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ning of my practice , I was undisciplined with time . At the end of a day of seeing clients , I would frequently be running as much as two hours late . When working with new astrologers today I see their inability to control and properly plan time increments is so often the culprit ingredient , prohibiting the expansion of their practice . This is something to fix early in one ’ s career life , if at all possible . The genuine desire to do a good job , over involvement in the immediate situation in the life of the client ( which makes you loose perspective ), and feelings of inadequacy encourages functionally deficient time habits in the daily work of inexperienced astrologers . My work improved immensely when my clients came to know that I would be available when I said I would , and only then .
Using time correctly in session takes practice . This is a skill worth the learning . When entering a session , your subjective experience of time can suddenly become quite different . When immersed in your client ’ s chart , it is as if you are transported into another dimension where time becomes quite elongated . Keeping tight boundaries of time around the work generally helps it to be most powerful and thus most helpful to your clients . Therefore , know what you want to achieve before entering a consultation . Have a picture of what type of information you need to extract from the client in order to accomplish your work . Make a judgment as to how the process will generally go with this person . These preliminary considerations help contain usage of time to some plan . Accept that your clients act like their charts . Will the client refuse to share ; correct you or deny your offerings ; will they be resistant , hostel , in avoidance ; will they be excessively verbal , telling you rather than letting you give them information ? All of these things happen . When they do , your time is effected , the rhythm of the session is thrown off . Your time together can be misused . To prevent this , your skills in counseling must be up to the task . Keeping within the boundaries of time is daunting , but rewarding .
If your work is offered in different time increments , make sure your client asks for the right amount . It is very difficult to please a client when they want two hours of work condensed into a thirty minute time slot . Or , when they ask for two hours of your time and the real work is completed in thirty minutes .
When in session with a client you have an obligation to keep the space quiet and private in order to facilitate a relaxed atmosphere . Your client needs to know that you are really with them and that their confidence is not being compromised .
Another aspect of this boundary is the correct use of physical space in the consulting room . Both the study of body language and feng shui gives us information on the way that boundaries either help or hinder the flow of communication with a client . It is always appropriate to examine where you sit and where your client sits . Are there objects like a table or desk between you ? Is the distance between you close enough to make you feel comfortable with each other - connected yet not smothered ? Do you make physical contact with your clients when they arrive and when they leave ? Finding the correct use of the physical space between you is another language that can reinforce or diminish the potency of your work . Correctly used , boundaries of space allow your client to feel connected with you without feeling invaded .
In the beginning of my practice as an astrologer , I knew that it was important to have a place for early arriving clients to wait . Occasionally , this hasn ’ t been possible while seeing clients in another location other than my home office . But this is an important boundary consideration . My work suffered when I was not able to supply a comfortable waiting area for clients . The exact layout , design , and general atmosphere of the place you see your clients ( just like your manner of dress , personal appearance , and hygiene ) will have a subtle yet important impact on the work . At home I have a waiting area for clients that gives them a feeling of relaxed safe comfort . Although unless I ’ m running appointments back to back , my clients seldom need to use it .
As telephone consultations become a more common mode for us to deliver our service , many of these issues of the correct use of space seem to collapse . However , when talking with a client over the phone , it is important to make sure that they are in a comfortable place which is quiet and private . The ideal is that during session your client can safely be oblivious to their outer circumstances . It is good to ask your client about their physical surroundings if you have any doubt . Further , it is important to inventory your own space . Do you have privacy , comfort , and acoustical insulation . These factors are necessary in order to focus exclusively on your client . Keep in mind that even when you can ’ t see them in action , spatial considerations for both astrologer and client are still important . These boundaries need to be maintained , when and where they apply .
You as an astrologer have a responsibility to tell your client how much you are charging , and what they will receive for that fee . Further , you have a responsibility to deliver the “ what ,” and that your client is clear on when and how they are to pay you .
Money operates as a significant boundary because as professional astrologers we charge money for our work . Money ( being a limited commodity ) forces our client to prioritize . Resistance to spending money for an appointment allows a client ( or a potential client ) to evaluate whether their circumstances at present really merit the expense of seeing us . This barrier can prevent us from having our time and energy wasted by a client ’ s overreaction to trivial circumstances . In other words they have to invest money ( as well as time ) to have a consultation . This act alone , of investing money in an astrology session , has the unconscious effect in the client of conferring some value on the act . In order to invest [ CONTINUED ON PAGE 11 ]
O P A ❥ The O rganization for Professional Astrology 10 T H E C A R E E R A S T R O L O G E R S P R I N G 2 0 1 3