If you know you have said any of the following things to me or another astrologer at some point, then know this: you inspired this blog post!

Picture the scene:

“So what do you do for a living?”

“…I’m an Astrologer”

Scenario one

Eyebrows lift as though assisted by helium, usually followed by “oh wow that’s different” (if speaking to a polite person) or a shocked expression followed by “why would you want to do that?” (if speaking to a not-so polite person)

I’m just told you I’m an astrologer – Not Jeffrey Dahmer!

Scenario two

Another good one is the sympathetic head tilt and pained expression as I explain what I do. People actually look at me like I‘ve just introduced them to my imaginary friend.

Scenario three

Then there’s the awkward crossed-wires: “I’d love to own a telescope, I think space is so interesting”. 

I then have to explain the difference between Astronomy and Astrology, which often leads back to scenario one or two, and occasionally scenario four…

Scenario four

Once the cat’s out the bag and people have learned about what I do, some people actually AVOID me! It’s interesting how people cope with someone who dares to follow their true path in life rather fitting in to the cookie-cutter mould which society expects of them.

As Jack Nicholson says in the film Easy Rider, people talk about freedom but when they see it, it scares them.

After these initial scenarios, one of the following reactions usually follow…

Reaction #1

“Oh yeah? So what am I thinking right now?”

This statement is often followed by an open palm being thrust under my nose. I’m an astrologer, not a palmist!

Now I’m not saying I don’t have psychic tendencies, but that doesn’t mean I walk around hearing everyone’s internal monologue.

However, I’m pretty sure if I could hear inside the head of the person asking me this question, they’d be thinking:

“What a load of bollocks”

Reaction #2

“If you can prove it, I’ll believe it.”

In the past I’ve succumbed to pressures of proving what I do; interpreting areas of the sceptic’s chart, my efforts are usually met with disinterest and critique.

These people don’t want to do the hard work; for them to believe, they want me to hand them a scroll from Oxford University declaring Astrology back on the curriculum (it used to be once upon a time). 

Astrological knowledge isn’t something you suddenly wake up with; It’s a lifetime of analysis, conversation, courses and research. There’s an art to understanding, interpreting and articulating the symbolism of the natal chart, requiring time, patience and dedication.

Like most astrologers, I started out studying my own chart. No one proved it to me, I proved it to myself.

Even Elle Woods had to work for it!

Reaction #3

“If star signs are real then each twelfth of the world would have the exact same day.”

This is a sweeping statement which doesn’t address the depth of astrology; if one twelfth of the world had the same day, we’d all know about it and horoscopes would be the main headline on the news.

People making these comments think that astrology is based on the sun sign alone and as all astrologers will tell you, the Sun is just the tip of the astrological iceberg! 

I live with mirror image twins born 10 minutes apart. The younger twin is in a relationship with a girl who was born on the same day and year as them, twelve hours earlier in a different part of England.

The three of them are very different people with different stories to tell. However, there are echos of similarity in their life experience, and timings of their life events are uncannily in-line with each other.

Being born just a few minutes apart can drastically affect the natal chart, including the sign and degree of the ascendant and lunar placement. We’re all different and the natal chart serves to highlight this for me.

Pop-astrology and horoscopes have their place. But they’ll never compare to the depth of a personal reading with a professional astrologer, in the same way calling up KACL to speak to Dr Frasier Crane could never replace a one-to-one session with a psychotherapist.

Reaction #4

“What are the odds it’s all just a load of nonsense?”

I find this to be the most bewildering of comments. Why would I spend so much time doing what I do? Why would I write endlessly about transits coming up? Why would I want to waste one moment of my precious time on this planet doing what I do, if I genuinely thought it was a load of nonsense?

Quite frankly, I wouldn’t – I’m a Capricorn FFS!

I do what I do because my life improved so dramatically from my first reading that I wanted to share its healing qualities with other people. I do what I do to empower people to become the best version of themselves, to help them through difficult times, to show people there is a light at the end of the tunnel in a crisis.

I know what I am doing works, as I get good feedback from my clients.

I can see astrology working whether I am looking for it or not. Once the brain is wired to recognise these things, they just present themselves – sometimes in such simple and amazing ways you have to smile.

This is a statement all astrologers will relate to, but those who don’t understand or practice astrology will struggle to accept.

Reaction #5

“What you do is dangerous and misleading”

This comment is loaded with judgement and preconceived ideas. Often the person making this statement has never had a reading but assumes they know what goes on in a consultation, has been brought up in a home where astrology is considered demonic, or has a friend of a friend of a friend who had a bad experience.

In truth, a bad astrological consultation can do a lot of damage, in the same way bad teachers can damage the confidence of their students. I had bad teachers growing up who impacted my confidence terribly, but I also had some incredible teachers who undid the damage of the past.

I decided to study at a reputable astrology school with an internationally renowned principal where I learned not only astrology, but also ethical consultation skills. The tutors that teach there work as consulting astrologers, counsellors and psychotherapists.

Every profession has its charlatans, cowboys and crooks

This doesn’t mean that there aren’t charlatans out there who say they can read a birth chart when actually their sole intention is to rip you off.

However, THESE PEOPLE ARE NOT ASTROLOGERS! They are people who DO NOT have your best interests at heart. That is why there are regulating bodies and organisations set up to ensure the practicing astrologers registered with them are qualified, trustworthy, and professional. If this is not your experience, you can report back to the regulators to ensure these crooks aren’t able to practice anymore.

I am registered with the Astrological Association in the UK, and you can also check out the credentials of astrology schools as well as individual astrologers with the Association of Professional Astrologers International.

My Advice:

Do your research. Find an astrologer with credentials you can trust or go by recommendation. A good astrologer will have a conversation with you beforehand if you want to see how you feel about booking a consultation with them. There are many different branches and techniques practiced, so if they think you are looking for something a little bit different, they will recommend a suitable astrologer for your specific needs. If the astrologer you have found isn’t willing to do this, then they probably aren’t the astrologer for you.

The post Five Classic Reactions When I Tell People I’m An Astrologer first appeared on Stellium Astrology.

The post Five Classic Reactions When I Tell People I’m An Astrologer appeared first on Stellium Astrology.

I felt inspired to write a little list of five things I love about each of the signs, and believe me, it was hard to narrow it down to 5! If I missed something, why not comment below to let me know what you think?

Aries

1. Not afraid to take charge
2. They are able to push you into being better by talking up your strong points
3. They don’t beat around the bush – brutal at times
4. Doesn’t get offended if you don’t feel like following them
5. They are excellent leaders and inspire others to be more true to themselves

Taurus

1. They know how to relax in style
2. They aren’t afraid of spending a bit more on better quality stuff
3. They give the best cuddles
4. They make food with amazing flavour
5. They can’t be pushed into something if they don’t want to do it

Gemini

1. They juggle many tasks so effortlessly
2. They are always there for a chat if you need to talk to someone
3. They can introduce you to a variety of new ideas in one conversation with their far reaching knowledge
4. They always have a cool book to lend you when you’ve run out of things to read
5. They’ll go on adventures with you and have no qualms about jumping on a bus and travelling for a few miles

Cancer

1. Always know how to make you feel better when you are feeling down
2. Are amazing at cooking comfort food, or sorting food out for a party that caters for a variety of tastes and dietary requirements
3. They are amazing at spotting a niche and can inspire you to do that thing before anyone’s ever thought of it
4. They aren’t too proud to let their emotions show
5. They’ll defend and protect their loved ones when someone starts attacking them. (My protective little sis is a Cancarian 🙂 )

Leo

1. Wear their heart on their sleeve, and sparkles on their garments
2. Bring out the child in us all
3. Amaze you with their confidence and comfort when all eyes are on them
4. Teaches us to be proud of our talents and gives us permission to showcase them
5. They always have such amazing hair

Virgo

1. Is humble and helpful
2. Are so helpful when you need it and they want to do all they can to assist
3. They intuitively know which foods are best for us
4. They are able to get the practical stuff done that no one else really wants to do
5. They are always able to offer practical advice and help make sense of situations which might be confusing and difficult

Libra

1. Are able to listen and offer impartial advice to a situation
2. Always look effortlessly gorgeous
3. Are able to handle the most difficult situations with grace, and charm – natural mediators
4. Don’t like to get involved with bitching
5. Are generally calming to be around
6. They give the best gifts and are so thoughtful

Scorpio

1. Will be by your side in a crisis
2. Will sit up to the early hours discussing issues you just couldn’t talk to anyone else about (or just watching stranger things and scary movie marathons)
3. Show you the beauty in the darker side of life
4. Will have you believing you can achieve something that you were doubting moments before you spoke to them 
5. Have the most incredible strength when facing problems of their own

Sagittarius

1. Can just let things go when they are fed up of worrying or being angry 
2. Really know how to let their hair down and have fun
3. Can help you to see the bigger picture rather than getting hung up on the details
4. Fill you with an infectious optimism and really lift the mood
5. Will always find a reason to go to the pub and celebrate with you

Capricorn

1. Take the no-nonsense approach when they need you to listen to them
2. They’re good at adulting
3. They’ll help you to sort out your finances/budget when you’ve gone off track
4. They aren’t work shy, and they’ll impress you with what they are capable of achieving
5. They are happy to take responsibility for things, leaving everyone else free to party – just not too blatantly under their nose or they’ll get irritated!

Aquarius

1. They never judge you for being 100% yourself
2. You can be totally weird in front of them and they won’t bat an eyelid. In fact they’ll join and and have you in stitches for hours
3. They are great campaigners and can inspire lots of people to get on board with what they feel passionate about
4. They do their own thing and often others are drawn to them because they have such unique skills
5. They are natural rebels and don’t want to go with the status quo – they’ll wear odd socks on purpose.

Pisces

1. Have a beautiful outlook on life and can turn the gloomiest day into a poetic vision
2. Teach us forgiveness by letting go of the negative crap and believing in the inherent good in people
3. Can meet you on a level when you are feeling depressed, down or just plain shitty. They’ll be there to share stories of sadness and difficulty. You won’t feel alone.
4. They make you want to transcend the mundane and inject an element of magic into existence
5. They will make you feel organised because they generally live in chaos. They know it and they’re cool about it!

Each sign has it’s own special gifts and I felt like celebrating them all! So there you go, this responsible, serious Cappy has shown some love. The sunny weather must be affecting me!

The post Five Things I Love About Each of the Signs first appeared on Stellium Astrology.

The post Five Things I Love About Each of the Signs appeared first on Stellium Astrology.

Pivotal points in life can feel very difficult to navigate but understanding the bigger picture underscores the importance of  bigger decisions and how they complement our healing path.

When my personal journey commenced, I had no idea how much my life would change for the better.

People are drawn to studying the craft when they’re ready to start learning about themselves on a much deeper level. It’s a therapeutic journey which calls out to you. In my case, it felt like a homecoming and it was a total game-changer!

And the greatest thing? Anyone can benefit from the improved life experience astrology offers! Below are the benefits astrology has provided, which could apply to your life, too!

Five ways astrology changed my life for the better

1. It gives me daily insight to the deeper meaning in everything

In a similar way to the casino scene with Zach Galifianakis in the Hangover, I spend large chunks of my time mentally figuring out which planet is currently rising, which sign the moon is in, and whether something is making a hard aspect to the ascendant of the moment based purely on what’s happening around me.

I also listen to people in a deeper way, unpicking the phrases they use which might give me a clue to the happenings in their natal charts as well as wondering what their natal chart actually looks like. I can often see aspects of their chart in their appearance. I love the depth in which I find meaning in the little moments in life. 

via GIPHY

2. My social and professional circles expanded in the best possible way

The friends I have made during my astrological adventures – in classrooms, lectures and conferences – are friends I will keep in touch with to the end of my days. Some people I have never met in person, the internet has been our stomping ground.

The language of Astrology transcends age, time and cultural background. It connects people, events and cultures and allows objective analysis. It’s a whole world of weird and wonderful. Having a special code language is pretty cool, too. 

3. I gained a deeper understanding of the human condition

Astrology can provide a context to other people’s seemingly inexplicable actions. Having a disagreement with someone can be seen in the chart of the moment very easily. You can see what the disagreement is about from your own perspective, and the perspective of the other person.

Another thing you can do is look at the other person’s natal chart and transits to gain insight in the problems affecting them. I have done this so many times and my anger towards the situation shifts very quickly to empathy and understanding. It is a humbling experience.

This doesn’t mean that you don’t get peed off or upset! We’re meant to experience our emotions. However, its far easier to be objective in matters of the heart as astrology offers insight into the subconscious motivations of ourselves and others.

It has also helped me to see the bigger picture, making sense of ‘failings’ or wrongdoings and showing how they make things fit into the bigger picture.

Ultimately it helped me to understand that no matter who we are or what kind of background we come from, we all have our troubles. We all have problems on this human journey, whether we choose to battle them publicly or handle them in private.

4. I made peace with myself and found true happiness

Studying astrology is like attending therapy where you get constant revelations about your actions, personality and the world around you.

Being a Capricorn with a Scorpio Moon and a Gemini Ascendant, the need for control and understanding is great! So imagine how out of kilter I felt when I didn’t understand what was going on in my life during difficult times and I felt in a state of chaos. I struggled to cope with depression and anxiety and took medication for years.

As a school child during the 80’s and 90’s with an undiagnosed case of ADHD, I had teachers telling me I was stupid and lazy – I recently read over my old school reports which really upset and angered me! I really felt for that misunderstood young girl.

However, when starting out in my astrological studies, I realised none of the things my teachers told me were true, and in fact my aversion to routine and a need for constant mental stimulation was expressed very clearly by my natal chart. I could also see the untapped potential of these markers. With this personal insight, I have been able to manage the difficult days without medication for years.

I’m not saying the tough times go away when you study astrology – of course they don’t. But even the most difficult days are helped along with the insight astrology can provide. I am reminded that nothing is permanent and we are all in a state of constant flux. Moments come and moments go –such is the nature of life.

So even if you can’t see anything bright about your day, you can at least see the light at the end of the tunnel and know that tough transits pass. You can even focus on the positive transits coming up and plan for how you are going to use them rather than letting them go by un-noticed.

5. I’d achieve things I’d never dreamed possible

Sounds cliché? Perhaps. But since becoming an astrologer, I am much more aware of my capabilities and perceived limitations.

I had always dreamed of being published in magazines and books, presenting a radio show, travelling the world and being part of something that gives my life meaning whilst being able to help others. Astrology has made all of these things possible.

I’ve been involved in many podcast projects including my own: The Stellium Astrology Podcast, had my own horoscope column in ELLE Magazine, have had articles published in a variety of publications, online and in Magazines and have travelled across the globe presenting my ideas and research! I’ve also helped many people along their healing journey, using the skills and experience I’ve gained through mine.

Put simply, my life has opened up to opportunities which were simply not available to me before. Pursuing an unconventional career doesn’t come without it’s challenges, and it’s a great compliment when people express their respect to me for doing this work. It’s alwao a great feeling to see my friends being inspired by the path I’ve taken.

But mostly I just love doing the thing that makes my heart sing and sharing it with the rest of the world. It’s a true blessing and I am eternally grateful to be walking this path.

Have you noticed improvements in your life since studying astrology? I’d love to hear about your experiences! Share your stories with me in the comments below.

The post Five Ways Astrology Changed My Life For The Better first appeared on Stellium Astrology.

The post Five Ways Astrology Changed My Life For The Better appeared first on Stellium Astrology.