Musings on Astrology as a Profession
The following
ideas are distinctly personal views, directly expressed, pertaining to western
horoscopic astrology and its currently evolving practise. While nothing here
could be claimed as particularly original, it is a succinct summation of the
state of my own beliefs and understandings gained over the years to this point.
Without doubt, astrology is challenging to master, and will never reveal itself
to those who are lazy or without aptitude. In essence the principles may be
simple enough, but refined practise is hard. What’s really exciting and
worthwhile about an involvement with contemporary astrology is the groundswell
of effort being applied internationally since the 1990’s to the reclamation and
revival of a truly authentic astrology. This ambitious and visionary project is
a work in progress of epic proportion, which is likely to continue beyond our own
lives, and hopefully through generations to come.
·
Attain a
relevant standard of education before undertaking the serious study of
Astrology.
·
Work
diligently at the best astrological education available and affordable to you.
·
Ask your
teachers where and how they learned their art and craft, assuring yourself of
their credentials and quality of knowledge.
·
Become
well-versed in your proposed specialities and methods, eg therapy; psychology;
business/finance; health; politics/sociology/history; education;
philosophy/religious studies etc.
·
Build a
worthy professional library for reference and solace.
·
Learn as much
as possible from the wisdom and modus operandi of quality astrologers both past
and present.
·
Make the
effort to comprehend and appreciate the vast history of Astrology and the depth
of its legacy as a remarkable cultural/intellectual achievement of humankind.
·
Seek to understand
the philosophical roots that underpin Astrology.
·
Cultivate a
comprehensive and sophisticated awareness of fate and destiny.
·
Master the
fundamental principles of the Art, and be able to clearly distinguish and
utilise its core concepts, including but not limited to: celestial/terrestrial;
universal/particular; diurnal/nocturnal; primary/secondary motion;
benefic/malefic; essential/accidental; dignity/debility; condition/disposition;
aspects/reception; oriental/occidental; direct/retrograde; angularity; movement; light; hermetic lots;
fixed stars; significator/promittor; visible/invisible planets; commixture;
weighing testimony/rendering judgement.
·
Appreciate
that “cookbooks” are devoid of genuine value or significance, otherwise
computers could do a better delineation than a human being. It is only the
clear and consistent application of essential principles, concepts, and methods
in every particular circumstance and for each unique person that can possibly
account for the variety and chaos which life presents to us in every unfolding
moment. That’s what makes astrology both wonderful and viable. So permanently
erase foolish and simplistic notions of 10 planets x 12 signs x 12 houses x 8
aspects = instant astrology! The quest is for singular description, not broad
generalisation.
·
Understand
that charts are fundamentally meaningless without context.
·
Read as
many charts as possible with skilful craft and evolving method.
·
Treat
clients with respect and offer opinions with humility, giving them what they
want, request, and are ready to hear - not what you think they need.
·
Develop
refined communication skills and deliver information in a straightforward
manner devoid of jargon, cleverness, or vagueness.
·
Distinguish
clearly between applying the methods and concepts of astrology, and other forms
of your practice such as therapy or counselling. In my mind they are not the
one and the same thing.
·
Remain up
to date with the latest research, such as cutting-edge neuroscience and the most
recent academic findings on human behaviour, if relying on psychological models
in your practise. Simply leaning on conceptions that are decades old or were
once fashionable, and possibly no longer entirely valid, is unlikely to be good
enough.
·
Recognise
that the Tradition of astrology itself is full of perennial insights and practical
wisdom pertaining to soul, psyche, character, and human nature.
·
Become a
specialist in whatever form of practice you espouse. Astrology and its study
does not automatically make you a counsellor, therapist, health practitioner,
healer, financial adviser, lawyer, teacher, or even a wise person. These
qualities and abilities only come from further study, experience and
qualification. Assess your own qualifications honestly and realistically, and
act accordingly. In that way we will build a profession that gathers respect
rather than attracting derision.
·
Realise
that satisfied clients are the best form of marketing.
·
Go beyond consumer
mass media, where sun signs are the total sum of what astrology is ignorantly
presumed to be, and where “the stars” are pressed into the service of
entertainment, commerce and celebrity.
·
Deploy all
the readily accessible tools of the burgeoning digital communications
revolution to further your practice effectively.
·
Record
sessions and archive them for reference and training purposes – they are a fair
and accurate record of what was actually said, rather than what was heard or
perhaps later misinterpreted.
·
Reference
the sources of your ideas, and in any serious articles append a comprehensive
bibliography and footnotes/endnotes where applicable. Plagiarism is
unacceptable in any profession.
·
Network
globally with working astrologers who share your aims, aspirations and ideals
for a living contemporary Astrology.
·
Take full
advantage of the professional insurance options established by the persistent
efforts of the APA.
·
Be realistic
and practical in any commercial enterprise, and ensure that you possess
relevant small business skills.
·
Structure
fees clearly and fairly. They are not guaranteed – you will only receive what
you ask for and believe you’re worth. (remember to include preparation time,
administration, overheads, tax and GST in your estimations)
·
Draw upon
the methods and experiences of other professions, without losing your unique
identity and purpose as an astrologer. For instance, the practise of astrology
bears certain elements in common with diagnosis in medicine. The implications
of legal precedent, the weighing of evidence and testimony before judgement, which
are clear features in the work of lawyers and courts, can be equally valid procedures
for astrologers. The intelligent use of qualitative research, such as that
developed in the social sciences, would also be extremely useful. Language
studies assists in a greater insight and keener use of the symbol system and
syntax inherent within our own Art.
·
Continue to
learn and question throughout your career, strive for better results rather
than being content to plateau or imagine one can ever know it all.
·
Accept and
allow for being wrong or making mistakes, after all you’re only human: "Astrologers sometimes make mistakes. From
this fact, which even they are scarcely sufficiently brazen to dispute, it
follows with mathematical certainty that astrology is not a science but a sham,
a quackery and a fraud. Contrast its shameful uncertainty with medicine, where
no doctor every lost a patient; with law, where no lawyer ever lost a case; or
even with arms, where no soldier ever lost a battle!"
- Aleister Crowley
(1875-1947): The
General Principles of Astrology
·
Think like
an astrologer – that is, astrologically.
·
Sustain
your integrity as a representative of this unique vocation of ancient lineage.
Finally, an esteemed voice resounds from the 13th
century, offering both encouragement and a sense of worth in all our
astrological endeavours:
“And there
is nothing(besides first philosophy) in which the soul gains so much wealth as
in astronomy or astrology.”
-
Guido Bonatti (c.1207-1296): Book of Astronomy