Astrologer OPA ’ s Quarterly Magazine V24-02 JUNE SOLSTICE 2015 page 10
Interview with
Richard Smoot
YOUR ID
Email : richard @ richardjsmoot . com
Your family : My family is those around me with whom I share my life and provide mutual support . My current family of origin includes my wife of five years , Victoria , my three sons and daughter , and a grandson . I have two sons from a first marriage , one is married and has a son and the other is going to be married this June . My other two children I adopted in another marriage . They were born in Korea . Yet my family extends to my astrological family over the past forty years and around the world . Oh and lest I forget , I ’ m also married to ISAR , Inc . and have various types of “ intimacy ’ s ” with OPA , NCGR , AFAN , APAI , AAGB , and AFA … I ’ m blushing .
Religious background & conditioning ? I was brought up in a Presbyterian Church , but left at age 14 due to a congregational speech I made during a “ Coming of Age ” event . I read the Christian Bible from a historical perspective and I found ( through a 14 year olds eyes ) that it seemed like the Bible in early Christianity was used as a weapon of the literate church to oppress the illiterate public and manipulate the people to do the church ’ s bidding . My speech was cut short after my statement and the church door closed behind me . Later , I joined a Unitarian Universalist church and was a member for 20 years and became the President of their board . After I left the UU church in the mid-1990s , I did not involve myself with organized religion .
Spiritual orientation – do you follow any specific practice ? I ’ m interested in Jainism and I ’ m a member of a Jain meditation Center in Michigan . Yet I rely on the daily experiences of my seemingly new life that is currently unfolding . There is an awakening occurring . I have a personal axiom , which still works for me , “ We are on this planet to raise the next generation and to serve .”
What ’ s the worst thing and then , the best thing about you ? Is this an employment interview ? I think I heard that question when I applied for a job an administrator at the Detroit Medical Center . The worst and best thing about me is that I ’ m loyal . Loyalty is a double edge sword . Oh , I also got the job .
You never tried … Well , to those who really know me may agree that there isn ’ t much I have not tried ( Seven cardinal and six fire signs ). For a few years , I worked with the Oglala Lakota in repairing homes on the Cheyenne Reservation in South Dakota . During a Sweat Lodge I was given two names , “ One Who Runs with Scissors ” and “ Gentle Tiger ”. Incidentally , my Jain Sanskrit name is “ Rohit ” which translates “ Eternal Flame .” I believe all three fit quite well , thank you . I never tried skydiving or bungee jumping .
You can ’ t refuse … Ah , I can ’ t seem to refuse a good old or new movie ; live classical orchestra programs ; a leisurely good dinner with friends and conversation ; music of almost every genre ( I just can ’ t get into improvisational jazz and country ; songs like , “ How Can I Miss You if You Won ’ t Go Away by Yank Rachel and the Tennessee Jug Busters ”).
Now this may be strange , but I can ’ t refuse looking at accounting and treasurer ’ s reports . I was ISAR ’ s treasurer for a while and I ’ m currently the treasurer for the Jain meditation center in Michigan , which I spoke of earlier .
Of course , if I see an astrology chart , I can ’ t refuse to look at it .
What is playtime for you ? As above , a good old or new movie ; live classical orchestra programs ; a leisurely good dinner with friends and conversation . I do love camping and the outdoors .
Your animal totem ? During a Sun Dance on the native Lakota reservation , I came upon a turtle . I watched that turtle for nearly an hour . I saw in it , time , determination , and strength . It provided me with the courage to continue . I seemed to form a relationship and a personification with that turtle . So , I suppose a turtle is my animal totem ..
Your superstition ? As in superstitions are “ irrational beliefs ”? It is hard to imagine anyone without an irrational belief . Superstition as in a “ personal fallacy ”? I suppose I do , but I do not know .
Your Chinese sign ? Ox Earth – This seems to some things up : “ People born under the sign of the Ox are generally calm , dependable , patient and unflagging . The Ox is symbolic of prosperity that is achieved through hard work . Although obstinate they do have logical minds and will not be easily frightened . They appreciate that in order to achieve success things must be done in a certain methodical and correct way . Ox people are seldom deprived and tend to be both reliable and conventional . They are patient and very loyal .” ( http :// www . paranormality . com / ox . shtml # sthash . qwi42TOC . dpuf )
Favorite place on earth ? There are many places , all with there own charm , beauty allure . The two that come close to my heart is “ the “ wedge ” on the Pacific Ocean in Newport Beach , one of the first south facing beaches in California where storms in Baja , Mexico pound against the rocks that protect the boat inlet . It is here , when there are no people on the rocks , I would sit for hours and meditate as I became mesmerized by the ocean .
The Career
Astrologer OPA ’ s Quarterly Magazine V24-02 JUNE SOLSTICE 2015 page 10