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Here's a summary of this month's newsletter:

May 2008

50th Solar Return

20 June 2008 - Join us in celebrating the AA's 50th Solar Return at Stonehenge. Join our President Roy Gillett in celebrating the Summer Solstice by watching the sunset at Stonehenge. For this one night of the year it is even possible to stay at the Stones all night and watch the sunrise if you wish.

Special buses are arranged from Salisbury rail and bus stations to within an easy walk of the Stones. If you would like full details of the Summer Solstice access at Stonehenge and the evolving AA plans, please send an email headed 'Summer Solstice' to the AA office: office@astrologicalassociation.com

Wherever you are in the world, at the exact moment of the Solar Return on Friday evening 20 June 2008, take a moment to turn your mind to the Association and the importance of its work for astrology - a short pause to
think, light a candle, offer a toast, shout out a few words, gather with a few friends.

21 June 2008 - Join us in celebrating the AA's 50th Birthday at the Union Pub in Marylebone, London. The AA was formed on 21 June 1958 at 19:22 GMT (20:22 BST) in London. Join us for a casual get-together to reminisce about the first 50 years of the AA. All members and supporters are invited to come along from 7pm to the Union Pub at 88-90 George Street, London W1U 8PA.

Please let us know if you intend to order dinner on the evening by emailing celebrations@astrologicalassociation.com by 10 June at the latest, as we will need to pre-arrange this with the venue (you can order your meals on the evening, but we need an idea of numbers by 10 June).

2008 Conference

40th Conference 2008: Book early to secure your place at the 40th Conference in our 50th year - which will take place on 19th to 22nd September 2008 in Staverton Park, Northamptonshire, with a great line up of speakers!

This year, to honour long-standing AA members, friends and supporters, we would like to offer anyone who has been a member of the AA since before 1969 a heavily subsidised HALF PRICE discount to attend our residential conference. Please contact the office for details.

If you wish to advertise in the conference programme, please contact
Chris Mitchell (chris at bristolastrology dot net)

Are you coming to the conference by train, or looking for a car share? Anyone who would like to share a taxi from Northampton or Rugby train stations, please get in touch with the office and we will try to match you with others arriving at the same time. In addition, there's a thread for people wanting to share transport on the AA Forums.

AA Workshop with Robin Heath

If astrology is from Uranus, why are so many astrologers from Saturn?
The next AA Event Day will be held on Saturday 12 July, 10:30-16:30, at the Lawrence House Astronomy and Space Science Centre in Fleetwood. In this one-day workshop, Robin will take an alternative and controversial look at what the solar system is up to and why he thinks astrologers need to adapt their perspectives on the nature and purpose of our relationship with the sky. The cost of the seminar is just ?35 for AA members (?30 early-bird price for members who book before 31st May 2008). Temporary
membership is available for ?10 for non-AA members who wish to attend -
or why not become a full member? To book your place, contact the AA Office. Full details on our website at www.astrologicalassociation.com

Indemnity Insurance for Astrologers

The British Astrological and Psychic Society (BAPS) have negotiated a deal
with Westminster Indemnity offering professional indemnity and public liability insurance for astrologers, therapists and alternative health practitioners. See the BAPS website for details.

Culture and Cosmos

The special Hellenistic/Ancient Astrology double-issue of Culture and Cosmos (Vol.11, no 1 and 2) is now printing, and we will be mailing it out in late May. The distinguished contributors to this unique and special publication include Rob Hand and Deborah Houlding. All current subscribers will receive an issue. If you want to reserve your issue, you can do so by contacting the AA Office. The price is ?15 UK and EU, ?17 for the rest of the world. After publication back issues will cost ?20. You'll find details of the contents on line at the Sophia Centre website

Local Group News

If you've visited the Local Groups section of the website recently you may have noticed a few changes. Hopefully it will be easier for you to locate group information and you will also find that the layout is clearer and concise. Could those of you with information listed please check to make sure that it is up to date? If not, please contact Glenda (astrogroups at gmail dot com) with the correct details.

Are you in the Huntingdonshire area? If so Jean Fairbairn is hoping to get together with other astrologers to start up a group in the area. If you are interested please contact Jean at fairbairnjean at hotmail dot com

Jean got in touch with the Astrological Association to put out a call for those in the area who may be interested. If you are considering starting a group in your area we can do the same for you. Just contact Glenda.

Kepler Day Research Conference

Kepler Day Research Conference, Saturday 22 November 2008
The Social Sciences and Humanities investigate the value of astrology and
its future. This year's Kepler Day Research Conference will take place on
Saturday 22 November 2008, 10:00-17:00, at Connaught Hall, 36-45 Tavistock Square, London WC1H 9EX. It is being organised and sponsored by the Sophia Centre, University of Wales, Lampeter, the Research Group for the Critical Study of Astrology and the Astrological Association. The conference is a forum for research in astrology in the humanities and social sciences, with speakers and discussion. Further details about the programme and booking information to be announced.

Website

The new website has many new features and is undergoing development, please do check it regularly to find out the latest news and information about AA events, or to check out the latest additions, such as the Web Snippets pages featuring links to notable video clips and news programmes on astrology on the Web!

The AA's online shop has been re-designed and is now much easier to use. As well as joining and renewing membership online, you can book the Annual Conference and Event Days, purchase one of the recordings made at Annual AA Conferences since the mid-1980s, and more!

Use the link to the Online Shop via our website.

Remember, you can chat with other AA Members, exchange data and discuss issues that interest you on the online Forum.
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