PROFESSIONAL ASTROLOGY IN SOUTH AFRICA The first 100 Questions (Talk presented at the first South African Argo Conference in August 2004)   The world-wide astrology landscape is changing. With access to the internet, people are becoming more informed and more interested in astrology. The serious study of astrology is more accessible, and has advanced to higher levels. More students are emerging into the professional practice of astrology.   An increasingly enlightened public is becoming aware of the uses of astrology, and more people seek astrological advice than ever before. In the short-term and long-term future, the trend towards a an astrologically literate public will continue.   The result for professional astrologers is a more discriminating clientele with higher expectations. Are we ready and able to serve them well?   Never before in history have there been as many professional astrologers as there are now. Never before has the level of public awareness been as high.   Today we are the roots of astrology tomorrow.

The Big Picture? We exist in an orderly universe, and our most precious tool is the orderliness of nature and the cosmos. Does our practice and teaching of astrology in South Africa need to be orderly too? Does it matter? Do we have a clear picture of the nature of the practice of astrology in South Africa? Do we understand it? Do we need to? Do we think about it, or talk about it? Share ideas about it? Do we need to? Is there agreement? Disagreement? Ignorance? Disinterest? Does it matter? Are there any problems, issues, or challenges in the way that astrology is practiced now? If there are, can something be done to ease any of these?

The Rest of the World? Do we interact and co-operate with astrologers in other parts of the world? Do we know how astrology is practised elsewhere? What are the problems in other countries? Do we share any common problems. Has any other country found a solution or an idea that could be helpful for us? Are we in a position to know that? Here, just North of us, a group of astrologers are busy resurrecting a dormant ASSA. Do we, as Western Cape astrologers know about that? Can we join them? Do we know? Should we? Are we interested? Is that important?

The Future? Is there a future for professional astrology in our country? What kind of future could it be? Could it be prosperous? In what ways are we vulnerable? Can we control the quality of that future? Is it possible that it’s within our power to create the kind of future that we want? To quote Maggie Hyde, “Is our fate negotiable”? Shall we negotiate with the gods for the kind of fate that we want? Should we become involved in the creation of our own future? Do we want to go to all that trouble?  Shouldn’t we let our future just happen? If we did let it just happen, is there anything that could go wrong? Is it feasible that the way astrology is professionally practiced now, here in South Africa, could continue in its present form, for the next ten years? Is there anything that we can do now, in 2004, to assure the healthy growth of professional astrology in the future? Could professional astrologers contribute meaningfully to the future prosperity and health of South Africa? Do we know where we’re heading as a profession, in South Africa? Do we need to concern ourselves about that, or should we just do the best that we can, and let astrology unfold in its own spontaneous way? In the future, is there any likelihood of there being interference from external sources, such as the government, that could threaten the way astrology is taught and practiced now? If this were to happen, could we respond as an organized, unified, group? If we continue to practice and teach astrology the way that we do now, what is the worst that could happen? What difference might it make if there were some structure applied to the way that we practice and teach astrology in South Africa? What kind of structure might we need? Do I, as a professional astrologer, have any responsibility now for the astrologers of the future?

Between Astrologers? Is it important that among us all, from beginner student to professional astrologer, there is respect, trust, honesty, and loyalty – and that each of us is confident of that? Is that unrealistic?  Is it desirable? Does this have anything to do with professionalism? Does it matter, when we condemn or criticize another astrologer, or damage the reputation or good-will of a colleague or fellow student? Could this hurt all astrologers? Does it have anything to do with professionalism? If it does, and if it happens, what can we do about it? Is it important to treat with respect the considered opinion of another astrologer – even when that opinion differs from our own point of view? Does it matter if we disagree? If any one of our professional astrologers were in trouble, needed help, support, a shoulder to cry on – how would we know who they were, or where they were? Would there be support? Should there be? Do professional astrologers talk with each other? Meet together. Support each other? Share their concerns and their learnings? Do they need to? In a crisis, would we stand together? Do we know each other? Do we love one another? Are we loyal? Or are we competitive and self-protective? If one professional astrologer brought disgrace on our profession, painting us all with the same brush in the eyes of the public, how would we protect ourselves? If there were a serious disagreement between two or more professional astrologers, who would mediate? Are we a happy group of astrologers? Do we get together to celebrate, to commiserate, to honour, Do we know how to contact each other? Do we know each other? Do we know our names? Do we know what’s going on in the South African world of astrology? Do we need to bond together in some way? If we did, would it spoil the magic? Could it threaten our individual freedoms? If there was someone practicing as a professional astrologer, and for one reason or another, that person was doing our profession a lot of harm, how could we deal with that? Do we need to protect our profession?

Successful Professional Astrology? Are all our professional astrologers successful and prospering in their profession? If not, why not? What do they need to help them become more successful? Do we know? If there are many successful astrologers in South Africa, would that make it harder for new astrologers to get into the profession? Is there a limit to how many successful astrologers South Africa can carry? Are we close to the limit? Do we know? How can we smooth the way for students to move into successful professional practice as quickly and competently as possible? Are new students and new professionals respected, assisted and nurtured by their fellow senior students and professionals? Should they be? Is it legitimate that senior students and professionals should take on this kind of responsibility? Is there professional jealousy, defensiveness, or self-protectiveness among astrologers in South Africa? If there is, what could be the cause? What help do emerging professional astrologers need? Do we know? If astrology were promoted broadly and creatively throughout South Africa, would that help us all to be more successful?

Astrology's Relationship with other Professions? Do we, as professional astrologers, desire to be respected as professionals and held in esteem by other professionals? And by our leaders? Is such respect possible? Would such a situation be good for astrology? For the public? Is it possible to develop mutually supportive relationships with other professionals (of all disciplines) where there is on-going two-way support of the best interests of the client? How could we enlighten other professions about the value of the work we do? Do we need to? If it were true that astrology professionals were regarded as valuable members of a caring, healing team of professions, would that be beneficial? To whom? Is this over-idealistic? Unrealistic? Undesirable? What might be the challenges that arise as a consequence of a co-operative relationship like this? What might be expected of us? Would we have to change the way we do things? Would we have to change our image?

The Public? What, specifically, is a “professional image”. What kind of professional  image do we wish to portray to the public? Do we have a unified idea? As a group, what kind of professional image do we project now? What might members of the public say about that? Are there any problems and difficulties in this area? Is there anything that we need to deal with, talk about, think about, confront? Are there any burning issues around the image of astrology to the public? Generally speaking, do the public, our leaders, the business world, know what professional astrology is? Do they need to know? If they don’t know, is there something that we can do about that? Would it be helpful to have an on-going public education programme? When someone wants to find an astrologer, where and how will they find one? When someone sees an astrologer for the first time, do they know what to expect? Do they know how to make the most of their investment? How can members of the public know whether an astrologer is properly qualified? If the President called for the assistance of an astrologer, how would we respond? When astrology is dammed in the media, who will respond for us all?

"Professional" Astrology? How is astrology practised in South Africa? Does anyone know? Are there any guidelines? Any records? If not, does it matter? Are we honest and transparent in all our financial responsibilities to colleagues, to our clients, to the state? Is that important? In practical terms, what does it mean to be “ethical”? Are we accountable? Do we need to be? To whom might we be accountable? Clients? Fellow astrologers? The State? If I’m accountable to myself, do I need to be accountable to anyone else? If the answer is yes, how would this accountability work in practice? Is it standard practice to record a consultation? If not, why not? If it is, what are the pro’s and cons? Is it standard practice to keep a record of clients? What records? Is there anything that we shouldn’t tell a client? If there were a major complaint made against a professional astrologer, how would we deal with that? Do astrologers have professional indemnity insurance? Do they need it? Do we respect intellectual copyright – of books, software, CDs? If we don’t, does it matter? Is it important that astrologers care for themselves, and monitor themselves, to ensure that they are in a fit condition to care for clients? Will a mutually caring attitude between astrologers help to enable that fitness?

What does "Professional" Mean? There are generally accepted standards of professionalism which are supported in the world around us. Do we know what those standards are? Does that have anything to do with astrologers?  Is it relevant? Should we attempt to discover the nature of those standards. If so, who will do the research? How will they let us know? Do we need to adhere to standards of practice and teaching that are professional norms in South Africa, or should we form our own standards? Do we need standards at all? If we believe there should be minimum standards of practice, how will we form those standards? If we don’t need standards, what is it that makes us different from other professions? Are there any basic standards of practice and teaching in astrology on which we are agreed? If there are, what are they? Where will we find them? If there are not, does it matter? Would it make a difference if there were basic minimum standards of practice, on which we all agreed? Would it be helpful?

Qualifications and Training What qualifies an astrologer to practice professionally? Is there agreement on what a professional astrologer should know? If there is not, does it matter? How do we know whether an astrologer has achieved an acceptable level of knowledge and skills? Do we need to know? If there are minimum levels of skills, knowledge and attitude needed for an astrologer to become successfully professional, what are they? Do we know? Does it matter”.   What are astrology teachers teaching? Do we know? Does it matter? Do astrology teachers talk with each other? Support each other? Share their concerns and their learnings? Do they need to? Is there opportunity for supervision? Is there opportunity for on-going self-development and updating of knowledge and skills? Is that relevant? Is there opportunity for students to specialize in certain areas of astrology – e.g. medical astrology?

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