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You and your Astrologer

Choosing an Astrologer

People from all walks of life (government officials, high-profile celebrities, Fortune 500/business execs., stockholders -- all types of individuals) seek astrological services. Many Kings, generals, and world leaders, infamous and otherwise, of days past and present, such as Hitler and ex-U.S. president Reagan, have consulted astrologers, as well as everyday folks within all sorts of professions. Of course, like many other consulting businesses, word-of-mouth and advertisements are the commonest way people get connected.

Many can 'see' there's something to astrology and (while professing mere curiosity) many people needing some real direction will seek an astrologer. An experienced astrologer who has done his homework, who, in other words, knows his stuff and can relate well to a huge and eclectic variety of people, will be able to pinpoint temperament, character and timing accurately, when to expect certain opportunities to arise. Many individuals have an innate sense about astrology's validity as a reliable system and frame of reference that has endured for thousands of years, and wouldn't consider any other way.

Most often, one seeks an astrologer when undergoing some personal crisis and really needing a larger context within which to interpret their circumstances. Yearning to know when a change for the better can be approximated, and the lessons to be learned around the ordeal, are the key issues here. The part about "lessons to be learned" is part of the vocabulary for many, however, and my unshakable stance is that it's really the astrologer's onus gently but firmly to address this, otherwise the whole point of that astrologer's role, and the purpose for the consultation and exchange in the first place, will have been sorely missed. How else can one get in touch with a healthier emotional and spiritual life if the theme of a 'higher purpose' remains a foreign concept?

Things to consider, questions to ask:

Be prepared about what it is that you are seeking the astrologer's services for.
Do you feel comfortable talking with the astrologer from the get-go? Is a rapport easily established?
Determine what the astrologer can offer, how he or she works; what is his or her basic raison d'etre/philosophy for using astrology as a tool?
What is the astrologer's fee?
How long has he or she been practicing professionally?

If you've not been specifically referred by a friend, you might inquire if there are any other astrologers and/or clients who would?
Will the session be taped?

(Note that some astrologers, like therapists, feel each session is a unique experience for that moment in time, and so discourage taping.) Personally, I find it a most valuable tool for the client who will invariably refer to it often more than once. Especially as so much of the dialogue alludes to various and important time frames, past, present, and future, as reference points. But most significantly and importantly, without having the 'evidence,' it's virtually impossibile to remember every nuance of the heart and soul of the exchange, ideally a momentous occasion.
Finally; ask what you can expect from the consultation.
If you both appear to be 'on the same page,' book an appointment and be clear about your concerns upon meeting.

Common concerns:

The best time to make a life change in some specific area.
Whether a particular decision is likely to turn out well.
Whether what you're doing with your life is in sync with (what your birthchart symbolizes) 'who you are,' and whether you are utilizing your "hidden" talents.
A character analysis to help you understand your 'gestalt,' often aided by an analysis of past life-changing events affecting you currently and/or in the near future.

During the session:

Should you not understand something in particular, do not ever feel intimated; make it known and ask for clarity.
If the astrologer's jargon takes you into unfamiliar territory (e.g. referring to planets and signs as reference points), ask either for an explanation in each instance, if interested, or state that such references may only confuse the essence of any point being made.
Further, if you feel that the astrologer is somehow getting out of sync with 'where you're coming from,' stop and re-confer, especially if your concerns are not being addressed clearly, to your complete understanding.

About birth time:

Given the correlations between life events and planetary/celestial movement, it would infer that the birth moment itself is obviously a well-timed one, making birth itself a major event in a cycle spanning greater horizons than just this lifetime. Hence the thought that every moment possesses a unique quality and dynamic suggests there's a vitally important purpose and Intent for the elected moment of birth. It suggests that the quality of the precise moment of one's entry into the world is in harmony with the conditions and requirements for the ongoing evolutionary development of the incarnating Soul relative to its prior actions - along with the earned gifts and challenges.

Please note: Astrologers require some basic information in order to draw up a personal horoscope, also known as the 'natal chart'. These are:

Date, Month, and Year of birth
Place of Birth (Country and City) -- to determine the latitude, longitude, time zone etc.
Ideally, the time of day you were born -- not absolutely mandatory, but very helpful, for example, to pinpoint the timing of change within various life-stages.

Hunting down your "baby book" -- your Mom may have stashed it somewhere -- is strongly encouraged, because (along with the usual physical data), it's the most reliable source record of that birth moment.

I suggest this, even if your parents seem "sure," and especially if they aren't "100% sure" of that time within an hour or so. As you can appreciate, the last thing Mom is thinking about while in the agony (or ecstasy) of giving birth is what time the clock on the wall reads. So, while in many instances, she may in fact be "right on the money" in recalling the precise moment she brought your wonderfulness into the world, she just may have an incorrect conception or "recall" in her mind -- after all, it was a few years back!

Now, there are those who don't know their birth time and who, for a variety of reasons, have assumed that it is simply unavailable. Period. However, a few suggestions are in order, which could prove helpful, because your birth time just may in fact be obtainable!

Case scenarios:

You were born at home and the last thing on ANY body's mind during the commotion was to note the time of birth, and it was never recorded (nor inquired about).
You've asked one or both parents out of curiosity (or in fact for astrological reasons in the past) and they can't remember.

Perhaps Mom or Dad just wasn't in a good "remembering headspace" the day you asked. Inquire again, only this time indicate how important it is to you; chances are you'll be surprised at what may come. Also, ask your folks to help you search for a possible 'baby book' likely long-ago packed away in the attic, basement (barn?) -- somewhere?
You were "adopted," so your immediate response is that no birth records exist for you.

This situation does not mean that hospital records don't exist. Most likely the Children's Aid or similar agency will have access to these. It's just a matter of making a few phone calls.
One or both parents have passed on; you were never told your birthtime before then, and/or your surviving parent can't recall, so you figure there's no longer a way.

Your first possible source of inquiry could be of an older brother, sister; an aunt or uncle; a family friend, the doctor who delivered you, or in fact, hospital records (unless you were born at home). Failing that, perhaps, if still in possession of your parent's belongings, you may discover that 'baby book!'
After exhausting all the above possibilities, the best you can come up with is, "sometime in the morning" or "afternoon," etc.

The least encouraging: "No clue at all. Please don't tax my brain any more, dear, after all, with 12 kids, what do you expect?!"

There is this little ditty astrology employs, called 'Rectification' -- a technique employed to determine a likely birthtime through knowing when specific, life-impacting events occurred, and relating them to an astrologer skilled in using this method.

So do take the time and research it; you'll only have to do it once; but it's worth it if you want do have your chart done. Getting the most complete birth data you can does merit taking the time since you're planning to have your chart done anyway!