Astrologer OPA ’ s Quarterly Magazine V24-02 JUNE SOLSTICE 2015 page 12
INTERVIEW - RICHARD SMOOT
Secondly , I value the contribution I made in sustaining the AstroDatabank . Lois Rodden devoted her life to developing a comprehensive and accurate database of over 40,000 people and events , and distributing the software that could locate over 365,000 astrological variables in the database . This was a quantum leap in astrological quantitative research . Along with AstroDatabank , I owned Astrology Software shop where astrologers could review 800 types of astrological software and reports . On average , the website had 90,000 unique visitors spending an average of 45 minutes on the site each month . Eventually in 2008 when people needed to pay for their rent and food rather than buying software , my business went bankrupt . This was a very valuable experience .
Finally , one of the accomplishments to date in my astrology career is the eleven years ( 55 issues ) of putting together and publishing of ISAR ’ s Journal . My vision remains to have a quality astrological journal with meaningful , topical articles and peer reviewed articles from astrologers ’ world-over . In addition , my vision was to have a journal that put a “ face ” to ISAR , with photographs , world wide events , regular columns with interviews , book reviews and to be inclusive of ISAR ’ s membership by providing new writer ’ s the opportunity to be published . The journal now has a professional editor / astrologer ( Victoria Smoot , an OPA group leader ) and host of editors and an advertising manager .
What made it possible for you to become a full time astrologer ? It was rather a long road . For many years trying to keep a full time job as a student , a hospital administrator and then an accountant / business manager for a large non-profit recycler . Then , magically , one day the Executive Director at the recycling center told me she loved my work and was very pleased , “ however ”, she found my off duty work with astrology was a distraction and that someday I would have to choose between my job and astrology . Well , fire up the Aries in me ! I told her that I do not take kindly of threats and I gave her a onemonth notice . No , it ’ s not fair to give two weeks for a management position . I was “ out of there ”!
I was free ! Yes , my wife and children where shocked and angry , however , I was free ! This is when I started astrology full time and went to work with Ray Merriman in his office for a while and it left me to devote more time to my practice , astrology and the astrology community . I never looked back .
What is the great thing and the hard thing about being an astrologer ? For me there are several fantastic things about being an astrologer :
• Passion for the work we are doing .
• Manage your own time and your own direction .
• Meet amazing clients
• Have an extended family of other astrologers from all over the world .
• Be able to be with “ family ’ during conferences and listen and learn from many great teachers .
• Study whatever and whenever you want .
There are several challenging things about being an astrologer :
• Finding clientele to work with , especially when you are involved in the astrology community .
• The uncertainty of a steady income .
• Keeping and maintaining an active client base .
• Having the money to travel for conferences and continue to take classes .
• Focusing on your business day to day .
• Having a business plan that is always evolving .
All in all , the great reasons outweigh the difficulties . It is about passion to help others , passion about astrology and staying on the path . There is no plan “ B ”.
Tell us about your story with ISAR ? A long time ago in a galaxy far , far away ... about 2002 I was monitoring at the 2001 UAC conference . I had just met Monica Dimino and we had a great talk , I was really excited and fascinated . Up to that point I was not affiliated with any one group , except receiving my NCGR Level IV certification and a PMAFA member . During that conference , Ray Merriman came up to me and asked me if I wanted to join ISAR . I really did not know the differences , so he asked me if I was “ west coast or east coast ”. I had recently lived in southern California for eight years , so I said , “ west coast ”. He said , “ ISAR is where you belong ”. So I joined and over the next few years I found myself be introduce to the ISAR Board , and developing a consulting skills program with Gisele Terry . In 2004 , Ray asked both Kim Rodgers- Gallagher and I to produce the ISAR Journal . I was elected to the Board for a short period , until I was asked to be it ’ s Treasurer and
Operations Manager since it was a paid position . Over the past four years , ISAR had grown to the point that I could no longer do the Treasurer ’ s position and continued as its Operation Manager . My task is to be the “ one-point ” of contact for all the memberships needs ( along with Marguerite dar Boggia ) and manage any operational function for ISAR ’ s programs , at the Board ’ s discretion .
What are your future ambitions in the field of astrology ? I suppose this is where a business plan would come into play . Currently I ’ m enjoying grading ISAR and NCGR examinations and I ’ m taking classes in classical and Vedic astrology . As for my future ambitions , ask me when transiting Uranus and Pluto are done making their “ delicate ” modification in my life and attitude . I believe it was Alexander Ruperti in his book “ Cycles of Becoming ” said something like , “ The planets Saturn and closer to the earth make us the best person we can be , while Uranus , Neptune and Pluto make us better than who we are .”
What inspires you to be an OPA member ? OPA is a place where we are all on the same level , learning about ourselves and learning from our peers . It is in OPA I found a home and family where I learned so much from so many people via their retreats , lectures and their certification process . Nowhere in astrology that I ’ m aware of is anyone doing an actual consult with peers for guidance and help in a confidential and purposeful environment . Purposeful in that OPA ’ s concern is assisting the astrologer to be the best consulting astrologer . The method is exactly how it was done , on a weekly basis , with other social workers I worked with in California . This experience has been a great accomplishment ; especially in the skills I have learned ; the people I have met and the family that has developed .
Any advice for those who would like to become professional astrologers ? The only magic in astrology is the magic you put in . We are here to serve and assist people to explore and find their answers . We are here to listen , understand and to provide our skills and practice to each client , one at a time . Learn the most you can and do as many charts as you can . Be authentic , ethical and responsible .
Thank you ! R
The Career
Astrologer OPA ’ s Quarterly Magazine V24-02 JUNE SOLSTICE 2015 page 12