Presentations
Working with Archetypes Knowing Neptune at the Turning of the Tide: the Neptune archetype and astrology
Claudia Bader "abzudusk@gmail.com" online
October 19, 2025 1-3:30 Eastern Time $40.00
How does formlessness operate in a world of form? What is the difference between a symbol and a sign? We need to know these things! The tide is turning in the world with Neptune soon taking a final dip to the last degree of the last sign of the zodiac, Pisces (it’s own sign) before a whole new cycle of 165 years revs up. Although you may just want to take a nap, immerse yourself in learning about how the Neptune archetype manifests in all dimensions of human life-spiritually, psycho-dynamically, alchemically, and in life events. Building from in-depth basics we will take Neptune through the houses and in aspect to planets and angles.
Things we will cover to enhance the depth and breadth of your understanding and ability to interpret the Neptune archetype in yourself, others, and the world.
How to identify if Neptune is a major theme in your (or other) charts.
What are the themes, patterns, myths, motifs, events, and archetypes that appear with Neptune? For instance:
What are the Neptunian keynotes?
What does a Neptunian person look like?
How does Neptune manifest in art?
How is Neptune related to developmental models and attachment theory?
What are mirror neurons and how do they relate to Neptune?
How can the Jungian alchemical stage of solutio can inform our understanding of Neptune?
From Neptune’s ecstastic union with the divine to narcissism, addiction and psychosis, whether in a natal chart, appearing in dreams, or in transit/progressions, how do these impact YOU, others, and the world?
To explore these, I will use famous people, film and literature examples, as well as cases from my practice both astrological and psychoanalytic.*
To sign up, contact Claudia at "abzudusk@gmail.com"
October 19, 2025 1-3:30 Eastern Time $40.00
*case examples used with permission.
THE GOLDEN DARK PLUTO AND SATURN MEET DUENDE
AUGUST 2, 2025
“All that has black sounds has duende.” Manuel Torre
To say a flamenco performer has great duende is the highest compliment. It is artistry empowered by the awareness of death, and was the cornerstone of Federico Garcia Lorca’s poetics. In astrology, Pluto and Saturn rule the darkest aspects of experience, including death. What is duende? How does it relate to alchemy, Pluto and Saturn? Using the lens of duende, this lecture explores Saturn and Pluto’s relationship envy, death, and creating gold from the dark.
Marriage Electionals/All You Need is Love
And if you marry, hopefully a kickass marriage electional. Love can triumph-or be helped- in our troubled times. One of the most popular electional charts requested is marriage electionals. When does the marriage start? No charts are perfect…what are the crucial factors to use? How do the natal charts play into it? Do marriage charts respond to transits and progressions? The marriages of Joseph Campbell/Jean Erdman and John Lennon/Yoko Ono will be presented as well as civilian and other celebrity couples.
Teaching for NY-NCGR-PAA Education Program
SATURDAY, February 8th, 1:30 – 3:30 $40- ZOOM ONLY
CLAUDIA BADER PhD, NCGR-PAA Level IV Counseling Astrologer
SEEING RED: RED MAGIC FOR MARS RETROGRADE
Thursday, January 2nd, 7PM EST: Big Apple Astrology Meetup.
This lecture integrates color psychology and history with astrology, alchemy, psychology, and magic. Historically, the color red is particularly important. Of all colors, red has the most consistent symbolic associations. Mars, the red planet, is attributed to it. How does red relate to Mars? What magic can be made and used to work with Mars power?
To register please follow the link:
2025
NODOOR TEACHING; CHINA
MARCH 10
MARRIAGE ELECTIONALS: ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE
And if you marry, hopefully a kickass marriage electional. Love can triumph-or be helped- in our troubled times. One of the most popular electional charts requested is marriage electionals. When does the marriage start? No charts are perfect…what are the crucial factors to use? How do the natal charts play into it? Do marriage charts respond to transits and progressions? The marriages of Joseph Campbell/Jean Erdman and John Lennon/Yoko Ono will be presented as well as civilian and other celebrity couples.
CHARTSIDE MANNERS, PT 1 AND 2
APRIL 21, 2025
CHARTSIDE MANNERS PART I: THE ASTROLOGER, THE SESSION, AND THE CLIENT.
Astrology is a counseling profession, no matter the style of astrologer. Chartside Manners applies time honored basic clinical concepts of counseling to astrology. Yes, first we must understand the chart, but we are speaking to a person about their chart. How we interact with our clients makes a big difference. What do I say? How do I say it? From the first contact with a client to the end of the session, Chartside Manners addresses this. Topics covered: the interface between astrology and psychoanalysis and the power of the astrologer/astrology in the client’s unconscious. Understanding this, key principles the astrologer can use to best be of service: setting up clear parameters for the session; knowing the chart, reading the room, dosage/timing, empathic resonance, the shadow of the astrologer, and more.
JUNE 2 2025
CHARTSIDE MANNERS, PART II: COUNSELING VAN GOGH: THE MAN, HIS ART, AND HIS CHART.
You are contacted by a potential client. Presenting problem: No one loves him and his career is going nowhere. His name is Vincent Van Gogh. We will study his chart and art and the issues shown there, and then how we might best be of service using astrology, applying the principles from Part 1.
INTERPRETING PLUTO: ONLINE WORKSHOP
Saturday, November 23rd, 2 – 4:30 EST: teaching for NCGR-NYC. $40.
Study a cosmic archetype using astrology, psychology, and imagery! This workshop delves into Pluto’s underworld realm to orient and deepen our ability to interpret this magnificent archetype. Understanding an archetype goes beyond the intellectual. Richly illustrated with visual, musical, and literary imagery, I explore Pluto’s themes, motifs, mythology, gifts and pitfalls. What kind of experiences do these manifest psychodynamically, spiritually and materially? What does a Plutonian look like? What does Plutonian art look like? A clinical case study of an artist who healed from suicidality and depression is presented with her artwork. After the case, I go into interpreting Pluto through the astrological houses, in aspect to planets and angles in natal charts as well as the predictive indicators of transits and progressions.
Appropriate for all levels of astrological knowledge. A basic knowledge of astrology helps but you will learn much about the archetype (and how astrology works) no matter your astrological knowledge base.
Contact Claudia at abzudusk@gmail.com to register
THE POWER AND MAGIC OF MERCURY
September 19 at 7 PM. (In-person and Online)
Astrological Society of Connecticut
Claudia Bader, PhD
("https://myasc.org/season-line-up/")
What are our most human qualities? They are our Mercury ruled functions, especially the ability to question and name. Powerful on many levels, Mercury holds the keys to magic. This lecture goes into this-the multi dimensions of Mercury; its astronomy and mythology; the difference between alchemical and the astrological Mercury; and how Mercury functions in the signs. Looking at Helen Keller, we will marvel at the power of naming.
Finally, we note the questions the different Mercuries ask and what that means for you.
ALCHEMY AND ASTROLOGY WORKSHOP
Saturday September 21, 2024 12-5 PM. (In-person and Online)
Studying the System of Correspondences Through Alchemy and Art
ASTROLOGICAL SOCIETY OF CONNECTICUT
Claudia Bader, PhD
("https://myasc.org/season-line-up/")
The symbols live! Claudia covers the definition and history of alchemy, including parallels in Western and Eastern systems. You will get a solid foundation in alchemy. The alchemical stages can be seen in the imagery that emerges in people’s lives. These stages have astrological correlates. Saturn represents the base matter to be transmuted by Mercurius, a big player different from the astrological Mercury, explained in a film clip. What role do they play in our lives and charts?
This workshop is part presentation and part experiential. To literally see the correspondences between alchemy, astrology, and archetypes, there is a visualization in which you have an alchemical experience in an alchemy laboratory. Then you create an image based on that.
Then we study the alchemical stages and finish by looking at participants’ artwork to see what emerged and how it reflects astrology. We will have art materials for those attending in person; participants by Zoom will need paper and pens, crayons or pastels.
THE INNER LIFE OF THE ASTROLOGICAL MANDALA
NY-NCGR'S FALL MEMBERSHIP MEETING 7 PM September 27, 2024. ONLINE EVENT.
Claudia Bader, PhD
("https://www.astrologynyc.org/events")
What makes the mandala form so powerful in the human psyche, and how is it a key to how we help/are helped through astrology? What unites astrologers, no matter our orientation? Using a prism of Jung, attachment theory, psychoanalysis and art therapy, explore our divine science through the mandala archetype.
This information is part of my original work related to my dissertation!
Astrology and Alchemy with Claudia Bader
This lecture goes into alchemy, its history, the basics of its practice, the similarities and differences between alchemical language and yoga philosophy. I then go into the alchemical stages with their psychological and astrological dimensions. In alchemy, Saturn represents the base matter to be transmuted. Mercurius is a big player, and different from the astrological Mercury. How? What are these in our lives and charts?
The alchemical stages can be seen in the imagery that emerges in people’s lives. These stages have astrological correlates. Slides and an experiential section explicate the workings of these themes.
Thursday April 11th 2024,
7pm EDT, 4pm PDT
same as April 12th 8am AEST
https://cosmicintelligenceagency.com/shop/all-products/ webinars/astrology-and-alchemy/
Virtual Lectures:
2023
Psyche and Symbol: Astrology, Art, and the Chart
BIRMINGHAM ASTROLOGY GROUP 2 PM BST/9 AM EST.
Information on how to sign up will be posted closer to the time of the lecture
Psychoaesthetics is the study of how aesthetic principles relate to the psyche. One way the psyche speaks to us is through art in line, form, colour, images and archetypes; and these elements have astrological correlates. Richly illustrated with examples of artists (famous and not), a result of over 25 years of research on art elements, psychology, and astrology, we’re going to look at the specific art characteristics of the signs and planets to see how someone’s astrology and psychology shows in their art.
Dreams and Astrology
2023
Claudia Bader, PhD; November 21, 2023 7-9 PM EST
International Academy of Astrology
Our dreams are gifts, communications from our unconscious and beyond, an interface between worlds. People’s dreams reflect their charts and point out where in the chart to focus attention.
Where are dreams located in the chart? What do the charts of the pioneers of dreamwork, Freud and Jung, tell us about their approach to dreams? What does the chart of their first meeting show? What is a Mercurial dream? A Saturnian one? A twelfth house dream?
Find out; hear a case study or two, one of which is art therapy oriented, illustrating how dreams correlate with key astrological signatures; see how the imagery associated with them evolves as the dreamer heals.
Some basic knowledge of astrology helps; this lecture has something for beginners, people curious about astrology, as well as experienced astrologers.
("www.astrocollege.org/ shopping/events/ dreams-and-astrology")
The Inner Life of the Astrological Mandala:
ISAR Star Club Beijing, China. June 16, 2023. 8 AM EDT
The Inner Life of the Astrological Mandala is a key theoretical chapter of my dissertation, Astrology and Transitional Phenomena. Although the word mandala is a Sanskrit word used to describe a sacred Tibetan Buddhist art form, the mandala form crosses cultures and belongs to all. There is an archetypal, abstract dimension--but also one much more personal that taps into our neurobiological and attachment systems…the human face. Richly illustrated with imagery, this presentation is a contemplation of what makes the mandala form so powerful in the human psyche and how this impacts our experience of astrological charts and astrology. We will explore how deeply astrology is embedded in our psyche/soul- a holding environment resonating with mandalas, faces, and our mother’s arms.
Psyche and Symbol: Astrology, Art, and the Chart
2023
info=cosmicintelligenceagency.com@send. aweber.com
Psychoaesthetics is the study of how aesthetic principles relate to the psyche. One way the psyche speaks to us is through art in line, form, color, images and archetypes; and these elements have astrological correlates. Richly illustrated with examples of artists (famous and not), a result of over 25 years of research on art elements, psychology, and astrology, we’re going to look at the specific art characteristics of the signs and planets to see how someone’s astrology and psychology shows in their art.
Counseling Van Gogh
2023
MARCH 15, 2023 BRIGHTON ASTROLOGY CIRCLE
Programme starts at 7:15 PM British Time/ 2:15 PM EDT/1:15 PM CDT/12:15 PM MDT/11:15 AM PDT.
("WWW.BRIGHTONASTROLOGYCIRCLE.COM")
A client contacts you for an appointment: no one loves him and his career is going nowhere. His name is Vincent Van Gogh. This lecture is a psychoaesthetic deep dive into his life and psychodynamics as expressed through his chart and his artwork; particularly the troubles of excessive Jupiter energy. What do you say? How do you say it? How do you \ manage the session/s? What heals/helps? Key principles the astrologer can use to best be of service: knowing the chart, reading the room, dosage/timing, empathic resonance.
2022 ASTROLOGY AND TRANSITIONAL PHENOMENA
2022
ISAR STAR CLUB BEIJING, CHINA. 8 PM EST DEC. 2 2022/9 AM BEIJING DEC. 3 2022
Is not only the name of this lecture, but is the title of my PhD dissertation recently completed and successfully defended for the International University of Graduate Studies. From what does astrology get its power in our psyches? I suspected it was related to an intermediate area of experience in human experience introduced by the British psychoanalyst D.W. Winnicott (1896-1971) called transitional phenomena. Winnicott described it this way: “this is the area I set out to examine, the separation that is not a separation but a form of union.” This area between our inner reality and the outside world emerges in early childhood and in adult life develops into cultural experience. What is more of an image and experience of this kind of area than working with astrology and astrological charts, symbolic maps of the outer world, the sky, brought into human experience? The core architecture and sacred space of the mandala of the chart resonates with our earliest attachments as well as cosmic connection. Does the lived experience astrologers have of astrology have qualities of transitional phenomena and/or transformational phenomena? The answer is yes.
Autumn Term Astrology Talks in Brighton
Brighton Astrology Circle 2022
Psyche and Symboln
Astrology, Art, and the Chart A Virtual Talk with Claudia Bader
Psychoaesthetics is the study of how psyche expresses through the arts. The psyche speaks to us through art in line, form, colour, images and archetypes; and these elements have astrological correlates. Richly illustrated with examples of artists (famous and not), a result of over 25 years of research on art elements, psychology, and astrology, we’re going to look at the specific art characteristics of the signs and planets to see how someone’s astrology and psychology shows in their art.
Counseling Van Gogh
2021
NYC Education Conference October 2021 astrologynyc.org
A client contacts you for an appointment: no one loves him and his career is going nowhere. His name is Vincent Van Gogh. What do you say? How do you say it? How do you manage the session/s? What heals/helps? Key principles the astrologer can use to best be of service: knowing the chart, reading the room, dosage/timing, empathic resonance.
Jupiter: The Art of Happiness
NYC international Astrology Day MARCH 2021 astrologynyc.org
Jupiter- we can all use him right now!! Where do we find our happiness and luck in life? As Jupiter moves through Aquarius visiting Pisces this year, where in our charts can we breathe a sigh of relief? How do you spot a Jupiterian? This lecture celebrates Jupiter; in body, art, psychology, spirit and everyday life.
Panel on Saturn In Aquarius
2020
NYC International Astrology Day March 2020
Saturn in Aquarius: The crystaline expression of Saturn in Aquarius :Yoko Ono, her art and life.
All You Need Is Love
2019
NYC NCGR EDUCATION CONFERENCE November 2019
And if you marry, hopefully a kickass marriage electional. Love can triumph-or be helped- in our troubled times. When does the marriage start? No charts are perfect…what are the crucial factors to use? How do the natal charts play into it? Marriage charts of civilian as well as celebrity couples used.
International Arts in Health Care Conference: Arts, Creativity and the Global Crisis: Reimagining Identity, Otherness, and the Possible
Sunday October 6
2:45 PM
FINDING THE FACE: THE INNER LIFE OF THE MANDALA
“Although the word mandala is a Sanskrit word used to describe a sacred Tibetan Buddhist art form, the mandala form crosses cultures and belongs to all. Richly illustrated with imagery, this presentation is a contemplation of what makes the mandala form so powerful in the human psyche. There is an archetypal, abstract dimension--but also one much more personal that taps into our neurobiological and attachment systems…the human face.
www.2ndinternationalartsinheal thcare.com
Expressive Therapies Summit NYC November 7-10
www.summit.expressive media.org/Psyche's Palette: Understanding the Meaning of Color in Therapeutic Artwork Saturday November 9 9:30 am - 12:30 pm
Drawing upon different color systems and traditions from around the world—as well as the presenter's ongoing research on color associations—this 3-hour workshop introduces a system that explains how the psyche communicates affect through color in imagery and art. Participants will be able to apply this approach to understanding the meaning of color in the art work of their clients. We'll begin with an orientation to the tradition of ascribing meaning to colors and interpreting them, and then describe the basics of color use in developmentally-typical art. Participants will create an artwork, followed by an examination of how the psyche communicates through color-tints, shades, hues, and different color palettes. Participant artwork, as well as case material, will be used to illustrate and ground this theory. The workshop will be useful to therapists and counselors, including generalists and specialists, who work with clients of all ages and abilities.
LECTURE AND COURSE TOPICS
INTENSIVES
CONSIDERING COLOR: COLOR AND FORM IN MANDALAS
5 day intensive (7 hours a day) on color and form interpretation in artwork and mandalas. 2 days intensive study of color, it’s history in human consciousness, different color systems, and understanding its application to art interpretation. 3 days: integrating the psychological dimensions of form in mandalas with color: the great round of the MARI Mandala Assessment.
Mjungi University and the Korean Expressive Therapies Organization; Seoul, South Korea August 2010
PSYCHE AND SYMBOL
5 day seminar, 8 hours a day, combining psychoanalysis, art therapy, and astrology. We studied how the inner and outer worlds meet and show themselves through symbolic themes and images in art (line, form, color, composition and imagery content), dreamwork, psychoanalytic dynamics, and astrology. The first two days were about the basics of art diagnosis, and an introduction to astrology and the elements. The third day was all about symbolism from a Freudian and Jungian perspective; then the last two days of the seminar layered these together with astrology, using the complete charts of the participants in the workshop.
Mjungi University and the Korean Expressive Therapies Organization; Seoul, South Korea July 2008.
LECTURE AND COURSE TOPICS
DUENDE, THE GOLDEN DARK
“All that has black sounds has Duende.” Manuel Torre
Duende is a term used to describe artistry empowered by the awareness of death. In the opinion of the lecturer, psychoanalysis is the science with Duende, since we are specialists in seeing in the dark, the realm of the unconscious.
This lecture begins with a discussion of the psychodynamics of the color black, moving to the definitions of thanatos from Freud and Klein. The lecturer then integrates Jungian alchemical models with ideas of darkness, discussing how Duende is an aspect of the mercurius archetype, also quoting Joyce McDougall in this context.
Institute For Expressive Analysis, “Seeing In The Dark” Conference, NYC, 2003 International Federation For Psychoanalytic Education, “Danger And Desire” Conference, Boston, Ma., 2008
Korean Expressive Arts Therapy Association and Mjungji University, Seoul, South Korea, 2010
MANDALAS AND PSYCHOANALYSIS
The use of mandalas in psychoanalytic work. Meeting Of Psychoanalytic Heads Of Institutes, American Board For The Advancement Of Psychoanalysis, Thoiras, France, 2008
FINDING THE FACE: THE INNER LIFE OF THE MANDALA
Although the word mandala is a Sanskrit word used to describe a sacred Tibetan Buddhist art form, the mandala form crosses cultures and belongs to all. Richly illustrated with imagery, this presentation is a contemplation of what makes the mandala form so powerful in the human psyche. There is an archetypal, abstract dimension--but also one much more personal that taps into our neurobiological and attachment systems…the human face.
SYMBOLISM AND ART THERAPY
wwww.2ndinternationalartsinhealthcare .comJung said symbols are the essence and the images of psychic energy. They have an objective, visible meaning behind which is hidden an invisible and more profound meaning. Symbolism permeates all aspects of art expression, and art therapists are specialists in this realm.
MPS Art Therapy Department School Of Visual Arts Community Lecture, New York City
PSYCHE AND SYMBOL/ASTROLOGY, ART, AND THE CHART.
Psychoaesthetics is the study of how psyche expresses through the arts. The psyche speaks to us through art in line, form, colour, images and archetypes; and these elements have astrological correlates. Richly illustrated with examples of artists (famous and not), a result of over 25 years of research on art elements, psychology, and astrology, we’re going to look at the specific art characteristics of the signs and planets to see how someone’s astrology and psychology shows in their art.
ALCHEMY AND ASTROLOGY
This lecture goes into alchemy, its history, the basics of its practice, and the alchemical stages with their psychological and astrological dimensions. In alchemy, Saturn represents the base matter to be transmuted. Mercurius is a big player, and different from the astrological Mercury. How? What are these in our lives and charts?
The alchemical stages can be seen in the imagery that emerges in people’s lives. These stages have astrological correlates. Slides and an experiential section explicate the workings of these themes.
Spiritual Advisory Fellowship, Florida, 1988 State of the Art Astrology Conference, Toronto, Ca., 2001 NY Theosophical Society
COLOR COLORS US ALL
Everyone responds to color one way or another. Pervading everything, understanding color is a study of psychological, physical, and spiritual dimensions. Pulling from many color systems,including the color wheel, Goethe and the Chakras, this lecture goes into the history of color, and then presents a system of working with color and color meaning that participants will be able to use.
NY Theosophical Society, 2005 State of the Art Astrology Conference, Toronto, Ca. 2002 Connecticut Astrological Association, 2008
Week long seminar on art therapy,
symbolism, and psychoanalysis.
July 26-30 2008 Seoul, South Korea
Expressive Arts Therapy Association
and Mjungji University.
Depth-Oriented Art Therapy 5 day seminar, 8 hours a day, combining psychoanalysis, art therapy, and astrology. We studied how the inner and outer worlds meet and show themselves through symbolic themes and images in art (line, form, color, composition and imagery content), dreamwork, psychoanalytic dynamics, and astrology. The first two days were about the basics of art diagnosis, and an introduction to astrology and the elements. The third day was all about symbolism from a Freudian and Jungian perspective; then the last two days of the seminar layered these together with astrology, using the complete charts of the participants in the workshop. We all had a wonderful time!!!
ASTROLOGY AND THE UNCONSCIOUS
This is not an oxymoron!!! This workshop looks at what role astrology plays in the unconscious process of the analyzed and the analyst. An overview of astrology will be presented, and then a case study in which astrology played a key role.
Institute For Expressive Analysis, New York City, 2010 National Association For The Advancement Of Psychoanalysis, “Destiny” Conference, New York City, 2006 Brooklyn Psychoanalytic Institute, 2005
Lecture Topic: “Inner Life of the Astrological Mandala”
January 30-February 4 2018
Institute for Vedic Culture Astrology Conference/ Kolkata,India www.ivcconference.org
May 2018
United Astrology Congress/ Chicago, Illinois www.uacastrology.com
Lecture Topic: “Pluto Around and Through”
Lecture Topic: “Alchemy and Astrology : East Meets West”
Want to Take You Higher-Light and Dark of the Divine Fire
Nov 18 2018 11:30 AM
Interpreting Jupiter-the presents and pitfalls. His motifs, archetypes, and psycho-spiritual themes as seen in body, art, psychology, and spirit.
NCGR -NY Education
Conference November 17 &18
Source of Light Center 15 West
39th Street
SATURDAY EVENING APRIL 6, 2019
7:30 -8:15 PM
Duende, the Golden Dark
“All that has black sounds has duende.”Manuel Torre Duende pulls light from darkness; to say a flamenco performer has great duende is the highest compliment. Lorca used it as the cornerstone of his poetics. This presentation posits that psychoanalysis is the science with duende, an art and a calling. From the psychodynamics of the color black through thanatos, interweaving Freud, Klein, Jungian alchemy, and astrology, we stop at The Matrix along the way. It concludes with a case study of an artist client’s recovery from suicidality; already creative, illuminated even more.
AT THIS CONFERENCE: www.retreat.pacifica.edu/the-illuminated-imagination
University of California, Santa Barbara
Sponsored by:
The Art and Psyche Working Group
Pacifica Graduate Institute
Museum of Art, Design & Architecture, University of California, Santa Barbara
The Jung Family
ARAS