The Career Astrologer 2 2015 | Page 16

is how we act when we feel powerless. Additionally, as astrologers we are vulnera- ble to feeling ‘in power’ because we know so much about another person, and they often give their power to us. ’Tell me about what’s going to happen to me’ they implore with the hope we’ll soften the blows and allay their fears. This is might give us a feeling of false power. To be a good astrologer we need to cultivate a spiritual sense of personal power, drawing on who we really are, softening the tendency toward ego based power. In this way we can open clients’ eyes to see- ing and feeling their own power. Here we might consider: • am I answering the client’s questions in a way that empowers them? • am I facing my own fears so that I do not impart fear in the reading? If we are overly fearful we will tend toward neg- ative predictions. We might also worry excessively about our clients, finding ourselves enmeshed and stressed. It is The Career Astrologer helpful to understand the difference between ‘helping’ and ‘supporting’. • do you know how you’re going to handle it if the client asks hard questions, like when someone’s going to die, or when will they die themselves? When a client is deeply depressed how you can give them truth without harming them further? Do you know when to refer your client to an expert beyond your scope of training and experience? • are we able to listen empathically and not interject our personal stories and bias into the session excessively? • have we created a healing experience for the client in a serene uncluttered office, an easeful process of booking sessions and a professional yet inviting telephone demeanor? As we explore ahimsa and its relevance to our professional practice, the possibilities are limitless. We can view our personal patterns with love and compassion, developing a gen- tle intention to clear old patterns and live our lives in accord with our highest intentions. OPA’s Quarterly Magazine This is not a one time exercise, it is a lifelong practice, woven together with astrology as an ongoing spiritual practice. This explo- ration is not an exercise in inner criticism. I cannot stress enough how important it is to view ourselves with compassion as we move through simply human experiences. Through the exploration of astrology as a spiritual practice, and the meditation on ahimsa in all facets of our life, we discover that developing our own sense of spiritual and physical clarity, courage, love and empa- thy culminates in a professionalism that permeates through every aspect of our prac- tice. An attitude of non-harming affects the way we do our analyses, our communication style and perhaps every detail in the way we conduct our astrology practice. This ongoing spiritual inquiry infuses our life with meaning and purpose, and makes us much better astrologers, no matter what style or brand of astrology we believe in. With love & gratitude Kay R V24 -02 JUNE SOLSTICE 2015 page 16