The SAA is a body formed in Edinburgh in 1974 to promote a deeper understanding of astrology in Scotland. We organise lectures throughout most of the year.
In Memory of Anna Estaroth: Her Influence and Work
Upcoming Talk
Death Charts as Cosmic Obituaries with Richard Fidler
Wednesday, 8 April 2026, 7:30 pm BST (6:30 pm GMT/UTC)
Birth and death are, quite literally, the bookends of the life-cycle. As astrologers we believe that the celestial pattern at the moment of birth will reveal a great deal about the nature of the entity that has been born, but what of the moment of death? Could this moment, too, be pregnant with meaning regarding the life that has been lived? Could it be that the planetary positions of the birth chart can be read just like a birth chart? This lecture aims to demonstrate that a chart cast for the moment of death is, in fact, a type of "Cosmic Obituary". For the avoidance of any misunderstanding, this idea has nothing to do with astrologically predicting death or measuring longevity, it is simply the theory that the moment of death is, astrologically, no less significant than the moment of birth.
Richard Alwin Fidler is a professional astrologer and teacher. His astrological career began in the early 1990’s, while still in his teens. His approach is eclectic, combining Western and Vedic astrological methodologies. Richard has been a speaker at several international astrological conferences, in South Africa, India, Greece and the USA.
In 2014 Richard was awarded the title of ‘Jyotish Martanda’ on an honorary basis at the University of Calcutta by the Krishnamurti Institute of Astrology. He has served on its organizing committee for their periodic international conferences which attract leading astrologers from every part of the world.
Richard’s work and ideas has been published in the Mountain Astrologer magazine, the Astrological Journal and several other publications. Richard has served as the chairperson of the Cape Town based Cape Astrology Association from 2014 to 2017, and from 2021 to 2023 he served as the ISAR Global Director for the United Kingdom.
Recent Talks
Psyche and Soma - Where the Heavens Meet the Body with Susan Swan
Wednesday, 11 March 2026
As Above, So Below” is a principle familiar to all astrologers. In this talk, Susan explores this axiom more deeply — considering the “Above” not only as the visible heavens, but as the outermost layer of an unseeable and ultimately unknowable primal cause. The “Below” is not singular, but multi-layered: psyche, energy, body, and the external situations and events through which these patterns are expressed. Each level reflects and correlates with the others.
Susan will briefly introduce the elements of Sāṃkhya philosophy which exist in the manifest universe. From there, the focus will move to the chakra system as a practical map of embodied consciousness. Particular attention will be given to the relationship between the chakras and the Chaldean order of the planets, exploring how planetary principles may be experienced through specific energetic centres.
The session will then explore which components of the natal chart might correspond with each chakra, offering a framework for viewing the chart as a gateway to the psyche as it is expressed in the soma — and in lived experience.
This perspective opens the possibility of applying therapeutic or remedial approaches with greater precision, especially where challenges are indicated in the chart. Audience interaction/input will be invited during this exploration.
Susan Swan is an astrologer and yoga therapist with over 40 years’ experience in astrology and more than 30 years working therapeutically with the body. Her work brings astrology into lived experience, exploring how planetary patterns are expressed through the nervous system, the energetic field, and physical form.
A former long-standing member of the SAA she has served on the committee in every role, including Chair, and is delighted to return to share her work.
In her therapeutic practice, Susan combines Yoga Therapy with Astrology, using planetary cycles as a practical diagnostic tool to identify the root causes of persistent physical and emotional patterns, focusing on underlying dynamics rather than surface symptoms.
Alongside natal and cyclical astrology, she is also trained in Horary Astrology, integrating a carefully determined moment of enquiry within consultations. She finds that horary often reveals core issues with striking clarity, complementing and sometimes deepening insight from natal, transit, and progressed charts.
Bubble Burst to Dreams Come True: Saturn-Neptune Conjunction with Rod Chang
Tuesday, 3 February 2026
The ingress of Neptune into Aries marks the beginning of its zodiac cycle, which occurs once every 164 years. This time, however, Saturn is accompanying Neptune to this significant position, marking the start of another 33-year Saturn–Neptune cycle. In mundane astrology, this symbolises the start of a crucial cycle and brings a different political and economic atmosphere. On a personal level, the combination of grounded Saturn and spiritual, liberating Neptune awakens our inner warrior, giving us the opportunity to realise our dreams. In this talk, Rod will explore the impact of the Saturn–Neptune conjunction at 0 degrees Aries on our personal lives, as well as its wider political and economic implications.
Rod Chang is an astrologer with over thirty years' experience. He has spoken at several international conferences in the UK, China, Japan and Australia. He specialises in fixed stars, comets, mundane astrology, financial astrology and astronomy, and takes a humanistic approach to astrology. He is also a co-founder of the Academy of Astrology. His book Comets in Astrology, the result of his twelve-year study of comets in astrology, was published in August 2025. He is also an experienced astrophotographer. Rod also hosts live-streaming podcasts with guest speakers on YouTube channel AOAUK1 and Instagram handle @AOAUKROD, please follow for more details.
Email：aoa.enquiry@gmail.com
General Details, including Registration and Live-Open-to-All
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The virtual doors will open from 7:15 pm for talks, talks start promptly at 7:30 pm, unless otherwise noted.
All times are given for the local time in Edinburgh, Scotland.
For security purposes, Zoom Meeting links will be sent 48 to 24 hours prior to the event.