AP Program Philosophy

Steven Forrest’s style of evolutionary astrology is centered on a philosophy of freedom and choice. We aim to encourage people to make better, wiser choices rather than attempting to “foresee the future” in some deadening - and often dubious - way. There is less “description” and more “prescription” in his approach than in much of what currently flies under the banner of “astrology.” Steven’s interpretations are psychological in tone, but unfold against the backdrop of the idea of the soul’s evolutionary path. Reincarnation is generally assumed. Technically, Steven’s astrological style is “modern.” He uses the Tropical zodiac, the outer planets, both modern and classical rulerships, and the Placidus house system.

Steven has made his living as an astrologer for several decades. In his Apprenticeship Program, he aims to teach both the specific techniques of interpretation and the style of presentation that have been successful for him. Philosophically, he favors a “big tent” view of astrology, only making other astrologers wrong when they do palpable harm to people. But in the “AP,” the focus is on his specific methodology. People attend because they are drawn to his approach. The aim is not to convert anyone. Steven does not feel that astrology requires a Pope. The aim is simply to pass the strategies that have been successful for him on to people who are receptive to them. Questions, individuation, and alternate perspectives are welcome, but only so long as they do not distract the groups for long from their core aims.

The Apprenticeship Program began in May 1998. The groups were originally envisioned to meet for a total of six sessions over a period of three years. That worked out fine in Kansas City! But in California, the students basically wouldn’t let Steve stop. What has evolved is a kind of warm “tribal family” feeling, with a revolving door in terms of membership. Students come and go. All together, about six hundred people have passed through the various programs over the years. Several have written books and been featured speakers at astrological conferences.

People often worry about joining a group that may have gotten too advanced for them. That is a reasonable concern, but the reality is that it works out fine. We only ask a new student to be conversant with the astrological basics before coming. One way to express that requirement specifically is to suggest that before attending a program a prospective student internalize Steven Forrest’s books, most especially THE INNER SKY, THE CHANGING SKY, and YESTERDAY’S SKY. Additionally, many of Steven’s lectures are available in our website store.

PRACTICAL DETAILS

Steven Forrest's Apprenticeship Groups are currently meeting in Alpine, California, near San Diego, in Calistoga north of San Francisco, and in New South Wales, Australia. For specific dates and topics, visit the Schedule .

The two California groups each meet twice a year for eight hours a day 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., for four days, including a weekend. Costs vary from program to program, because they are run differently. The Australian program meets at a resort, convenes once per year, and goes for six days.

Steven is happy to answer questions about the programs, but for registration and logistical concerns, contact the coordinators:

Calistoga: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or visit Gossamer Rings Website
Alpine: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or visit Blue Sky Ranch Website
Australia: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or visit HeartNSoul Astrology Website

COSTS

Costs vary because the logistical details of each program are different. Please feel free to contact the cooridnators for current specifics. The program that meets in Calistoga in March and September is residential. We gather out in the forest at a rustic resort called Mountain Home Ranch. Three big meals a day are provided as well as accommodations. The southern California group meets in a church in the town of Alpine about an hour outside San Diego. (Shuttles are arranged from San Diego airport). A light breakfast is provided as well as a big lunch every day. There is also an elegant banquet on Saturday evening, which is included in the price. Other dinners and accommodations are arranged separately by the student. Most people stay at a hotel that is a fifteen minute stroll from the church.

The fee for the Calistoga group is higher since it includes all meals and accommodations. Students in Alpine pay a smaller fee but of course also arrange for their accommodations separately. Bottom line, the two groups work out to similar costs.

The Australian program meets at an elegant resort. Students pay a flat fee for the program, get a discount on their accommodations, and pay for their own meals.

GROUP SIZE

The size of the groups varies from meeting to meeting. We need a minimum of about 25 people to make it work. Occasionally, we have as many as 60 at the Alpine group. Although we have more space in the church, we cap registration at 60. A typical group in any of the three venues will have 40 to 45 members.

CONFIDENTIALITY

Fundamental to the “AP” is our work with the charts of class members. Typically, Steven presents some material in a lecture format, and then the names of class members are drawn at random from a hat. We apply the theory in the real-life settings of our own charts. This provides an excellent reality test, and also a chance to ask each other in-depth questions about how each person is experiencing these energies. No one is required to put their name into the drawing and only a few names are pulled in each session. Because of the personal revelations involved, we observe a very strict policy of confidentiality within the program.

Each meeting of the Apprenticeship Program is recorded. Several of the four-day seminars have also been transcribed. This material is ONLY available to people who have attended at least one full, four-day session of any of the programs. Once someone has done that, we count them as being “in the family.” A practical bottom line is that a new student, having attended a single program, suddenly has access to a vast library of previous meetings. A motivated learner can quickly get up to speed. Steven is proud of his books, articles and public lectures, but he has often said that his most in-depth work lies under the seal of confidentialty in the form of something like six thousand hours of his AP teachings. We offer the Calistoga workshops through our site here. Recordings of the Blue Sky Ranch AP programs are available directly through Blue Sky Ranch.

CERTIFICATION

There are no tests. The program is rigorous intellectually and emotionally, but informal otherwise. Once a person has attended three of the four-day sessions, he or she can receive signed Level One certificate. After six sessions, a Level Two certificate is awarded. Either certificate qualifies a person to be listed in the Forrest Trained Astrologers Directory on the website. The site gets a lot of traffic and being included has helped people establish their own astrological practices.