You may have questions regarding Astrology and what can be gained from getting a reading. Below are some typical questions and answers addressing these and other general issues. I hope you find this useful.
- What is an Astrological birth chart and what does it reveal or indicate about me?
- What are some typical reasons for getting a reading?
- I am experiencing a rather challenging time in my life. How can a reading with you help?
- What can I expect in a reading with you?
- What can Astrology tell me about my Soul Purpose?
- Can you tell me about relationship compatibility? Is he/she my “Soul Mate”?
- I’m ready to get a reading. What do I do next?
- How do phone readings work? Who phones whom?
- Can Astrology be used to predict what will happen?
- How do you combine Astrology and intuition in a reading?
- How often should I receive a reading?
- I don’t have my exact time of birth. How much difference does that make?
1. What is an Astrological birth chart and what does it reveal or indicate about me?
An Astrological birth chart is a picture of the solar system (as seen from above) the moment you were born. It shows the relationship of the planets* to one another (called “aspects”). This is set against the Zodiac Belt, which are twelve constellations located in a circular pattern outside the solar system, which then reveals what signs your Sun, Moon and planets are 
in alignment with. The time you were born determines what houses your planets are placed in (learn more about what each house rules here.) This presents a picture of you, your soul purpose, your lessons and challenges, your gifts and other things as well. There are other things that factor in as well, such as progressions, asteroids, and Arabic parts, which are too involved to go into here.
As above, so below…
Centuries of observation and study have shown that what is going on in the skies has a profound and significant influence on us and our lives. I had a profound and fundamental shift in my understanding of how Astrology works when I read an article that said that because we are all part of a holistic “being”, a micro and macro expression of the Divine, that the stars and planets only reflect to us what we are, as indicated in those celestial geometric patterns. (If you would like a copy of this article, please me for how to get it).
*In Astrology, the word “planets” generally includes the Sun and Moon and excludes the Earth.
2. What are some typical reasons for getting a reading?
- You want clarity about life direction or need to make an important decision.
- You are in a period of major change, confusion or crisis.
- You would like insights and help with relationship issues and changes.
- You are experiencing Spiritual openings and/or emergencies.
- You would like information about your spiritual and soul path.
- You are in a career shift or have job-related questions and issues.
- As events in your life arise, you want to see what is up with your chart (i.e. new relationships, health concerns, moving, etc.).
- Finding a good time to sign contracts, make a major purchase, get married, go on vacation, embark on a new project, business, or venture, etc.
- You’ve had a reading recently, with me or someone else, but still have some things you’d like further clarified.
- You are going through an expansive, exciting time in your life and you want to make the most of it.
- You have heard there are significant celestial events coming up, such as eclipses, planets changing signs or unusual configurations of planets, and want to see how they are personally impacting your chart.
- Your birthday is coming up, or just happened, and you want to take a look at the year ahead (in this reading I will also run your Solar Return).
- The New Year, or near your birthday, is always a great time to get a reading, where we will look at what specific transits are coming your way in the year to come.
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3. I am experiencing a rather challenging time in my life. How can a reading with you help?
My approach is to give you ways to work with the astrological influences you are under, and especially the challenging ones. I have found that resisting the energies of a transit only increases the “difficulty factor” and that by not resisting the influence, but rather working with it, one can benefit from even what could classically (by Astrology standards) be considered a challenging or difficult time.
Our ultimate freedom is the right and power to decide
how anybody or anything outside ourselves will affect us.
~Stephen R. Covey
I go into the various ways one can respond to a celestial influence, which opens up options perhaps not previously seen. I often refer to this process as being 3-fold, as follows:
- We can come from a place of resistance thus bringing forth the lower or more negative expressions of an aspect.
- We can come from a more neutral place, thus bringing forth the more expected and mundane expressions.
- We can engage the energy, looking for the lessons and gifts by choice, and from our own will bring forth the more positive and growth-producing elements of an influence.
I have found that most will likely experience each of these three levels at some point during the time of a major Astrological influence. And that having a clear frame
of reference and tools, which a reading can provide, can be most helpful in navigating a challenging time.
This particular approach often helps a client to move with and even greet the energies that are indeed approaching them with greater harmony. Further, this assists in explaining why particular events are taking place in their lives and perhaps most importantly, how to work with the energies at hand. I will also give you how long the influences will be affecting you.
There are often other aspects to this process to discuss, such as past life influences and patterns, hidden resistances and many other topics that may come up during a reading regarding Astrology and its influences (a wonderfully rich, deep, and profound subject).
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4. What can I expect in a reading with you?
I am frequently asked “what happens in a reading?” While it varies from reading to reading, below are some idea about what can take place in an Astrological reading with me.
Your Current Transits and Influences
When I do a reading, I will go over with you in detail which planet(s) are most significantly impacting you, how they will be affecting you and how long each influence will last. Every planet rules specific areas of your life. Each transit impacts you with what I call lower, mundane, and higher vibrations. When you are more fully aware of this dynamic, you can exercise your free will to a greater degree as to how you will choose your response to these celestial influences.
I then give you a feel for “what it wants of you”; of how you can grow and learn from these influences, ways to work with the energies, and ideas for how to dilute and direct their sometimes more difficult expressions.
Your Questions and Issues
You can certainly bring your questions to a session and, in fact, I encourage it. These may be anything from what is my purpose to when is it a good time to take a vacation to why can’t I seem to get along with ___________ (whomever) to why do I keep having this recurring issue in my life. I would also suggest that you look over the information on this page and consider which areas are of most importance to you at this time. #5 below and Astrology Readings by Issue have good information in this regard.
You can learn more about my approach to readings here.
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5. What can Astrology tell me about my Soul Purpose?
Hale-Bopp Comet
We all have an interesting position in our natal chart called the “Lunar Nodal Axis”, containing a North Node and a South Node. These points are indications of what your Soul wants from this incarnation, or, what you are working on this lifetime. Once a clearer understanding of this is known, many aspects of our charts fall into place and make sense.
“The starry vault of heaven is in truth the open book of cosmic projection…”
~Carl Jung
I have been fascinated with the Nodal Axis for a long time, and have come to give them great significance in my readings. (Not all Astrologers give this enough attention, I feel.) I find it to be a powerful indication for determining your Soul Purpose, and over and over I have seen my clients gain considerable insights and clearer life direction once given this information. In nearly all readings, we will discuss this.
6. Can you tell me about relationship compatibility? Is he/she my Soul Mate?
These are fairly common questions, as you might have guessed! There are many components as to what makes up Astro compatibility between two people. In a relationship reading, we can look at questions regarding your relationship patterns, blocks, issues and strengths.
We often think that when we have completed our study
of one, we know all about two.
We forget that we still have to make a study of “and.”
~A. Eddington
My understanding of Soul Mates is that they can enter our lives for a variety of reasons. Some are in our lives to help us during a challenging time while others can be what creates a challenging time for us! And still others are, in fact, your Life Mate. These are deep issues and I have found that my intuition serves as an important guide when it comes to these sort of questions.
I will also look at two charts in relation to one another, discussing various aspects of their relationship, such as:
- Communication strengths and weaknesses.
- Your life style compatibility.
- Things that contribute to physical attraction between the two charts.
- How your goals and visions match up.
- Commitment factors and issues in each chart.
- Timing issues, such as when to get married, move in together, etc.
The Pleiades (pleiades_uks_big)
One way I do relationship readings is with both people on the phone, or in person. To find out more about this type of reading, please call to discuss or me with your questions
7. I’m ready to get a reading. What do I do next?
If you are ready to get a reading, you can either:
- Go to Rates & How To Book A Reading for complete instructions on how to book an Astrology or Tarot reading.
- Or you can email me using this Reading Inquiry Form. I will then contact you directly.
- Or, just call me directly at 530-926-1999.
More info:
- Generally, I can schedule your reading within one to three weeks.
- Once I have set up the appointment, I ask you to be giving some consideration to the issues & topics you’d like to discuss and any questions you may have. This page can give you ideas as to what to ask about, as well.
- I will also email you a form to fill out. This form will provide me with your birth data and contact info as well as some information about you and the issues and concerns you would like addressed in your reading. (We can also cover these things at the beginning of the session.)
8. How do phone readings work?
Phone readings are when we set up a mutual time for me to call you for our session. I have a device that records both our voices, which is sent to you afterward*. I began doing phone readings in 1987 and find them to be just as effective as in-person readings. If you live in the United States, I will call you.
*Please note that while I make every effort to record our session, and then send you a CD, I cannot guarantee that it will work 100% of the time. Therefore, I strongly suggest that you take good notes during our session or record it if you can.
9. Can Astrology be used to “predict” what will happen?
The sky is an ever-changing and dynamic thing. As the planets move through the Heavens, they form patterns that generate energies that impact us. These are called transits. When an Astrologer compares these transits to your chart, it shows the celestial influences that you are under and how they affect you at any given time. Some cycles last only a few days or even hours, others could be months or longer. There are many things that can affect your chart and thus affects you, in any given time period. It is an intricate and fascinating study to see and interpret, just as each individual is complex and dynamic.
If you don’t know where you are going, you might end up someplace else.
~Unknown
Mystical Moon
Many astrologers hesitate to say that Astrology can be used to predict upcoming events or outcomes. The future is so very influenced by how we each react to the various events of our lives, as well as our karma, and so many other factors. Yet, it is very helpful in showing indications of these incoming energies. In a reading, I will discuss the various possibilities of how any given transit could impact you. Thus, you will have a sense of the range of influence it may have, and just as importantly, I will give you ways to best deal with these influences.
10. How do you combine Astrology and intuition in a reading?
Your Astrological chart presents a picture of your birth pattern, issues, challenges, lessons and goals. At an esoteric level, it also reveals what your Soul’s intention was for this incarnation; what it is that you intended to accomplish this lifetime. (It is not important to our reading that you believe in reincarnation. There is much to be gained without addressing a chart in this way).
There is much we do not know about how Astrology works or how to read a natal chart. And by using my intuition during a reading, I get a clearer feel for you than just looking at your chart alone. I feel it is no mistake that I read for any given person at a given time. At some wonderful cosmic level you were compelled to email or call me and book a reading. That is the only indication I need that I must have some information for you at that time. To me it doesn’t really matter if it comes from looking at your birth chart or from my intuition or from some other source. It is most likely to be all of the above. What is important is that it be conveyed to you in a way that is helpful and clear.
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11. How often should I receive a reading?
There is no one answer for this as it depends upon what is going on with you. If this is a very dynamic, intense or challenging time in your life then it may be helpful to get readings every few months, or even every few weeks, as this can help you to deal with things.
The Helix Nebula from La Silla Observatory
If you are not experiencing a lot of change or chaos, it is still valuable to get a reading every three or six months, or perhaps every year. You certainly do not have to be “in crisis” to receive great benefit from knowing what is going on in your chart. In fact, it is most helpful to know about the positive energies influencing you as well as the challenging ones as I will give you ways to enhance them so that you can make the most out of this time.
It is not uncommon for clients to want a follow-up reading within a few weeks after the first reading because more occurs to them to ask or find out about. This can usually be done in a 30-60 minute session, and thus costs less.
Much depends upon you and where you are in your life, what you’re dealing with, how “intense” and fast-moving things are, and if you find value in receiving this type of information often. Please me if you have any questions about this.
12. I don’t have my exact time of birth. How much difference does that make?
While it is certainly preferable to have an accurate time of birth, it is not completely necessary for doing an insightful and helpful reading. The day/month/year and location of birth do tell a lot about you. That, combined with intuition, can give a lot of information. Furthermore, there are ways to find out your birth time through official resources (Dept. of Vital Statistics). If you would like more information about this, please me.
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Many images on this page are from the NASA site.
