A Journey in Psychological Astrology: My MISPA Diploma

Astrology has always been part of my life, but my formal studies began in 2008 in Brazil with my heart mother and mentor, the renowned astrologer Claudia Lisboa. Her teaching is based on the Light and Shadow method, which she learned from her mentor, Emma Costet de Mascheville. In addition, her astrological practice and teaching have been enriched by the work of Liz Greene, Howard Sasportas, Stephen Arroyo, Dane Rudhyar, and Robert Hand — great pioneers of psychological and humanistic astrology. This became the foundation of my astrological training.

I continued expanding my studies with inspiring teachers in Brazil, especially within the field of Psychological Astrology, which deepened my understanding of the symbolic connection between psyche and cosmos. As a good Sagittarius with many planets in the 9th house, I’ve always believed in lifelong learning — and that inner call to keep expanding eventually guided me toward new horizons in my astrological journey.

The Language of the Sky — and in English!

In 2019, a new chapter began when I decided to develop my English skills. My dear friend Vivi Pedruco, whom I met in my very first astrology class with Claudia, became my study partner. She lives in the U.S. and also loves astrology, so we started meeting weekly for two-hour conversations about charts, archetypes, and transits — all in English.

That process gave me the confidence to study internationally and to deepen my connection with Psychological Astrology.

Studying at the CPA

In 2022, I completed the Foundation Course in Psychological Astrology at the Centre for Psychological Astrology (CPA), founded by Liz Greene and Howard Sasportas. It was a dream come true to study within the tradition that has shaped so much of the modern understanding of astrology.

However, the CPA no longer offers advanced training and recommends students pursue further study at MISPA – the Mercury Internet School of Psychological Astrology, founded by John Green.

Liz Greene herself endorsed the creation of MISPA in 2015, recognizing the value of a formal academic structure that allows astrology to engage more deeply with its psychological dimensions — continuing the tradition and depth of her pioneering approach.

MISPA’s approach integrates astrology with depth, humanistic, and transpersonal psychology — and that’s where my next chapter began.

Studying at MISPA

In 2023, I began my two-year journey with MISPA — a fully online program that enables students worldwide to explore this fascinating discipline, which bridges astrology and psychology.

“Obviously astrology has much to offer psychology, but what the latter can offer its elder sister is less evident… It would seem to me advantageous for astrology to take the existence of psychology into account, above all the psychology of the personality and of the unconscious.”

— Carl Jung

During the first year, most of our classes were taught by John Green, who beautifully integrated Jungian concepts into astrological practice. We also explored family dynamics, parental figures, sibling relationships, synastry, and composite charts. The year concluded with studies on transits, progressions, solar returns, and the cycles of life.

In the second year, the experience expanded through seminars with John and other remarkable tutors such as Darby Costello, Lynn Bell, Juliet Sharman-Burke, Sue Tompkins, Jason Holley, Safron Rossi, Shawn Nygaard, Carole Taylor, Martin Moritz, and Judith Robert — each bringing their own depth and unique perspective on the human psyche through astrology.

Throughout the two years, we also took part in supervision groups with different tutors — a rich space of exchange, reflection, and shared learning between tutors and students.

The final supervision was a one-to-one oral session designed to assess our readiness for the Diploma Exam. I had the privilege of working with Clare Martin, whose generous and insightful feedback was truly memorable.

The Diploma Exam

After completing all classes, students receive a certificate of completion — but to earn the Diploma in Psychological Astrology, there is one final and very meaningful step: an oral examination.

This 90-minute presentation before a panel of expert tutors requires the astrologer to demonstrate their understanding through real client work — presenting a case developed over multiple sessions, including synastry between the astrologer and the client, and showing how psychological insight and astrological symbolism intertwine in practice.

It was an intense and rewarding experience — and I’m deeply happy to share that I passed! 🎓

As soon as I learned I had passed, the diploma was sent to me by email — and a few weeks later, the printed version arrived by post. Holding it in my hands today feels truly special.

My heartfelt thanks to John Green and Helen Sewell, my examiners, for making this such a meaningful and enriching experience.

A Culmination of Many Paths

Earning the MISPA Diploma in Psychological Astrology is a deeply meaningful achievement for me. It represents not only academic growth, but also the integration of many paths in my personal and professional journey — astrology, psychology, and the lifelong quest for meaning and understanding.

Through this path, I’ve deepened my appreciation for the meeting point between astrology and the psyche, between symbols and stories, between the stars above and the soul within.

This journey keeps teaching me that astrology is a sacred conversation — an act of presence and deep listening, of being with what unfolds in someone’s life, and holding space for awareness and transformation.

I feel profoundly grateful for all my teachers, friends, clients, and fellow students who have walked alongside me on this path.

And as I receive this diploma, I do so with a heart full of gratitude and a renewed sense of purpose — to continue sharing astrology as a living bridge between consciousness and the cosmos, helping others reconnect with their true potential.

Esse foi mais um passo da jornada que me tornou quem eu sou hoje, espero poder contribuir com a sua!

This was one more step in the journey that continues to shape who I am — and I hope to be part of yours, too.

With love,

Kim