What's Happening
Dane Rudhyar and The Astrology of Personality
What This Course Offers
Over the course of 12 weeks, this seminar explores the philosophical, psychological, and mystical foundations of Dane Rudhyar’s approach to astrology through a close reading of his seminal text, The Astrology of Personality (1936). While Rudhyar continued to refine his ideas for some 50 years, this book establishes the groundwork for everything that followed.
Rather than focusing solely on astrological technique, we’ll examine the deeper dimensions of Rudhyar’s thought—how his astrological insights connect to his broader philosophical worldview and the thinkers who influenced him (Jung, Nietzsche, Buber, Sri Aurobindo, Blavatsky, and others).
This seminar emphasizes the philosophical, psychological, mystical and occult dimensions/underpinnings of Rudhyar’s approach to astrology and to life as a whole. The primary aim is to enrich our study and practice of astrology through philosophy.
Course Approach
We’ll proceed through a close reading of the text (see Course Structure below). Seminars will consist of working closely with the text and discussing the key concepts of the sections assigned for reading beforehand. I’ll also be drawing attention to how Rudhyar’s early philosophical and astrological ideas compare and link up with his later work, and discuss ways in which his astrology is related to his non-astrological writings on psychology, philosophy, music, and culture.
Therefore, we will proceed by a slow reading of the text (see Course Structure below). Seminars will consist of working closely with the text and discussing the key concepts of the sections assigned for reading beforehand.
Who Should Take This
Those who already understand astrological fundamentals and are seeking to deepen their metaphysical, philosophical, and psychological approach to astrology and life; those already interested in humanistic astrology and Rudhyar specifically; those interested in the historical development of 20th century western astrology.
Final Assignment Options
the final assignment is optional but encouraged as it is an excellent way to deepen your relationship to this material.
- Critical philosophical essay on Rudhyar’s ideas
- Birth chart analysis using methods from the text with critical engagement
- Reflective essay on course topics
All students receive personal feedback on their work.
Course Structure
- 1. Feb. 22: Introduction to Rudhyar; overview of the man and his philosophy
- 2. March 1: AP: Preface & Prologue
- 3. March 8: AP: 1. Astrology Faces Modern Thought
- 4. March 15: AP: 2. Astrology And Analytical Psychology
- 5. March 22: AP: 3. Individual, Collective, Creative, and The Cyclic Process
- 6. March 29: AP: 4. A Key to Astrological Symbolism
- 7. April 12: VII.AP: 5. A Classification of Astrological Viewpoints
- 8. April 19: VIII. AP: 6. The Dial of Houses & 7. The Signs of the Zodiac
- 9. April 26: AP: 8. Planets and Personality & 9. Planetary Interweavings
- 10. May 3: AP: 10. Degrees of the Zodiac and the “Sabian” Symbols & 11. Form and the Pattern of Planetary Aspects
- 11. May 10: AP: 12. The Birth-Chart and the Progressions, 13. The Technique of Progressions, Directions, and Transits, & 14. Principles of Astrological Interpretation
- 12. May 17: XII: AP: The Use of Astrology in the Processes of Individuation and Civilization & Seminar conclusion.
AP: First Section
AP: Second Section
AP: Epilogue
Where It's Happening
CAELi's virtual campus (& Zoom)
Your Instructor
Lars Panaro
Lars Panaro brings together training in philosophy (MA, University of Tartu), astrology, and Logic-Based Therapy (recently certified). He studied with Susan Allen at California Institute of the Arts while pursuing a BFA in Guitar Performance, where Allen—who studied with Francis Macevoy, a direct student of Dane Rudhyar—introduced him to Rudhyar’s work. He completed Robert Zoller’s advanced course in Medieval Astrology (2016) and has studied Hellenistic, Medieval, and Indian astrological texts and techniques. He’s been studying Rudhyar’s work for 15 years and has published in The Mountain Astrologer, The Ascendant Volume II, Celestial Vibes eMagazine, and I AM Astrological eMagazine. His background integrates traditional and modern astrological approaches with extensive engagement in philosophical traditions, including Blavatsky, Sri Aurobindo, Jung, Assagioli, Nietzsche, Heidegger, Buber, and more. Visit Lars Panaro’s website to learn more about his current work.
Additional Information
Registration Details
Dates: Sundays, Feb 22 – May 17, 2026
Note: No class on April, 5, Easter Sunday
Time: 10am-12pm Pacific / 1-3pm Eastern
Cost: $360
