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