COMMUNITY AND COMMUNICATION  as expressed by members of the South African Astrology Community in June 2009   (The items in bold were mentioned more than once,  and those highlighted in blue more than three times)

Community and Communication Suggestions 1-15 1.       I want to feel part of a community, a family of astrologers, who are in touch with each other 2.       I would like to keep in touch with my fellow astrologers, but most of the Astrologers live in the southern suburbs, and I don’t want to travel long distances at night. 3.       I want to connect with other astrologers around South Africa and around the world 4.       I would love to see a united astrology, where we are supportive and respectful of the various branches of astrology, and have the freedom to share and learn from each other 5.       We need to cater for the needs of three groups – the public who are generally interested in astrology; students who study astrology as a hobby, for pleasure : astrologers who earn a living from astrology 6.       I would like to receive regular information about astrology, how it’s developing and what happening both locally and internationally.   7.       I would like to be part of a regular sharing of information in different ways, including using the internet e.g. websites, blogs, interesting new books published, etc 8.       There could be one general astrology mailing list, so that everyone stays informed about everything that is happening 9.       I would like to be part of an astrology community who actively serve and support each other, without ego or competitiveness getting in the way 10.    Attitude is the key. We need a spirit of adventure, a willingness to listen to one another, with objectivity and academic rigor. 11.    All types of astrology need to be aired and shared in a non-elitist environment 12.    I would like a newsletter, with articles from our experienced local astrologers. A  short one-page monthly newsletter covering current happenings  eg:   Ooops!    Mercury Retrograde ..... Be aware of ... include  snippets from other astrologers, include  "For  Sale"    "Announcements" -   Joe Soap engaged to Jane Doe.   Information about Our Astrologers, people we know and can relate to. Maybe a subscription could be asked either bi-annually or annually. 13.    I want to know about the world of astrology – in the rest of South Africa and the rest of the world. 14.    Serving is a missing component in astrology in South Africa 15.    I propose a dinner every now and again as a good way to mix socially and informally mix – this is important for Astrologers who tend to go into their caves and study. We need time together to share data and ask questions without being put on the spot.  Sometimes people don’t ask because they feel they should know… this is sometimes why questions are NOT asked during workshops or public lectures especially from students, or beginners - so an informal gathering makes it easier to ask.

Community and Communication Suggestions 16-26  16.   Have special dinners or events at Astrological landmarks such as Solstices and Equinoxes and perhaps the odd full moon or Eclipse events in order to be able to discuss these events and how they may be playing out in personal or mundane lives, and on other odd special occasions 17.    Books and the internet are my only support.  It would be great to connect with other astrologers from time to time.  Maybe we could have discussions pertaining to complex chart configurations and in that way enrich our insights - we can all learn from one another 18.    My suggestions is to have Astrologers e-mail tips or mini e-mail information sharing, for those who can't make meetings. 19.    Could we have everyone’s email addresses available so we can e-mail each other? 20.    I am a great believer in the principles of inclusion and evolution. Astrology has to include all the different systems that are used, irrespective of differences of opinion and in interpretation, and has to evolve into an exciting, vibrant and strong alternative, to what is on offer at the moment. 21.    I would love to see a united astrology, with all branches and methods, pulling together in a national effort 22.    Maybe we need a combined SA look at the astrological community.  What about if we have a virtual community which is web-based and interactive.  It could have chat-rooms/ discussion forums and from that we can have intermittent workshops. There will be a cost factor but most people will be prepared to pay for that sort of thing. 23.    It’s a mistake to have any committee – regardless of performance – in office too long, maybe that is something to put into a constitution? 24.    Having a single astrology association – one that is representative of astrologers in south Africa, and actively working on their behalf 25.    I would love South Africa to be a country where the astrologers in the two main cities are wholly united, know each other, are in regular contact in every way, and learn from each other 26.    There has been a big move over the Medieval Astrology. Some astrologers still use modern methods.  I don’t have the solutions as to how to get around this, but I do see the problem in that, they don’t mix very well.

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