A note on astrology and responsibility

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Astrological InsightsProfessional Astrologer

How did the Jupiter-Saturn conjunction go for you?

I was checking my social media stuff today and had a thought that seemed to be fiercely expressed by Charles E. Carter when he claimed that it could be ‘criminal to introduce astrology’ to some, as he believed only ‘people with moral courage should study their own maps, and only those endowed with more than average common sense and sense of responsibility should study others’ . Obviously the next question to be asked is who is to decide when someone has enough common sense or moral courage, which is another very pertinent question, especially during the beginning of a collective cycle with such an aquarian overtone like the one we are currently heading towards to.

But I did feel slightly overwhelmed, for the first time, with the thought of how the quick spread of information (and in many cases, misinformation) can affect the practice and role of astrology. I used to feel excited regarding some predictions about astrology’s rise as a subject of knowledge, thinking that my profession would somehow become more respectable socially, but there is a very shadowy potential for astrology becoming popular again and taught by very unexperienced people. There seems to be many charismatic young people out there eager to accumulate a whole legion of followers no matter what kind of information they are helping to spread.

I am not very old myself, but I feel that I have always been aware of the necessary hard work, time and dedication when it comes to learning something as powerful as astrology. How can we make sure, as a community of professionals, that there is some kind of rigorous process when it comes to teaching and practicing astrology? Would the benefits that the digital era has and is bringing to astrology be greater than the potential pitfalls?

9 Responses

  1. fugitiveumbrellas

    I pretty much stopped following almost all things astrology-related on social media because a lot of the stuff recommended to me wasn’t worth it: a lot of young twenty-somethings bragging about having studied astrology for like, only three years, and then putting themselves out there as professionals when all they do to show for their knowledge is post the same trite memes over and over again. I find it especially toxic when people brag about asking for someone’s birth chart immediately upon meeting them, as I can’t get on board with that kind of dismissive behavior.

    And yet, I wonder if without these guys amassing followings with little to offer them if they’re not part of the reason people go searching for specific astrological information on google and end up finding experienced astrologers, and if maybe it’s upon the backs of the meme-makers that the actual astrologers will build their foundation in the next decade? Am I being too optimistic/Machiavellian?

    • FernandaAuthor

      I actually see your point, and Im also an optimist so I tend to see the bright side as well, which includes what you just said: astrology becoming really popular will give people the impulse to search for real astrologers etc eventually. (Although I do worry about the youngsters with thousands of followers, offering consultations, which I have seen out there – and I believe amongst them there might be honest and good astrologers too). I got into astrology by reading cheap astrological magazines that weren’t very ‘deep’ when I was 9 years old, but they helped me knowing that astrology exists etc, then later on I did my own research and courses and qualifications, etc. Something similar to what you’re saying there. 🙂

      • fugitiveumbrellas

        A New Year’s wish to us getting more clients in 2021! I think for me it’s also the age: I can’t imagine being 21 and giving anyone sound advice, but I can certainly remember being 21 and thinking I knew everything back then. But I guess if these kids are the pop astrology magazines of 2021, I’ll force myself not to despair. Have a great holiday week!

  2. fugitiveumbrellas

    I pretty much stopped following almost all things astrology-related on social media because a lot of the stuff recommended to me wasn’t worth it: a lot of young twenty-somethings bragging about having studied astrology for like, only three years, and then putting themselves out there as professionals when all they do to show for their knowledge is post the same trite memes over and over again. I find it especially toxic when people brag about asking for someone’s birth chart immediately upon meeting them, as I can’t get on board with that kind of dismissive behavior.

    And yet, I wonder if without these guys amassing followings with little to offer them if they’re not part of the reason people go searching for specific astrological information on google and end up finding experienced astrologers, and if maybe it’s upon the backs of the meme-makers that the actual astrologers will build their foundation in the next decade? Am I being too optimistic/Machiavellian?

    • FernandaAuthor

      I actually see your point, and Im also an optimist so I tend to see the bright side as well, which includes what you just said: astrology becoming really popular will give people the impulse to search for real astrologers etc eventually. (Although I do worry about the youngsters with thousands of followers, offering consultations, which I have seen out there – and I believe amongst them there might be honest and good astrologers too). I got into astrology by reading cheap astrological magazines that weren’t very ‘deep’ when I was 9 years old, but they helped me knowing that astrology exists etc, then later on I did my own research and courses and qualifications, etc. Something similar to what you’re saying there. 🙂

      • fugitiveumbrellas

        A New Year’s wish to us getting more clients in 2021! I think for me it’s also the age: I can’t imagine being 21 and giving anyone sound advice, but I can certainly remember being 21 and thinking I knew everything back then. But I guess if these kids are the pop astrology magazines of 2021, I’ll force myself not to despair. Have a great holiday week!

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