'Strology

Have you seen those memes or question-and-answer 'interviews' in magazines which ask you (or a famous person) to say something about yourself that not many people know? To divulge something surprising about yourself? Well here's one of mine for you ... I am a fully qualified astrologer. I studied for 6 years with The Faculty of Astrological Studies and gained first my Certificate (on completion of the Foundation Course and exam) and then my full Diploma (for which the exams are very demanding). This is generally considered to be a darned fine qualification in astrology, and entitles me to put 'D.F.Astrol.S' after my name should I so wish (though I never have).

I'm aware that there are lots of folks out there who think and say "astrology is a load of bollocks", which is fine by me; we'll just agree to disagree. I have never sought to convince anyone else to buy into my opinions on anything, the subject of astrology is no different.

I can't remember when I first became interested in the subject. I do recall my parents giving my brother and I some money when we were children, to go and get a comic to take away on holiday with us. He bought the prescribed comic, but I came out of the newsagents with Old Moore's Almanac, and proceeded to spend many hours that summer with my head buried in its off white, stinky-printer-ink pages. After a few years of reading books on the subject, I started my formal studies in 1989; and I would like to publicly thank Penny Thornton for her time, tips, kindness and the encouragement she gave me in that respect. I would also like to thank my tutor Cicely, who showed endless patience and wisdom in the years she spent teaching and working with me.

Most people who rubbish astrology haven't bothered to study it - I guess they've already decided it's not for them. I can't pretend to know precisely how it 'works' - people with far more intelligence than me have contemplated the issue and come to no firm conclusion, so I won't tax my brain trying. I certainly don't believe that the planets are exerting some sort of physical power over us - although most people recognise that the Sun and Moon do have a physical impact on each and every one of us. As far as I'm concerned it's a richly symbolic language, which gives those who know how to use it tremendous insight into many aspects of life and human nature.

I don't read newspaper or magazine horoscopes, but I acknowledge they are (usually) based on correct astronomical and astrological activity. However, those people who say 'how can that forecast be pertinent for one twelfth of the population?' are absolutely right in my book. The sort of astrology I'm interested in needs a full natal - which in turn requires an accurate time, date and place of birth. Nobody has the same chart as anyone else - unless they are born at EXACTLY the same time, in the same place, on the same day. Each of us is truly unique, as is our individual chart.

In my world, astrology is used as a practical tool and always has been. I view it as something akin to a celestial weather forecast, and just as a weather forecast doesn't stop us doing anything we are determined to do, nor does astrology negate our free will. If you are determined to go for a picnic on Tuesday but the weather man tells you it's going to persist down, it doesn't physically stop you going does it? If he's got it right, the worst than can happen is that you get soggy sandwiches and/or damp doughnuts, but it might have been more enjoyable if you had chosen another day to picnic.

So it is with astrology - a transit, direction, progression, harmonic, midpoint or return chart won't make you do something you don't want to (or stop you doing anything) - but it sure as hell might help you to understand why you want to do whatever you're intent on doing, and give an insight into when you might be most successful in your endeavours. It can also tell you when life is likely to be persisting down - thus allowing you to be prepared for any likelihood of your metaphorical doughnuts becoming very damp indeed.

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