FAQs

No one was more surprised than I that I would study astrology. Like most people, the only thing I knew about astrology was from reading the daily horoscopes in the newspaper. The predictions were sometimes humorous, but had little resemblance to my daily life. Astrology, I thought, was a silly notion for silly people.

Then one day while in graduate school, I spent a rainy morning wandering the stacks of a used bookstore. A book on how to cast a natal chart caught my eye. I picked it up, casually flipping through the pages. It gave instructions on how to calculate where the Sun, Moon and planets appeared in the sky at the time of one’s birth, as well as simple interpretations for what those positions might signify. It sounded like an amusing way to spend an otherwise dreary afternoon, so, on a whim, I bought the book.

Once I got back to my apartment, I made myself a cup of tea and settled down at my desk with my new book and some graph paper. In an hour or so I’d constructed a rudimentary birth chart, listing the positions of the planets. After that, I sat back and began looking up the interpretations for each planet, looking forward to a good laugh.

Instead, what I found astounded me.

Everything I read sounded exactly like me. My analytical intellect and insatiable curiosity, my discomfort with my emotions, even my slightly rebellious streak, were all spelled out in black and white. I sat at my desk, stunned. I couldn’t see how it was possible that the positions of the planets – just distant specs of light millions and billions of miles away from the Earth – could have any affect on my life, let alone describe me so accurately.

I speculated that perhaps I was simply projecting my understanding of myself into the interpretations, merely hearing what I wanted to hear. So in true Mercury-in-Virgo fashion, I went back to the bookstore. I bought several more astrology “cookbooks,” read the interpretations, and found the same astonishing results. Soon I’d amassed a pile of books. I copied the interpretations for my planets from all of them into my computer. I had more than 80 pages of single-spaced text before I conceded that perhaps there was something to this astrology thing.

Over the years, studying my chart helped me navigate the waters of my own psyche. Through astrology I grew into an understanding that the unique constellation of energies reflected in my personality was simply the way I was, and nothing of which to be ashamed. I found creative ways to address challenging psychological issues, learning to untie my neurotic knots. More than anything, astrology provided a language for me to “read” the narrative threads of my life, weaving a tapestry of past, present and future to form a compelling tale that gave my existence meaning and purpose.

As my friends and family learned of my astrological “hobby,” they began to give me their birth data. At first, doing readings for others was little more than a party trick. But, as I learned more about astrology, my readings became more in-depth; sometimes I would spend two or three hours with someone reflecting on his or her chart. Eventually, even Internet acquaintances began asking for astrological insights.

And so, my astrology business was born. The more I work with others to explore their astrological mythology, the more in awe I am at both the incredible diversity and deep interconnectedness of human experience. If each of us is the Hero of our own Journey, astrology can provide a map of the labyrinthine paths we travel. Without it, my adventure wouldn’t be nearly as much fun.

Today, my astrology practice includes clients in Austin and around the U.S. I’m a member of the board of directors of the largest international astrology association, the International Society for Astrological Research, an editor at the Astrology News Service, and a faculty member of Kepler College.

To me, observing the movements of the planets is like looking at the face of a cosmic clock. From the moment we are born, the clock starts ticking. With the help of computer astrology software, we can tell what this “clock” reads on any day of life, past, present or future. At certain times we may feel motivated, at others withdrawn. But this doesn’t mean that our life is “determined” by the stars, any more than it is determined by the clock on the wall.

A birth chart provides a symbolic representation of our potential as a human being. It gives clues about our talents and our challenges, our likes and dislikes. How we develop this potential through the choices we make creates our character. The choices that we have made in the past — our “karma” — shape the choices we will make today – our “free will.”

So, through the study of astrology, rather than marching inexorably and unconsciously toward our “fate,” we can become greater masters of it. Astrology helps us perceive an overview of the flow of our lives, to view the choices we have made more objectively. By raising our consciousness in this way, we are able to “surf with the cosmic waves” and make better, more constructive choices. We shape our choices, and thus, alter our destiny.

I see myself as a companion to those seeking to explore their own potential through the mirror of astrology. I don’t tell people what choices to make, rather I help them to see the choices they have made — and will make — more clearly.

Astrologers get their information by looking at chart. Charts are just symbolic maps of the sky for a particular time and place on earth. In order to create that snapshot, an astrologer needs to know exactly when and where an event takes place – in order words the date, the time and the place.  Then charts are drawn up by hand with help from a bunch of books, or with special computer software.

Once an astrologer has a chart, it’s a matter of interpreting the information. There are perhaps as many schools of thought on astrology as there are languages. But the basics are still the same – the notion that where the planets are in the sky provides useful insight into what’s happening here on Earth.

Now, there are many charts to look at – the chart for the moment you were born, charts for a particular year or month of your life, charts reflecting the stage of your life, charts that show how the current position of the planets may be expressed in your personal life, charts for people in your life, for relationships, places you live or work.

How I (or any astrologer) chooses what charts to look at is based on the questions you ask.

It takes an hour or so to prepare and review charts to prepare for a one-hour consultation. The questions I ask myself when first looking at a birth chart include: What journey is this soul on? What is s/he trying to learn in this lifetime? What tools did s/he select for her/himself to learn these lessons? What are some of the challenges s/he has created to overcome? In essence, I look to a chart to catch glimpses of the “blueprint” for the soul’s journey.

To me all of the planets, signs, houses and aspects used in astrology are symbolic representations, or “flavors,” of psychic energy. Within the flavor “spectrum” of a particular placement, a person has free will to choose how to manifest these energies in their lives. Consequently, I don’t view challenging aspects as a forecast for gloom-and-doom, but rather an opportunity to learn valuable life lessons. Not every tragedy can be foreseen or avoided, but if one steps into the Flow, our little deaths can be transformed into the seeds of new life.

I employ a similar philosophy for astrological forecasting. The current astrological weather can affect us in three ways – by bringing our life themes to our conscious awareness, by evoking psychological and emotional issues, and by manifesting events in physical reality. Astrology illuminates the timing of the soul’s unfolding; life themes often emerge in our lives like clockwork. However, due to the choices made by ourselves and others, psychological and physical manifestations of planetary energies are far less certain. Consequently, when forecasting I focus primarily on questions on which we are called to reflect upon during periods of astrological transition, with the goal of bringing more meaning to the events of our daily lives.

A reading, however, is just the beginning of the conversation. It’s meant to start a process of personal reflection and consideration. If, after listening to a reading and reviewing the accompanying reports, clients have questions on certain topics, or find that there are areas they would like to delve into more deeply, I always encourage them to contact me so we can continue the dialog.

There are many kinds of astrologers practicing today –from people who’ve read a book or two to those who’ve spent 40 years studying ancient techniques.  Some astrologers are excellent listeners and communicators, and some are better with working with charts.   So, how do you choose the right astrologer for you?

I’d suggest you start by finding someone reputable.  Many practicing astrologers have websites, and you can read about their background and training. There are a number of professional astrology associations, schools and certificate programs that set basic standards and ethics for the practice of astrology.  When you’re doing your research, look for some constellation of these things in an astrologer’s biography.

Second, seek out an astrologer you would enjoy spending time with. Each person is unique, including astrologers, and we have our own points of view too. Finding someone you resonate with will make the experience more productive for you. If an astrologer provides sample audios or videos, check them out.  Also, you can always give an astrologer a call and ask a few questions before booking an appointment.

Most astrologers have a phone practice, so you can consult with an astrologer anywhere in the world. But if meeting face-to-face with someone is important to you, you’ll want to limit your search to someone who lives close by.

And finally, if your focus is on a certain area of your life, it’s good to find an astrologer who specializes in that area.  For example, I love working with people who are changing careers or building businesses.  But I don’t give investment advice. However, I know astrologers who do, and will refer people to them.

Remember, the choice is yours. Astrology is a legitimate art that has been practiced for thousands of years, but that doesn’t mean all practitioners are equally legitimate, or can meet your specific needs. So, above all, use your common sense.