Honoring Skeptics

When you dabble in a practice that is considered to be on the 'fringe' relative to common or mainstream thinking you are bound to run into skeptics along the way. Astrology is certainly a fringe topic and it is an art/science that tends to attract some of the most sensitive souls into the grip of its siren song. Though I always have a way of coming off as though I am unfettered by a barrage of doubter energy, I am no exception to the trends toward sensitivity in those who practice and use astrology. Put simply, it affects me ( I have a Pisces Sun after all). But at the same time, there is something about feeling that barrage that gets my blood pumping and infuses me with a confidence (or maybe its arrogance) to respond with a solid argument.

If I try and respond in the heat of the moment, I can easily come off more arrogant and berating than I intend (Mercury in Aries). But when I actually take a minute to honor the value in the skeptic argument I can find the compassion to respond in a more conciliatory manner. I have to always remind myself that, I too, am a skeptic in many respects (Virgo Moon/AC) and that allowing healthy skepticism is actually what opens up the opportunities for those fringe ideas and topics to find there way into the common fray.

Below is a recent email that I received from a skeptic regarding my upcoming Relationship Astrology Workshop at Planet Earth Rising in Folsom, CA followed by my response to the email. I am glad I waited a day to respond and ensure that I honor her healthy skepticism. This is just an example of how someone who uses astrology can counter a common set of common assumptions regarding this ancient art/science. Enjoy!

Her Email:

"I’m on the e-mail list for Planet Earth Rising, so I get advertisements for classes all the time. Most of these I ignore because I’m not impressed with the presenters. To be blunt, I think they’re uneducated, superstitious people who are making up stuff because they don’t understand how the universe works. I was ready to delete your ad, until I read the part about how you have degrees in the sciences. Most scientists don’t believe in astrology. I’m wondering why you’re different. I’m intrigued. How is it that you don’t think astrology is superstitious nonsense for the simple minded?"

My Response:

"Sorry for not getting back to you sooner. I appreciate that you are opening your mind enough to discriminate what I am putting out there from what you usually encounter. The way I see it is that, people are not 'simple-minded' but people can approach situations with a 'simple mind'...i.e. black & white thinking. With regards to taking in new information there are two simple-minded approaches. One simple-minded approach is taking EVERY piece of information as truth while the other simple-minded approach is refusing EVERY piece of information as having any shread of truth. To me, both approaches lead a person away from their own personal truth.

My personal adages regarding any new information are to 'take the best & leave the rest' and 'never throw the baby out with the bathwater' and I start every presentation that I do with those statements. See this brief video below from a previous relationship workshop where I explain this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OEmYH5UXu64&feature=channel_video_title

Some of the presenters at Planet Earth Rising resonate with me while others do not resonate with me at all. But even with those who resonate with me, I don't take EVERYTHING that they say as truth. The point is, I believe we have our own truth and that following any whole truth of another person or group is just an example of 'dogma.' I also find that even the presenters that don't resonate with me can have SOME nuggets of wisdom and truth to offer me so I usually give people a chance and then filter as needed.

When you say that 'most scientists don't believe in astrology' I have to admit that the statement itself requires some clarification on two levels.

First, if you include scientists like Copernicus, Einstein, Newton, Galileo, Pythagorus, Jung, and other classic scientists that worked with astrology, then I am not sure if the word 'most' can be used with any scientific confidence. These scientists, as well as others, have utilized astrology and studied it quite extensively. Their other works have been accepted into modern times and is what made them 'famous' but it begs one to question why so many of our 'most intelligent' and 'scientific' forefathers would have bothered beyond an initial assessment if it was 'superstitious nonsense'. The reason is that, as bizarre as the 'concept' of astrology seems, scientifically speaking...there IS something to it! I really can't get into everything regarding this on an email as there is just too much information.

In terms of modern research, have you heard of the Gauquelin Sectors study? Here is a brief link to it (http://www.astrosoftware.com/gauquelinsectors.htm). Here is also a good analogy for you from a previous recorded class where I compare our lack of understanding of astrology to our lack of understanding of gravity:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9zyaj2UCgPU&feature=related. And while its true that through modern media outlets, astrology is 'portrayed' as something that 'most scientists' don't 'believe' in, it isn't true that there aren't plenty of modern scientists who, while they don't understand 'how', cannot deny the results that they see with it.

Second, you use the word 'believe' in your statement which implies that those who work with astrology do so because they 'believe' in it and not because it works. To judge anything based on simple-minded 'belief' or simple-minded 'dis-belief' is the definition of 'unscientific'. Are you aware of the practice of astrology beyond using simple Sun-signs? I personally do not deal with astrology on such a simplistic level and refuse to feed people's false assumptions about just their sun-signs (i.e. I am Aries so I'm...). Here is a clip of me from January when I was invited on FOX 40 Live to field questions from Joe Orlando where I respond to a similar 'simple-minded' assumption about astrology: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=60mwAtU_rbI&feature=channel_video_title

Your question:

"How is it that you don’t think astrology is superstitious nonsense for the simple minded?"

My answer:

I don't think that astrology is 'superstitious nonsense for the simple minded' because I am not simple minded enough to take astrology at face value as something to either believe in or not believe in. I spent YEARS observing astrology in action because I was skeptical. And at some point (as is true with every scientific type that investigates it) I had to surrender to the fact that even though I don't completely understand it, it doesn't mean that it doesn't somehow work.

I am curious as to what your own personal research into astrology has yielded or whether you have completed any of your own research since you sound so confident in your assertion that astrology is superficial nonsense? Are you merely taking on the 'dogma' of what you have heard? :). That would be a pretty simple-minded approach to something for which you don't have any experience...no? :)...i'm teasing.

Sir Isaac Newton (i.e. Mr. Physics) may have said it best in regards to defending astrology when he said to the man for which Halley's Comet was named :

"Sir, I have studied it, you have not" - Sir Isaac Newton

Halley was questioning Newton's involvement with astrology at the time.

You are MORE than welcome to attend my relationship astrology workshop on Sun May 22 at Planet Earth (230-530p) as I enjoy introducing these concepts to those with skeptical (i.e. filtering) minds like my own. For a glimpse at other pieces of this workshop, please check out some of these videos on this playlist from a previously recorded workshop on the topic: http://www.youtube.com/user/myastrochris#grid/user/66212E6F300843C5

Regardless of what tool one is using (i.e. astrology or anything else), when you can gain a better understanding of your own unconscious drives and gain a better understanding of the higher meaning behind your current experiences, it can improve your life and ability to accept what is. THIS is why I value astrology. Getting over my own need to 'know' how it works just happens to be the hardest part.

I hope that helps!

Thanks for your feedback!"

-My Astro Chris

"What Kind of Astrology Reading Should I Get?"

As an astrologer, this is a question I hear often. Of course my initial response to this question is almost always to say, “The only thing you should do is stop using the word ‘should’.” But rather than discuss the obligatory approach to life that people who ‘should’ themselves to death are accustomed to, I’d like to attempt to answer the question at hand.

With astrology, there is a smorgasbord of possible consultations in which one could participate. There are many styles of astrology including Western, Vedic, Chinese, etc. But even within just Western astrology there are many types of consultations. The bottom line is that it really depends on the kind of information in which you are interested. But if you have previously never experienced an astrological consultation then a Natal Chart Analysis is a good starting point.

Natal Chart Analysis

A Natal Chart Analysis is a thorough and comprehensive overview of an individual’s core intentions, life challenges/growth and unique talents based on their birth time and place. This is often referred to as the ‘Birth Chart’ as well. My Natal consultations cover everything from personal inclinations to past life karma with the intention of uncovering your unconscious motivations and imparting you with wisdom so that you can regain empowerment over your own life choices. With this consultation you can walk away with a higher consciousness of your life intentions as well as a better grasp of the unconscious motivations that block you from achieving these intentions.

Learning how to gain control over your unconscious responses can be a very powerful experience toward aligning with your truth!

The information that you need for the most accurate and useful Natal Chart Analysis is typically found on your birth certificate and it includes the following:

-Birth date: (i.e. April 27, 1965)
-Birth time: (i.e. 6:38 PM)
-Birth location: (i.e. Seattle, WA)

Once you’ve experienced a Natal Chart reading and have digested the information enough to understand yourself from this new perspective, you may be ready to explore other types of consultations.

Sample Natal Chart from Astrodienst
(click to enlarge)


Astrology Forecasts

Forecasts are what most people typically think of when it comes to astrology. But if you want a forecast that is based on your own unique chart and valid only for you then you will need to dig a little deeper than the typical newspaper sun-sign forecasts with which most people are familiar.

Once you have experienced at least one Natal Chart reading to enlighten you with regards to your soul intention and unconscious blockages it becomes very valuable to assess where you are on your journey and what opportunities and challenges are on your plate and/or on your horizon. There is a plethora of forecasting methodologies available including transits, progressions, return charts, solar arcs etc. Depending on the astrologer, they will use some combination of methodologies like these in coming up with a forecast.

While some people want to hear about specific events that ‘will’ occur in their life during a forecast consultation, the reality is that astrology can only reveal the potentials and alert the client in terms of where their power lies relative to circumstances. A client open to the process learns quickly how they alone possess the power to make their own life choices. An astrology forecast simply arms the client with extra resources and alternative perspectives to help them welcome circumstances into their life as part of a continual growth process instead of trying to block out life circumstances that don’t fit into their expected mold for their lives.

I get plenty of feedback from clients regarding the accuracy of ‘predictions’ and how pleased they were to feel more equipped to handle their circumstances due to their consultations with me. These same clients will often ask me how long they should wait for another forecast consultation. Based on how I structure my consultations I usually recommend to ‘check in’ once per year. My forecast consultations typically cover a period from several years previous to the meeting through approximately 1-2 years into the future. So once per year is a pretty good measure of time in between forecasts.

In fact, the Solar Return Chart Analysis is a great ‘once per year’ chart consultation that reveals themes for the client for the measure of one entire birthday year. This is a chart derived for when the Sun returns to the same location in the zodiac it was when the client was born. This occurs once per year within a day or so of their birthday. One drawback to the Solar Return consultation is that timing is relatively non-specific with the chart. I personally feel that giving the client an accurate sense of timing for life circumstances on their horizon is more valuable to them and provides more opportunity for prognostic feedback. I will often recommend getting a Solar Return reading in conjunction with other forecasting modalities to better sync a sense of timing with the consultation.

While these once a year forecasts make great birthday and holiday gifts for New Years, sometimes there are situations that come up in between these time periods where an astrological perspective may be beneficial. Such is often the case with relationships.

Relationships

Whether it’s with a romantic partner, business partner, friend, or family member, relationships are pretty complex organisms. Based on the Natal Charts of two individuals, an astrologer can assess the dynamics between them in terms of attraction, projection and opportunities for growth. The connections between two charts, called ‘synastry’, can be very revealing in this regard.

An astrologer can also analyze the couple in terms of their collective energy using what are known as Composite Charts and/or Davidson Charts. These charts look at the relationship as a 3rd entity; separate from the individuals that form the pair. A chart like this can be thought of as a ‘user manual’ for the relationship and can offer insight into the unique dynamics that exist within this pairing.

If both individuals are open to it, this can be a very powerful tool for growth and healing. This reading is NOT for finding out if someone is your soul mate but instead is a tool to assess how to work constructively with the existing dynamics within the relationships that you choose. Deciding on with whom to spend the rest of your life is always the choice of the individual.

While a relationship analysis is traditionally applied in terms of life partners and exclusive romantic relationships, this method can also be adjusted and applied to any interaction between two people including siblings, friends, roommates, parent/child, boss/employee, etc.

The feedback that I have received for my relationship consultations has been very positive. Couples that are looking to astrology to enhance their ability to understand each other and to communicate their differences find it very beneficial. Also, individuals that come to me regarding a relationship that they are questioning often receive the validation they are looking for to help them better make a decision regarding the future of the relationship in question.

Looking for an Astrology Consultation?

This article barely scratches the surface with regards to the types of astrology readings available and in terms of how astrology can be used. But my intention here is to introduce the basic make-up of astrology consultations and the value of forecasts and other astrological assessments in one’s life.

For more information on the personal consultations that I offer please visit my website at www.myastrochris.com and go to the Personal Consultations tab.

Thank you for reading!