by NCGRSac | Nov 16, 2011 | Events, Meetings, News
2012
Our 2012 NCGR-SAA Calendar
Guests, Member Shares, Chart Interpretation–and Other Surprises!
Your Leadership Team (LT) has been busy since early autumn brainstorming and formulating our 2012 calendar. Coming into Year 2 of our resurrection, we felt a need to add the spice of variety to our programming. In part, this will help us determine the right mix of programs to continue into the future.
Another major consideration: The LT has put enormous energy into getting the new NCGR-SAA off the ground. Quite frankly, we’re exhausted and need to coast a little. Half our offerings last year were special guests, and while we think that’s a good mix, the scheduling happened to work out that most guest speakers joined us the second half of the year. Guest appearances take a lot more work in arrangements and promotion. The first three months of 2011 were spent getting NCGR-SAA reorganized and submitting the paperwork to recharter. We had no breathers. For the LT, it was like running a marathon. Knowing you wouldn’t want us to burn out on this important job, we’ve decided to pace ourselves in 2012. Here are the reasons behind some of the changes you’ll see on the schedule. Please download a copy on the link in the first paragraph of this item. Keep it on your fridge, in your planner–or wherever your special place for ongoing notice is located!
Meeting Dues Structure. The dues at the door are a small contribution to the resources it takes to hold regular meetings, items such as snacks, postage, and various internet services needed to keep you and the public informed about what we do. To encourage membership in NCGR, we have restructured the dues to $5 for members and $10 for nonmembers. If you’re a non-member, please consider joining NCGR (see item below) to get our discounts. We receive $18 per person each year for NCGR members. Because members are already contributing toward our operating expenses, they are offered these discounts.
Special Guest Pre-Registration Discounts. We’ll continue to offer pre-paid, pre-registration discounts in 2011. However, we are making a significant change in the deadline. The purpose of pre-registration and pre-payment are to thank you for helping us plan. Extremes of turnout, whether large or small, impact our arrangements. We have been allowing you to pre-register as late as the day before the event. Registrations that come in that late do not allow us to make planning adjustments. Therefore, the new policy for 2012 is pre-registration by one week prior to the event.
Change to 4th Sunday. Most of our meetings in 2012 will be held on the 4th rather than our currently customary 3rd Sunday. Exceptions are May, November and December when we revert to the 3rd because the 4th Sunday falls on holiday weekends.
This change has been made for better accommodation of speakers who speak at San Francisco Astrological Society (SFAS) on the 4th Thursday. An out-of-town guest speaker can then present in SF and Sacramento on the same weekend. This expands our access to excellent speakers.
Chart Interpretation Meetings. Mastery of chart reading skills is where the rubber hits the road, transferring theory to practice in astrology. The LT felt the addition of this type of meeting in 2012 will serve many purposes:
- Sharpen our skills on what’s important in a chart reading
- Increase our chart synthesis skills
- Increase confidence in our interpretations
- Enjoy the support of others at all ends of the learning spectrum on chart reading in an environment of non-judgment and encouragement
- Get live practice or be the live recipient of pooled astrological knowledge
Here’s how it works: Each month, we’ll read two charts–a mundane chart and a personal one. Examples of mundane are any event or personality in the news, charts of cities or countries, etc. Personal chart readings will be limited to people on the NCGR-SAA mailing list. We will limit it to one reading a year per person unless there are unused slots. E-mail Joyce if you would like to propose a mundane topic or have your chart read in the group during any of these meetings in 2012: Feb. 26, May 20, June 24, Oct. 28, Nov. 18, and Dec. 16. Please indicate if you have a date preference. Get your names in early to participate!
Other notes: If there are no mundane suggestions in a given month, we may do two personal chart interpretations. We may also substitute a special guest for one or more of these Chart Interpretation meetings, if the opportunity presents itself.
Got a Guest in Mind? Next year’s guests booked to date are Don Cerow from Santa Cruz on The Age of Aquarius and two San Diego astrologers: April Elliott Kent, speaking on Shadowlands: Eclipse Cycles and the Birth Chart and Deborah Smith Parker, presenting on Pluto and the Chart of the USA. If you would like to recommend other speakers, please contact Joyce Mason or Linda Byrd.
Other Surprises. NCGR-SAA skipped right through its toddler stage. We’re growing up! To fit our next stage of evolution, we have some other positive changes in the offing that we will be ready to announce by December. Don’t miss the holiday season meeting or newsletter for more details.
by NCGRSac | May 17, 2011 | FrontPage
Alison Chester-Lambert speaks on Dwarf Planets
Alison Chester- Lambert
British Astrologer and Author
Thank you Alison! – Our special guest speaker for May, Alison Chester-Lambert, came to us with figurative dual citizenship, all the way from the UK and the Leading Edge. She brought fascinating updates on some new astrological archetypes!
Alison is the founder of the Midlands School of Astrology in England and the author of a new book called `The Future in the Stars` which is about the dwarf planets.
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by NCGRSac | Mar 16, 2011 | Messages, NCGR, News
President’s Message – Happy Rebirthday!
Dear Members and Friends of NCGR-Sacramento Area,
Resurrection and “do-overs”are a strong recurring theme in my life. My natal Pluto squares my Ascendant and Chiron in Scorpio squares Pluto—throw in Jupiter in Scorpio, too. Given these astro-facts, living in the death/rebirth cycle should not be surprising. Yet serving as a midwife at my own rebirths and those of others still brings awe and wonder to me, every time. I have no children, and I realize that in this lifetime, the universe had other plans and creations for me to carry to term. The rebirth of NCGR-Sacramento Area is one of them.
Our astrological organization was originally chartered with NCGR in 1992. NCGR-Sac enjoyed a partnership with Cheshire Rose Books and Information in Fair Oaks Village and the sponsorship of owner Sam Heaton until the bookstore closed in 2003. The organization didn’t survive the loss of its support system… but something important happened because of it. Like dormant seeds in winter, NCGR-Sac gathered energy to burst forth in spring seven years later in perfect synchronicity with the next Saturn cycle.
This happened on the heels of my own resurrection after a hiatus from astrology that closely paralleled NCGR-Sac’s dormant period. In 2009 after thinking I’d never return to public life as an astrologer, a series of cosmic coincidences caused me to launch The Radical Virgo blog—are you ready? On the day after Spring Equinox, the same day NCGR-Sacramento Area would submit its paperwork to recharter the chapter, two years later to the day. Both comebacks were so smooth; it was as if neither of us had ever been gone.
How the two came together: I joined NCGR in August 2010. In September, I attended a lecture and workshop with Rick Tarnas days apart, sponsored by NCGR-San Francisco Bay Area. The events were my birthday present to myself. That’s when I also realized I’m no longer 25. Long drives and learning gigs, no matter how outstanding, need to be spaced farther apart—especially considering the personal energy costs and the costs in dollars! Besides the workshop fees, there was parking, bridge tolls, and meals. I said to myself, There are enough astrologers in Sacramento. They need to come together again. I envisioned presenters doing regional tours with stops in both Sacramento and the Bay Area.
It took less than a month from that epiphany to our first meeting at Planet Earth Rising in Folsom on October 17, 2010. As a practical Virgo, I lost no time. My cosmic tap on the shoulder drafting me for this assignment was met by such warm, loving, and enthusiastic people—nearly 30 of you at our first meeting. All of us had been deprived of astrological community for so long; we were hungry and eager to do whatever it took to bring the sleeping Sac chapter back to life.
Meanwhile, we have pulled together a leadership team—all volunteers, no draftees—that I consider a dream team. I am amazed at the talents and commitment of every member, perhaps most displayed at our offsite in January where we drafted the new by-laws and our mission statement all in one intense and satisfying afternoon. This group has magnetic energy. We already have a full year of programs without even seeking speakers. Thanks to our strong partnership with NCGR-San Francisco Bay Area, word is out and speakers have come to us. Sacramento is re-established as a destination for presenters.
The reborn chapter has all come together like a cosmic symphony. As a Chiron specialist, I am much attuned to the mentor centaur who groomed heroes like Jason, Hercules, and Asclepius. I call my own part in NCGR-Sacramento Area’s resurrection “a Chironic vocational moment.” That’s when who you are and your precise abilities align with a community need. You become a hero by offering your skill set to your tribe just when they need it most. It may not be as high-drama as Greek mythology. Still, this kind of service creates a divine domino effect of good. It not only benefits the community; on a personal level, it’s the fulfillment of the longing we all have to fit in—to give our gifts. Being President of NCGR-Sacramento Area feels like part of my destiny. Thanks to those of you who saw in me that alignment of skills and need. I’m grateful you encouraged me to reconsider after my initial hesitancy to lead when my plate was already so full. Thank you for believing in me and that I could do this work for you. I am honored—and it’s only possible because the dream team is right there with me.
The great part is that this is only the beginning–again. Happy Rebirthday and many Happy Solar Returns to the organization so full of life; a near-death experience only made it stronger.
Happy Spring and New Beginnings,
Joyce
by NCGRSac | Dec 29, 2010 | Events, FrontPage, Meetings, SAA
Don’t miss Sacramento Area Astrologers’ first special event as popular San Francisco astrologer Linea Van Horn’s presents The Galactic Embrace:
Sunday, January 9, 1:00 – 3:00 pm at Planet Earth Rising in Folsom. $25 at the door, cash preferred.
Cut through the morass of 2012 misinformation. Learn to recognize the visible astronomical event that defines this era: something every astrologer and astrology student should know. But wait! No astrology charts will be used in this multi-media presentation, so bring your friends who are interested in topics such as metaphysics, consciousness, and cultural shifts.
This presentation includes a clear description of the 26,000 precession cycle and the significant alignment occurring in our lifetimes. See how the Mayans foresaw this moment in time and calibrated their calendar to it. Enjoy an inspiring, image-rich presentation with suggestions to help you thrive during these momentous times.
The time–is now!
Contact Joyce Mason for more information: (916) 276-1858 or joyce [at] joycemason.com.
Linea Van Horn, Astrologer at Large, is a full-time professional astrologer, president of the San Francisco Astrological Society; Vice-President and Education Director of the San Francisco Chapter of NCGR; and former Astrological Content Developer and Editor for the website, The Astrologer. Linea is known to her colleagues as an “all-round astrological wonder woman and bloody marvel.”
Join us in-person, May 24, for Alan Clay with The World Awakening of Uranus Conjunct Sedna 
Take a (sometimes virtual) Sunday drive to one of our monthly meetings to laugh and learn with us. 