T H E P R E S I D E N T ’ S R E P O R T
[ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 ]
We are very proud of this accomplishment . As of our last retreat in November 2011 , the certification program has been offered three more times , meeting with great success . Even if you are not committed to obtaining OPA ’ s certification , the process alone is rich , educational and deeply rewarding ! We will be offering the program again at various locations nationwide in the year ahead . The certification groups are very small , three to five people , and fill up quickly . Furthermore , if there are astrologers in your area who would like to participate in this unique program , we can bring OPA to you ! Please let us know how we can be of assistance .
The OPA monthly phone lecture series has been very successful and will continue to be available exclusively to members . We are currently updating the 2013 / 14 lecture schedule which will soon be posted on OPA ’ s website . Also , check out the OPA on-line web forum and please contribute to the ongoing discussions . You will also find OPA ’ s audio lectures to download , and lots of other good information .
Don ’ t forget about the OPA E-news which presents thought provoking questions and answers from our membership about astrology and its purpose in our life . Remember that OPA is our organization . We invite your participation and want this organization to be member supported as much as possible .
Finally , we are always looking for good material addressing the professional practice of astrology ( articles , poetry , comics , food fun , etc .) for publication in OPA ’ s Career Astrologer newsletter . We welcome your participation and creativity . Please send submissions to our editor , Twink McKenney , at mrmckenney @ att . net . Wishing you a vibrant spring ! Alexandra Karacostas , OPA President
[ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 11 ]
These rules usually involve having either a financial relationship or a sexual relationship with anyone who is a client .
Clients have a right to expect that you have their best interests at heart , that none of your own personal needs will act as motivators , while in session with them . This is why it can be meaningful ( even if a bit rigid ) to encourage astrologers to have simple and singular relationships with clients . You can say , “ Never socialize with clients . Never encourage a client in a direction which you might in some way financially benefit .” In this way your own happiness as a human being , and success in the market place , are kept separate from anything that can have a direct impact on the real work with your client . In short , it is inadvisable and unethical to have a business relationship with a client or to have a romantic relationship with a client .
When I first started practice as an astrologer I was in graduate school , single , and very locked into a fairly scholarly and hermit-type of existence . I avoided doing work for my immediate family , partly because I felt it uncomfortable , and I tended to lack objectivity . Not socializing with clients was easy because I didn ’ t have a social life .
Through the years it has been more complicated , in the area of relationships , to determine what boundaries impact the work with clients . I ’ m a follower of Meher Baba . I have not found it necessary to refrain from taking on other followers of Meher Baba as clients , even though I may run into them in India , the Meher Center , or other places associated with Meher Baba .
I have had numerous discussions along the lines of boundaries with other astrologers . I have noticed that those astrologers who do not see a boundaries issue in having dual relationships with clients : 1 ) Don ’ t see astrology as a therapy , 2 ) See their clients at most once a year , and 3 ) Assume astrological work impacts clients without impacting the astrologer .
Some people will not take on a client who is related to an existing client or in close relationship with an existing client . Other astrologers will only take on clients that are referred by an existing client . I assert that neither approach is better or more ethical and neither approach implies a transgression of boundaries . Nonetheless , here are a few simple guidelines that I have found useful to keep good boundaries with clients :
1 . Don ’ t talk about anything having to do with the details of professional work except in session or in your own therapy or supervision . When in session , be in session . When you are out of session , be out of session and put all the details of your work with the client out of your mind .
2 . Don ’ t read one person ’ s chart for another . If a clients wants you to tell them about their spouse , look at the person ’ s seventh house , not their spouse ’ s chart . If people ask you about their parents , child , friend , boss etc . look at the houses and other indicators that symbolically represent the person in that relationship to the native . The information so presented is fair and safe . However , avoid looking at this other person ’ s chart unless this individual is present and the purpose of your work is to aid in their relationship . The details of how to work this way systematically are beyond the scope of our discussion here , but it is important to acknowledge the principle .
There are two notable exceptions to the rule of not looking an individuals chart for a third party , personnel work and children . When employed to do personnel work for a company it is justifiable within guidelines to look at the charts of employees or potential employees . When parents of new born or very young children come to have their baby ’ s chart done , there is a way that it can be handled with respect for the infant . When the parents are interested in information in order to be better parents , I try to bring them around [ CONTINUED ON PAGE 13 ]
O P A ❥ The O rganization for Professional Astrology 12 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