Those of us who routinely counsel clients recognize how difficult it is to make major changes.  Change always involves some degree of risk.  After all, it requires that we let part of our established lives go.  

Change often invokes a very intense, almost primal fear.  Ever since we emerged from the womb and were thrust into this sometimes harsh world, we began to understand that life requires a seemingly perpetual adaptation to our environment and life situations.

Clients are sometimes totally overwhelmed by the number of possible options they may have.  Considerable gray areas cloud the decision-making process, turning even relatively simple (on the surface, anyway) decisions a hand-wringing fest.

I try to encourage clients who are faced with numerous choices to make the choices that would most realistically move them closer to their far-reaching goals.  Usually some components of the decision-making process are mutually exclusive, so the long list of decisions may actually be less intimidating than it initially appears.

In other cases, I use the question, "If your best friend were in the same exact situation that you currently are, what you advise them to do?"  Often this method of objectifying the choices is a significant help and allows a relatively straightforward resolution.

The "fear factor" of making life-significant change cannot be understated.  On one hand the client may feel as though they're stagnating, and on the other, they're just too paralyzed with fear to take action.  If we're able to help these clients visualize what is possible if they do make changes, it can alleviate some of the reluctance and anxiety. 

Clients that have known poverty or extreme adversity may attempt to cling to their material belongings for fear of returning to times of deprivation.  This is especially true for people that have lived through the Great Depression.

As mentioned in this month's non-technical article, the Saturn Returns are one measurement that signify major changes in life direction.  Also, the part of the natal chart emphasized by Transiting Pluto is prime territory for major transformation or evolution.  Necessary destruction must to occur to allow rebirth.

Transiting Uranus also cannot be ignored as it identifies areas for sudden, unexpected change.  Of course, the synthesis of the whole chart helps us to evaluate where the client is and where they are probably trying to go with their lives.  

So, as astrologers, we must use our skills to help the client to understand and objectify their situation, recognize the positive potential of change, and give technical astrological support (in non-technical terms).  A key component of the latter is helping with anticipation of probable scenarios and probable dates for timing the changes based on specific measurements.

By thoroughly addressing these concerns we can provide meaningful input to help smooth the changes that the client is experiencing.

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