Classics like The Essential Guide to Practical Astrology by April Elliott Kent, Parker’s Astrology by Derek and Julia Parker, and On The Heavenly Spheres by Helena Avelar and Luis Ribeiro will provide you with both an overview of the field and in-depth explanations of concepts. For an online guide to astrological terms, try http://www. theastrologydictionary. com.
Bringing up astrology with your friends can be daunting, but many people enjoy hearing about themselves. Ask whether they know much about their astrological signs, and if not, offer to tell them about their sun, moon, and rising signs. If your friend knows something about astrology, you may have found someone to have more in depth conversations with. You can use the internet to find astrology chat rooms, forums, and even meetups in your area. The National Council for Geocosmic Research has local chapters with meetings listed on its website.
Charts are the way astrologers attempt to capture and predict moments in time. Learning about the astrological houses, chart progressions, aspects, ephemera, retrogrades, and the like will ensure that you have the tools to perform a full astrological interpretation. Try a book like Chart Interpretation Handbook by Stephen Arroyo for detailed instructions on how to interpret a chart.
You can use online tools to generate their chart, like http://www. astro. com or https://cafeastrology. com/. Some resources will also provide interpretations you can check yours against to see how well you are doing. If you are known among your friends as an astrology fan, you can see if they will recommend you to friends you know less well. This will give you practice working with people you don’t already know.
Make note of what you like and dislike about each one. There are multiple traditions and interpretation styles in astrology, and this will help you narrow down which ones you prefer.
One way to move from being a serious hobbyist toward becoming a professional astrologer is to learn how to construct astrological charts, rather than simply interpreting them. Professional astrologers also use transits and progressions to do astrological forecasting, or the prediction of future events. Applying your knowledge to this aspect of astrology will put you ahead of most amateurs.
There are schools where you can earn degrees in astrology, like Kepler College in Seattle, Washington, as well as local classes in most major cities. Online certification programs include the International Academy of Astrology and the Faculty of Astrological Studies. You should be aware that most institutions of higher learning do not recognize certificates or degrees in astrology, and so they function more as professional accreditation within the field, rather than universally recognized academic qualifications.
If you don’t know what kind of astrologer you want to be, look up professional astrologers in your area or on a professional astrology association website and see what kind of work they do. Of course, as in any field, astrologers change directions and switch jobs in the course of their career. You aren’t stuck with whatever you choose, but having a good idea of where you want to go will help you find mentors and get peer support.
This will give you valuable experience, in addition to feedback on your readings if the astrologer sits in on your consultations with clients. Visiting a potential mentor will help them understand your commitment, and give you a chance to offer to help as an assistant.
Being certified will put you on the astrological map and give clients a good reason to choose you. Some major astrological certification groups are the International Society for Astrological Research, the Organization for Professional Astrology, and the National Council for Geocosmic Research. Certification as an astrologer will help you within the field of astrology, but unlike a Certified Public Accountant, yours will most likely not be recognized by other disciplines and trades.
If professional astrology is not legal in your location, relocating or initiating legal challenges are your best options. Check and see if there is a professional astrological organization that would help back your legal challenge if you choose to go that route.
Other options to consider are online astrology and client visitations, in which you would interact with the client virtually or in their home, respectively. Both of these avoid the cost of an office space without making your home available to clients. [12] X Research source
Like any small business, an astrological practice requires a lot of work to stay afloat. Learning how to open and run a small business will be invaluable for your success.
If you previously worked as an assistant or apprentice for an astrologer, take their set of equipment as a guide for what you might need.
Compare your rates with those of other astrologers in the market your practice operates in.
Marketing at New Age and metaphysical stores and newsletters is a classic way to build an astrology practice. [16] X Research source Be sure not to underestimate the power of online advertising. Targeted ads can help you reach clients who may not otherwise have thought to get a professional reading.
