Sundays, ongoing,  11 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. 

Join our meditation group every Sunday, to nurture your commitment to practice. Each week, a topic related to meditation will be presented and discussed, followed by a brief guided meditation and longer silent meditation. Instruction will be provided for beginners, but practitioners of all levels are welcome.

Facilitated by Juliana Cesano

No charge. Donations appreciated.

Sundays, ongoing, 6:30 to 8 p.m.  

Advaita Vedanta is a school of Hindu philosophy and spiritual practice. Each week we read and discuss chapters from an Advaita book (currently The Truth Is by Sri H.W.L. Poonja (Papaji)) and listen to or view Advaita-oriented materials from various sources.

$5 suggested donation

Mondays, 6:30 – 8:00 p.m. 
Winter - February 10 – May 4 (12 sessions) No class March 23

Through the practice of T'ai Chi Ch'uan, your mind can achieve a stillness and clarity rarely experienced with other forms of exercise, integrating your body and mind and allowing you to achieve inner peace. This class will help you develop harmony with the world on a physical, mental, emotional and, ultimately, spiritual level. Practice strengthens the immune system; improves posture, balance, coordination, flexibility and strength; reduces blood pressure and stress; and releases tension, allowing a feeling of positive energy to flow through your body. Over the course of the class we will learn the complete 24-posture form.

Please wear comfortable clothing and flat shoes.

John Robertson has nearly 20 years of experience practicing and teaching T'ai Chi Ch'uan and qigong and is a student of Taoist philosophy. He is a Level 7 Certified Qigong Instructor with the World Ki Gong Club and a Certified Advanced Instructor and professional member of the National Qigong Association. John owns Seven Stars Martial Arts in Winfield. (www.7StarsMA.com).

Winter - TS members: $175 • Nonmembers: $195

Register here

Mondays, 7:00 – 8:45 p.m., March 2 – April 6 (6 sessions)

This class will cover the essentials of beekeeping and how to keep your bees healthy and alive. You will be taught to see the world through the honeybees’ eyes and will learn everything you need to do to care for them throughout each season of the year. The class is taught by full-time beekeeper Bill Whitney of City Bee Savers, who has 27 years of successful beekeeping experience. There will be at least one weekend class to gain hands-on experience. This class is suitable for beginners as well as beekeepers with some experience.

 syllabus

TS Members: $100 • Nonmembers: $110

Register here

Mondays, 7:00 – 9:00 p.m., March 2 – March 23 (4 sessions)

Many students of astrology understand the meaning of the symbols for signs, houses, planets and aspects, but when they see them all together in relationship to one another in a birth chart, they have a difficult time interpreting what it all means. This class will help with chart interpretation for those who are already familiar with the basic elements of astrology.

In this four-week class, we will look at some keys of interpretation and rules to follow when combining planetary energies. By the end of the class, we will even be able to see how planets in transit and progression affect the natal chart.

A notebook and pen is all that is needed. There will be handouts each week, along with recommendations for further reading. Astrology: A Cosmic Science by Isabel Hickey is recommended but not required.

Students should always have a copy of their chart to study during class. If you need a copy of your chart, Dave Gunning will be more than happy to print one out for you. All that is needed is your birth date, birth time (on the birth certificate) and birth place (just the city). If you need your chart, contact Dave Gunning at astrogunning@sbcglobal.net before the first day of class.

Lesson Plan

Dave Gunning has been an astrological consultant, teacher, and lecturer for the past 38 years. He has also written articles for Dell Horoscope magazine. For the past nine years he has been lecturing and teaching astrology through the Stargazers astrology group at the Theosophical Society. His consultations come from a spiritual and psychological point of view.  

TS members: $130 • Nonmembers: $140

Register here

Mondays, 7:00 – 9:00 p.m., April 6 – April 27 (4 sessions) 

In this four-week class, we will look at natal charts and apply the various rules of interpretation learned in beginning astrology classes. Each week we will examine and interpret at least one or two charts. These horoscopes will be a combination of famous people in the news, famous people who have passed on, charts the students want to look at (family members, friends, or just about anyone), and even a mystery chart or two.

If you feel you are ready to interpret the birth chart then this class is for you! Instructor Dave Gunning will provide the charts. All you have to do is take any notes you wish, put on your right-brained thinking caps and jump right in! This highly interactive class will provide a lot of very good practice and will be lots of fun!

Contact Dave Gunning at astrogunning@sbcglobal.net to provide any names and birth information for people's charts you want to look at in class or any other information you wish to obtain. 

Dave Gunning has been an astrological consultant, teacher, and lecturer for the past 38 years. He has also written articles for Dell Horoscope magazine. For the past nine years he has been lecturing and teaching astrology through the Stargazers astrology group at the Theosophical Society. His consultations come from a spiritual and psychological point of view.  

TS members: $130 • Nonmembers: $140

Register here

Tuesdays, 7:00 – 8:15 p.m.
 January 14 – March 31 (12 sessions)

This yoga class, open to all ages and levels, will focus on present moment awareness. Classes begin with a short meditation and transition into a conscious and gentle movement that take us to different asanas (postures). As a deeper connection with our inner nature is established, relaxation, flexibility, and strength develop.

Juliana Cesano, has been a member of the Theosophical Society for twenty years. She spent two years at the international headquarters in Chennai, India. She is a certified yoga teacher, 200 CYT, and is currently the manager of the Quest Book Shop at the headquarters of the Theosophical Society in America.

 TS Members: $120 • Nonmembers: $145 • $14 per session

Register here 

Tuesdays, 7:00–8:00 p.m. 

Join our exploration of the essential spiritual aspects of the Oneness of Life. Meetings are devoted to inquiry and meditation. We also engage in monthly service projects or group activities. Current study: The Hindu scripture The Bhagavad Gita translated by Annie Besant and Bhagavân Dâs and The Bhagavad Gita: A Study Course by John Algeo.

Email DharmaStudyGroup@theosophical.org for more information.

Donations are appreciated.

 3rd Tuesday of the month  

 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. 

A person’s astrological birth chart speaks in an exciting symbolic language, guiding seekers along the path of self-knowledge. These monthly discussions on various astrological topics are led by Dave Gunning, guest speakers, or group members. They are not classes or individual readings, but a sharing of astrological knowledge. Familiarity with the basics of astrology is recommended, but these intriguing discussions are open to all.

Dave Gunning is an astrological consultant, teacher, and lecturer. His readings, classroom teachings, and talks have always emphasized the importance of the person’s interconnectedness to the Spiritual Self. Dave is a contributor to Dell Horoscope and Mountain Astrologer magazines.

Please send your date of birth, including the time (if known), city, and state or country to Dave Gunning at astrogunning@sbcglobal.net. Dave will create a chart for you to use in class. 

TS Members: $15 • Nonmembers: $20

Tuesdays, 7:00 – 8:00 p.m., January 28 – March 3 (6 Classes)

Learn how the uncanny ability to predict the future using Tarot cards can now be explained and confirmed with viable cognitive psychological facts. Today, the application of Tarot card reading can be seen as a form of artificial intelligence that allows us to find new answers and solutions to objectives not seen before sitting down with the cards. Understanding why the Tarot works helps us read with more accuracy. Novice and experienced Tarot readers alike will learn how to use Tarot cards to predict the future with more accuracy than ever before.

Vincent Pitisci is a life-long student of metaphysics and mysticism. A friend of the Theosophical Society since the 1950s, he teaches and lectures throughout Chicagoland. He is the author of Genuis of the Tarot: A Guide to Divination with the Tarot and The Essential Tarot: Unlocking the Mystery. As a professional psychic and Tarot advisor, Vince also conducts phone readings worldwide.

TS Members: $70 • Nonmembers: $80

Register here

Wednesdays, ongoing, 5-5:30 p.m. 
Meditation Room

This ceremony, initiated by Geoffrey Hodson and sponsored by the Theosophical Order of Service, offers healing meditation in the service of those in need. Everyone is welcome to participate.

Contact the Healing Network Director at tos2healing@gmail.com or visit www.theoservice.org and click on Healing Network for more information.

Donations are appreciated.

Every Wednesday, 7:00 - 8:00 p.m. CDT [UTC-05]

The Wheaton Olcott Lodge offers meetings for members of the Theosophical Society, as well as for the general public. These meetings combine the local group that meets in person at the National Headquarters with an interactive online community.

The Lodge meetings for members explore core Theosophical teachings and their relationship to life as well as to various spiritual traditions and encourage participation along the lines of study, discussion, meditation, and service.

For more information, please email WheatonOlcottLodge@gmail.com. For information about the program of study, recordings of meetings, and other resources, visit www.wheaton.theosophical.site.

$3 suggested donation

Online access

First and third Wednesdays, 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. 

This is a healing circle and practice group whose purpose is to provide the opportunity to receive Therapeutic Touch (TT), which creates a sense of relaxation, peacefulness, and balance. Our circle has a short meditation, TT practice, and for those interested, simple instruction for use with family and friends.

Therapeutic Touch is administered under the guidance of two qualified practitioners: Marilyn Johnston-Svoboda, EdD, RN,QTTP,QTTT, (1st Wednesday) and Janet Wehr, RN,QTTP, (3rd Wednesday). Marilyn, a retired nursing professor, learned TT from Dora Kunz and Dr. Dolores Krieger, the developers of TT, and has been teaching and practicing in the health-care arena for over 30 years. Janet, a nurse for 23 years, and a Qualified Therapeutic Touch Practitioner, has devoted the last 17 years of her career to hospice care. Her book, Peaceful Passages: A Hospice Nurse’s Stories of Dying Well, was released in October 2015 by Quest Books. 

 Drop-ins welcome!   $5 suggested donation per session

Wednesdays, 7:00 – 8:15 p.m.
January 15– March 25 (11 sessions)

Remove mental stress and release physical tension!

This class uses a system of yogic study modeled around the practices of Zen Meditation, Traditional Chinese Medicine, and Traditional Chinese Longevity Practices. Each class is tailored to address current mental stress and physical tension experienced by participants, then proceeds with a relaxation meditation followed by releasing, strengthening, and energy circulation practices. The goal of these practices is to ultimately teach the practitioner how to return to an original state of health and well-being.

Tasmin Walker began her physical training as a professional ballet dancer. She is certified in multiple styles of yoga and has spent several years in meditation centers around the world. She has committed her practice to the life study of health, wellness and preventative medicine. She is currently pursuing her doctorate in Traditional Chinese Medicine at Beijing Mebo Traditional Chinese Medicine Training Center, in Beijing, China.

 TS Members: $120 • Nonmembers: $145 • $14 per session

Register here

Wednesdays, 7:00 – 8.30 p.m., February 26 – April 15 (8 classes)

This 8-week program is based on the New York Times bestselling book Notes from the Universe by Mike Dooley. Based on the principle that "thoughts become things," the program encourages people to examine beliefs and thoughts that have been limiting and may be leading to struggles and negative choices, then helps them discover ways to redirect those beliefs and thoughts. This is an empowering program for people who find themselves in difficult situations, those beginning a new life journey, and everyone looking to bring more peace and joy into their lives.

Jessica Amorosa studied personally with Mike Dooley and has been a certified Ippie (Infinite Possibilities) trainer since 2014. She originally sought training because this book transformed her life and she wanted to help her struggling family members. She now shares this program all over the country, hoping to empower everyone she encounters. 

TS members: $80 • Nonmembers: $90 • $100 at the door

Register here

You can also join Jessica for her workshop Introduction to Thai Bodywork for Self-Care on Saturday, January 25.