Astrology and Tarot
I have nurtured a life long interest in astrology and began professional practice in 1994 in my home country Australia. My practice benefited greatly when I moved to New York City in 1996 and was able to network with, and learn from a broad range of different astrologers. I am a member of International Society for Astrological Research (ISAR), National Council for Geocosmic Research (NCGR), and Association for Astrological Networking (AFAN).
Interestingly I have never felt discomfort between being both a scientist and an astrologer. I see both as simply different ways of looking using different paradigms. My interest and study into quantum physics and acupuncture and the human biofield provide me with plenty of ideas and theories of how planets affect organisms, but such intellectual musing seems unnecessary. The appropriateness and relevance of divinatory work proves itself over and over again.
The astrological chart provides a wealth of information to enable personal growth and understanding of the self. My consultations focus upon examining the basic personality and how this manifests in a persons life and circumstances. I like to put the astrological information into a psychological and spiritual context. Certain planetary configurations can also provide insight into the role of parents and early childhood circumstances and experiences. This is woven into the understanding of the personality enabling a better understand of one’s feelings and actions in relation to specific aspects of our lives.
Most startling for many of my new clients is the ability of astrology to provide information about the timing of events, both retrospectively (in the past) and prospectively (in the future). This is done using standard astrological techniques; transits and progressions. Here what we are looking at is the movement of the planets in relation to their original positions at the time of birth. It is as if the original planetary pattern (determined at birth) was imprinted upon us, giving each of us a unique signature. We could think of the signature as our unique vibration that would be reflected in our biofield or aura. As the planets move they interact with our unique planetary pattern and these influences can be felt in our lives. We can interpret how these influences will be felt, for example what aspect of our life (career, family, aspirations etc.,), what type of influence (change, restriction, opportunity etc.). Such information and the its relationship to our sense of ourselves and our lives can be enormously helpful in terms of better understanding the deeper significance of difficulties and taking advantage of beneficial energies.
I use Tarot to clarify and enhance my divinatory work, as Tarot can often more specifically address issues that have been uncovered in the chart, or directly focus on a query. I have always been drawn to the Tarot school of the Aleister Crowley, and most frequently work with Pamela Eakins’ cards that have been beautifully illustrated by her mother, Joyce Eakins. I also work with Australian Aboriginal divination cards that contain original aboriginal paintings each representing a story from the Dreamtime. The aboriginal Dreamtime are stories that are passed on through the generations that describe creation, aboriginal law, cultural customs, spiritual understandings and much more that cannot be expressed in words.