Welcome to the web site of the International Society for Astrological Research, or "ISAR"! By coming to this web site, you're about to begin a journey with one of the most exciting organizations in the world of astrology. You are tapping into an organization that engages in intelligent and respectful venues of communication with leading astrologers throughout the world

On the surface, ISAR is one of the leading membership organizations for professional astrologers and students of astrology available today. As our name implies, we have members in the professional astrology community from all over the world. Currently ISAR has international vice-presidents in over 20 different countries, including Argentina, Australia, Austria, Brazil, Belgium Canada, Denmark, England, France, Germany, India, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Netherlands, South Africa, Sweden, Turkey, Russia, Switzerland, and Uruguay. The organization itself is headquartered in Los Angeles, California.

It was originally founded in 1968, but has been a California-based non-profit organization since December 5, 1979. That is the ISAR official incorporation date, and the basis for its own "natal" chart. But ISAR is more than a simple membership organization for professionals and students of astrology. It is truly a service organization with a heart, whose primary purpose is to for the advancement of professional and credible astrology. In this regard, ISAR is dedicated to encouraging research, education, ethics, professionalism, and the development of high standards in the field of astrology. It strives to do this by making available means for stimulating communication between astrologers from all over the world, such as:

A quarterly journal, known as The International Astrologer. Each issue is approximately 60-80 pages, attractively presented, and containing great articles on personal interpretation, forecasting techniques and projections, astro-locality, synastry and compatibility delineations, mundane and political outlooks forecasts on economic and financial markets based on astrological factors, personal interviews of members, forthcoming events of interest to astrologers, newest research results, etc.

A weekly ezine, sent each week to all members with email. This weekly ezine moderates discussions amongst members from all over the world on a wide variety of topics, from current events, to requests for data, to requests for personal help, to discussions on ethics and opinions on interpretations. Some of the discussions can become quite philosophical, but one thing remains constant: members communicate in a respectful dialogue with one another, and the discussions are mostly very exciting.

Incredible international astrological conferences, featuring top professional astrologers from all over the world. Not only are great classes available for students of astrology at these large gatherings, but also forums are organized for the discussion of relevant community interests for astrologers. For instance, at the ISAR 2003 conference, heads of many of the top astrology schools in the world will be brought together to discuss what their schools are doing, and what their hopes are for the future of astrological education and certification.

And now we are also in Spanish, Portugeuese, Japanese, and Turkish! To learn more about us in Spanish, please visit our sister website at www.isarargentina.com.ar, coordinated by ISAR's Argentine Vice-President, Claudia Rizzi. To learn more about us in Portuguese, visit our website at www.isarastrology.com.br coordinated by our Brazilian Vice-President Susie Lima Verde. To learn more about us in Japanese, please visit our sister website at www.isar.jp, coordinated by ISAR's Japanese Vice-President, Terumi Kondo. To learn more about us in Turkish, please visit our sister website at www.isarastrologytr.com, coordinated by ISAR's Vice-President, of Turkey Hakan Kirkoglu. Here is a summary of some of the most recent conferences sponsored or co-sponsored by ISAR:

In 1994, ISAR conducted the very successful conference on "The Cutting Edge of Astrology: Mundane, Research, and Professionalism in Astrology", held at the beautiful Marriott Lincolnshire Resort just outside of Chicago, Illinois. Attendance was about 550.

In 1995, ISAR co-sponsored the United Astrological Congress (UAC) held in Monterrey, California, along with AFAN and NCGR. Attendance was over 1000.

In 1996, ISAR was the first to introduce the very popular conference on "Astro-Technology: Computers and Research" during which approximately 400 people were given intensive training sessions on all the major astrological software programs in the field at that time. This was held at the beautiful Indian Lakes Resort, also just outside of Chicago. Attendance was about 400.

And in the summer of 1997, ISAR hosted the ARC "Cosmic Experience", in which over 60 professional astrologers gave presentations on the meaning of the Soul, as seen through the eyes of astrology. This wonderful gathering attracted over 500 people world-wide, and took place at Michigan State University in East Lansing, Michigan. Attendance was over 500. In 1998, ISAR again co-sponsored the very successful UAC conference held in Atlanta, Georgia. This was the largest conference assembled in the United States in over 20 years, as over 1200 attendees were present.

In the year 2000, The ISAR 2000 Conference was held in Anaheim, California, and ISAR unveiled its program for networking astrology schools that offer excellent educational programs and a mechanism for these schools to share in a common certification designation. The first grandfathering into the ISAR certification program took place here, The response to this program was incredibly enthusiastic, and many attendees remarked that the quality of lectures and seminars seemed to have reached a new all-time high. The attendance was over 650.

In July 2002, ISAR again joined with AFAN and NCGR as co-sponsors of the UAC Conference, held in Orlando, Florida. Attendance was about 650.

And in October 2003, ISAR presented its ISAR 2003 seminar, with the theme of "A Multi-Cultural Heart Experience." Teachers from 27 different countries comprised this stellar faculty, which took place again at the Sheraton Anaheim Hotel in Anaheim, California, right near Los Angeles, and on the edge of Disneyland. Attendance was sl;ightly over 500, and it was an incredible opportunity to network with astrolgoers form all over the world, plus it served to further develop ISAR certification model, which is expected to be available to ISAR members in 2004.

We hope you will thoroughly enjoy your cyber tour through this ISAR website. We hope that after looking us over, you will consider joining ISAR, where you will instantly be put in touch with the some of the most advanced astrologers in the world today. If you are new to astrology, you will be amazed to discover the sophisticated methods that these astrologers use, and if you are already deeply involved in real astrology, then I am certain you will be at home in the company of others who share your interests. Being involved in astrology is an amazing adventure of self-discovery. Being a part of ISAR is an amazing experience with others of like mind, who share this fascination of study with the world's oldest study - the relationship of Man with the Cosmos, and our connection to the Infinite.

Sincerely,
Raymond A. Merriman President, ISAR, Inc.