Astrological Ethics and Privacy

Astrological Ethics and Privacy

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“It is not possible that particular forms of events should be declared by any person… it is necessary for [astrologers] to adopt inference. Only God can predict particulars.” ~ Ptolemy

Introduction

We as astrologers would certainly be wise to adopt inference about our readings especially in regard to our clients.

Here we will discuss some ethical predicaments in which an astrologer, or student, can easily find themselves.

Privacy

The privacy laws are always in effect and you need to be aware that they affect your work as an astrologer.

You cannot discuss the chart details of one person with another – even another astrologer.

Permission

If you want to use an individual’s chart details and personal storyline you may not do so without first obtaining their written permission and clearly stating whether the data will be used for research, teaching or for publication.

The public do not know the breadth and depth that an astrological interpretation can entail and how chart analysis will reveal features and motivations in someone’s life.

As an astrologer, you need to tread carefully here.

Children

A new mother comes to you and wants her baby’s chart read.

What do you do?

Obviously, parents make decisions for their offspring all the time.

Perhaps one way of dealing with interpreting children’s charts is to be found in the transits.

Prior to the first Jupiter return (age 12) the parents may request a child’s chart to be read and after the Jupiter return the child should agree to you doing the reading.

“Is he the one?”

A woman arrives at your office clutching the birth details of Mr. “Fifth Boyfriend this Year” and demands, “Is he the One?”

What do you do?

This really is an ethical situation where you are being asked to interpret charts for those who are not there and are unaware that it is happening.

There may be justification in some instances, but you will have to decide where to draw the line.

The Deceased

We often select famous people who are dead for chart interpretation practice such as Alexander Graham Bell, Albert Einstein or Michael Jackson.

If a private person has died and you wish to work with their chart details this usually is acceptable unless the death has occurred recently, and the family is still working through their grief.

You have to decide what type of astrologer you are and again you have to make the call.

Hit-and-Run

You have just left an energetic astrology meeting and are standing at the door casually chatting about the weather and someone thrusts their chart into your face and says breathlessly, “I have no planets in the seventh house, I was told it means I won’t get married, what do you think?”

Well, what do you think?

For a start you can’t stand there discussing her chart in front of other people.

What gets me about this scene is that during some point in her past someone told her the grim news and she has been carrying the baggage with her up until now.

There is no point to respond with another hit-and-run consultation as you stand at the door.

The way to handle this situation is to explain that many factors influence marriage and invite her to make an appointment to meet with you at a more appropriate time where you can gently go over how it all works and put her straight on this matter.

 

You are the Authority

Remember, as an astrologer (and as an astrology student) you are deemed the authority in all matters of an astrological nature.

From the point of view of your clients and the general public you are the wizard and as such you need to be careful to do no harm.

Your Chart

Look at your chart to see what your Saturn (respect and boundaries), Uranus (astrology) and Pluto (secrets) reveal about you and your approach to ethics and privacy.

Give some thought to the issues discussed above and it could help you decide where you stand.

Conclusion

Every astrologer has their own opinion on these introductory matters. It would do you well to think about what your views are before attempting a chart interpretation.

Starzclass

Aspiring Astrologer Activity: Ethics and Privacy

In your astrology journal, please do the following:

  • Consider three possible ways you may be challenged in your astrology business with family and friends surrounding ethics and privacy.
  • Decide if you will reveal information about a client’s chart to the person who pays for the consultation.
  • Consider which types of requests you will decline e.g. “Why did he die, can you look at his death chart?” “I’m sixteen years old, will you read my chart and not tell my parents?” “I think my partner is having an affair, will you read their chart for me but not tell them, I have the details for you?”

Extend Yourself

  • Write an astrological personal privacy statement which can be used on your website and in correspondence with potential clients (100 words).

 

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5 Planetary Complex Tips Chart Reading

5 Planetary Complex Tips Chart Reading

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Where Astrologers Work

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by Alison Price

 

If you have a regular job in an office or a factory then you know where you work.

If you run a daycare or a farm that’s where you have to work.

Many people have to do their daily work in a particular spot and it can be that you are not working if you are not at your desk.

But the group who are self employed like new age practitioners and astrologers can work anywhere.

The internet has made it possible for people who are independent to work wherever they are if there is a computer and an internet connection.



The Home Office

A good place for astrologers to work is the office in the home.

When we lived in Oakville we had a house with a study near the front door. I immediately commandeered it into my “Office” and created a special astrology-only space for my work where clients and students could visit and be secluded and comfortable.

This was the perfect situation as at the time I was teaching classes four nights a week for six weeks after every equinox and solstice. During that period I did mainly teach face-to-face because I had the space.

The room was decorated with astrology themed images and charts and I had a white board for teaching. This room was dedicated to astrology and there were no other things in it like household electricity bills or storage for the kids ice skates that so often creep into the spare room of a house.

The Coffee Shop

The coffee shop is a new space for astrologers to work or at least it has been for me. Now living downtown in the city of Vancouver and meeting clients at lunch time and before work I have found the coffee shop to be an ideal space for research work and face-to-face client work.

But not all coffee shops are created equal. What I am looking for in a working space coffee shop is relative peace (without too much clanging from the kitchen) and high speed internet. I also need a spot with my back to the wall, as it is after all a public space, and you never know who will be there.

Starbucks has some lovely comfy leather chairs and a better clientele because the coffee in Starbucks is twice the price (latte $4.75) of other places. But the downside is there in weak internet. This will not do, so I don’t go there.

Tim Horton’s has better priced coffee ($1.80) and you can stay as long as you like, but again weak to non-existent internet and unfortunately they allow students to rest their heads on the tables and sleep. I find this distracting.

Waves Coffee House is the best choice for me. They have the seriously good high speed internet, the prices are moderate to high (latte is $4.25) and I can find a spot to sit near other people with their laptops open merrily tapping away.

I imagine they are writing the next Harry Potter as JK Rowling did in a draughty coffee shop in Scotland. It is a most agreeable atmosphere and the barista Chris caught my name the first time I went in and has remembered it ever since. A nice touch.

Rent a Meeting Room/Venue

For some client work I have to rent a room in the city. This is always the case when we do our annual Summer Astrology Workshops. We book the beautiful boardroom at the public library. This really good spot is clean and bright with reasonable internet. We use this room for workshops of 15 to 20 attendees as there is a screen and a board table and good seating. Although the daily cost is very high ($350) it is worth it.

My other option for when I have a few students in a class when I teach my beginner, intermediate and advanced astrology courses and the Aspiring Astrologer Master Classes is the meeting room. I like the one at Waves. They used to charge $10 for one hour but now it is that everyone who goes in there has to buy a drink (so tea or coffee) and maybe a pastry, and I do have to book this meeting room ahead of time.

It is a popular spot for general Meetups and get togethers. There is a glass door so you are still in the coffee shop but have some privacy. They have a white board so I can draw the charts on the board (image above).

This feature is crucial for teaching proper classes. The Waves meeting room seats about ten but the most students I have had is five at one time. I call this one “my office”.

The Park

This is a good place on a warm summer Sunday afternoon. I can write and prepare my client work for appointments in the following week and it clears my head. There is no privacy but you get to see men playing chess, children playing and dogs being walked by their owners.

It is not good for computer work but rather for paper notebook and pen writing and note taking. I like to print my client’s charts and take them outside to the park and spend time perusing their information in the fresh air.

This is really only on a Sunday but in fact I could go every day. Where I live there are three public parks with benches, fountains and play areas that are attractive and pleasant.

The Beach

This is the one I’m aiming for next – working on the beach. I know my Aries friend Tamara does this in Ibiza, Spain.

Doing client prep, consultations and other exciting astrology work at the coast sounds fun.

Is it really work if you are sitting on the beach?

Maybe you have to be propping up the bar at the beach tavern, then is it work?

Perhaps, but probably not, and when I get to this spectacular position of reading astrology charts for people on the beach I’ll let you know.

On a Plane

You don’t need a special office, but it is nice to have one and if you do you are lucky indeed.

You can practice astrology anywhere. I once read a chart on a plane from Toronto to Vancouver for the guy sitting next to me that I had met ten minutes earlier.

He asked me what I did for a living as many men do. I told him I was in futures. He said he was too but I think he meant something else. He wanted tips on trading on the big boards (that’s the stock exchange).

I kept it simple with “buy” during the waxing Moon and “sell” on the waning Moon. When we landed we exchanged business cards and went our separate ways but he did sign up to my email list and has kept in touch over the years.

Your Virtual Office

Your virtual office is where you are and you can do astrology work where you are.

Always have your iPad and chart calculation capabilities in your bag. These days I never buy a handbag that won’t fit my iPad. Have your business cards to hand and pass them on to interested folks who ask for them.

This is the world we live in today. You never know where you will do you next astrology reading or for whom or if you’ll be in a bikini.

Maybe I’ll see you on the beach… I look forward to it.

 

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