type of astrology you use. And you don’t have to be a Hindu!

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ZOOM ONLY
Workshop, Saturday, November 22, 2025, 12:00 – 5:00 PM Eastern

Predictive Indian (Vedic) Astrology For Western Astrologers or “Why Is My Life the Way It Is?”— Kenneth D. Miller

This workshop briefly explores the nature of prediction and then gets right to the practical stuff by adapting the gold-standard predictive technique of Indian astrology, the Vimshottari Dasha (or simply “dasha”) method of planetary periods. Almost all Western astrological software has this as a calculation feature and Ken will teach you how you can add it to your toolbox without having to learn Indian astrology. Plenty of example charts will be shown to illustrate the concepts. With this technique, you will be able to view the broad and specific flows of your life as different planets turn on and off, activating the topics of the houses they rule. You will take home a technique that can be easily integrated into your current prognostication methods.

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Elaine Kuzmeskus

Elaine Kuzmeskus, M.S., is a Professional Astrologer with a Teaching Certificate from the American Federal of Astrologers. She is the author of ten books on metaphysics, including Soul Cycles: Astrology 101 and The Medium Who Baffled Houdini. In addition to her astrology practice in Suffield, CT, Elaine writes a monthly astrology blog on her website, theartofmediumship.com, and posts videos on the YouTube channel Soul Cycles. She has been a presenter on Better Connecticut TV show, Coast to Coast AM radio show and at Lily Dale Assembly. Elaine is a long-time ASC member and has served on our Board of Directors. She can be reached at horoscopep@aol.com.

IN PERSON & ON ZOOM
Lecture, Thursday, December 11, 2025, 7:00 PM Eastern
with Holiday Gathering at 5:30 PM

2026 Planets and You! — Elaine Kuzmeskus

The year 2026 will be a turning point for the United States. How will Pluto in Aquarius, Neptune in Aries and Uranus in Gemini influence our country? It should be a year of progress with the three outer planets, Pluto, Neptune and Uranus, in harmony. Yet, there are karmic factors in play with Saturn in Aries and Jupiter in Cancer and later, Leo. Past astrological cycles can assist in predicting the future. Elaine will examine the horoscopes of the United States and President Donald Trump to make predictions. Learn more about the major trends in politics, communication, technology, medicine and even fashion. Finally, what does the future hold for you in 2026?

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Lynn Koiner

Lynn Koiner, PMAFA, is a Research Astrologer and international speaker who began practice in 1969 after studying at the American Federation of Astrologers (AFA). She was a contributing author in Noel Tyl’s Astrology’s Special Measurements, writing on her research on Transpluto. She was featured in James Lewis’s book, The Astrology Book, and twice received the Simms Pounds Award for Best Conference Speaker by the AFA. Lynn is a Director of NCGR and has served as President, Vice President and Newsletter Editor for both the Baltimore and Annapolis Chapters of NCGR. She was the International Liaison for NCGR National 2009-2012. Since 2009, she has been teaching Medical Astrology for the International Academy of Astrology and she currently teaches a Medical Astrology curriculum at Kepler College. You can reach Lynn at lynn.koiner@gmail.com and learn about her work at LynnKoiner.com.

ZOOM ONLY
Lecture, Thursday, January 15, 2026, 7:00 PM Eastern

The Scoop on Retrogrades: Natal Retrogrades, Transiting Retrogrades and Progressed Planets Changing Direction— Lynn Koiner

Take a deep dive into interpreting retrogrades in natal charts, in transits and by progression, including House positions. A Retrograde planet can be better than a Direct one! Lynn presents examples of fortuitous natal Retrograde planets, including in the charts of astronauts and Holocaust rescuers. When a planet turns Retrograde by transit, it offers an opportunity to review and find past mistakes to re-organize for greater efficiency and to judge relationships with new insights. When a planet changes direction by progression, it can herald a major change in one’s life and provide a chance to use the energy of the planet in a different and possibly more effective way. Lynn will address the special situation of progressed Mercury turning Retrograde early in one’s life, when it will first aspect a planet when it is Direct, then a few years later when it is Retrograde, and lastly, when it is finally Direct again. This indicates a series of related events that provide important life lessons.

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Gary Christen

Gary Christen is a well-known practitioner of Uranian Astrology, which he has evolved into modern Symmetrical Astrology (which incorporates Cosmobiology and has a philosophic background taken from Astrology as a Revolutionary Science by Rob Hand). An astrologer since his teens, he is the first person awarded an accredited B.A. degree in astrology (Rutgers University, 1974). A professional astrologer since 1969, he has been teaching and lecturing internationally since the early ‘70s. Presently, Gary is President and CEO of Astrolabe, Inc., a world-renowned astrological think-tank and software publisher (Solar Fire, Astrolabe Report System and many other outstanding works in the field). With the staff of Astrolabe and Ray White as programmer, he is working on “Solar Fire X and “Nova Chartwheels,” based on Gary’s methods and technique, as well as writing An Approach to Astrology. He can be reached at gc1@alabe.com.

ZOOM ONLY
Lecture, Thursday, February 19, 2026, 7:00 PM Eastern

Long Term Outlook: The Coming Era — Gary Christen

After April 26, 2026, Uranus crosses into Gemini and completes a planetary combination that changed the course of our collective history. All of humanity will be in a new time and era. The significance of the last five years will last beyond the next generation. In this lecture, Gary will talk about the time after the present period has passed, our more long-term future. When Gary first started studying this series of combinations, he asked one of Astrolabe’s programmers, Doug Kellogg, to write code that would track this combination through time. There was nothing to match this era in over 10,000 years of searching. Join us in exploring what comes next!

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Celeste Brooks

Celeste Brooks is a predictive astrologer and life coach. Her offerings include classes, workshops, coaching packages, events and readings. She also helps people find unknown birth times through chart rectification. Her podcast, Celestial Insights, offers weekly guidance. Her popular Instagram Lives provides astrological and intuitive insights. Celeste is a board member of the Organization of Professional Astrology (OPA) and a faculty member of Kepler College. She lectures internationally at astrology conferences. Before transitioning into astrology full-time, she had a successful sales and marketing career spanning 25+ years at Fortune 500 companies. Find Celeste’s work at astrologybyceleste.com or reach her at celeste@astrologybyceleste.com

ZOOM ONLY
Lecture, Thursday, March 19, 2026, 7:00 PM Eastern

Discover the Power of Mundane Astrology: Predicting and Understanding World Events — Celeste Brooks

Mundane astrology explores how planetary movements influence the affairs of countries, governments, institutions and global events. Celeste outlines how to track and interpret the patterns that shape our world. She will guide you through how lunar cycles, major transits and planetary ingresses correlate with real-world events. She will cover the key topics ruled by each planet, sign and house in mundane astrology, as well as how to spot astrological patterns in the headlines and everyday life. You can gain a deeper understanding of how the cosmic weather impacts collective experiences and how to use these insights to stay informed, empowered and prepared. Whether you’re new to mundane astrology or looking to deepen your predictive skills, this lecture will provide practical tools and fresh perspectives you can apply immediately.

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ZOOM ONLY
Workshop, Saturday, March 21, 2026, 12:00 – 5:00 PM Eastern

Lighting Up the Dark Side of the Moon: Advanced Lunar Planning for Astrologers — Celeste Brooks

This workshop is aimed at astrologers and astrology enthusiasts who are ready to move beyond surface-level Moon work to deepen their understanding of the entire lunar cycle (all eight phases) and learn how to use it as a practical, strategic tool. Go past just setting intentions at the New Moon or releasing at the Full. Find out how to work with the Moon’s full cycle – past, present and future – along with your natal chart, to plan your life, foster meaningful change and enhance your forecasting skills. Celeste provides an immersive training for those who want to harness lunar cycles to support transformation, intention and success with astrology as the foundation. Whether you’re helping clients or planning your own path, you’ll leave with tools to align with cosmic timing and make the most of each lunar cycle.

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Ronnie Gale Dreyer

Ronnie Gale Dreyer is an internationally known astrological consultant, author, lecturer and teacher, specializing in Western and Indian astrology. Based in New York City, she has clients and students throughout the world, lectures extensively for astrology groups and conferences, and conducts ongoing courses and webinars. Ronnie has written numerous books, articles and columns, and is currently revising and reissuing her classic book Venus. She is co-founder of Words and Things Press, which publishes the Psychology of Astro*Carto*Graphy, written by Jim Lewis and Kenneth Irving. Ronnie holds a MA in South Asian Languages from Columbia University. Her website is ronniedreyer.com and can be reached at ronniegaledreyer@gmail.com

ZOOM ONLY
Lecture, Thursday, April 16, 2026, 7:00 PM Eastern

Venus Rising: Exploring the Goddess, Planet and Her Cycles — Ronnie Gale Dreyer

Corresponding to the journey of Goddesses who travelled to the Underworld and back again, the cycle of Venus was clearly observed by all ancient cultures. Accompanied by numerous visual images, Ronnie will show how the planet’s cycle, consisting of its synodic 8-year (and 4-year) periods, conjunctions with the Sun (including the close proximity of combustion and cazimi) and appearance as a morning or evening star mirrors the many sides of Venus. From love and harmony to aggression and war, we will see how to use the Venus cycle to forecast personal and mundane events with amazing precision.

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John Marchesella

John Marchesella has a full-time astrology practice in New York City, as well as doing consultations by phone and Zoom with out-of-towners. He has specialized in topics such as love, work, psychoanalytic interpretations of the natal chart and prediction. John’s articles have appeared in many professional journals and newsletters; some of them can be found on astrologynyc.org. He has also written numerous columns for popular magazines and websites, such as HomeStore.com and AstroToGo.com. Look for his contribution to Under One Sky, an innovative anthology on astrological approaches. He also designed the astrological curriculum for the New York Open Center and an easy-to-understand introduction to astrology at the Learning Annex. In addition to his astrological credentials, John is a bereavement counselor and certified psychotherapist. You can find John’s work online at astrojohn.com or email him at astrojohn@earthlink.net.

IN PERSON & ON ZOOM
Lecture, Thursday, Zoom, May 21, 2026, 7:00 PM Eastern

Derived Houses — John Marchesella

Who in the family has the cash to give you a loan? What’s the health problem with your mother’s cat? Is your boss having a secret love affair in the office? Or out of the office? You don’t have to look further than your own horoscope for everyone in your life and everything about their lives – and how it will affect you! Derived houses assign meanings based on the positions of houses relative to one another. For example, the 6th house from your 10th house is actually the 3rd house in YOUR chart, but it represents the health of a parent and not only the usual factors that are associated with the 3rd. What we see in that house lets us know about your parent’s health condition, how to handle it and how you will be affected by it. Derived houses also get us to question how much of our reality is objective and how much is subjective. Bring your questions, your charts and your sense of humor.

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Abbreviations in Speaker Biographies

In the speakers’ biographies, you may see abbreviations for various astrological organizations.

You may also see certification designations, such as CA (Counseling Astrologer), CAP (Certified Astrological Professional).

  • AFA American Federation of Astrologers (the certification AMAFA is Advanced Member of AFA and PMAFA is Professional Member of AFA)
  • AFAN Association for Astrological Networking
  • ASC Astrological Society of Connecticut
  • ISAR International Society for Astrological Research (their “CAP” stands for Certified Astrological Professional)
  • NCGR National Council for Geocosmic Research and the addition of -PAA designates Professional Astrologers’ Alliance, the testing division of NCGR that has four levels of certification (the C.A. Counseling Astrologer is at the highest level, Level Four)
  • OPA Organization for Professional Astrologers
  • UAC United Astrology Conference

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