Questions?

I'm fairly new to astrology. Are there prerequisites for Step 1?

For Step 1, you should have a basic working knowledge of astrology: planets, signs, houses, and aspects. Familiarity with chart analysis is helpful but no prior experience with relationship astrology, including synastry or composite charts, is necessary. If you have concerns and want to talk to us about the curriculum in more detail, please email us at relationshipast@gmail.com. 

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I'm already a practicing astrologer. Will Step 1 be too basic for me?

Even if you have some experience doing astrological consultations, you'll find that the information in Step 1 enhances your relationship astrology expertise. Each class focuses on the relational implications of the astrology, which isn't something a general astrology class offers. Furthermore, we have an exceptional line-up of astrologers from diverse backgrounds who bring unique insights to each lecture. We're confident that even the most advanced astrologer can learn something new in Step 1 but if you'd like to discuss the curriculum in more detail, or see if you qualify to opt out and begin the program with Step 2, please email us at relationshipast@gmail.com.

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Are there prerequisites for Step 2, 3, and 4?

To attend Steps 2 & 3, you ideally need to have attended Step 1 or the equivalent. This ensures that you have a foundational knowledge of the natal chart from a relational perspective. If you have not attended Step 1 and want to register for either of the two subsequent steps, please email us at relationshipast@gmail.com and describe your astrological studies to date, including prior teachers, certifications, books you've read, etc. This will help us ensure you get the most value from the program and our course offerings.

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Step 4 does not have prerequisites unless you are pursuing full certification as a CRA Relationship Astrologer. For more information about complete certification requirements, visit the Certification Program page.

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Do you assign homework or have testing requirements?

Reading suggestions are given for each Step, including Step 1. However, there are no reading requirements.

 

For Step 1, students will be given the option of participating in a live Q&A on Oct. 5. No test or quiz is required for Step 1.

 

Students who are pursuing full certification are required to pass a quiz at the end of Steps 2, 3, and 4 and then sit for a one-hour chart analysis exam with either Margaret or Carole at the end of Step 4.

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We encourage all students to keep a journal to support the learning process. You can use the journal to apply class material and teachings, using a relational approach, to your own chart and to the charts of people you know. This is not part of a formal assessment, but it can be a very helpful learning tool. Additionally, you're welcome to bring thoughts and questions from your journal to the final Q & A sessions at the end of Steps 2 & 3, as well as the three mentoring sessions for Step 1. 

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Note: There are no quiz or exam requirements for any Step for anyone attending the courses for their own pleasure.

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I want to become a CRA-certified Relationship Astrologer. What do I need to do?

First, complete Steps 1-4

No test or quiz is required for Step 1 but you have the option of participating in a live Q&A shortly after the pre-recorded classes are released.

 

Steps 2 and 3 are live classes and students pursuing full certification are expected to attend in-person unless time zone differences or other extenuating circumstances prevent this. After the last live classes of Steps 2 and 3, you will have a month to review materials and recordings before receiving a multiple-choice quiz to assess your knowledge of course content. You then have two weeks to take the quiz. A passing grade (70% or higher) is required to receive a Certificate of Completion for the relevant Step. In the event that you don't pass on your first attempt, you'll have one more chance to retake the quiz.

 

Because Step 4 is not a live offering and includes 12 pre-recorded videos, you have the flexibility of contacting us at relationshipast@gmail.com to let us know when they are ready to receive the multiple-choice quiz. After receiving the quiz, you will have two weeks to take the quiz. A passing grade (70% or higher) is required to receive a Certificate of Completion. In the event that you don't pass on your first attempt, you'll have one more chance to retake the quiz to earn your Step 4 completion certificate. Keep in mind that passing this quiz is a requirement to sit for the final certification exam if you seek to become a CRA-certified Relationship Astrologer. The final certification exam is only offered once a year in the fall.

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Next, apply for the certification exam

Upon completing Steps 1-4, which includes passing the quizzes for Steps 2-4, you can apply for the certification exam. The exam requires that you present to one of the CRA instructors (via Zoom) a one-hour chart analysis from a relational perspective. Your analysis may include the charts of clients (with their permission) or celebrity charts (for celebrities whose data is public knowledge). The charts of family and friends may not be used, and charts need to be pre-approved by CRA. Charts need to be explored from a relational perspective, looking at the synastry and composite charts and relevant transits and progressions to all of these. The fee for the certification process is €60 and includes an optional one-hour, exam prep session with one or more of the course instructors in early September 2026. The prep session will be a group session, held on Zoom and scheduled prior to the final exam administration dates. Additional information will be provided to students registered in Step 4.

 

I don't want to become a CRA-certified Relationship Astrologer. Can I register for a single course on its own?

ABSOLUTELY!

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There are no quiz or attendance requirements for Step 1. This is the start of our certification program but even if you don’t wish to complete the full CRA certification process, you can still register for additional Steps that interest you.

 

Those who are not seeking full certification have two options.

​1) You can register for one or more of Steps 2, 3, or 4 and take the class(es) for pure enjoyment, in which case there are no attendance or quiz requirements.

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2) You can register for one or more of Steps 2, 3, or 4 and earn a Certificate of Completion for each Step you complete. To earn a Certificate of Completion, your attendance at live classes is expected, except in situations where time zone differences or other personal circumstances are prohibitive. You're also expected to pass a multiple-choice quiz at the end of each Step.

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How the quizzes for Steps 2-4 work

After the last live classes of Steps 2 and 3, you will have a month to review materials and recordings before receiving a multiple-choice quiz to assess your knowledge of course content. You then have two weeks to take the quiz. A passing grade (70% or higher) is required to receive a Certificate of Completion for the relevant Step. In the event that you don't pass on your first attempt, you'll have one more chance to retake the quiz.

 

Because Step 4 is not a live offering and includes 12 pre-recorded videos, you have the flexibility of contacting us at relationshipast@gmail.com to let us know when they are ready to receive the multiple-choice quiz. After receiving the quiz, you will have two weeks to take the quiz. A passing grade (70% or higher) is required to receive a Certificate of Completion. In the event that you don't pass on your first attempt, you'll have one more chance to retake the quiz to earn your Step 4 completion certificate. 

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​Note: There are no quiz or exam requirements for any Step for anyone attending the courses for their own pleasure. Quiz and exam requirements apply only to those seeking Certificates of Completion or full certification as a CRA Relationship Astrologer.

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Will I have a mentor to help me with the course material?

Students registered for Step 1 will have the opportunity to attend up to three live mentoring sessions offered over the course of a year. The mentoring sessions will include chart discussions. Refer to the Step 1 course page for the dates and times.

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What is the cost of the course?

When purchased on its own, Step 1 is €260/$306 USD. An Early Bird rate of €215/$248 USD is available if you register before Aug. 22, 2025.

Step 2 on its own is €280/$320 USD.

Step 3 on its own is €314/$360 USD.

Step 4 on its own is €314/$360 USD.

You can also purchase Steps 1-4 as a bundled package for the discounted price of €850/$975 USD.

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Why should I study with the Centre for Relationships and Astrology?

CRA is the only online school solely dedicated to the study of relationship astrology. Our curriculum is robust and our international team of instructors includes leading relationship astrologers from around the globe, bringing a diverse and multi-cultural flavor to our programs and teachings.

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Additionally, CRA blends the art of astrology with the insights of psychotherapy and offers courses, webinars, and resources that can help you gain a deeper understanding of yourself and your relationship patterns and dynamics. Our signature program, Astrology of the Heart, is a unique, four-step certification program that integrates the relationships astrology skills of our founder, Margaret Gray, with her experience as a couple's and individual psychotherapist and offers in-depth astrological knowledge and practical tools to help you navigate your relationships. In addition to Margaret, our team of astrology instructors includes other licensed psychotherapists who bring their own therapeutic experiences and perspectives to their teaching.

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What makes CRA courses different than other relationship astrology courses?

Many relationship astrology courses are either pre-recorded, self-study modules or live courses offered on a pre-determined schedule and generally of shorter duration than our 4-step Astrology of the Heart program.

 

Astrology of the Heart was intentionally designed as a hybrid program that includes live and pre-recorded training. A hybrid online program offers you the best of both worlds — structure and flexibility, plus real-time engagement with instructors, human connection with other students, and a personalized learning experience.

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Our pre-recorded classes (Steps 1 and 4) offer:

✨ Self-paced learning: You can watch and rewatch pre-recorded lectures, allowing for deeper absorption of complex astrological concepts.

✨ Accessibility: Learners in different time zones or with busy schedules aren’t left behind. You can watch the recordings at your own pace and on your own schedule.

✨ Feedback from our team of world-class relationship astrologers: Even though Steps 1 and 4 are pre-recorded, we offer you the chance to interact with our instructors. Step 1 includes a live Q&A session and three group mentoring sessions. Step 4 includes access to our private Astrology of the Heart community where you can also ask questions of our teachers.

 

Our live classes (Steps 2 and 3) offer:

✨ Direct access to the master relationship astrologers teaching the classes: Every live class includes 30 minutes of open Q&A, allowing you to ask the instructor questions and receive real-time guidance on your astrological journey.

✨ Mentorship moments: You get to witness how the best astrologers interpret charts, handle sensitive relationship dynamics, and approach potential challenges that may arise in a consultation.

✨ Community building: Live sessions create a sense of belonging, motivation, and accountability through shared experiences with peers.

 

The net benefits of a hybrid approach include:

✅ A balanced learning experience: Pre-recorded sessions often focus on theory and though they may include chart examples, the live classes – through open discussion – provide the added benefit of demonstrating how to integrate astrology with consulting skills, ethics, and intuition.

✅ A paced and purposeful curriculum: Zoom burnout is a real thing! But so is the disconnection of watching pre-recorded videos on their own. By offering a hybrid of pre-recorded and live classes, we want to help you avoid the overwhelm of too many live commitments AND the underwhelm of being disconnected video content only!