The Sacred Journey of Life: Exploring our Astrological Cycles
Friday 31st January – Sunday 2nd February 2025
The Ammerdown Centre, near Bath, Somerset
With Cat Cox, Lisa Stockley and Marielle Churaqui
This retreat is an opportunity to connect with our pathway through life using an astrological lens. We will explore what our chart can tell us of the nature of this journey and the resources and practices which can guide and support us along the way.
We will look at the planetary cycles which mark the waypoints and stages of this journey, and which can help us find meaning on our path.
The retreat will be guided by highly experienced Faculty tutors who will use teaching, personal reflection and creativity to help you gain insights.
Held in the beautiful retreat setting of Ammerdown, the Winter Weekend is an opportunity to deepen your astrological knowledge and to reflect on and work extensively on your own chart in a small supportive group.
Throughout the weekend, there will be teaching sessions and sessions to reflect on your chart. There will also be optional early morning Astro-yoga.
Course Requirements
The Winter Weekend 2025 is suitable for Faculty Diploma Level I students and above, keen to deepen their chart work. Non-Faculty students are welcome and will be expected to be familiar in all areas of natal chart interpretation and transits. If you are uncertain, please contact the Winter Weekend Organiser to check your eligibility.
Dates and Course Schedule
The weekend starts with a welcome drink at 6pm on Friday 31st January and finishes at 1pm on Sunday 2nd February. View the Winter Weekend Schedule.
Venue
Ammerdown is a retreat centre in a private estate near Bath in the south west of England and has excellent facilities, including wi-fi, lounge, library, meditation space, chapel and bar. Students will be able to access the formal gardens, parkland and woods during their stay. More information can be found here: www.ammerdown.org
The Ammerdown Centre can be accessed easily from the M4 (Junction 17) if travelling by car, and by cab from nearby Bath Spa station if rail travel is preferred. The nearest airport is Bristol.
Place Availability
The number of places is restricted to a maximum of 17 students and these are allocated on a first-come first-served basis. Students are therefore strongly advised to book early to ensure their place on this highly popular event.
Residential Fees
The residential fee of £525 includes all meals and refreshments as well as accommodation from Friday evening until Sunday lunchtime inclusive. Residential attendance is highly recommended in order to gain the most from the Winter Weekend.
If you would prefer to pay by instalments, a first instalment of £195 is due on booking, the 2nd instalment of £165 is due by 10th December 2024 and the 3rd instalment of £165 is due by 10th January 2025.
Non-residential Fees
A limited number of non-residential places are available. Please contact the Winter Weekend Organiser directly for more information and a booking form.
Non-Faculty Students
Non-Faculty students may attend at the tutors’ discretion. Please contact the Winter Weekend Organiser for more information. Students new to the Faculty will be charged an additional one-off new student fee of £35 in addition to the course fee.
Accommodation
Ammerdown provides several options for accommodation and single, twin and double rooms are available. All have en-suite toilets and handbasins and the majority also have showers. There is also accessible accommodation and ample free parking.
Dietary Requirements
Ammerdown offers a range of special diets: dairy free, gluten free, vegetarian and vegan, if notified in advance. The centre may be able to cater for other requirements which might incur an additional charge. Please specify your preferred option when booking or contact the Winter Weekend Organiser if this not listed.
Course Cancellation and Travel Insurance
In the unlikely event that the course attracts too few students for us to run it successfully or in the event of adverse weather conditions, the Faculty of Astrological Studies reserves the right to cancel. Course fees paid by the student will be refunded in full if the course is cancelled.
N.B.: The Faculty of Astrological Studies strongly advises that all students obtain travel insurance that will completely reimburse all travel costs as these cannot be covered by the Faculty.
Tutors
Cat Cox M.A. D.F.Astrol.S.
Faculty President & Head Tutor
Cat is the Faculty’s President and Head Tutor and has taught with the school since 2006. She began studying astrology in London in 1984 and was awarded the Faculty Diploma in 1996 and the MA in Cultural Astronomy and Astrology from Bath Spa University in 2007. Her interests in healing, Jungian and transpersonal psychology, goddess spirituality and the Western Mysteries inform her approach to astrology including how we work psychologically, experientially and ritually with symbols and myth. She practices in London, loves teaching and over time has come to view her work with charts as a spiritual practice.
Lisa Stockley D.F.Astrol.S
Faculty Tutor
Lisa has been studying astrology for over twenty years, a journey which led to gaining the Faculty diploma in 2018. She serves on the Faculty Council as well as tutoring London classes, online classes and by distance learning. She is especially interested in astrology as a spiritual practice and works deeply with the symbolism of both astrology and the tarot as well as cultivating a deep connection with nature and the cycle of the seasons. All of these inform her astrological practice in London, along with a focus on inner growth and fulfilment.
Marielle Churaqui D.F.Astrol.S
Faculty Tutor
As Winter Weekend Organiser, Marielle handles all bookings and queries for the Winter Weekend. During the week-end, in addition to teaching alongside Cat and Lisa, Marielle will be teaching the early morning yoga classes and facilitating the Saturday evening session. Marielle is a London based astrologer who gained the Faculty diploma in 2008 and an MA in Cultural Astronomy and Astrology from the University of Lampeter in 2012. She has also been teaching yoga for 20 years. Her classes are gentle with the focus on exploring astrological themes using yoga. Marielle is currently the Faculty’s Treasurer and a Tutor for London classes, online classes and by distance learning.