TAKE A TOUR
Get to know what an astrology chart really looks like. I know this sounds silly but you have to be able to identify every detail in every chart you'll ever encounter as a professional astrologer, so it's important to become comfortable and efficient with the actual layout. The chart is, in effect, a map of space and time with you (or whoever you're studying) at the centre. The more up-close-and -personal you can be with this map, the better. Don't just skim the surface, absorb every detail - the signs, houses, planets, aspects, degrees, etc. In astrology, everything is relevant.
KNOW YOURSELF
The best person to analyse when you're starting out is YOU. With all the necessary ingredients required to be the perfect case study, use your birth data (date, time, place) to calculate your own natal chart, then take a good look.... It's important to be honest with yourself because not everything that emerges from your chart will be positive and flattering. If, for example, your chart says that you are prone to jealousy, think about it, don't just dismiss it. We all have negative personality traits which we'd rather not face up to, but your chart will present every facet of your character, good and bad. Accept your flaws as well as your assets because they are what make you the person you are.
DON'T TRY TO RUN BEFORE YOU CAN WALK
When we start out as astrology students we literally cannot wait to get to the most exciting part - predictions! However, doing forecasts is a long way off when you're still at the beginning. The most important thing is to get familiar with natal charts and practise the analysis and interpretation of them over and over again. The natal chart is the basic blueprint for everything else that astrology can be used for, so it's vital to get to grips with it before you attempt other, more complex techniques. Try out as many natal charts as you can by using yourself, family members and friends to test out your knowledge of what each chart represents. That way, you will be able to see how it all works and why your loved ones behave the way they do. Moody brother? It's his Pisces Moon. Overly strict mother? Her Leo Ascendant makes her want to be dominant.
READ BOOKS, NOT JUST WEBSITES
I know this sounds bizarre in the 21st century when we have access to world's biggest reference library, a.k.a. the internet, but quantity does not equal quality. Anyone can set up a website on any subject and that includes astrology. Unfortunately, the world wide web is full of astrological misinformation and fake astrologers who want you to pay for everything. Social media is just as bad - the crap I read on Twitter from other 'astrologers' is appalling.
When I was an astrology student, the internet didn't exist (yes, I'm very old) and I now realise that was actually an advantage. The pre-digital astrologers like myself had to learn their craft from the bottom up. I sat at a rickety old desk in the spare bedroom of our house for hours at a time, reading astrological textbooks. My working 'equipment' consisted of reference books, ephemeris tables, an atlas, a pocket calculator, pens, and pads of A4 paper. Not only did we calculate everything, we also had to draw the charts ourselves. It was hard work but that meant that only the most disciplined, dedicated and committed students went on to become professional astrologers. However, we now use a combination of books and websites - particularly in our work - although most of my astrological knowledge is stored in my brain which was the whole point of all those years of study. Many of the astrological textbooks I used are no longer available, however, here are some books that I would recommend:
THE ONLY ASTROLOGY BOOK YOU’LL EVER NEED
BY JOANNA MARTINE WOOLFOLK
The title is a bit pretentious as this is not the only astrology book you'll ever need, but nevertheless, this is a brilliant book for beginners. I haven't read it personally so I can't comment fully but my astrologer friends have highly recommended it.
RISING SIGNS: THE ASTROLOGICAL GUIDE TO THE IMAGE WE PROJECT
BY SASHA FENTON
This book is one I used myself when I was a student and I'm so pleased that it's still available now. Sasha Fenton explains everything in a down to earth but totally fascinating way. Her unique style combines traditional astrological information with her own observations gathered from surveys. For example, in her book on Moon Signs, she says that over 40% of people look like their Moon Sign and not their Rising Sign or Sun Sign. Facts like this blew my mind when I read them because no other astrologer provides this type of information. Sasha Fenton is definitely one astrologer who propelled me on the journey towards my own career in astrology. She is amazing.
THE NEW COMPLEAT ASTROLOGER
BY DEREK & JULIA PARKER
Another book I used as a student and read until it fell to pieces. Although mine was the original and this is an updated version, back in the 1970s and 1980s The Compleat Astrologer was the ultimate astrological textbook for blossoming astrologers and was revered in the astrological community. There's a bit of everything in it, so you can totally immerse your mind in all the facts and figures. A definite icon of astrological study.
ONLINE ASSISTANCE
For quick chart calculation I always use the website - www.astro.com - a very comprehensive source for chart construction which is used by most astrologers. Personally, I wouldn't waste my money on an astrology software program because astro.com does it all.
PATIENCE AND PERSEVERANCE
That old, well-known phrase 'practice makes perfect' is absolutely true. Once you have learned the basic principles of astrology, all you have to do is keep on doing it. The more you expose yourself to different people's charts, the more knowledge and insight you will gain. Astrology is a discipline, like learning a new language. There are no shortcuts. Be prepared to work hard to acquire as much experience as you can. If you really want to be an astrologer, it will be well worth the effort.
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