Selecting an Astrologer

by Dr. Jai Maharaj

There are many guides and sources of information available which help us choose an astrologer.  I will offer one or two important points for consideration.

To tens of millions of families in Bharat (that is, India), consulting an astrologer is as common as going to the family doctor. Indeed, nearly all Jyotishis in Bharat are family practitioners: adult members of a family consult the same astrologer, as did their grandparents call upon the services of the astrologer's own father. Thus the astrologer was really selected one or more generations ago. This tradition continues not only in Bharat but also in many other Asian countries.

Businesses, organizations and the highest government leaders also rely on the recommendations of their astrologers. While many in this category continue to visit their family astrologers, an effort is also made to recruit specialty Jyotishis with expertise in a particular area. The prime minister may choose a team of astrologers who are strong in political matters and foreign policy -- such professionals will have appropriate university-level education in addition to their astrological training. The finance minister on the other hand may select an astrologer who is also an expert in economics, planning, business, banking, import-export and related fields. Large multinational corporations may retain an entire staff of astrologers.

But matters are a little different for a person wishing to select an astrologer here in the West. Here the unit of society has evolved to be more the individual than family. We may have to talk to several astrologers before deciding on a total stranger who is to be our advisor. While it is important to remember that the relationship with your astrologer is one of advice and not of advice-and-consent, it is also important that the best recommendations result from the effort and money spent.

Since the astrologer's product is information, try to get a good idea of what type of information, and how, it is provided. Let me illustrate by giving a couple of examples, separated in "desirable" and "undesirable" categories -- based on more than four decades of experience in the field:

Question

I just lost my job, and was not able to keep my previous job for too long either? Is it a bad phase I am going through, or is there something I can do to help the situation?

Undesirable First Response

Things will get better if you try harder, but chances are that the current bad spell may last a while -- Saturn is retrograde, you know. Its negative energy is affecting many people these days. You have an inner ability to excel but certain outside forces always seem to act against them, except when you really push and win over them. You are capable of doing so again, just apply yourself more and stay on the path just a little longer. Things will get better, you'll see -- as soon as Saturn goes direct you'll be calling me!

Desirable First Response

According to the information derived from your charts and current transits, a restrictive period in your career life began about the middle of October in 1994 and is expected to last until the first week of February next year.  Within this extended period, there were windows of opportunity between about mid-November last year until most of March this year, and then again during September and most of October. The third week of December appears fortuitous, but since that is close to a major holiday and usually unsuitable for interviews, you may wish to concentrate on meeting people who may later assist you in your career. As a practical matter, the period between February 20 March 11 next year is quite suitable for landing a good position. Your charts tell me that you have trouble communicating with younger people -- however, this tendency should not manifest after your 32nd birthday -- so perhaps you may wish to examine if compensating for it will help you in future employment. Please let me know if you want me to investigate this point further. I will also recommend astrological remedial measures if you wish.

Question

I just got married to the most wonderful man in the world. Is it going to last or is this just a big illusion?

Undesirable First Response

Congratulations! It is evident in your chart that this is one of the happiest times for you. There is no reason why it can't last forever, even though relationships have their ups and downs. You have a very lucky man in your life. Even if he doesn't rise to your expectations later, you will cover for him and he will learn from you. You see, you are the type of person who can chip away and mold a person according to your wants and needs, only don't take away so much that nothing remains -- although you are good at replacing what has been lost. If you have not seen this side of yourself you are bound to see it. Would you like me to work on his horoscope too?

Desirable First Response

Many cultures and traditions consider our existence illusory, so illusions within it make us happy and sad. Thank you for sharing your happiness; my congratulations go to both of you. I studied the indications in your charts for the next two years in the matrimony and relationships department. No separation or major trouble is expected.  Next July may see a sustained conflict about a point of contention. The best way to handle that one will be through non-ego based negotiation. It appears that the argument will require a rational analysis about your residence and a better place to live. This is in keeping with the indication that a move to another part of the city is expected soon after next summer. Examining certain other aspects of your charts, I find that the choice of mate you made is an excellent one in terms of health and longevity -- both of you should be disease-free for the better part of life. It is said that the honeymoon does not last forever, but I know of many cases where it does. I will be studying the quality of your family life as it will manifest during the next few years and will return with an assessment.

The aspect I have tried to express by these examples is perhaps the same reason why certain astrologers cause their clients to hop from astrologer to astrologer. Ask your potential consultant to provide a sample of his work before you retain him. Try to get an idea if the recommendations can be implemented in the near future.  Also, make sure that you are not going to be paying someone so that they can make you a subject of their study or a book they are writing. Life is too precious to be spent as an experimental guinea pig.

Opinions and needs vary widely from culture to culture and from person to person, but clients have taught me that the one thing that everyone expects from an astrologer is information that can be put put to use.  Advice which has as its main ingredient practicality and certainty is preferable to theoretical fantasy and polite niceties. That is the minimum your astrologer should be able to deliver.

(This is a condensed version of a more detailed article.)