No more nonsense astrology

I come from a “weird” Family – My Grandmother was psychic and my great Grandparents were spiritualists which was very unusual for the time. Most of my family have had an interest in the paranormal and occult sciences including my Uncle, a retired art teacher, who wrote a book about his experiences (An ordinary life? By Andrew Michael Doig) and he has had a lifelong interest in astrology. So it is not surprising that I took a similar path in life with similar interests.

My first proper introduction to astrology was when my oldest sister bought a book on rising signs and its accuracy encouraged me to further explore astrology. Back in those days which was before every home had the internet, I did not know of any astrology teachers or courses in Ireland so I have been largely self taught and driven by my obsession with the stars, asides from taking some courses with Bernadette Brady. My love affair with astrology has been going on for 25 years now and I still think, dream, and read about it when I am not teaching or with clients.

Like most astrologers over 40, when I first started to study, I found that the material available was fairly poor and new age based. In recent years, I have focused on traditional techniques and interpretations including the traditional and only true rulers of the signs, the seven classical planets, and the living sky that I can see with my own eyes. I include the fixed stars in my readings and other astrology work. When I started to read ancient astrological texts, I realized how much traditional astrology differed from the standard in the modern age. I came up with the conclusion that astrology has been subjected to subversion as the evil people in the world do not want us to properly use it. This is because Astrology, when used correctly, allows us to see the truth about situations and people.

Modern, astrology, or “bubblegum” astrology as I call it, is so far removed from traditional practices that we cannot even call it by the same name. Gone are the essential dignities and truthful forecasts, replaced with asteroids, pop psychology, and the preposterous “Lion’s gate.” Everything is “positive” and sparkly in new age astrology, there are no warnings about bad transits and most modern astrologers are not even able to make global predictions! What use is an astrologer who cannot make an accurate forecast?

“Lion’s gate” which is not based on any real astrology whatsoever, is a great example of made-up nonsense that is passing for astrology in the modern age. I consider any “astrologer” that perpetuates this myth to be either grossly incompetent or an outright fraud. Some “astrologers” are trying to connect this ancient practice with Aliens, ascension and other new age nonsense and they are traitors to the craft and snake oil salesmen.   

YouTubers and the new age are largely to blame for the degradation of astrology and the art has suffered even more through the new age than it did through Islam and Christianity. Why do they do this? Because fantastical, Unicorn, “astrology” is more appealing to the masses on social media. Sadly most new age astrologers today have never read Ptolemy’s “Tetrabiblos” or “The soul of astrology” by William Salmon and most seem to parrot content that they have found on Youtube from other creators.  No wonder astrology is scoffed at and subjected to such ridicule. The standard, new age astrologer rarely writes books or original articles which is a huge red flag that they are uneducated.  

Ptolemy, William Salmon, William Lilly, and other famous astrologers from history would turn in their graves if they could see the rubbish that passes for astrology these days.

William Lilly, a 17th century, English astrologer, was able to use the art to accurately predict the deaths of monarchs and Church clergy members, his influence was so powerful and his skills so widely recognized that he was able to sway public opinion on any powerful figure and as a result of this, using astrology to predict deaths of public figures was banned outright.

 Lilly became famous by using horary astrology to find missing people, diagnose illnesses, solve crimes and identify thieves. Lilly once had some fish stolen from him and using Horary astrology, he tracked down the thief who was unknown to him previously and accurately gleaned the thief’s appearance, location, and job from the horary chart. Lilly brought a constable to the thief’s residence to arrest him and they found the scoundrel cooking Lilly’s fish for his dinner!  

Astrologers historically have been the close advisors of Kings, Emperors and other significant people and a good astrologer should be able to accurately predict events, whether negative or positive.

An astrologer should be able to truthfully interpret a birth chart and identify areas of strength and weakness. They must be able to honestly advise their clients on their birth charts and transits even if it is uncomfortable. An astrologer will never be able to improve the lives of their clients if they ignore anything that is difficult or challenging, in fact they will make the problem much worse.

Most people only have a few problematic parts in their birth charts and their lives will improve significantly if they are given the right advice and instructions on those placements. Psychology has no place in astrology – a system that has worked effectively for thousands of years does not need any help from a practice that is less than 200 years old!

 I personally focus on ancestral issues when I’m reading a person’s birth chart as this is the key to true healing. The new age and Christianity place no importance on ancestry whatsoever, but ancestral wounds are easily identified in a natal chart along with the solutions.

I have built up a reputation as an astrologer who makes accurate predictions and I improve the lives of my clients by giving them advice, but I am not using any special technique or psychic ability. I am not getting information beamed into my head by aliens – I am simply using traditional astrological methods that have been used for forecasting for thousands of years.  I could only dream of being as skilled as William Lilly, but I am doing my best!

So, what resources are available to the budding Astrology student who wants to bypass the new age? I will list below some recommended books for you to read. If you want an Astrology teacher there are many available today but as a rule of thumb, avoid any who do not use the traditional rulerships or essential dignities. I am an astrology teacher but you do not have to pay anyone to learn. Focus on the right material and you will succeed if you have the passion and dedication.

“Christian astrology” by William Lilly (Nothing Christian about this book but he lived during an age that had little freedom outside of the church).

“Tetrabiblos” by Ptolemy.

“The Soul of astrology” by William Salmon

Any books by Bernadette Brady. In my opinion she is the best astrologer who is alive today.