Martyn Achieves MISPA Diploma: A Prestigious Milestone in Psychological Astrology

Yesterday marked a significant achievement for our team at Wilfred Hazelwood. Our lead astrologer Martyn successfully passed his diploma examination at the Mercury Internet School of Psychological Astrology (MISPA), earning this prestigious qualification that represents the pinnacle of psychological astrological education.

The examination itself was no walk in the park. For ninety rigorous minutes, Martyn presented a comprehensive analysis to a panel of at least two expert tutors, demonstrating his profound understanding of a client he'd worked with over multiple sessions. This wasn't simply about chart interpretation—it demanded a sophisticated exploration of the client's natal chart, their progressions, and perhaps most intriguingly, the synastry between therapist and client.

"It's quite something," Martyn reflected afterwards, "having to articulate not just what you see in the stars, but how that connects with the human psyche sitting across from you."

The MISPA Legacy

The Mercury Internet School of Psychological Astrology stands as a beacon in the astrological education landscape. Established in 2015 by John Green, MISPA was created to provide worldwide access to psychological astrology—a discipline that marries traditional astrological wisdom with depth, humanistic, and transpersonal psychology.

John Green's credentials speak volumes. He studied at the Centre for Psychological Astrology (CPA) where he qualified with their diploma, later becoming a tutor there. The lineage traces back to the legendary Liz Greene, who founded the CPA with Howard Sasportas in the 1980s. When the CPA decided to discontinue their formal diploma programme, Green stepped forward to fill this crucial gap in astrological education.

The connection runs deep. Liz Greene herself endorsed MISPA's establishment, noting that many students "want a more formal method of learning" with evaluations and presentations that demonstrate growing knowledge. This wasn't just about preserving tradition—it was about evolving it.

Beyond Chart Reading

What sets psychological astrology apart from conventional approaches? It's the difference between reading symbols and understanding souls.

Traditional astrology might tell you that Saturn in the seventh house suggests relationship challenges. Psychological astrology asks why these patterns emerge, what unconscious drives create them, and how awareness might transform them. It's astrology with Jung's fingerprints all over it—recognising that the birth chart isn't a fortune-telling device but a map of the psyche.

For Martyn's diploma examination, this meant diving into case study territory that would challenge any practitioner. Analysing progressions—how the natal chart evolves through time—requires understanding not just astronomical movements but psychological development. Then there's synastry, the comparison between charts, which in therapeutic contexts reveals the unconscious dynamics between astrologer and client.

The Examination Process

Picture this: ninety minutes where every interpretation must be psychologically sound, every observation backed by both astrological principle and therapeutic insight. The candidate must demonstrate they can work with a real client across multiple sessions, showing how the astrological framework supported genuine psychological exploration.

One tutor who's examined these presentations described them as "intellectually demanding but emotionally authentic—you can't fake this kind of understanding."

The synastry component particularly fascinates. It acknowledges something many overlook: the relationship between astrologer and client matters enormously. How do their charts interact? What unconscious processes might emerge? It's sophisticated stuff that separates MISPA graduates from the crowd.

A Rigorous Path

MISPA's diploma programme spans two years across six modules, combining core classes with webinars, supervision groups, and live discussions. Students explore psychological astrology's various dimensions while developing consultation skills that honour both astrological tradition and psychological ethics.

The school recommends—though doesn't require—that students engage in their own depth psychotherapy. Why? Because "no responsible counsellor of any persuasion can hope to deal sensitively and wisely with another person's psyche without some experience of their own."

Scary honest, that. But essential.

After completing the certificate course, students may attempt the diploma examination within three years. The ninety-minute oral presentation to expert tutors demonstrates mastery through real client work. No multiple choice questions here—just sophisticated astrological psychology under scrutiny.

Recognition and Professional Standing

The MISPA diploma is recognised by the Association of Professional Astrologers International (APAI), with diploma holders eligible for membership. This isn't merely academic achievement—it's professional recognition within the astrological community's most respected circles.

For clients seeking astrological guidance, this matters enormously. Anyone can call themselves an astrologer, but MISPA graduates have demonstrated competence in both astrological technique and psychological sensitivity. They understand when to refer onwards, how to hold space for difficult material, and why the therapeutic relationship itself deserves astrological consideration.

Looking Forward

Martyn's achievement reflects Wilfred Hazelwood's commitment to excellence in astrological practice. We've always believed that astrology's power lies not in prediction but in providing frameworks for understanding life's complexities. The MISPA qualification validates this approach while establishing Martyn among Britain's most rigorously trained psychological astrologers.

What does this mean for our clients? Enhanced insight, deeper understanding, and astrology that honours both cosmic wisdom and human psychology. Whether exploring relationship patterns, career transitions, or personal development, they're working with someone who's proven their competence at the highest educational level.

John Green's vision of worldwide access to quality psychological astrology education continues bearing fruit. Yesterday, Martyn joined this distinguished lineage. Tomorrow, that expertise serves everyone seeking to understand themselves more deeply through astrology's timeless lens.

Delighted doesn't begin to cover it. This achievement represents years of dedicated study, countless hours of client work, and now formal recognition of expertise that bridges ancient wisdom with modern psychological understanding. Well deserved, Martyn—absolutely well deserved.

Astrological Timing: A Master's Touch

What makes this achievement even more remarkable is Martyn's sophisticated understanding of electional astrology—choosing the optimal timing for important events. He was particularly keen to complete his examination before both Neptune and Saturn turned retrograde in July 2025. Neptune stations retrograde on 4th July at 2°10′ Aries, followed by Saturn's retrograde station on 9th July at 19°41′ Pisces.

For an astrologer, timing matters enormously. Retrograde periods invite introspection and review rather than launching new ventures or completing major assessments. By scheduling his diploma presentation for yesterday, Martyn ensured he was working with forward-moving planetary energy—precisely the kind of strategic thinking that distinguishes a truly skilled practitioner. The electional chart for his examination reflects this wisdom: planets in direct motion, supporting clear communication and successful outcomes.

It's this attention to cosmic timing that exemplifies the depth of understanding MISPA graduates bring to their practice. They don't just interpret charts—they live by them.

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