Request for tips for starting up an astrology practice

[Elen]

Hi All,

I was hoping that those who make a living via astrology might be willing to offer some tips as to how to get started.  I lost my job today (fired, actually) and am thinking this is the next step to take. 

Also, for those who live in Oregon, would you recommend it as good place to establish a practice?  I love where I'm living but without a community of support I am not sure it is where I want to stay.  Also, I have felt the pull towards Oregon for many years but the timing has never been right.

Thanks for anything you all have to offer.

Best wishes,

[Kristin]

Hi Ellen,

I am so sorry to hear about your losing your job and wow right on the New Moon Solar Eclipse. Where does that fall in your chart?

It does sound and feel like the universe is stepping in, that perhaps it is time to spread you wings and take some risks. I do live in Oregon as you may know but most of my clients are phone clients. It has worked like dandelions in the wind as JWG used to say. Every time you reach someone and offer help on a Soul level, this client will want to tell their friends or family. Often times those people live all over the country. SO you end up doing a reading for sister Kate in Boise and Aunt Jane in Dallas and so on. My feeling is you need to go where it feels best energetically for you, where there are others of like mind to support your own personal journey and in those communities there will be clients but the bulk I believe will come from the phone..

The way my practice really got off the ground and remained relatively consistent was due to the weekly column I write. I initially contacted a local newspaper, from there I put it up on my web site and then it ended up on a few other web sites. It is important to give people reasons to come back to your site, whether it is a blog or a column. A place where they know they can feel supported and validated in some way.

Feel free to contact me if you have further questions...
Wishing you the very best in this transition..

Goddess Bless,
Kristin

[Steve]

Hi Ellen

I agree with everything Kristin said.

It definitely takes time to establish an astrology practice, to create trust in people that you know what you are doing, your advice is real and helpful, etc.   Over time it takes on a life of its own, as Kristin said. You do get those repeat clients, and referrals.   In my case I also do a lot of internet development work, so I have two things going. 

I moved to Oregon from New England in 2000.  I now feel the northwest, from northern Cal on into BC in Canada, is the most progressive part of the US.  We have our conservatives of course.  But we live in an age of mobility, and many very progressive people have relocated themselves to the Northwest.  It still takes time, often a long time, to build truly supportive community/family that is deeper than just surface friendship.  However there is more of that in the northwest, and more desire for it, than I found in other parts of the country.  Resettling anywhere is not easy, can have long adjustment periods.  I can share that after going through that transition I've come to feel more at home in the northwest.

I was sorry to read about you losing your job.  I just want to say, if its at all helpful, just keep plugging away, one step at a time, inch by inch, with determination.  I know from experience one can turn their life around, little by little, if they are completely determined to do so.  And, while it's not always apparent from outer events that can occur, behind the scenes Life itself is very much supporting our efforts to free ourselves up and find expression for our authentic voice.   And that includes supporting the creation of the financial resources necessary to do so.  It can be really difficult at times. But in the end sheer determination can carry you through. 
I wish you the best, Ellen, with the changes in your life.
Steve

[Elen]

Thank you so much, Kristin and Steve.  I truly appreciate your support and encouragement... and wisdom.... and experience...

Love,
Ellen

[Upasika]

Hi Ellen,

Very sorry to hear you lost your job, but it does seem maybe a bit fated, re the eclipse etc. Also Chiron is very much about following your true calling, your true path ... wonder what transiting Chiron is doing, or what might be activating your natal Chiron at the moment?

I also relate to everything Kristin and Steve had to say. My experience with starting astrology for a living was that it was something of a burden on it when I expected it, and it alone, to provide for every one of my material/financial needs. However once I had made the decision that I was going to follow my true passion in the world (astrology) first and foremost, and that everything else would be secondary, something in me relaxed. And then it became easier to pick up casual work to supplement what I earned from astrology, I wasn't so worried that I was doing work that I wasn't so interested in, as it was all for a purpose dear to my heart ... getting my astrology practice off the ground. A bit like newly weds using apple crates for chairs because they are so broke after having just put every cent they own down on their first house. It's way not comfortable, its rough, but they couldn't care less - they have what matters to them, their very own house to make their own home in.

After coming back from a long break overseas without pay to my 10 year long corporate IT career, I realised I was in the wrong place with the wrong people, and stopped playing all the games they did. Six months later I was made redundant because everyone resented that. And so I had to start again from scratch ... and it was by being willing to turn my hand to whatever I could, use what skills I had in any direction, that helped me to pull through financially while I immersed myself in astrology and focused on bringing that from inside me out to the world.  

It's been a long road (second what Steve said re that) but the inner freedom I felt the moment I overcame all my doubts about the feasibility of even trying, and just let go into my heart's desire, has made it all flow, cos I was flowing inside, and I couldn't be happier in that sense - since then I've been and am doing what I really want to do. And I too think it's important to trust in that, it somehow acts invisibly to pave the way ahead, brings the right people and events into your life.

I've actually not been working at all much for a while now due to health reasons, but up until that happened for quite a long time I'd been getting a lot more income from astrology since those beginning days eight years ago. But it is so helpful to also have had various ongoing casual work that I have built up (computer work, landscaping, business mentoring, laboring, any odd job ... like I say, I've been fairly open to anything really as long as it's casual and supports rather than prevents me doing my astrology work), and it has made it possible to transition.

Anyway Ellen, also wishing you the very best on the journey
Upasika

[Elen]

Hi Ellen,

Very sorry to hear you lost your job, but it does seem maybe a bit fated, re the eclipse etc. Also Chiron is very much about following your true calling, your true path ... wonder what transiting Chiron is doing, or what might be activating your natal Chiron at the moment?

Haha!  Good call, Upasika.... The eclipse is forming a t-square with my natal Pluto/Uranus opposite Chiron/PPP!  Also inconjuncting my SN.  And tSaturn has been squaring my nodal axis, well, forever and it's just about to turn direct and finish up...All good, eh?!


I also relate to everything Kristin and Steve had to say. My experience with starting astrology for a living was that it was something of a burden on it when I expected it, and it alone, to provide for every one of my material/financial needs. However once I had made the decision that I was going to follow my true passion in the world (astrology) first and foremost, and that everything else would be secondary, something in me relaxed. And then it became easier to pick up casual work to supplement

Hadn't thought about casual work, so thanks for that idea!
what I earned from astrology, I wasn't so worried that I was doing work that I wasn't so interested in, as it was all for a purpose dear to my heart ... getting my astrology practice off the ground. A bit like newly weds using apple crates for chairs because they are so broke after having just put every cent they own down on their first house. It's way not comfortable, its rough, but they couldn't care less - they have what matters to them, their very own house to make their own home in.

After coming back from a long break overseas without pay to my 10 year long corporate IT career, I realised I was in the wrong place with the wrong people, and stopped playing all the games they did. Six months later I was made redundant because everyone resented that. And so I had to start again from scratch ... and it was by being willing to turn my hand to whatever I could, use what skills I had in any direction, that helped me to pull through financially while I immersed myself in astrology and focused on bringing that from inside me out to the world.  

It's been a long road (second what Steve said re that) but the inner freedom I felt the moment I overcame all my doubts about the feasibility of even trying, and just let go into my heart's desire, has made it all flow, cos I was flowing inside, and I couldn't be happier in that sense - since then I've been and am doing what I really want to do. And I too think it's important to trust in that, it somehow acts invisibly to pave the way ahead, brings the right people and events into your life.

I've actually not been working at all much for a while now due to health reasons, but up until that happened for quite a long time I'd been getting a lot more income from astrology since those beginning days eight years ago. But it is so helpful to also have had various ongoing casual work that I have built up (computer work, landscaping, business mentoring, laboring, any odd job ... like I say, I've been fairly open to anything really as long as it's casual and supports rather than prevents me doing my astrology work), and it has made it possible to transition.

Thanks so much, Upasika.  Yes, I can see how it takes that inner shift to start being able to prioritize your life in the right ways to support your passion.  I think I'm there...

My best to you,
Ellen


Anyway Ellen, also wishing you the very best on the journey
Upasika

[Elen]

Hi Ellen

I agree with everything Kristin said.

It definitely takes time to establish an astrology practice, to create trust in people that you know what you are doing, your advice is real and helpful, etc.   Over time it takes on a life of its own, as Kristin said. You do get those repeat clients, and referrals.   In my case I also do a lot of internet development work, so I have two things going. 

I moved to Oregon from New England in 2000.  I now feel the northwest, from northern Cal on into BC in Canada, is the most progressive part of the US.  We have our conservatives of course.  But we live in an age of mobility, and many very progressive people have relocated themselves to the Northwest.  It still takes time, often a long time, to build truly supportive community/family that is deeper than just surface friendship.  However there is more of that in the northwest, and more desire for it, than I found in other parts of the country.  Resettling anywhere is not easy, can have long adjustment periods.  I can share that after going through that transition I've come to feel more at home in the northwest.
Steve,

This is so helpful to hear.  It sort of feels like my spirit is already on its way, and I think just what you're describing here is what I'm truly looking for, and an important part of what I'm needing, in terms of the work (not money-making) that I'm needing to do in this life.  So it is heartening to hear that people there, in your experience, are more invested in genuine relationship as opposed to superficial.  Saturn is on my DSC out there.  So perfect symbolism for consiousness building relationship work...


I was sorry to read about you losing your job.  I just want to say, if its at all helpful, just keep plugging away, one step at a time, inch by inch, with determination.  I know from experience one can turn their life around, little by little, if they are completely determined to do so.  And, while it's not always apparent from outer events that can occur, behind the scenes Life itself is very much supporting our efforts to free ourselves up and find expression for our authentic voice.   And that includes supporting the creation of the financial resources necessary to do so.  It can be really difficult at times. But in the end sheer determination can carry you through. 
I wish you the best, Ellen, with the changes in your life.
Thank you so much, Steve.  I truly appreciate your words of support and encouragement.

Best wishes always,
Ellen

Steve

[Elen]

Hi Ellen,

I am so sorry to hear about your losing your job and wow right on the New Moon Solar Eclipse. Where does that fall in your chart?

It does sound and feel like the universe is stepping in, that perhaps it is time to spread you wings and take some risks. I do live in Oregon as you may know but most of my clients are phone clients. It has worked like dandelions in the wind as JWG used to say. Every time you reach someone and offer help on a Soul level, this client will want to tell their friends or family. Often times those people live all over the country. SO you end up doing a reading for sister Kate in Boise and Aunt Jane in Dallas and so on. My feeling is you need to go where it feels best energetically for you, where there are others of like mind to support your own personal journey and in those communities there will be clients but the bulk I believe will come from the phone..

The way my practice really got off the ground and remained relatively consistent was due to the weekly column I write. I initially contacted a local newspaper, from there I put it up on my web site and then it ended up on a few other web sites. It is important to give people reasons to come back to your site, whether it is a blog or a column. A place where they know they can feel supported and validated in some way.

Feel free to contact me if you have further questions...
Wishing you the very best in this transition..

Goddess Bless,
Kristin

Hey Kristin,

I sent you a message but I just wanted to say that the idea to do a blog, much to my surprise, has captured my imagination.  One thing I'm not good at is giving structure to my days from within rather than relying on externals to do that for me.  This morning I woke up and I thought, well, I could start the day by writing a blog - kind of ease into my day by thinking about the astrological symbolism occurring and maybe how it's shaping my own experience or I could write out some of my thoughts on EA and how essential that has been for me, etc.  It felt very grounding.  No website yet, but in my mind it's a blog I'm creating.

Thanks so much for that!

Best wishes always,
Ellen