Recently we attended a lecture and workshop featuring Austin Coppock. We explored an astrological technique called “Decans”. “Decans” are a way of further subdividing a zodiacal sign into thirds creating 36 sections of gulps of insight. The lecture focused on the history of “Decans” and the imagery that developed to conceptually express them. We took an imaginative walk back in time, spanning 4,000 plus years, looking at cultural influences and the evolving concept of “Decans” featuring Egypt, India, Greece, Europe to the present. Though the world changed through it’s various leaders, rulers and cultures the “Decans” followed along and evolved. Austin demonstrated an expert grasp of this fascinating subject.

The workshop went much deeper as we had a magnified look into each one of the 36 “Decans”. A focus on the images that came to be associated with “Decans” and their close affiliation with Tarot. Each individual “Decan” had a story to tell and the story came to life as Austin elaborated on it. We learned about the two systems that evolved and their relevance. If pictures are worth a thousand words then how much more with an image evolved over history!

Prior to this workshop I hadn’t used “Decans” in my practice. Honestly I thought there wouldn’t be much for me to take away and use. But nothing could be further from the truth. I was so impressed with Austin’s command and the breath and depth of the subject that I bought Austin’s book “36 Faces – The History, Astrology and Magic of the Decans” to peruse and learn. I do have my main psychological astrological approach developed and honed over 30 years. But I am always looking for those brushstrokes of insight that can add to a developing astrological portrait. I think I have found a few!

If you have an opportunity to listen to Austin don’t miss out.