Archives.

 Good morning.

17 September 2006. Perception.

I have noticed that our perception of things tends to vary. We see things we want to see; we don't see things we don't want to see. Sometimes we see things that aren't there, or read into a situation facts that don't exist. Perception is everything in Astrology. When an Astrologer sees a planet in a chart it comes alive with meanings, often painting a picture of actualities, possibilities, or even events, but the problem is that it is all too easy to read into a planet non-existent effects, which is why adequate training is required. All too often we see assumptions rather than facts as would be Astrologers jump to conclusions, incorporating their own desires and sometimes fantasies into the fabric of reality. There are well established rules for interpretation which need to be followed but which are frequently ignored out of ignorance of the facts or simply in order to be sensational. Sun Sign Astrology is particularly guilty of this, but criticism can also be leveled against others. 

Perception is all, which is why those computer reports are such useless things. No computer program can be a substitute for perception. A computer can't reason, has no imagination, is incapable of weighing up the pros and cons, or giving the right emphasis to a chart factor. At best all it can do is provide a list of ready made interpretations from a database. So when you see adverts alluding to 'personal' reports, do bear in mind that all you are getting is a list of bare interpretations devoid of any attempt to sysnthesise the results into a meaningful whole, and without this and the perception only a trained mind can provide, all you are getting is shoddy goods. 

20th September 2006. Jonathan Cainer's Tarot scam.

I am still looking for help to put a stop to the Jonathan Cainer Tarot reading scam, so if you have had problems with this computerised rip-off please let me know. All information will be treated confidentially. Your impressions of his supposed 'personal report' would also be welcome. Email me here.

One of the greatest threats to Astrology is the fact that it is unregulated, and while I am not a fan of committees and the like there is a case for some form of regulation, if only a defining of acceptable standards and behaviour.

Those awful Astrology forums. 

I recently came across an Astrology forum and during participation in a debate I became aware of the fact that there are certain people posing as Astrologers who by using long-winded terms and appearing to be technically competent give the impression of  credibility while in fact knowing nothing about Astrological techniques. In answer to my input I was shown a chart which, quite frankly, ought to be displayed as a shining example of how not draw a chart. Every aspect imaginable was used, not to mention nodes and asteroids, resulting in a chart that was unreadable. Yet the originator of this couldn't, or wouldn't, see the error in his ways. Fine, if all you are going to do is amuse yourself, but this person insisted that he was an Astrologer and that what he was doing was absolutely correct. No amount of reasoned argument could dissuade him. What bothers me is that he, and presumably others, inflict their ideas onto people who need genuine advice and inevitably get it wrong. 

This shows what a lamentable state Astrology is in today, because anyone can declare themselves to be an Astrologer, saying whatever they like, even making it up as they go along. There are some pretty crazy ideas out there and the regrettable thing is that they are becoming mainstream. Real Astrology continues to exist, but is in danger of being swamped by unproven ideas and amateurish thinking. Do watch out for self-styled Astrologers who try to baffle you with techospeak, such as: [Spelling mistakes left in]

Mercury and Venus have strong linkage, they are in mutal reception by natural house rulership and the Sun sitting 1/4th of a degree from thier midpoint and with Pluto opposing the midpoint by only 1/10th of a degree. This links Mercury/Venus into the opposition just as strongly as the lunar nodes and the Jupiter/Neptune opposition.

So now you know!
  

Copyright ©  2003 First Stop Astrology.com. All rights reserved.