A new client came to me because of something involving Saturn in her chart that had come up in another reading. The information she was given was not only wrong, the Saturn placement was incorrect. The “astrologer” who gave her this information is online, and on his website he calls himself a “master astrologist” which is interesting in itself. We astrologers don’t call ourselves “astrologists” – that is an appellation typically found only in critical newspaper articles. His website also states that he is an occultist. The definition of “occult” is defined by Google’s dictionary as “something pertaining to the supernatural or magical beliefs, practices or phenomena.” “Magic” is “the power of apparently influencing the course of events through mysterious or supernatural forces.” While it’s true that some psychics or occultists use astrology in an attempt to manipulate reality and create magic, most professional astrologers do not approach the craft with that intention. Occult really means that which is hidden from view. A planet is said to be occult another planet when it hides that planet from our view. Occult practices can be defined as those which operate under the radar of the masses, in secret and perhaps in mystery schools. Astrology as practiced by occultists can be steeped in superstition, such as the famed occultist Sepharial (a contemporary of Madame Blavatsky and himself a theosophist) who writes of “good” aspects and “evil” aspects in his Manual of Occultism. This is a more traditional approach to astrology which considers astrology to be a map of one’s fate. Presumably then the occult tools assist one in transforming one’s fate and therein lies the magic. I take a different view. While it’s true that the horoscope or natal (birth) chart represents our fate because that chart will not change no matter what we do, it also holds the secret of our personal transformation and the evolution of the soul. Those aspects that Separial defines as “evil” can be the source of our own personal empowerment. This is a truly alchemical process that goes beyond anything the ancient alchemists ever dreamed of, and it requires no special magical tools, rituals or spells. It requires simply a knowledge of the Self as described by the birth chart, and an understanding of the gifts that lie within. Vedic astrology often talks of “remedies” for negative influences in the birthchart. These remedies include fasting, the use of gemstones, and acts of contrition and good will. And while all of these methods are quite useful, they ignore the fact that the key to personal transformation lies within – that we create our reality and can transform it. We are not victims to our fate – our fate is simply a roadmap we were given. The experiences that we find along the way are determined by free will and intention. That is the real magic.
[related_posts limit=”5″ image=”50″]
There are flakey occultists out there, just as there are flakey astrologers (“astrologists”), psychics, tarot readers, etc. Sounds like your client was taken in by a person that’s a flake in more than one circle. Sorry to hear that. I just want to chime in as “an occultist” because we’re not all douchebags like your friend encountered. Also, from the tone of your article, I wonder if you’ve had the pleasure of interacting with an occultist that isn’t a douche.
One of the reasons I really enjoy your blog is because the statements you make about astrology and what you can do with it resonates with me as an occultist and magician. You sum it up well: “the key to personal transformation lies within.” That’s what I believe as an occultist. I also believe the reason to be an occultist is personal transformation. I suppose this could be viewed as an attempt to change my fate, but I’d see the fate-changing as a result of the magic, not the end goal in itself. I also recognize that being an occultist (which at this point I’d generally say is associated with western magic[k]) isn’t the only vehicle for personal transformation, it just happens to be the one that has afforded me the greatest understanding of myself up to this point in my life. Not all occultists think this way. But some do.
There are lots of different reasons for, and ways to practice magic. It’s not necessarily about transforming one’s fate (though I’m sure some do think that way). There is a fundamental occultist debate about “White Magic” (done with the intent of personal transformation, or aligning yourself with your True Will) and “Black Magic,” (meaning anything else.) Is that really the way it works? What are the repercussions of “bad” or “Black” magic? Obviously there’s no consensus on this theory in occult community at large. Also, akin to your summation that the “key to personal transformation lies within,” there are some occultists that believe that all magic is done on the self (“It’s all in your head, you just don’t know how big your head is”), even if the magician attempts to cause change in another or in the outside world. In occult circles, this is a debated and sometimes contentious theory of How Magic Works.
If you ask a practicing magician or wiccan or armchair occultist (as you are more likely to find) they would tell you something like, Magic[k] is “the science and art of causing change to occur in conformity with Will.” I say wiccan also because whether they realize it or not, a person in the Gardnierian path is in a path influenced by western occultists (as are many other categories of magic).
You point out that not all astrologers are magicians, but some magicians use astrology. I’ll take that further and say all respectable occultists will have some background understanding of astrology that is not steeped in superstition, as it is a basic tool for practicing. (That doesn’t mean we should set up websites offering services though–I wouldn’t call myself a “medicinist” just because I know some home remedies for a fever, ya know?) Astrology isn’t a necessary component for every spell or rite or ritual, but it is a basic building block that can be used. Just like wearing a specific robe or using a certain color cloth isn’t a necessity. Astrology is used in order to facilitate tapping into certain energies, and getting the mind to a specific state that would be conducive to creating the change intended. It’s also used as a tool to better understand the self in a mundane way (as above, so below).
Thanks for writing the post. I wish you continued success :)
Vee, thank you for taking the time to write such a detailed comment. Having been an occultist myself in the past I know that working with these energies can be empowering rather than limiting. My complaint is with people who are dabblers, and call themselves “astrologists” when really they aren’t qualified to interpret a chart. In this particular case the chart wasn’t even calculated properly and the factor that the “astrologist” told my client about was inaccurate in any case.
Hi Lynn – Saw the title and figured I’d check in. First, 2013! Isn’t it great?
Second, I studied Sepharial and the rest, from Alan Leo back to HPB and forward to would-be 20th century “occultists.” You’re spot on about the so called “evil” planets and aspects. Those terms are relics of an era that was bound in superstition and determinism. As you know, every planet has its dysfunction, and its perfect function, and everything in between. Same with aspects. I’ve seen squares work wonders in turning old momentum to new directions that are more favorable. Reagan’s astrologers (or at least one of them) was a master at timing press conferences via precisely aimed squares that helped him dodge more than one negative phase.
Third, you’re also spot on regarding “occultism.” Most have absolutely no idea about what it is, or what an occultist might or might not say or do. I did a post many years ago where I quoted Dane Rudhyar from “Occult Preparations for A New Age” about occultism and occultists. If I’m not violating protocols, here is the link: Dane Rudhyar, Occultism, Kumaras, Masters of the Wisdom, and the Future of Humanity (which this post has inspired me to re-post over at my site, linking to this article as basis for entering the subject matter.
Happy everything to you, Lynn! May 2013 bring you many blessings via many good aspects. Saturn’s beat goes on for both of us!
Thanks Robert! Good to see you over here, and everyone, check out Robert’s blog if you’re not already aware of it.
Lynn, I too was the victim of having my chart wrongly analyzed a few years ago by a “well-known” astrologist. I won’t name names, mostly everything including her transits were in far from accurate. At the time I didn’t realize it but as the years went on, I realized how inaccurate her predictions were. I understand astrologists are not God, but they should have some morals and ethics when they interpret a person’s chart, especially when someone is going through many challenging years involving their health, family, career and finances.
Lena, many “astrologers” are one or two trick ponies who fell into the gig and never cultivated much beyond whatever brought them to the dance. Many people like being “known” for what they seem to know, and each re-telling of the press release inflates the perception.
I agree all who would call themselves professionals should take responsibility for what comes out of their mouths, and I hold with Marc Jones’ standard that we should not even begin to call ourselves “astrologers” until after at least 5 years’ study, and after that must diligently keep studying until we hit 10 years’ experience in the craft, after which we most definitely ARE responsible.
Please keep in mind that an astrologer is only as good as a) they know the craft, and b) have enough life experience to be able to interpret transits with some degree of accuracy in terms of context within individual circumstances. As with many other things, WE must take responsibility for how much we buy into what another is stating. Would you go to a financial adviser who has no assets? Would you go to a relational astrologer who had never had a healthy relationship? As with computer programming, GIGO applies: “garbage in, garbage out.” I believe the safest approach to all purported “advice” is that many times it’s like perfume, in that we should smell it, but not swallow it. And of course, a good astrologer is worth her or his weight in gold.
Interesting – had my chart read first time over 30 years ago; that man had a school for astrology, and I went to it. He was right on. I have followed Lynn for quite awhile…she is the real deal…
Sue! It’s so good to see you here. Send me an email and let me know how you are doing.
If by Saturn’s position you meant Vedic [Sidereal] position of planets or just wrong calculations?
As for Vedic view – the basic tenet of Vedic science or thought is that of Karma [actions]. The mind carries mental impressions of all actions that we do – not only this birth, but previous one’s too – the entire storehouse of mental impressions is collectively known as Karma! One gets fruits of these actions [payback] in current birth or maybe next.
However there is no method to visit this storehouse and verify all that is mentioned in scriptures. Besides there are enough thugs on the net claiming supernatural powers and in the name of remedies.
For a westerner it is difficult to understand Karma, as much for we to understand theological hairsplitting of words and acronyms by the western world. These are two different ends of thoughts.
Peace!!
The “astrologist&