Moving astrology into the mainstream

I was inspired to write this article after I was sent to represent OPA  (Organization for Professional Astrologers) at the board of the ANS -  Astrology News Services, organization that is dedicated to spread the word about the value of astrology to the general public. 

 (was published at the Career Astrologer)

Moving astrology to the mainstream

In the many years I have studied astrology, defended its value as well as defended myself for practicing it, I have always hoped that one day a united body of astrologers will emerge, whose mission would be to educate the public about astrology. Over the years, as I have stopped defending astrology and myself for being an astrologer, I have had many thoughts and ideas regarding the appropriate ways to attain this goal.
The day has come. Ed Snow, with a distinguished group of astrologers, has put together the ANS (Astrology News Services) declaring as its mission same ideas I had envisioned.  And so, the Universe witnessed my thoughts and granted my wish by sending me as a representative of  OPA to the ANS, where I take part in this important assignment. It is the ANS hope that all astrologers will join in, contributing their thoughts and ideas about moving astrology as a vocation into the mainstream.

In addition to being a passionate astrologer I am a psychotherapist.  It is through that lens that I will present my ideas.

On the road to educating the public, I compare the resistance to opening up to astrology  to the individual’s resistance to change. To bring a person to make a change one must first show respect and understanding of his/hers worldview.

To be successful in our desire to introduce astrology to the public, we must first join them in understanding their doubts, skepticism and rejection of astrology. After all, we astrologers know how valuable and rich astrology is. We are passionate about this awesome body of knowledge. We do not “believe” in astrology. We KNOW it to be true. However, to the outsider it looks frivolous and a bunch of vague concepts with no merit or scientific validity. 

In therapy sessions we listen to our clients in a non-defensive, non judgmental manner. The same holds true for  interviews with the media on the subject of Astrology. I would hear people's arguments, calmly, non-defensively, explore their world views and show understanding, long before I would present my ideas and view point. Hopefully, such an approach will create a platform for a dialogue where the other side might open up and consider a different point of view. If nothing else, such an approach will present us as confident of our beliefs.

Being the psychotherapist that I am leads me to compare the relationship between the astrological community and the public to relationship between couples. As such, it often happens that when one expresses a desire for change the other automatically resists.  In such instances, it is recommended that the one who desires the change should start making it himself by looking within.

Research have indicated that when one implements change - the entire relationship changes. So before approaching the public with our wish that they accept us; before presenting research and proof with the hope to convince them, let us first look at ourselves. Let us first look within as astrologers and ask ourselves: Are we practicing astrology responsibly and ethically?  Are we being respectful and humble towards this body of wisdom?  Do we listen to our clients concern, or do we see them mainly through the printed version of their natal chart? Do we give them more details than they can digest, just because we have access to it?  Do we give our clients answers that contain choices or do we speak as if “we know it all”?  

 To be true to our clients and the public, we ought to present astrology with its strengths and weakness.  We can respond to the critics of astrology, with honesty pointing out that the system itself is perfect, it is us, the astrologers that are not always perfect in interpreting it. 

Like stock market analysts, financial analysts or doctors in the medical field, we too operate in a field with many variables that are out of our control. Therefore the results are not always what we anticipate. Pharmaceutical companies publish miles of disclaimers, yet people still “believe” in  their products. Likewise, we in the astrological profession, need to explore, accept and live peacefully with our limitations. We, too can share these “imperfections” out loud with the world. Doing so, is authentic and respectable.

And last but not least: Before asking the public to accept us, let’s ask ourselves how comfortable we are in our own skin: Do we feel confident about revealing to the world that we are astrologers?  Or, are we projecting our lack of confidence onto the world?  (Please go to Seven Forrest’s article on the ANS website). We can not expect the public to accept us before we feel totally comfortable in our own skin. To answer this question, ask yourself: Am I willing to drive my car with a bumper sticker saying:” I AM A PROUD ASTROLOGER”. If your answer is yes, let us take a bold step to bring astrology to public awareness while proving couples' relationship research is true: When one of the partners makes a change the other will follow suit.