National Council for Geocosmic Research

The National Council for Geocosmic Research, Inc. is a non-profit organization incorporated in Massachusetts in 1971 for the purpose of raising the standards of astrological education and research. NCGR provides a 4-level education and testing program leading toward certification for astrologers. The first three levels cover basic techniques of astrology and require knowledge of its various specialties. The fourth professional level can be tested in four tracks: consulting, research, instructor or general studies.

NCGR also provides a complete listing of its certified astrologers.

The American Federation of Astrologers (AFA) takes pride in its examination and certification program, which has been in existence since 1960. It was designed - and continues to this day - to promote AFA's educational mission and the advancement of ethical astrology.

Candidates are not limited to any one system of mathematics, house cusp division, or school of study. Each, however, must demonstrate a high level of accuracy in chart calculation and interpretation.

AFA offers exams in natal astrology at three levels of proficiency: student, professional, and teacher. Each of these is a separate examination, and you must pass the student exam before taking the professional exam, and pass the professional exam before taking the teacher exam.

The AFA makes its certified astrologers available on the web.

Kepler College of Astrological Arts & Sciences is the first accredited liberal arts college in the USA to offer degrees in astrology. You can earn your AA, BA or MA degree by completing classes on-site in the Washington state location, or through their on-line study program.

AFAN's Global Mission is to enhance, protect, and validate the important role astrologers and astrology have in today's society.  AFAN has played an important role in protecting astrologers from unconstitutional legal restrictions on their profession.  AFAN also provides communication between astrologers and promotes astrological conferences.

This link will take you to a site with the contact information for the Vital Statistics offices in the US, where you can request a copy of your birth certificate. However, it is important to specify that you are requesting a birth certificate that includes your birth time (or you may receive a “generic” version without time).

A correct birth time is essential for an accurate astrological reading. Without a birth time, although you may have some information (planets by sign), the ascendant and houses of your chart will be incorrect. (Mars in Aries in your 7th house of relationships is very different from Mars in Aries in your 10th house of occupation.)

In addition, the moon changes signs every 2½ days, and the sun changes signs each month. While the moon may be in Scorpio in the morning, if you were born later in the day, your moon sign is Sagittarius. Many people who are born on a “cusp” may not realize that they have always assumed that they are one sun sign, but are actually a completely different sign (and interpretation). For example, this year, on September 22nd, the sun went into Libra at 8:45 am PST; if you were born before 8:45 am, your sun sign is Virgo and after 8:45 am, your sun sign is Libra.

Articles, discussion, blogs, and case studies of Astro*Carto*Graphy, the locational astrology system developed by Jim Lewis.

General astrology Internet magazine with well-known astrological columnists.

The website of The Mountain Astrologer, currently the world's leading astrological periodical.  Full of important articles by leading astrologers.