I just got home from the Future of Astrology Conference in Dallas, Texas, and I am still blissed out! Wow, what an amazingly positive experience that was!!! I met so many wonderful people and learned so much. It will take some time to unpack my experience, as there are just layers and layers of meaning; but as a good ethnographer I feel compelled to write about my experience now before I forget some things! I am finishing my certification with Joni Patry in her University of Vedic Astrology, and the conference was geared towards the students.
It’s a little bit isolating when you’re a Vedic astrologer, as friends and family usually have no idea what we’re talking about. To be around so many astrologers who speak the same language as you is unbelievably fulfilling and rewarding. You can reach such depths with the material that is not otherwise possible. We were in class for hours each day from 8 or 9am until 6pm, and just breaking for lunch, but time flew by and it was over way too soon.
Some of the highlights of the classes were: listening to Carol Allen’s hilarious stories of relationship therapy; learning about remedial measures from Juliana Swanson; Joelle Foster’s eloquent understanding of Sade Sati; learning about the different types of Karma by Shreekala Ram; and hearing Rose Reveley’s incredible story of using mantras to avert a serious car crash. Every speaker was well prepared, and I wish we had more time for each!
What I loved about the conference was that it was SMALL. We had about 50 attendees, and so everyone got to meet everyone. What a blessing! Also, all classes were held in one room, and there was only one track going. It’s very frustrating at the bigger conferences where you have 4 or 5 classes to choose from in one time slot, and you’re forced to miss something. Here we missed nothing, and as it was a group experience it brought us closer together. Joni’s warmth and graciousness shined throughout the event, and we all felt her Southern Hospitality. She had us over for dinner at her home on Saturday, and it was delightful and delicious! She had Middle Eastern food catered from an authentic local restaurant, and as someone who has spent a lot of time around Arabs, I can tell you it was the real thing!
I would say “authenticity” is the word that defined this event. It was the real information of Jyotisha coming from an authentic heart. The ancestors were definitely honored. Everyone there felt the love, and there was only inclusive generosity of spirit present. Bravo on your first conference, Joni! I can’t wait for next year’s!!
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