This article was originally published on the blog on October 19, 2009. Jupiter, Chiron, and Neptune were in Aquarius at the time, and Aquarian energy and themes are just about to be ramped up again as transiting Jupiter and Saturn move near-simultaneously into the sign of the water-bearer next month.
Different philosophies/teachings/wisdom (Jupiter) pertaining to groups, communities, vision, and future propulsion (Aquarius) will be at the forefront in 2021 just as they were in 2009, and I think this article is just as relevant now as we move into this Aquarian infusion (Jupiter, Saturn, and then Pluto in Aquarius) as it was nearly one full Jupiter cycle ago. I've updated it a little for re-publishing here:
Self-Taught Astrologers Vs. Standardized Astrological Education
I'm a self-taught intuitive astrologer. It's been a relatively short but sometimes brutally intensive course of study.
Books, internet, astrology message boards, practising on people (sorry
people!), and daily observation of transiting planets were the main
avenues I took.
The ideas and techniques of other astrologers have certainly influenced
the development of my own astrological take (as I've influenced others),
but there is no one who can take credit for my personal astrological
analysis or perspective. I worked hard for it, and it's mine.
I haven't learned from any one astrologer or any one course of study and
didn't take formal courses at an astrology school. This was not
necessarily because I didn't want to - at least in the beginning. I was
open to the idea. It was moreso that it just wasn't in my stars, so to
speak, to learn that way. Initially, I didn't have the money to take
classes or courses, so I learned on my own. Then I realized this was actually the
way for me to go - choosing my own course of study, bit-by-bit, as an autodidact and
letting my particular practise of astrology come into existence on its
own terms.
I think for people who are meant to access it, astrology is inherent in a
lot of ways. One day you start to read it or hear about it and it just
means something to you. From there, a process is triggered by which it
is drawn to the surface, into conscious, day-to-day life. It feels
as if you've always had the knowledge inside; it just takes a while to
fully develop the language and techniques used to access and express it.
I think a do-it-yourself (DIY) style is fairly common among astrologers, and as a Plutonic punk/anarchist astrologer myself, a DIY path would be particularly apropos.
At the same time, it's also fairly common to take a specific course of
study under specific astrologers as teachers, including at established astrology schools.
My view is that it depends entirely upon the individual which way of
learning is preferable. To each his/her own. I wouldn't suggest one way
of learning astrology is better than another or makes a person more of
an astrologer. A mix of formal classes and self-study would be a potent
way to learn, but again, it depends on the situation and the means available.
It depends what's in the stars and what's in the bank account, what you have access to and
whether you
have the expendable fiat currency to throw down for it.
From what I can surmise, the majority of the most publicly established and lauded professional astrologers are upper-middle class or at least very comfortably middle class. They've had the means to pay for astrological education from established astrology schools - often more than one school - or even to set up astrology schools of their own. They've had the educational, networking, and promotional opportunities that come from jet-setting around to astrology conferences and retreats all over the country or the world. They've had a financial cushion as they established their professional astrological careers. Maybe most importantly, their similar economic statuses and experiences in life have shaped their perspectives so that they are "acceptable and respectable" according to the dictates of the broader astrological establishment. Their views and astrological interpretations are harmonious with the middle and upper-middle class scene and would most likely not hit a sour ("negative," "fear-based," "lower vibration") note within that group of people - at least, not a serious one.
I only recently learned, after 10 years as a professional astrologer, that intuitive astrology is looked down upon by the astrology establishment.
Honestly, this explains a lot.
I've always known that I did not fit in with this particular crowd for some reason.
All the astrology conferences and courses and schools and lectures - it all costs money I don't have to spend and is therefore inaccessible to me and to any other poor or working class astrologer or student. But even that didn't tell the whole story. There was just something off about me even attempting to interact in that world.
And now I know.
Self-taught astrologers, intuitive astrologers, astrologers who haven't jumped through the particular hoops set out by this astrological establishment, are considered secondary - possibly (possibly) serviceable at what they do, but not among the best and brightest, not members of the Big Deal Astrologers club.
OK, good. Glad to have that clarified.
I don't really mind being considered a second class citizen or being snubbed by the astrology establishment. The thing that bugs me is when I'm treated that way without fully understanding the underlying motivation or reason.
From early on as an astrologer, I picked up on the push for standardized astrological education for practising astrologers. (I'm intuitive, right? You can't get a control mechanism past me.)
Many of the current astrological associations and groups have been built around this push for standardized education. In other words, in order to call yourself a professional astrologer, you have to have certain certifications, take certain approved courses of study, and be tested on your knowledge by certain other establishment-approved astrologers. (And again, this all takes $$$, so it's a pretty middle and upper-middle class-dominated scheme.)
If you don't jump through these particular hoops and learn these particular pre-approved brands of astrology, receiving the piece(s) of paper that says you're a legit professional in the minds of these establishment astrologers, you pretty well aren't welcome in their clubs. You're shut out of "the scene," as well as the many opportunities for professional advancement enjoyed by those in these particular (quite insular) clubs.
Well, to be honest, they can have it.
