On the Cusp of Becoming a Certified Astrologer — 9 Thoughts and Revelations
I’m embracing the celestial call – although a better title would be “Stop being a hobby f*ckboi and finally commit to mastery in one thing”
I turned 28 on 28 November last year.
It was my Solar Return, Golden Birthday, and Saturn Return all in one.
That’s 3 major themes happening all at the same time. As I battle the weighted gravity of Saturn, I also realise that it was a calling. It’s time I step up into my role. It was also high time I stopped f*cking around and commit to mastery in one thing.
My name is Lisa (Cryptic Lilac online) and I’ve been an avid astrology enthusiast since young. I’ve always been fascinated by Hellenistic mythology, the celestial bodies and what lies beyond. Over the years, my passion for astrology grew, leading me to delve deeper into various astrological traditions, studying charts, and attending workshops and conferences
After a decade of work in traditionally accepted roles — from completing my business degree, working in fields of marketing, PR, media, to working in an international bank and later fintech — I realized I couldn’t run away from astrology anymore. I kept it hidden in a closet, hoping it would go away, but time and time again it would resurface again. I couldn’t hide it anymore, and realized there’s no use in pretending. I had a powerful skillset that needed to be owned.
Astrology has been calling and I picked up the phone. Helping other people understand themselves better and find meaning motivated me to finally pursue the path of professional astrology once and for all.
I spent months honing my skills, conducting practice readings for friends and family, and seeking mentorship from experienced astrologers. The positive feedback I received and the profound impact my insights had on others only reinforced my decision to take this path.
While I stand on the precipice of my new journey, here are my 9 thoughts and revelations on the absolutely fascinating field of modern astrology:
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1. Responsibility and Power of Influence
As I stand on the cusp of becoming a professional astrologer, I can’t help but feel a great sense of responsibility.
Astrology has always been in my life, since I was a young girl, but I never seriously considered taking it full on until now, at the cusp of my Saturn Return.
After putting in so much time and energy studying the stars, I’m really excited to start using all that knowledge in a practical way. Becoming a pro astrologer might sound cool, it also means I’ve got some big responsibilities on my hands.
With great power, comes great responsibility.
I find myself thinking about ethics a whole lot more.
Why? Because I am literally dealing with people’s lives here.
Ethics play a huge role in astrology because people often turn to us for guidance when making life choices. Think about it.
You won’t go to a doctor unless you’re sick, you won’t go to an astrologer unless you have something very important in your life that needs clarity.
You see, these clients, aren’t coming to me to chit-chat. They are coming because they’re usually dealing with something big in their life — like pivotal career moves, major life changes, or important matters of the heart. They believe that an astrology reading can give them some clarity on these big life topics.
It’s a huge deal because the advice I give them during our sessions can seriously impact the choices they make. Choices that will shape their future change the trajectory of their life. So, when they share their birth charts with me and ask for my take on it, it’s a pretty big deal.
So, every time I do a reading, I’ve got to bring my sincerity, empathy, and a strong focus and commitment to give them sound and responsible advice.
These people, clients, come to me for a reading and will make important life decisions based on my interpretations.
Remember what I said about responsibility? ;)
I take it seriously because I know my insights can be a guide for them, helping them make these important life decisions with more confidence and clarity.
It’s a real honor but also a big responsibility, no doubt about it.
Hieroglyphics! Photo by AXP Photography on Unsplash
2. It's not enough to understand the glyphs. I need to be a Translator too.
Now that we’ve set the tone in place, let’s introspect on what an astrologer actually needs to do — Be a translator for the stars!
What I mean by this is — effectively translating the complex language of celestial patterns into meaningful insights for my clients.
I have to first be able to read these cryptic, hieroglyphical-like symbols. That’s just step 1. A more advanced reading takes into consideration what the lines, positions and placements are. Step 2.
Then, I need to know their associated meanings. Step 3.
Step 4 involves writing it down in English, words that make sense to people. It’s like I’m deciphering the stars’ secret code.
A very simple example would be,
♀ = Venus = Planet of love, beauty, wealth, value.
Glyph, association, what it means in English
Make sense? (this is a very very simple example)
Ask any billingual person to translate a foreign language into English. It’s kind of like that.
苹果 = Apple = A delicious fruit you can eat
Omg! Mandarin is hieroglyphic for sure.
I didn’t realise I was learning a new language when I studied astrology but it certainly does feel that way.
Step 5, and perhaps the most important of all, involves turning the words into clear, helpful insights that everyday people can grasp.
A successful astrologer explains things in a way that doesn’t involve a lot of industry jargon. The goal is to make the session helpful to the person I’m reading for, and not a show-off session on how many technical words I know.
Which brings me to my next point —
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3. It's not enough to be a translator. I need to practice Doctor’s bedside manners too.
My medical doctor, pharmacist, and nurse friends will understand what I am referring to.
Astrology consultations often involve deeply personal and sensitive topics.
A good astrologer knows that when it comes to winning over clients and making them feel comfortable, having good bedside manners is absolutely crucial. That means being compassionate and empathetic, making sure they feel safe and free from judgment when they’re talking about things that matter to them.
Anybody a fan of Grey’s Anatomy here?
Remember in Season 1, when Dr. Cristina Yang was still an intern at the hospital, and when placed in the same room as a severe burn victim’s family, she happily chirped away saying she could use the skin samples and grafts for her own study and surgical procedures RIGHT INFRONT OF THE VICTIM’S GRIEVING SPOUSE AND CHILD? That is definitely not the best thing to say to someone who had just lost a loved one. That is bad bedside manners right there.
First, organ donation for science and research is a complex and sensitive topic, as using human tissue for medical purposes raises ethical and legal concerns. Not only that, instead of giving the grieving family some time and support to deal with their pain and sorrow, it seems like she didn’t acknowledge or let the family process the high emotional state they were in at that moment. And on top of that, she didn’t even ask for the family’s proper consent. That’s not really how you should handle such a delicate situation.
A good doctor would in contrast, practice showing empathy and providing the necessary support to the family during such a difficult time. Good bedside manners. Good thing though, later on in the season, she develops and becomes better at this.
In the same way, astrology requires the delicate balance of holding space for people’s emotions while also dishing out slivers of truth.
A good astrologer listens and shows genuine care. When clients open up, it’s important to really hear them out and acknowledge their feelings and experiences. It’s like tuning in to their emotions and what’s going on beneath the surface.
That way, I can offer them insights that are way more spot-on and helpful. So, emotional intelligence is a big deal in this game, helping me understand what they truly need and what’s bothering them deep down.
I have to be honest, I am not naturally an empathetic person.
I struggled with love, relationships, and building strong connections my whole life.
I grew up in a very violent and abusive household. I never knew what being in a loving relationship was like, until I became an adult. That itself, presented its own issues.
But however, I was lucky enough to experience a once-in-a-lifetime chance of getting to know extraordinary individuals who came to me at the worst of times. They taught me compassion, love, empathy, and holding space for emotion, without judgement or jumping into a solution. I realized what holding space for feelings meant.
The art of listening — not just hearing words but really trying to get what someone’s feeling and going through. Acknowledge, understand, validate.
When it comes to being a good listener and making clients feel at ease, keeping their secrets safe and having strong ethical boundaries is super important. It’s like creating a safe zone during our discussion where they know their personal stuff won’t be spilled to anyone else. So, their privacy is a big deal, and they should feel totally comfortable and secure when they open up.
Respecting client confidentiality and maintaining strict ethical boundaries are integral components of good bedside manners. Clients should feel comfortable and secure during the consultation, knowing that their privacy is respected.
The art of effective communication is also a crucial aspect of practicing bedside manners. Astrologers should be mindful of their tone, language, and delivery of information. Being sensitive to the emotional impact of their words ensures that clients receive the guidance they seek with grace and understanding.
There can be a profound impact on real lives. Remember what I said about responsibility earlier? Very that.
As an astrologer, I have the opportunity to impact people’s lives positively. I can choose to be the asshole and deliver harsh messages with no cushion in between the delivery. I can choose to be the doomsayer and only talk about the bad things. I can tear people down in a vulnerable state, to make them believe they are bad people or do bad things.
But I don’t.
There needs to be a balance. Of the good, and the bad.
Not here to coddle and sugar coat, but also not here to tear you down.
Being able to guide and support them in their personal growth is both humbling and rewarding. I choose to empower and uplift. The insights I offer may help someone gain a deeper understanding of themselves, their relationships, and their life’s path.
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4. Being an astrologer is a bit like being a Psychiatrist or Therapist.
Being an astrologer can feel like being a therapist sometimes.
Trust me when I say this, but people break down and cry in consultations.
In natal chart astrology, we dive deep into a person’s psychology as I point out patterns that were passed down from someone’s mother and father (or lack thereof).
It’s not surprising how deep and emotional things can get as I go on about their upbringing, childhood, and old family patterns that play out in their current lives which stems from how their mother, father, and siblings treated them.
Like a clam, they open up and let it all out.
It’s all part of the journey to understanding their lives and helping them find clarity and guidance through astrology.
As I move on to their current life situation, it’s not uncommon for clients to share their most intimate thoughts, fears, and hopes. We discuss their struggles, their dreams, and their personal challenges.
In these moments, emotions can run deep, and it’s not unusual for tears to flow. These tears aren’t just a sign of sadness — sometimes they can also be tears of relief, as they find solace in the insights and guidance astrology can offer.
Which brings me to my next point —
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5. Building Trust and Privacy is essential
I always ask my clients (in my early days, mostly just my friends who managed to wiggle their way into a free reading when I was still studying astrology) to confirm on a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) as part of my practice. It’s just a way of me showing I take their privacy and the confidentiality of our sessions seriously. Anything they tell me during our talks stays between us, no exceptions. This trust is super important in astrology because it means my clients can really open up and share their deepest thoughts and worries with me, without worrying about their private stuff getting out there. Your secret is safe with me.
Just like a doctor wouldn’t share a medical patient’s records and broadcast them to the whole world, in the same way, I have an NDA rule where I never reveal the charts of other people.
Astrology charts are like someone’s private diary. So, we keep those charts under wraps and treat them with the utmost respect.
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6. I meet very lonely people
People often turn to astrology when they have no one left to turn to, or maybe even their own friends and families have turned them away.
It’s heartbreaking, really.
They feel like they have no one left to talk to or rely on. It is not safe to share what burdens them with their families. It can be an incredibly lonely and isolating place to be.
And in that loneliness, they turn to the stars in search of better horizons and answers, just like me, when I hit rock bottom myself.
Is this fated to be? I would ask myself.
This sense of loneliness can be incredibly isolating. It’s like being trapped in a world where you feel like no one understands or cares about what you’re going through. It’s a place where the darkness of solitude can be overwhelming.
An astrologer can also be a source of support and understanding for these lonely souls. It’s about creating a safe space for them to open up and share their burdens on their journey to better horizons.
Am I ready for that?
To be honest, no, and that’s something I need to work on.
If I’m being entirely honest, I’m not sure if I’m fully prepared for dealing with very lonely people just yet. It’s a big responsibility, and it requires a deep level of empathy, patience, and emotional resilience. Dealing with the pain and solitude of others can be emotionally draining, and it takes a toll.
So, it is aspiring to be that source of support and understanding, I’m also aware of my own limitations. It’s essential to recognize when someone might need to seek guidance and support for themselves, and not to place the whole responsibility of their life in the hands of the astrologer.
That’s why I always keep suicide hotline numbers in my contact book just in case someone needs it.
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7. There is an Element of Divinity
Astrology has this touch of the divine — it’s not just about planets and stars, but also acknowledging that there is synchronicity with our lives and something bigger than ourselves — something sacred and larger than life.
It’s like seeing a grand design in the cosmic dance of the heavens. When we look at the stars and planets, it can give us this sense of awe and wonder, like we’re tapping into something beyond the everyday.
In my search for God through my existential teenage years, I was on this deep quest to figure out what God was and what spirituality really meant to me. Those were the years when I was grappling with some of life’s biggest questions.
I spent a lot of time reading books, talking to all sorts of people with different beliefs, and even trying out various spiritual practices. I went to an Islamic sharing session, visited Buddhist temples, participated in Hindu temple rituals, and of course, because I was brought up by strong Christian values, I went to Church with friends only to challenge their beliefs.
Yes, I was an angry rebel.
It was like I was on a mission to find some kind of meaning and purpose in a world that felt confusing, unfair, and unjust.
Here is a list of things I explored:
From the aborigines of Australia, to the natives of the Americas — to Hinduism, Buddhism, and Christianity.
I explored the likes of John Lennon and his cry for “peace” in the 60s–70s. I explored the sacred teachings of the Buddha. The macabre teenager took a deep dive into death, life after death, and other planes of life — beyond what I could see, touch, feel.
I wanted to know what spirit was. I went ghost hunting. I looked at past lives, astral planes, out-of-body experiences, hypnosis, tarot cards, mind-altercations, ayahuasca and plant medicine, tantra, chakras, shamanism and more.
I read Dante’s Inferno, explored Witchcraft, Paganism, spells, and moon rituals. I explored Islamic art and Judaism, the Kabbalah, the Torah, Emerald Tablets, the Knights Templar, the Rosicrucians, and Freemasonry for my art history class. Above all, I was searching for God, and spirit, and in that search, I was searching for myself. And in all that, somehow, I came across astrology again.
Those years were definitely a rollercoaster of introspection and exploration. I was searching for answers about the universe and where I fit into it all. Looking back, it was a time of real growth and self-discovery that laid the foundation for my journey into astrology.
And here’s another layer to it — sometimes, people’s thoughts and beliefs might not align with their religion or the people around them. This can be true for many orthodox and conservative religions. That can create a profound sense of inner conflict.
So, when they come to me, it’s not just about finding answers. It’s also about finding acceptance and understanding in a world that might not always be so accommodating to their unique experiences and perspectives.
Many people turn to astrology because they’re on a quest for something deeper and more meaningful in their lives. It’s like they’re looking for a touch of the divine in the cosmos. Astrology helps them connect the dots between the movements of celestial bodies and their own life experiences.
They want validation from the stars that it’s meant to be.
It’s like a roadmap that guides them in exploring life’s big questions. There is back story to this. Like it or not, belief in astrology is deeply connected to culture, rituals and ceremonies. Western, Vedic, Chinese, Jewish astrology — all pointing to the same thing, but expressed differently, just like diversity in our languages.
Astrologers look to the stars to find the perfect moments for important life events like weddings, fresh starts, or big decisions. It’s all about believing that by syncing up with the cosmic forces, they can bring good energy and positive results to these occasions.
It’s like saying that the stuff happening up there in the stars isn’t just random. There’s something more to it, something meaningful and purposeful, like the universe is trying to tell us a story in its own cosmic language.
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8. There are Ethical Considerations
Astrology is also about making the choices that are right.
Suppose someone comes for a reading because they’re having relationship problems. Will I tell a husband if he can run away with his mistress and divorce his wife? I will reject the reading, and tell him to work on his marriage instead. The grass is greener where you water it. Making impulsive decisions can end up causing harm to everyone involved.
An ethical astrologer would explore the dynamics within the birth charts of both partners, highlighting strengths and potential areas of growth. The goal is to promote healthy communication and understanding, not to encourage ending a relationship.
If someone’s unhappy at work and wants to change careers, I wouldn’t just tell them to YOLO and quit. Instead, I’d discuss the pros and cons to help the client make an informed decision. What could the issue be? Is it that you hate your job, or you just hate your toxic, over-bearing boss? Or you don’t feel appreciated, hit a growth ceiling, but you are not willing to give up your comfortable, fat paycheck. What now? Cardinal points — like your family, your partner, your career — decisions made around these topics are rarely simple, and situations are often complicated.
Astrology unravels the complexities of your situation, shows you the cards you were dealt with, what’s coming up for you, and offers insights into what might be a better fit for you. It’s like having a roadmap that guides you through these crossroads and helps you make a more informed choice.
Heck, it’s like showing you what’s in the pile deck before you draw your next card!
Now let’s talk a little bit about finance and health, because those two, in my opinion, are often correlated. I also find these two topics interesting because 1) my dad is a chinese doctor and 2) my mum used to work in the central bank. Let’s just say I am familiar with both fields first-hand.
Health — In the ancient and medieval days, a doctor would NOT be allowed to become a doctor BEFORE he learnt astrology first. Yes, being an astrologer IS becoming a doctor. Sigh, where have those days gone? I blame the ruling Church and its indoctrinations of the day. Anyway, I digress.
I haven’t learnt everything I need to know about medical astrology yet, BUT, according to astrology logic, placements of the planets at certain times corresponds to any sickness you might have at the time.
HOWEVER because I haven’t been trained in medical astrology just yet, I wouldn’t dare to dream of providing a consultation just because I am not well versed in that knowledge just yet.
Finance—There is also the study of the correlation of things happening like solar eclipses, lunar eclipses, full and new moons and all sorts of things happening that correlate with the movement of the markets.
Again, because I haven’t fully learnt everything I need to know about financial astrology, I wouldn’t dare to dream of giving investment advice based on the planet movements. It’s like studying for gynecology, only to give advice in dentistry. Obviously that doesn’t make any sense.
When it comes to financial decisions, I believe ethical astrologers won’t promise riches or risky investments. Or even give advice like “place this ornament here in this house to improve money inflow” — like fengshui masters do. That’s not what I’m about.
The best money advice I can give to anyone is to first get a good job with a good salary, try to save some money, and don’t spend more than you make.
I don’t promote get rich quick schemes or funny investments that later on fail and then you blame me for it. I’ve had my fair share of fun in the bull market, but also some losses too. Investment advice is one of those things where I DO NOT want to give you advice on, because based on your own personal situation, what I do might not be suitable for you.
You need to look at your personal finance landscape, risk tolerance, and overall financial health. If you have only one income source, more often than not, that comes from your salary. How many mouths can you feed with that salary, and are you living paycheck to paycheck? If you are, then you cannot afford to take huge risks. Save for your own rainy day fund first, before thinking about doing crazy things. It’s just the law of nature.
If you have debts, forget about investing heavily in the market. Pay off your debt first. If you have dependents like an elderly parent, a bum of a sibling, or 3 very young kids who rely on you as the sole person to pay off their school fees, please don’t engage in risky behaviour otherwise, you end up being one of those anonymous writers in those “this happened to me too” anon twitter accounts, and we don’t want that.
If you want to make a lot of money, or indulge in that risky investment — are you prepared to give up your sleep, solo time with partner, family, or your mental health?
Are you prepared for the anxiety, mental turmoil and stress that comes with working long hours, staying up for days on an open trade? What if I tell you to trade in a certain commodity or equity class based on your profile— only for you to go to sleep putting a 100x leverage on your newest trade based on my advice, but you wake up stopped out of your trade because you forgot to put a stop loss? Who is then to blame here? Suddenly you are $40k down and you cannot pay for your upcoming kid’s school fees. You go into a massive frenzy trying to beg and borrow just to make up for those losses. You lose your patience, you get angry, and you have massive anxiety and stress for the coming few months. Was it worth it?
Health and finance are often correlated. It’s crucial to consider what you might be giving up in exchange for potential gains.
However, once you get more settled in your job, your salary, saved for an emergency fund, saved for 3–6 months and more of expenses, know a thing or two about investing, putting away some money to put in the stock market so that in future you can live off dividends (everyone’s FIRE goal amirite?) and have stupid money lying around, then yes, absolutely, please invest.
Remember this business theory — ham & eggs.
The pig provides the ham which requires it to sacrifice a part of itself, and the chicken provides the eggs which are not difficult to produce and actually comes by quite abundantly.
The one who is running on low fuel and invests with money they are hoping to immediately 100x, is betting with their last dollar they cannot afford to lose. They will be risking going into a debt spiral if any calamity hits. They are cutting a part of their arm or leg off. In this scenario, they are the ham.
The one who is able to keep themselves afloat comfortably and has spare cash to play around with has their shit together. They can get by even if they lose some money. Money will come back to them either way without problems or hesitation. It will come by either through their original job, other income stream, parents/spouse, or prior investments. Money is abundant. In this scenario, they are the egg.
So, be the egg, not the ham.
Success should not come at the expense of your well-being. So, before diving headfirst into risky ventures, it’s wise to weigh the potential rewards against the personal costs and to prioritize your health and happiness in the process.
And of course, to counter all these risky ventures, you can always just get into government bonds and T-bills. Super safe, slow and steady wins the race. But hey this is not finance article this is astrology article. So let’s get back into astrology.
Astrology of course, lays the celestial roadmap out for you, and keeps the checks and balances in place.
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9. Building Credibility and Embracing the Journey with Continuous Learning
My journey has only just begun. Building a strong, foundational structure is fundamental, and keying in all the nuts and bolts is essential. With more chart readings, my practice will only get better.
The depth and breadth of knowledge required in astrology is so deep and wide, I know that my journey as a professional astrologer will be a continuous learning process with infinite growth. Refining my techniques and developing my empathy while dealing with clients will be crucial in providing valuable takeaways for my clients.
Not only that, there is also Chinese astrology I would love to get acquainted with (Ba Zhi, Zi Wei Dou Shu, Qi Men Dun Jia), and Vedic astrology is also something I’d love to explore. Remember what I said previously about medical and financial astrology? There is also electional, predictive, horary and synastry astrology topics in Western astrology I have still yet to learn!
So much to learn, so little time. The gist of it is, there is much to learn, and I don’t think I can ever finish learning it considering the breath and depth of the field at hand.
However, that being said, becoming a professional astrologer marks the start of an exciting and fulfilling journey. I’m prepared to embrace both the challenges and triumphs that lie ahead.
I’d like to end this very long post by saying that my astrology journey definitely felt like this — “All Roads Lead to Rome”.
No matter which “normal world” path I explored, they all seemed to converge and point back to astrology anyway.
It’s been a diverse and enriching journey, much like the various roads that eventually bring travelers to the heart of the ancient city of the Ancient Roman Empire — the center of knowledge, culture, and spirituality in its time.
