Review
by Anthony Owen
Astrological
Journal, March/April 1998
For
a profession which spends so much time in trying to connect to
the deeper meaning of actions - spiritual or psychological depending
on one's viewpoint - it has always been a surprise to me how little
literature there is analysing our own motives for becoming astrologers
and how we relate to our clients. From the first time our own or
another's chart suddenly 'comes alive' for us we know that we are
playing with magic of some sort or another. We know that this is
more than just marks on paper, and in stepping outside of the mundane
we (hopefully) touch issues which can be of great import for both
the client, the astrologer, and, maybe, the collective. This should
not be taken lightly.
The
latest CPA publication (though the numbering seems to have gone a
little awry, this Vol. 2 and Vol. 9 have been published simultaneously,
whilst the intervening volumes have been available for a year) brings
to bear the considerable talents of two of the centre's tutors and
their students, in a wide-ranging discussion on the practice, power
and responsibilities of being a working astrologer. The format is,
as usual for this series, a transcript of live seminars, with the
disadvantage that there is no methodology in the astrological material
covered (lovers of astrological cookbooks should stop here!) However
this is far outweighed by the immediacy of real people obviously discussing
issues which are important to them. Juliet Sharman-Burke's section
on astrological counselling starts with the most basic of themes,
the consultation room, advertising and referrals, charging fees, all
so important and so often neglected. Even if you have found working
practices which you are comfortable with, this section still contains
much of value. Finding out that other astrologers have also had to
dare to ask the same questions is both reassuring and challenging
to a methodology which may have become a habit. ('What to do with
a client whom we simply do not like?' 'What about friends' charts?'
'What to do when a client cries, or threatens me?) From there Ms Sharman-Burke
moves on to communication skills and the internal dynamics of a consultation
- transference and countertransference.
Which
leads to Liz Greene's section, from which this volume takes its name.
Her views on the training and responsibilities of astrologers are
well known, and those who do not agree with her will find no comfort
here, though she does at one stage admit she is being deliberately
provocative. She does, however, give some reasons for her belief that
astrologers should themselves go through a process of therapy or psychoanalysis,
and links this with the position which we have been 'forced' to take
by the collective, and hence by many of our clients.
Despite
the fact that this seminar also apparently deals with the position
of the astrologer both within the 'helping professions', society in
general and in the consultation room, it still succeeds - in Ms Greene's
customary style - in bringing up personal issues of deeper import.
A fascinating consideration of the archetypal background of astrology
leads to the analysis of several charts of astrologers - and a virulent
'non-astrologer'! Finally there is a group discussion on the issues
which brought the participants to astrology in the first place and
the suggestion that it is of value to study the transits and progressions
in operation when any astrologer first begins to consider their art
seriously - an exercise which is so blindingly obvious it is likely
that few of us have done it; this book is worth getting simply for
some of the comments in this section alone.
As
an added bonus there are a number of footnotes for further reading,
outside astrology but within psychology, which are well wroth following
up. It seems churlish to have any complaints about such a valuable
book, but there are two which would take so little time to rectify
and would be so valuable. Whilst the style of astrology practised
by the CPA is very much House-based, for those of us used to more
Sign-based charts the 'American style' charts used by the CPA are
nearly unreadable - please, please, there are so many attractive and
easy-to-read computer-generated charts available now the reader surely
deserves better. And secondly, as any half-way decent processor can
now generate an index in but a few minutes I can see no reason why
any book produced now should be without one. By virtue of their format
the CPA volumes are books to dip into, and a good index would make
that so much easier. These are but details, but when there is so much
of value it is a shame that there are any shortcomings!
This
is a book which should not just be recommended, but compulsory reading
for all professional and semi-professional astrologers. Juliet Sharman-Burke's
section contains advice which will stand anyone in good stead, and
Ms Greene's section asks questions which, whether one agrees with
her conclusions or not, should be considered by every astrologer.
I would suggest that we risk failing both our clients and ourselves
if we do not.
©
Copyright 1998 The
Astrological Journal
Review
by Donna van Toen
The Mountain
Astrologer, August/September 1998
This
book consists of two transcribed seminars given as part of the Centre
for Psychological Astrology curriculum. Part One, "Astrological Counselling,"
is by Juliet Sharman-Burke, a teacher and consultant in astrology
who is also a qualified analytical psychotherapist. In this section,
you'll find a discussion of everything you need to be aware of as
a counsellor: boundaries (including time and fees); communication
skills (including paraphrasing and the art of asking questions); projection;
"splitting off" (and other forms of unconscious communication); and
the difficulties caused by using too much jargon. You'll also find
exercises in listening, hearing, and interpreting. The emphasis throughout
this section is on practical issues that need to be considered when
setting up an astrological practice - from your choice of room to
the power of predictions.
The
use of questions from an audience of astrologers who have experience
seeing clients nearly guarantees that your own questions will be
answered, e.g., "what about sliding fees? Do you charge for missed appointments?
How do you handle consultations for friends?" These questions and
more will be familiar to you, I'm sure. All are addressed thoughtfully
and carefully. In fact, most, if not all, of the dilemmas faced by
new astrologers are touched on with common sense and compassion.
The material in this section is invaluable, and I would guarantee
that even seasoned counsellors will learn something, or at least
come away from this section with something to think about.
The
audience also shares experiences that have not worked so well. There's
the astrologer who went on for three hours with a needy client
only to have the needy client still go away unhappy about "not enough time".
There is also the inherent difficulty of not allowing oneself to
be trapped into making the client's decisions for him/her. These
are stories from the trenches that are a refreshing change from
some fo the self-aggrandizing tales you hear at conferences and
meetings. This audience deserves special thanks for making such
important contributions to the book. This is must-read material
and makes the book well worth acquiring, even before a peek at
Part Two.
Liz
Greene has written Part Two, "The Astrologer, the Counsellor, and
the Priest". Greene begins with a brief discussion of Pluto in Sagittarius,
which includes consideration of the importance for us in knowing why
we are doing astrology, and what we are invoking by its practice.
There is a discussion of the importance of looking at the transits
and progressions you were having when you first became involved with
astrology, in order to gain further insight into what you are doing.
The historical role of the astrologer is considered in great depth,
along with the archetypal background underlying this role. The horoscopes
of Dane Rudhyar, Alan Leo, and Pope John Paul II are discussed in
depth as examples of what can motivate the astrologer.
Much
time is spent on what actually happens in an astrological session,
and charts from the group are used to elucidate principles. Problems
surrounding money and power and the narcissistic wound of the helper
are particularly well covered.
This book is a must-have. If you are a counselling astrologer, buy
this book. If you buy only one book this year, make it this one. It
is the most thought provoking book on counselling for astrologers
you could ever want.
©
Copyright 1998 The
Mountain Astrologer
Back
to Book
