Speaker Biographies

Nick Campion

Biography: Nicholas Campion is Director of the Sophia Centre for the Study of Cosmology in Culture, the only academic centre in the world to consider humanity's relationship with the sky. He is Programme Director of the University's MA in Cultural Astronomy and Astrology. His books include the two-volume History of Western Astrology (London: Continuum 2008/9), Astrology and Cosmology in the World's Religions (New York: New York University Press, 2012) and The New Age in the Modern West: Counter-Culture, Utopia and Prophecy from the late Eighteenth Century to the Present Day (London: Bloomsbury 2015) and his current projects include the six volume Cultural History of the Universe (Bloomsbury, forthcoming), for which he is General Editor.

Abstract title: Key Concept: Mundane Astrology: What would Jung say?

Janet Carrol

Biography: -

Abstract title: Golden Ages and Utopianism in Modern Astrology: an exploration of modern astrologers' beliefs

Ilaria Cristofario

Biography: Born in Venice in 1990, Ilaria Cristofaro holds a B.Sc. in Astronomy from the University Alma Mater of Bologna (Italy). Then, she became fascinated of the fields of cultural astronomy, archaeoastronomy, skyscape archaeology and ethno-astronomy, delving into them during her studies for an M.A. in Cultural Astronomy & Astrology at the University of Wales Trinity Saint David (UK). Her research interests range from skyscape archaeology, with an expertise in the visual effects created by the sky reflected in water spaces and a thesis on Minoan cosmology, to embodied methodologies such as phenomenology. Passionate of drama, she aims to divulgate the discipline through storytelling and the performing art, embracing the sky to develop social integration and individual orientation.

Abstract title: A Journey to the Late Bronze Age Minoan Underworld: The Reflection of Sunlight on the Sea as an Axis Mundi

Fenella Dean

Biography: Fenella Dean was born in the UK, graduating in Business Studies (BA) in London in 1994 and Cultural Astronomy & Astrology (MA) from the University of Wales Trinity Saint David in 2013. She has a research paper published in the University's The Student Researcher Vol. 2 No. 2 entitled 'Superstitions in an Urban Contemporary Community'. Along with her fascination with all things astrological possesses an interest in the art and design world.

Abstract title: An Exploration of Personal Cosmologies through the Investigation of Individual World Views

Margot Diederen

Biography: Margot Diederen (1958) works as a counselor in Amsterdam, where she studied History at the 'Vrije Universiteit'. The introduction to the work of C.G. Jung in her early twenties was the start of a lifelong search into the world of consciousness and meaning. The next step was the study of psychological astrology with Karen Hamaker. Using astrology and systemic therapy as important tools in her psychological counseling, the awareness of (cultural and historical) context is another important pillar exposing a more existential layer. The MA Cultural Astronomy (finished in 2015) provided for her an additional intellectual challenge underpinning her practice as a counselor.

Abstract title: A review of the experiences of Dutch astrologers with an academic education: why have they chosen to pursue an astrological career?

Sue Farebrother

Biography: Sue has been a professional astrologer and tarot consultant for more than 25 years in private practice in London, UK. She teaches astrology at Foundation and Intermediate level for the Faculty of Astrological Studies. She also teaches regular courses on beginners and advanced Tarot, and astrological techniques, at the London School of Astrology.

Sue gained a distinction for her Cultural Astronomy and Astrology MA dissertation in 2007. Her beginners book, Astrology Decoded, was published in 2013 by Rider to critical acclaim and is a Faculty/LSA recommended book. She is currently working on her next astrology book for Rider Books, which is about how to do astrological forecasting, to be published in 2019.

Abstract title: A Comparison of the Exoteric and Esoteric in Astrology and the Tarot

Andre Henriques

Biography : Andre Henriques was born in Portugal, graduating in Business Management (BA) in Lisbon in 1998, and in Cultural Astronomy and Astrology (MA) with the University of Wales in 2015. Throughout his academic and professional life he developed his interests in the history of ancient cultures, and in different past and present spiritualities.

His academic research interests include the links between philosophy, astrology and polytheism in the Greco-Roman world, and contemporary Pagan practices and cosmologies.

Abstract title: Seidr Cosmologies - Oracular practices and personal cosmologies of contemporary Norse-inspired Pagans

Hanne Skagen

Biography: Hanne Skagen works as a social therapist in the field of substance abuse and psychiatry in Norway. Her research interests consider the interaction between society and the human psyche which led to a degree in Sociology with specialization in Criminology (BA) from the University of Oslo. A few years later she received a diploma from the Nordic Astrology School which was the start of further expanding her understanding of cosmology by completing the MA program in Cultural Astronomy and Astrology at the University of Wales, Trinity St. David in 2014.

Abstract title: The 'sacred' within 'secular' conditions

Sanaa Taha

Biography: Sanaa Taha was born in Slovenia but has travelled widely and lived for many years in England, Italy and Mexico. She holds a Bachelor of Arts from the Accademia di Belle Arti di Venezia and a Masters in Cultural Astronomy and Astrology from the University of Wales Trinity Saint David. Apart from her abiding interest in astrology, cosmology, and anthropology, she is involved in the performing arts and in music.

Abstract title: The Perception and Treatment of Place in the Life and Practice of Contemporary Astrologers