The Astrology of Life & Death

Curious how astrology can help you engage with life and death in a more conscious way? This 8-week livestream course blends teaching with practical chart interpretation to show how astrology can help you to develop a healthier relationship with mortality and ease the fear that often surrounds it.

We begin by looking at why mortality is such a struggle, especially in Western culture, where death is routinely feared, denied or pushed aside. From there, each week builds on the last: moving from exploring (re)incarnation and the soul's journey, to astrology's life cycles, the magnum opus of alchemy, the dying process and the role of psychopomps, and finally how to integrate these astrological insights so you can relate to mortality with greater awareness and acceptance.

This 8-week online course includes:

• Astrology as a mirror for life and death: how planets, signs, houses and cycles reflect transformation, endings and renewal
• Explore your relationship with mortality by understanding life's natural transitions
• Make astrology personal: use your chart to uncover patterns, cycles and soul lessons in your own life
• Gain deep astrological understanding through chart-reading practice
• Grow spiritually and psychologically: embrace mortality as a guide to deeper awareness and meaning

Book now to join astrologer Sue Brayne in navigating your birth chart for profound insights on your soul's purpose.

IMPORTANT: This course is for those who have at least a basic understanding of astrology (eg, planets, houses, signs and the nodal axis). With permission, we will study participants' charts during the course. Please make sure the chart you bring to class is created using the Equal House System. For those who join the class, there will be a designated WhatsApp group.

The Astrology of Life & Death course syllabus

Week 1: Why we struggle to talk about death

Examines how our discomfort around death stems from cultural conditioning rather than human nature, how the suppression of astrology disconnected us from our cosmic home, how astrology reconnects us with soul and universe, and how New Science now suggests we live in a conscious universe, just as our ancestors believed.

Key takeaways:

• Death denial is cultural, not natural
• Astrology's suppression by the Church and Enlightenment
• How New Science points to a conscious universe
• Astrology reconnects us with soul and cosmos
• Introduction to the Astrological workbook
• Chart example to explain the basics of an astrological chart

Week 2: Astrology and (re)incarnation

Delving into incarnation and reincarnation, this session explores how the soul enters the physical world, cross-cultural beliefs about rebirth, and how astrological patterns, archetypes and the nodal axis reveal reincarnation themes. Includes practical chart work to identify reincarnation themes.

Key takeaways:

• Overview of reincarnation across cultures and religions
• Recognising reincarnation themes
• Nodes and archetypes as soul blueprints
• Mortality as a gateway to spiritual growth
• Chart reading practice to identify reincarnation themes

Week 3: Astrology and the soul's purpose

Focuses on understanding the soul's purpose and how astrology can reveal the deeper patterns guiding our lives. We'll explore archetypes as psychological and spiritual guides, examine astrology's connection to mortality and personal evolution, and see how charts uncover individual soul themes.

Key takeaways:

• Exploration of the soul's purpose
• Astrology's link to mortality and evolution
• Archetypes as psychological and spiritual guides
• Astrology as a method for soul care
• Chart reading practice to identify soul's purpose

Week 4: Astrological cycles and the human condition

Explores the cycles of life and how change and transformation shape the human experience. You will study the outer planets as guides of evolution, consider the symbolism of endings and beginnings, and study charts to see how transiting planets reveals major personal and collective transitions.

Key takeaways:

• Life as change and transformation
• Outer planets as guides of evolution
• Symbolism of endings and beginnings
• Personal and collective implications of cycles
• Chart reading practice exploring major life transitions

Week 5: Astrology and Alchemy

Considers astrology and alchemy as profound systems for personal transformation, showing how planets act as agents of inner change. We'll explore Hermetic principles, the alchemical stages of the Magnum Opus, and study charts to identify moments of life crisis and growth.

Key takeaways:

• Astrology and alchemy as transformation systems
• Planets as agents of inner change
• Hermetic principles in astrology
• Alchemical stages reflected in transits
• Chart reading practice to identify life crises

Week 6: Astrology and the dying process

Studies astrology's role in the dying process, including the guidance of psychopomps and the influence of Mercury, Saturn and Pluto in death transitions. We'll also explore current end-of-life research on consciousness, reflect on our personal relationship with mortality, and study the chart of a spiritual midwife.

Key takeaways:

• Psychopomps as soul guides
• Mercury and Pluto in death transitions
• Astrology and the Soul Midwives movement
• Reflecting on personal relationship with death
• Study the chart of a Spiritual Midwife

Week 7: Practical chart readings

Focuses on practical chart readings to deepen astrological skills and build confidence in interpreting the soul's journey. You will have the opportunity to share your chart in class, gaining insight into who you are, why you are here, and the influences shaping your path.

Key takeaways:

• Deepen your astrological abilities
• Increase confidence in soul readings
• Gain a greater understanding of who you are, why you are here, and where you are from

Week 8: How to live with mortality as your teacher

In small groups, you can share what you've learned, reflect on your relationship with mortality, and explore how to bring these insights into everyday life.

Key takeaways:

• Integration of astrology and death awareness
• Living consciously with mortality
• Transforming fear into everyday wisdom and presence
• Chart reading exercise if time allows

By the end of the course, you will be able to:

• Identify key astrological symbols and cycles linked to transformation, endings, and mortality.
• Build confidence to read charts in the context of life cycles, transitions, and personal evolution.
• Reflect on your own life patterns using astrology as a symbolic guide.
• Understand cultural, historical, and mythological influences on astrology's insights into life and death.
• Recognise the psychological and spiritual dimensions of endings, grief, and transformation.
• Use astrology as a practical method to navigate life's transitions with awareness, acceptance, and clarity.

Entry requirements

• This course is open to those who have a basic understanding of astrology.
• Be sure to bring your birth chart to each class (either printed or on a screen). Download your chart here.
• To enrol on this course, click 'BOOK NOW'.
• If it is fully booked, click 'REGISTER INTEREST' for updates.
• It is important to read these 11 Course Agreements before your first class.

We will not be recording these classes. One of the unique aspects of the College's online courses is that they are highly interactive. Participants are encouraged to discuss and share with the tutor and the group. These sharings can be very personal, and some may not feel comfortable with them being recorded. If you need to miss any sessions, your tutor will be happy to offer a brief outline of the material covered.