What to Expect from an Astrologer

When you initially meet with an astrologer, what are your expectations? While stereotypical visual images of an astrologer may conjure up visions of pointy hats, flowing robes, crystal balls, etc., you're likely to be disappointed—or pleasantly surprised—at that first meeting. Your astrologer may look more like a traditional businessman/woman than the seer-soothsayer of olden times.

Appearances aside, as a client you need to be aware of what to reasonably expect from a session with your astrologer. Also, it is important to know what not to expect.

Lets begin with what you should expect:

	When you first contact an astrologer, get an explanation of the typical session content, type of services available, the time required for a session, costs, and methods of acceptable payment. Some astrologers offer full consultations including natal, transits, progressions, solar arcs, and predictive information in a single session while others may require a separate session for the natal, etc. It's important to clarify this early on to avoid misunderstandings. Most clients are more comfortable with a fixed fee for the session rather than an hourly fee for a session of undetermined length. Some astrologers accept personal checks and/or credit cards while others prefer cash payment. Ask if the astrologer allows or provides an audio tape of the session. Most astrologers don’t mind if you tape—but some may ask that you bring your own recorder and/or your own blank tape. Having a taped record of the session tremendously enhances its value, as it allows you to review the tape whenever you want—and you may discover information that may have been missed during the actual session.
	Expect to pay a fair price for the services you want to receive. Don't expect to get a complete session for $25, but also don't pay beyond what you feel comfortable with. Keep in mind that the potential benefits of a thorough session with a qualified astrologer can help to smooth out some of life's rough spots, reduce the likelihood of missed opportunities, and make you feel more focused and directed. As one prominent astrologer, Haloli Richter succinctly put it, "It's not like buying tires". Don't assume that astrology is "just a hobby" for the astrologer and that it's not right for them to charge for their talents. It requires years of study and continued hard work to maintain a high level of proficiency. (If you truly can't afford the services, inquire as to whether there may be qualified, serious students in the area that might be willing to do some basic work at a reduced price in order to gain experience).
	When making the appointment, let the astrologer know (ideally he/she will ask) what is prompting you to schedule a session at this time. You don't have to be overly specific, but verbalize your reasons before making the appointment. This allows the astrologer to focus adequate time on the areas of the most importance to you.
	Spend some time confirming your birth information before the appointment. Often this can be found on the birth certificate or another record such as a birth announcement. If the time isn't correct, both the astrologer's time and your money haven't been efficiently utilized. If you don't know your birth time, check out Finding Birth Times on this Web site for suggestions of how to research the time. If you still can't determine your birth time, many astrologers offer a service called “rectification” (usually for an additional fee) to help determine the time. Most astrologers prepare well in advance of the client's arrival, adding emphasis to the importance of an accurate birth time being communicated when the appointment is scheduled.
	Insist on a clean, private, and secure place to meet. Whether an astrologer works from his or her home, an outside office, or another location (bookstore, etc.) you should be comfortable in the setting. You're paying good money and shouldn't have to deal with any distractions or conditions that make you feel uncomfortable or compromise your privacy.
	Expect at least a general overview of your natal chart—including basic tendencies, talents, needs, and how to balance your strengths and challenges—explained to you in common, everyday language. If you don't have an astrology background it can be quite intimidating or confusing to hear something like "Well, your Saturn's in the 7th House in Capricorn so of course...." Insist on being told—at a practical level—what the measurements or observations mean instead of struggling to sift through an unintelligible grocery list of astrological psychobabble. If you are interested in learning more about the technical mechanics of astrology, you may want to inquire as to whether the astrologer offers classes, workshops, or individual tutoring services.
	Expect honest, direct, yet tactful communication. I firmly believe that people can sense if they're not being dealt with honestly. This is not to say that the astrologer should sugar coat anything or avoid cautioning you when appropriate. But conversely, you shouldn't feel as though you've been beaten up when the session ends. Even highly technically skilled astrologers need to possess substantial interpersonal communication skills. The potential negative impact of poorly presented information is considerable and inexcusable. Your astrologer should be able to help you prepare, strategize, and suggest possible solutions rather than just identify your problems and send you on your way.
	Expect the astrologer to have a business license and be accredited or certified as an astrologer. Although there is no central licensing or accrediting agency for astrologers there are several reliable organizations and programs that issue credentials certifying competence as an astrologer.
	Write down specific questions that you would like addressed. It’s all too easy to forget something during a session if you haven't written it down. Ideally, let the astrologer know the nature of the questions before the session begins so he/she knows how to allocate your time together.
	Finally, but very importantly, you should expect absolute confidentiality. This is your information. If the astrologer provides an audio tape for you, it is prudent to review its content privately before sharing the tape with others.

OK, now that you've read what to expect, Here are some things NOT to expect:

Don't expect the astrologer to entertain you by telling every single detail of your life as you sit there passively. Some people feel as though they're "giving away" information about themselves that the astrologer should be able to "divine" on his/her own. Without "tipping your hand", give the astrologer honest feedback throughout the session. This helps to guide the direction of the session. The ways different people respond to different celestial influences can vary tremendously while still within the suggested realm of manifestation.

Ideally, the session should be more like a conversation than a "reading" where the astrologer spouts volumes of information about who you are (or should be). Thankfully, free will has a tremendous influence over who we are and how effective we can be in the pursuit of our potential. Astrology does effectively determine the normal boundaries of potential, but what each of us makes of that potential is determined in large part by our conscious decisions, the circumstances of our environment, and our personal needs and motivations. Astrology is no longer relegated to pre-destiny but recognizes that we’re each individuals capable of (and responsible for) our own individual development.

Don't expect the astrologer to make your decisions for you. The astrologer's role in decision-making is to help you to objectively see the choices you are facing and to rationally evaluate the likely impact of the options. Really, it is YOU that will ultimately make the decision. The input from your astrologer should help make your decisions less stressful and better informed. Remember: choices are good. Without choices we can easily feel painted into a corner. Welcome your choices and use all the information available to make the most of them.

Don't expect sympathy if you should arrive late for your appointment because you were running errands and, well the time just sort of got away, and.... Treat your appointment as if it were a traditional appointment—with your physician, dentist, etc. You've already agreed on the appointment time and the astrologer is running a business. Show him or her the respect that you would like to receive. If you should arrive late, don't automatically assume that your session will just run late. There is a good chance that another client may be scheduled to immediately follow your appointment. Sure, sometimes unavoidable things happen. Just be courteous and let the astrologer know as soon as you're aware there may be a problem with your appointment time.

Don't expect to be told your lucky lottery numbers. While an astrologer may possibly be able to improve your odds at the lottery or other speculative ventures, this usually isn't the best use of your time together.

Don't expect the astrologer to review your entire family's, your neighbors, and your daughter's boyfriend's charts during your session. You're consulting with the astrologer to learn more about what's going on in your life. Unless you've specifically asked the astrologer to look at someone else's chart beforehand, don't ask them to do it.

Don't expect to be told specific details of the rest of your life. By working with your chart and the feedback from you, the astrologer can often help to anticipate probable occurrences and work with you to put together a workable strategy for the future. Generally, a year or two is the longest reasonable time to look ahead to reasonably detailed information. Beyond that time period the accuracy declines.

Unless you have scheduled a session to include another person in addition to yourself, don't bring anyone else along (your friends, children, or pets) to the session. Both you and the astrologer will want to focus completely on YOU; and both of you will function more efficiently in the absence of other people or distractions.

Don’t forget that many astrologers maintain the records of your session. This tremendously simplifies subsequent “follow-up” sessions since much of the data has already been discussed. This allows considerably more time to focus on current and upcoming periods without the need to “re-hash” everything from the beginning. Updates can be scheduled whenever needed by the client (usually at least annually) to obtain useful insight and stay on track to achieve your goals. You get the most “bang for the buck” when records are maintained by the astrologer.

Don't put off your session with an astrologer. Used properly, astrology is a powerful tool to help us to better understand ourselves and move toward our true potential. Don't find yourself saying, "If only I'd had this experience earlier!"