ARTICLE ASTROLOGERS
SANDRA-LEIGH SERIO
The article was written as a result of the Writers ' Workshop Arlan Wise at a OPA retreat in November 2011
You may be a great astrologer but if you don ’ t have good client rapport , your clients won ’ t return .
Many years ago , a friend of mine had an appointment with a well-known astrologer . She was very excited about her upcoming session and looked forward to all the knowledge she would gain from it . She also had the fortunate accident of birth to be born to parents who were both astrologers , so she wasn ’ t naïve or a novice when it came to astrology . Additionally , she had the benefit of being a no-nonsense Scorpio . When I saw her the next day , she immediately relayed how angry , frustrated and disappointed she was with her session . During our conversation she told me that when she sat down with the astrologer , she observed a television set on behind her head with a muted video playing of his most recent public performance . She couldn ’ t help to notice that , even though the sound was silenced , he kept glancing up at the screen watching himself . She was so insulted that five minutes into the session , she got up and walked out without a word to him . This is a clear example of what not to do in a session !
As astrologers , the majority of us want our field to be recognized as a profession along with law , psychology , medicine and others . There are many ways to achieve this , but one important qualification is conducting sessions in a professional and ethical manner .
Below are suggested guidelines for keeping it professional :
Prior to the session you should have established the time and place for the session , its length , cost , accepted payment information , recording options , if any , and the client ’ s level of astrological knowledge .
Upon arrival , greet the client and welcome him / her to the session . A handshake is professional and indicates a willingness to connect and reach out .
Explain to the client what to expect in the time you have together . You may want to mention at what point you will welcome questions .
Give information that is helpful and useful without too much astrological jargon unless the client is also an astrologer . The majority of clients inquire about romance , money , career , and health . Those are common questions you should be prepared to answer . Sometimes a client desires information on spiritual direction , past lives , mystical experiences and dreams . Whatever your response to these questions , be upbeat and positive in rendering any information .
Make your policy clear about yes and no questions . Astrologers are not psychics ; they are personality and cycle scrutinizers . If a client asks when he / she will relocate , you can give an opinion but make sure you say it is based on the cycles of the planets and the correct birth information that was provided . I like to offer percentages to these types of questions . As an example , if someone asks “ do you think I will change my job ?” I may respond “ looking at your chart you don ’ t have the usual configurations present when there is a job change so the chances that will occur are small , only 25-30 %.”
Often health concerns are evident in the chart . When that happens , do not scare the client . If you see a potential health problem , suggest a doctor ’ s visit or encourage regular health checkups . Be tactful and diplomatic . Never state emphatically that the client has a disease or the potential for one .
Along those same lines , questions about death may arise . Do not predict death for the client or someone in his / her close circle . If you see very difficult aspects forming , talk about changes in lifestyle or relationships . The only exception is when an ailing , elderly relative or friend is terminally ill or lingering . At that point , the client may want information about the timeframe for that person ’ s passing so he / she can be present or make arrangements . Keep in mind that a client may not appear uncomfortable when discussing death , but may in fact be very sensitive to this topic so be gentle and compassionate . If you are uncomfortable with the topic of death , make it clear from the onset of the session that you don ’ t answer those types of questions .
It is quite common for clients to inquire about relationships . Avoid revealing infidelity or predicting divorce for the client . You can suggest a difficult time or crisis in a marriage and may further suggest counseling . For many marriages a crisis can lead to a stronger union . If a client asks if his / her spouse is cheating , simply say it is something you don ’ t address or say you don ’ t have enough information to answer that question or the information you have makes the answer unclear .
During a session , in an effort to connect with the client , the astrologer often shares personal information . However , it is much more ethical to not talk about your personal life or reveal anything too intimate about yourself . You are there to impart information to the client not to chat about your life or experiences . I have organized Psychic Fairs for over 20 years and the most common reason someone wants a refund is because the reader talked about his / her life instead of focusing on the client .
28 КАРЬЕРА АСТРОЛОГА | 3 2013