by Alison Price
By Alison Price
Astrology students who think of starting their practice often ask me “Where do clients come from?”
This really is a query any independent business owner will pose. It is the whole point of doing what you do and selling your services, but to whom and where are they?
Where do you find your first client or indeed the second and third?
Maybe you need some advertising
There are several traditional ways to advertise and attract astrology clients such as:
- An advert in your local newspaper.
- Placing a promotional piece in new age trade magazines.
- Putting up flyers in esoteric bookshops.
- Mentioning your services at your local astrology group.
- Word of mouth.
By far and away the best form of advertising for an astrologer is word of mouth. This is so for three reasons:
Personal reference is best, personal reference is best and personal reference is best.
Personal reference is best
The person who refers you is a past client and has been to see you already.
- They have the inside track on exactly what goes on at a reading.
- They refer you because they like you, what you have to say and your style.
- They want their friend or family member to like you and your reading as well.
- Clients who come to you via a personal reference are pre-sold on astrology.
The take home from this is that you have to look after your first client. They are the portal to new business. They can become repeat business easily. This is critical.
You need to treat every client as you do your first client to grow your business.
Your chart attracts your clients
If we accept that you are your chart and the placements and connections in your nativity show who you are and the potentials you have to become in this lifetime, then it follows that you will attract the clients you need.
Say you enter a room with ten people lined up, immediately you are attracted to one or two, you are not attracted to one or two and the remaining six people well they could go either way.
This instinctive attract/repel comes from your chart.
I believe you are attracted to the other person’s natal chart energies and how they integrate or fit in with yours.
They say “You choose pick your friends and not your relatives” and the friends you do select suit you and your chart. Like a jigsaw puzzle, you add a piece each time you make a friend. They have to fit. With you and your chart.
Your clients want to fit with you and indeed they are happy when they do.
You are your chart
As you go through life you project your ascendant outwards followed by the rest of your chart in varying degrees. Naturally others respond to it. Synastry.
There is no point in looking towards other astrologers and trying to emulate their business success (at least not in a detailed way) as their chart is intrinsically different yours.
There are many books on business and that is a subject in itself. Here I am trying to show you how to use your very is talents as show by your unique birth chart which is the astrologers edge. I urge you to try it.
by Alison Price
by Alison Price
You can improve your astrological interpretations in one week. Simply follow this seven day plan to get your readings back on track.
By taking these few steps you will be ready to present the best consultation you can muster on Saturday.
That’s six sleeps!
First you will interpret the natal chart and then selected forecast work.
At the end you won’t have considered every single little detail, but you will have looked at the important components of the natal chart and forecast indicators.
Sunday: Book and Print your client’s charts
Book
Book a client for next Saturday. It can be a family member, a friend or new person. But it must be a chart for someone you have not done before. Make it a one hour session.
Choose a consultation time when the transiting ascendant is in the same polarity as your Sun. If your Sun is in the passive polarity make the consultation time when a passive sign rising and the same for active signs.
Print
Having their chart details, print out the natal chart, transits and progressions.
Cast and print the consultation chart (the chart of the time and place where the consultation will happen).
Use a bi-wheel with the natal chart in the centre and secondary progressions on the outside. By hand write in the current positions of Uranus, Neptune and Pluto outside the bi-wheel.
Don’t start the written interpretations yet.
Color in the major natal aspect patterns. T-Squares in red, grand trines in blue, yods in green and Thor’s Hammers in orange.
Highlight the chart ruler and any sign or house emphasis in yellow.
Monday: The Balances and Strengths
Today you start writing your notes.
As you write, list all the short form codes in the margins and explore the full interpretation meanings in the body of the page.
Find the balances in the chart.
- Active and passive.
- Elements and mode strength.
- Strong signs and houses.
- Major aspect patterns.
Know the strong parts of your client’s chart. These will be things they are aware of already and hearing them makes you look good and seem capable.
Pull out the other chart highlights
Tuesday: The Ascendant and Chart Ruler
Explore the Ascendant complex
- Look at the sign on the ascendant.
- Consider the aspects to the ascendant.
- Note any planets rising or placed in the first house.
Explore the Ascendant ruler complex
That means the planet that rules the sign on the ascendant (use traditional rulers).
- Look at the chart ruler’s sign.
- Consider the chart ruler’s house.
- Note the chart ruler’s aspects.
Write out your keywords and fully understand each and every detail.
If there is an aspect you are not sure of, for instance Mars conjunct the Ascendant, research it thoroughly by reading the aspect in your cook books and on-line. Get to know that particular aspect so you will always be able to interpret it when you see it again.
Wednesday: The Luminaries
Explore the Sun complex
- Look at the Sun’s sign.
- Consider the Sun’s house.
- The aspects to the Sun.
Explore the Moon complex
- Look at the Moon’s sign.
- Consider Moon’s house.
- The aspects to the Moon
Note the Lunar phase. Make sure you know what it means.
Consider the nodal axis by sign and house. Look out for planets squaring the nodal axis.
Thursday: The Forecast for Money and Career
Midheaven
- Note the Midheaven sign.
- MC aspects.
- Planets in the tenth house.
Explore the 10th house ruler
- The planet that rules the sign on the tenth house cusp.
- Note it’s sign.
- It’s house.
- It’s aspects.
Transits
- Transiting Planets in the 2nd (money).
- Transiting Planets in the 6th (job).
- Transiting Planets in the 10th (career).
Progressions
- Consider the 2nd house progressed ruler.
- Look at the 6th house progressed ruler’s condition.
- Explore the 10th house progressed ruler’s condition.
Friday: The Forecast for Love and Romance
Explore the 5th house (where love begins)
- Note the 5th house cusp.
- Explore the 5th house ruler by sign, house and aspects.
- List any natal 5th house planets.
Explore the 7th house (partners and spouse)
- Look at the 7th house cusp.
- Consider the 7th house ruler.
- Note any natal 7th house planets.
Transits
- Consider any transiting planets in the 5th.
- Interpret any transiting planets in the 7th.
Progressions
- Check the progressed 5th house ruler’s condition.
- Look at the progressed 7th house ruler’s condition.
Saturday: The Consultation
Prepare yourself to give. A consultation takes something from you as an astrologer. You need to be prepared to give your understanding, advice, energy, time and sympathy to your client.
Make sure the consultation room is cool and well ventilated.
Read 10 things to do before your client arrives.
One hour before, re-read your notes.
Five minutes before, breathe in… breathe out…
Enjoy.
