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The mission of the NCGR-Professional Astrologers' Alliance is to serve as a trade association to promote the common interests of astrologers and to improve the status of the profession of astrology primarily through the implementation of a certification program, the promotion of high ethical standards in the practice of astrology, as well as any other matters relevant to the professional astrologer.

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The Merits of Mentoring

Written by John Marchesella   
The Merits of MentoringSo….you’re feeling secure in your interpretation skills of the natal chart, and you’re even pretty proud of making some accurate predictions with transits. You’re even “getting” the notion of secondary progressions, and that’s saying a lot! Maybe a friend already wants to refer another friend for a reading. Gulp! Now what?

Or maybe you’re far enough along with a steady stream of clients that they’re starting to ask for updates, letting you know where you were only a little off, but worse yet, where you were right on. So, now they sit back and want to watch you do it all over again. Yikes!

And perhaps you are even at it long enough to raise your fee for the first time. Well, how to do that wasn’t on the certification exam!

These are only a few brief scenarios that astrologers have to face on the way to professionalism and a profession. Many of us know such scenarios go on and on in the unique experience of becoming (and being) a professional astrologer, but many of us are brand new to the field.

Enter the mentor!

Mentoring can be an invaluable process, not just for students or the up-and-coming astrologer, but actually, for all of us at any turning point in our work, i.e., when we begin our practice of reading for clients, when we start follow-ups with them, when we start teaching, writing, public speaking, and the very important, but oft overlooked, stage of getting involved with the astrological community.

Also, mentoring need not be done once and for all, or with only one mentor, or for just one issue or hurdle to cross. For as long as there are new configurations of planets in the sky or some challenging personal transit on the way, even for the well-established working astrologer, that’s how varied the mentoring process can be because the practice of astrology, like astrology itself, is an organic, evolving, emerging experience. Glorious and frustrating as that might be, if it were any other way, we’d be accountants or cab drivers. (Not that there’s anything wrong with accountants and cab drivers).

A mentor can help with the more obvious issues that come with consulting, especially in a new practice. For instance, how does the astrologer deliver the “bad” news that comes with a difficult transit, or how to discuss a sensitive issue in the natal chart, or a taboo topic, such as sex?

Then, how do we handle the fine line between consulting and counseling? After all, most of us, professional astrologers, are not licensed to operate as psychotherapists, but nevertheless, even if we don’t put ourselves in that role, very often our clients will! Do you even know the legal definitions of various counseling titles in your state?

More important, though, are the psychological boundaries between consulting and counseling. How do we offer validation to the client’s experience without inviting dependence on us or on the astrology? How do we acknowledge the client’s projections onto us as well as the astrology without stepping into that projected role? And what might be our countertransference onto the client? What are the psychological effects of prediction? The philosophical concerns about fate, free will, destiny, karma, etc.? And how do we manage the client’s expectations of us and of astrology?

Of course, we formulate a good deal of these perspectives while learning about the planets, signs and houses, but being face-to-face with the client in the moment practicing these perspectives is a different experience!

And let’s not throw out the baby with the bathwater. Certainly, there are some techniques that we want to borrow from the world of counseling because, we must admit, there’s a lot more than planets, signs and houses that is going on during a reading too. The art of listening, mirroring the client’s feelings, creating a dialogue with the client, and just good old-fashioned communication skills should not be taken for granted when preparing for a profession in astrology.

Whether we like it or not, or intend it or not, the unconscious comes into play with our readings in many ways. We need to be aware as best as possible in the aforementioned points of consulting, but even in the nooks and crannies of our work, such as triangulation when the client refers friends and family to us, or when reading for a couple, or when we refer the client to another professional, i.e., a doctor, a therapist, a healer, etc.

Then, there’s the business of the business. How much to charge in the beginning? When and how to raise fees? A sliding scale? Cancellation policies, procedures on gift readings, method of payment? The timeframe of the reading? Do you have a policy on follow-up phone calls? The frequency of readings, “emergency” readings, third party readings? The protocol for in-person consultations, telephone appointments, Skype? Taxes. Yes, taxes! None of this is taught in Astrology 101 and, other than our mentors, we have no real role models in society. After all, astrology is a bit of an off-beat occupation, and only fairly recently, even thought of as a viable occupation.

These practical issues have a psychological effect too as does the actual workspace for your appointments. Home? Office? An alternative space? The client’s home? An awareness of the seating arrangement and privacy in the space, of course, are imperative.
And where do you place the box of tissues?

Mentors also can offer some guidance on the fundamental step of how to begin a practice. It’s not always as simple as announcing your work to your friends and hoping they will send referrals your way. Is there any value to advertising, and if so, what kind? And what is the effect of it on the potential client? What to include on your website? Donating readings at charitable functions, networking, bartering with professionals in related fields. Are these effective ways for you to launch a practice?

Let’s not forget the very important points of what your role is in the astrological community and for the astrological community. Astrology gives a great deal to us. What do you give back to astrology via your peers and colleagues, and how? For many of us, community participation is a very valuable part of being an astrologer.

Furthermore, you are a representative of astrology to the public. How effectively and responsibly do you fulfill that role?

Most of these points about mentoring were purposely phrased in the form of questions because there are no standard answers, nor is there only one answer for all time. During the course of our practice of astrology, and naturally, in each individual case, the answers to these many questions will have to vary. An astrological practice is not static.

Any good mentor will, of course, share his or her wealth of experience with you, especially if you pick his or her brain, as well you should! However, the “right” mentor for you is the one who will only help you find your own answers to these questions and the many more questions that you will arise in the wonderful work with astrology.


John Marchesella is certified by NCGR-PAA, the Chairman of the Mentor Committee for NCGR-PAA and Education Director for the New York City Chapter of NCGR. He has been in astrology since 1976 and has a full time practice in New York, where he also teaches. John often works in Los Angeles and Washington D.C., and he is a familiar speaker at astrology conferences and a frequent contributor to many astrological publications. Contact him via NCGR-PAA’s website, www.astrologersalliance.org.