I have studied Astrology since 1984 on and off. I reached the standard you need to be able to carry out your own research within three months. Recognizing the glyphs was one key to the subject others were learning to calculate each planet’s position and drawing a chart (both not needed nowadays as accurate charts are available, free at many popular sites – just put in time, date and location of a subject’s birth) and reading.

By reading I don’t mean the horoscopes in daily papers or women’s magazines, though they are not entirely without merit. My advice would be to go to a good library or book shop, find the relevant section and spend time browsing. Most enjoyable.

I’d recommend Lois M Rodden if I had to recommend just one Astrologer. For me she was inspirational. I didn’t come across her when I was studying Astrology but when I was studying Joan of Arc – I still really enjoy her article Joan of Arc, the Maid of La Pucelle, available at http://cura.free.fr/xv/14rodden.html#Note2 . The astrological perspective on historical figures, even for those who trash Astrology, stimulates thought and debate.

Astrology has given me many a glimpses of historical reality but these have mainly come in areas of enquiry first approached with other investigative methodologies. Astrology also offers a path into the minds of people who believe or did believe it to be a valid reference tool. These include Elizabeth I and Isaac Newton.

It is very possible to profit financially from Astrology but I think it takes a certain type of person (a well balanced Pisces for instance) to work at it full time in a worthwhile manner. Myself, I like to study as and when. I have some clients but they’ve arrived over the years and I don’t seek any more as each demands time. I did some work for someone – more ad hoc consultations about their potentials over a number of years. They bunged me a thank you that came in handy but I didn’t request or expect it.