Philosophical Astrology
Philosophical Astrology approaches astrology from the vantage point of the ground-breaking work represented by Anthony Damiani’s Astronoesis. Much astrology—including good or even excellent work in this field—remains largely unconscious of the metaphysical presuppositions underlying the practical and psychological dimensions of the art. Exploring this metaphysical level entails deliberate learning of astrology’s philosophical vocabulary: the nature of the soul, of the cosmos, of matter, of mind or nous, and related fundamental ideas. As Damiani’s Astronoesis relies principally (although by no means exclusively) upon Plotinus for its metaphysical lexicon, inquiry into these ideas doubles as an introduction to and study of the premises of Neoplatonism.
All elements of astrological symbolism depend, in one way or another, upon this vocabulary. The planets are powers of the soul; the signs of the zodiac are levels of archetypal ideas comprising nous; the cross and houses represent a material level of existence. Gaining some degree of fluency in the philosophical language of astrology can thus transform one’s way of seeing and reading a chart by opening the eye of the soul to levels of significance that otherwise may remain opaque. Damiani himself understands his work as grounded in cosmic epistemology: a way of knowing premised upon the mirroring of soul and nature, psyche and cosmos. Equipping the individual with a powerful and intrinsically poetic means to pursue the epic adventure of soul-making, philosophical astrology can provide a path toward a greatly expanded vision of what it might mean to “know thyself.”
Courses
Astronoesis I—The Philosophical and Historical Ground
Dr. Daniel J. Polikoff
Coming in 2026-2027
Anthony Damiani's magisterial Astronoesis: Philosophy's Empirical Context/Astrology's Transcendental Ground represents an epochal achievement. Damiani's book strives to achieve what has, as yet, hardly been attempted: systematic exposition of the metaphysical ground of astrology. While basing his vision principally upon Plotinus, Damiani—deeply versed in Eastern as well as Western esotericism—works in the syncretic mode characteristic of the Renaissance mage Pico della Mirandola, integrating insights from Vedanta, Buddhism, Kabbalah, Jung and more into his exposition. It is nonetheless no coincidence that you will find only two individual charts in Astronoesis: Damiani's own, and that of Ralph Waldo Emerson. Indeed, Damiani's Astronoesis may well be understood as an elaboration of that "original relation to the universe," that "philosophy of insight" heralded in Emerson's Nature, but never coherently unfolded by the Sage of Concord. Given such high ends, it is hardly surprisingly that Astronoesis is anything but easy to read; many find it simply unintelligible. This course aims to remedy that. Drawing upon esoteric sources touched upon in EAS I (including the Corpus Hermeticum), EAS II supplies a historically grounded approach to understanding the Ideas that comprise the substance of Astronoesis and its revolutionary (and quintessentially American!) revisioning of the nature of the human soul, Nature, and Divinity. (EAS I and Neoplatonism: The Spiritual Tradition of the West strongly recommended as a preparation for this course.)
Astronoesis II—The Philosophical Foundations of Astrological Interpretation
Dr. Daniel J. Polikoff
Coming in 2026-2027
Building on Astronoesis I, this course extends the philosophically-informed investigation of the basis of astrology to all the essential elements involved in the interpretation of an individual chart. Employing the uniquely powerful lens of Damiani's astronoetic vision, we will explore the nature of: the cardinal points (ascendant, descendant, nadir, and midheaven) and the quadrature built upon that cross; the astrological houses; the zodiacal signs (including by element and mode); the inner and outer planets; planetary aspects; transits and progressions, and (central to Damiani's approach) the sabian degrees/symbols. Concrete examples from specific charts will be employed to embody the relevant insights.
Astronoesis III—Applied Astronoesis
Dr. Daniel J. Polikoff
Coming in 2026-2027
Continuing the approach introduced in the prior Astronoesis classes, the emphasis here will be upon the interpretation of individual charts in biographical and historical context. Charts examined may include the students' own as well as those of notable historical personalities. Special attention will be paid to the outer planets (Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto) in placement and aspect so as to foreground the spiritual dimension inherent in the destiny of human souls, the unique logos indwelling each and every individual. The course aims to show astronoesis in action. Students will be encouraged to participate actively so as to enhance their own imaginative and interpretive capacities.
Faculty
Dr. Daniel J. Polikoff
In addition to his diverse book publications, Daniel Joseph Polikoff's poems and translations have appeared in over seventy journals (including "The Literary Review," "Nimrod," and "Gulf Coast") as well as several anthologies, and earned him a Pushcart Prize nomination from "The Louisiana Review." A Rilke scholar, he has presented on the poet at numerous venues over many years.The recipient of a Ph.D. in Comparative Literature from Cornell University and a Diploma in Waldorf Education from Rudolf Steiner College, Dr. Polikoff has taught at Waldorf High Schools, Sonoma State University, and the California Institute of Integral Studies. He is presently an adjunct professor in the Jungian and Archetypal studies program at Pacifica Graduate Institute near Santa Barbara. Dr. Polikoff serves as core faculty at Kosmos Institute and helped design the Western Esotericism curriculum.